Portaferry Parish Bulletin

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ST. PATRICK’S BALLYPHILIP
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Sunday 13th September 2026
Fr Feargal McGrady PP Tel: 028 427 28234 Web: www.portaferryparish.com
Email: portaferry@downandconnor.org Livestream: www.churchmedia.tv
Parish Office: 028 427 28373, Monday – Friday 9.00am – 1.00pm
Parish Bereavement Ministry
This group offers support for anyone experiencing bereavement. If you would like to talk to
a member please Telephone: 07564293692
ST PATRICK’S COMMUNITY CENTRE CONTACTS:
MADELINE DYNES 07999945936 & JAMES MAGEE 07542530006
During Business Hours
St Patrick’s
Portaferry St Cooey’s
Oratory St Patrick’s
Ballygalget
Sunday 13th September
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME 11am Mass
9.30am Mass
Monday 14th September
The Exaltation of the Holy
Cross
7.00pm Rosary
7.30pm Novena Mass 9.00am Rosary
9.30am Mass
Tuesday 15th September
Our Lady of Sorrows 9.00am Rosary
9.30am Mass
Wednesday 16th September
St Cornelius. St Cyprian 7.00pm Rosary
7.30pm Mass 9.00am Rosary
9.30am Mass
Thursday 17th September
St Hildegard.
St Robert Bellarmine
9.00am Rosary
9.30am Mass
Friday 18th September
9.00am Rosary
9.30am Mass Eucharistic Adoration
11.00am – 6.00pm 7.00pm Rosary
7.30pm Mass
Saturday 19th September
St Januarius 5.45pm Adoration
6.30pm Vigil Mass 5.00pm Vigil Mass
Our prayers are requested for the happy repose of the soul of Joe Kelly, recently deceased
and for the following whose anniversaries occur around this time: Paddy Smyth,
Dominic Pucci, Oliver Lynch, Abi Rogers, James & Mary McGrath, Robert & Mary Moore,
Ellie McDonnell, John Smyth, Charles Denvir, Sammy Denvir, Annie Mason, Peter Gran t,
Letitia Lennon, Mary McCluskey, Jean McCormick.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace, Amen.
ROSARY IN ST. COORY'S ORATORY: on Tuesday 15th September at 7pm,
in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Portaferry https://portaferryparish.com

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MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 12th September: Paddy Smyth, Dominic Pucci
Sunday 13th September: Oliver Lynch
Monday 14th September: James & Mary McGrath, Robert & Mary Moore, Ellie McDonnell,
John Smyth
Saturday 19th September: Johnny & Pauline McCarthy, Maeve & Joey Crangle,
Noreen Murray
Sunday 20th September: Elaine McVeigh (First Anniversary)
The Bereaved of the Community will be remembered in a special way at Mass on
Wednesday 16th September in St Cooey’s Oratory at 7.30pm.
Everyone is invited for a cup of tea and chat in the Parish Office afterwards .
The Apostolic Workers would like to thank all the parishioners who donated so generously,
sponsoring sacred vessels and gave to our church door collection.
We have raised the magnificent amount of £4,264.00
Your sponsorship and donations for the last year 2025 went to Missions in Kenya, Ni geria and
Zimbabwe. Again, thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Children’s Liturgy
The new term of Children’s Liturgy begins at the Masses weekend 27th and 28th September.
We look forward to welcoming primary school children from P1 upwards.
A consent form must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian before attending .
Forms are available in the main porch of St Patrick’s and may be returned to a membe r of the
Children’s Liturgy team or to the parish office.
If you are having difficulties with your expenses ring our confidential
telephone: 07508 549701. We can help.Thank you for your support and generosity.
Weekly Offering: £1,426.00 Weekly Standing Orders for August: £1,461.00
Monthly Offering: £1.488.00 . Monthly Standing Orders for August: £270.00
Cathedral Fund: £928.00 . Building & Cemetery Fund: £1,381.00 .
Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
PORTAFERRY AND BALLYGALGET BAPTISM MINISTRY
Baptism Information sessions will begin after Halloween. Dates will depend on
Baptisms that are booked via the Parish office.
Parents/ Guardians/ Godparents and Grandparents will be invited to attend. The informa tion
sessions will be:
· Short
· Informal
· Explain the rite of Baptism
· Provide refreshments
· Provide a welcome gift for each child.
Over the next few weeks, we will be setting up ‘Baptism trees’ in St Patrick’s Portaferry and
St Patrick’s Ballygalget beside the Baptismal fonts. The name of each child to b e baptised will be
hung on the tree as a welcoming gesture from our Parish communities.
May the time of preparation for Baptism be filled with peace, gratitude and the loving pre sence of
God in our families.

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The Folk Group would welcome new members, young (from P6) and anyone else who enjoys
music and singing and might like to try out being part of a choir.
Anyone interested in joining us please come along any Sunday and learn as you go.
Contact Bernie Doran on 078 4992 7581 or Lorna Spence on 078 5064 8091.
HARVEST SERVICE in Portaferry Methodist Church, Sunday 27th September at 7pm,
Rev Alan Wardlow, the Past President of the Methodist Church in Ireland will lead the
service alongside other local church leaders. A joint churches choir will help us in our
music as we thank God for his goodness to us.
Light refreshments provided after the service.
Food or financial gifts will be welcome but must be shelf stable goods that will be donated to the
local Food Bank. These can be brought to the church Sat morning 26th at 09:30-10 :30am or
brought on Sunday evening to the service.
Notices for the parish bulletin need to be with the parish office by Wednesday 12 noon.
Anniversary notices can be left in the anniversary boxes in either church,
(Boxes beside the candle shrines), sent by email, or rang into the office.
St Mary's Primary School & Nursery Unit, Portaferry.
Could You Spare an Hour?
As we begin another new school year, St Mary's Primary School & Nursery Unit is seeking
volunteers from our parish and wider community to help enrich the lives of our children.
Whether you could support reading, maths activities, sports coaching, art, languages, garde ning or
simply share a skill, hobby or life experience, even a small amount of your time can mak e a
meaningful difference.
If you can spare one hour a week, one hour a month, or help with a particular project, we wou ld
love to hear from you.
Contact the school on 028427 28278 or email pgilchrist570@c2kni.net
Share your time. Share your talents. Help our children learn, grow and shine.

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St. Patrick’s Community Centre, Portaferry
Bingo this Sunday 13th September at 3pm in aid of Air Ambulance.
Mon. Tea/ Chat, Gentle Exercise, Whist, Quiz, Light. Lunch 11.00am Text 078732842 52
Bridge 2pm. Ferry Fit 6.45pm. Tin Whistle for Beginners 7.00pm beginning Mon. 14th
Sept. Text 07542530006. Ferry Fit 7.45pm
Tin Whistle for Improvers 7. 50pm beginning Mon. 14th Sept. TEXT 07542530006
Tues . Portaferry Crafters (Textiles) 10.30am Text 07999945936
Ceili Dancing 7.15pm Text 07395200128
Ukulele Beginners 6.30pm; Improvers 7.15pm Text 07999945936
Wed . Gently Does It 9.30am (Gently Does It) Text 07999945936
Judo 5.00pm Text 07929905310
Thurs. Community Centre Singers 10.30am Text 07999945936
Jo Jingles 12.00pm Text 07395200128
The Hive (Arts & Crafts) 12.30pm Text 07999945936
“Painting Portraits” beginning 24th Sept. 7pm. Text 07542530006 for Registration
Ferry Film Club (Last Thursday in the month) 7.00pm
Ferry Fit 8.00pm
Fri. Party Dance 9.30am Text 07999945936
Walking Group 11.00am
Netball for P5 to Year 10 6.00pm to 7.00pm Text 07542530006
Sat. Flower Arranging (1st Sat of each month) 12 noon text 07999945936
See our Face Book page for further details: Stpatrickscommunitycentreportaferry
or text the relevant number with your details and the activity which interests you.
To hire any of our six rooms, please text 07542530006 or 07999945936
BAPTISMS: Portaferry Parish: 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month
Ballygalget Parish: 1st & 3rd Sunday
Please book with the parish office, ( Not the parochial house.) Portaferry: 02842728373
Mon - Fri 9am - 1pm. Ballygalget: 07398623134 Wed or Fri 9am - 1pm.
A copy of your child’s Birth Certificate (Long version) is re
quired prior to Baptism date.
QUEEN’S CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY – WE’RE BACK!
The Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s reopens for the new academic year on Monday 14
September, with weekday Masses and our semester programme resuming.
Our first Sunday Mass is 20 September at the new, earlier time of 7.00pm. Please note the n ew
time!
New or returning student? Find out about what’s on, ways to connect and get involved, and
student accommodation at Ryan Hall at qubcatholic.org and on our socials. Staff a nd alumni are
always welcome too.
Visit our newly renewed Chaplaincy at 28 Elmwood Avenue for Mass, Confessions or candle
lighting — and call into Mosaic for some of the best coffee, hot lunches and home-baked treats in
South Belfast!

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Thinking about becoming Catholic or want to deepen your understanding of the faith?
The Diocesan RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a journey of faith, formation, an d
community for adults who wish to explore the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Chu rch. It
is open to those who are not baptised, those baptised in another Christian tradition, or C atholics
who wish to reconnect with their faith.
The 2026 –2027 programme begins on Wednesday 23rd September and runs weekly from
6.30 –8.00 pm at St Mary’s Hall, Chapel Lane, Belfast. Sessions include prayer, teaching,
discussion, and time for questions. Spouses, fiancés or friends are welcome to
attend alongside participants.
All are welcome, whether you are exploring faith for the first time or returning after
some time away.
To register or find out more, please email rcia@downandconnor.org or scan the
QR code.
Pioneer Gathering – Sunday 27 September
A meeting for all Pioneers who are interested in helping to renew and strengthen the Pione er
Association in Down & Connor will take place on:
Sunday 27 September at 3.00 pm in Holy Family Gathering Space, Holy Family Church ,
Newington Avenue, Belfast.
This gathering is open to all Pioneers, especially those who would like to support a f resh start, new
energy, and renewed commitment within our diocese. We would be delighted to welcome as many
Pioneers as possible.
Beginning Experience – Beginning Experience is a peer ministry to the bereaved, separated and
divorced, based within the Family Ministry of the Diocese of Down and Connor.We are offering a
support programme over three Saturdays from September through to November and would be
most grateful if you could include the following information in your Church Bulletin at your earliest
convenience.
The loss of a partner through death, separation or divorce is devastating. Beginning Expe rience is
offering a programme of bereavement support in St Bride’s Hall, Derryvolgie Ave., Belfast on three
Saturdays (26th September 24th October and 21st November) Booking essential. To find out more
contact Marie 07896119669 or email belfastbe@yahoo.com
Poetry & Presence: Link to Poetry & Presence Flyer
Poetry & Presence begins on Thursday 1 October at 7pm in the Belfast Jesuit Centre ,
opening with the theme of Water in this Season of Creation . You’re invited into a quiet, reflective
evening of poetry, art, music, and Scripture: a space to pause, breathe, and let the imagery of
water in God’s story speak to the depths of your own heart.
Thursday 1 October 7.00pm Belfast Jesuit Centre
To register, visit https://belfastjesuitcentre.co.uk/poetry-presence/
Hybrid Book Launch: Link to Book Launch Flyer
The Belfast Jesuit Centre will host a special hybrid book launch on Monday 19 October at
7.00pm for Conquest or Leaven: Reflections of a Catholic Priest in Palestine/Israel by
Fr David Neuhaus SJ .
Join us for a short talk from the author, a guided conversation, and live Q&A with Fr Neuhaus who
will join us via live video link. His story - from South African Jewish roots to Christian faith and
Jesuit ministry in the Holy Land - offers a powerful and unique perspective on justice, peace , and
human dignity.
Books will be available at a discounted rate. Visit https://belfastjesuitcentre.co.uk/hybrid-
book-launch-conquest-or-leaven-by-david-neuhaus-sj/ to register. We look forward to welcoming
you to this thoughtful and urgent conversation.