DOWN & CONNOR
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28/10/2026
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á AS NOVEMBER DEAD LIST In November we remember our dead relatives, friends and past parishioners.
Fr Stephen will offer Mass & Prayers each day for the dead of our Parish.
We are particularly encouraging families to come and attend Mass together.
We would like each family to recall the names of the dead and place them on the November Dead List, which they can find in the porch of the Church.
It is traditional that a stipend is offered, but this is not a requirement for the dead of your families to be remembered, this is simply an offering to Fr Stephen for the Masses celebrated throughout the month of November.
Our Remembrance Mass for our parishioners who have passed away this year will be held on
Friday 27th November at 7pm Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen PPC News: Holywood Parish Pastoral Council invite you to a talk by Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust on
Thursday 5th Nov at 7pm in the Church. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust provides practical and emotional support to families who have lost a loved one aboard.
They help with the repatriation of the deceased and offer guidance, care and assistance throughout the process, at a very difficult time.
Everyone is welcome to the talk. A collection for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust will be taken up on the night.
REMEMBERING OUR DEPARTED We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur around this time.
Robert Geddis
Brendan O’Neill Anniversaries : Joe Nixon, Raymond Hunt, Kevin Largey, Desmond Duncan, Maureen and Mick Fealty Joseph and Rose McBrearty, Shawn Cleary, Winifred Mckenna, Pat Mallon, Margaret Stewart (nee McFarland), Peter and Mary Murphy, Rita Reid, Monsignor Joseph Glover, V Rev John Sloan, Rev James A. Sherlock, V Rev Canon Daniel Gogarty, V Rev Gerard Laverty MASS TIMES Saturday vigil Mass 6.30pm Sunday10am & 12noon
Monday at 7.00pm Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday at 9.30am Friday at 7.00pm ~~~~ Tuesday - St Anthony’s Novena during the Mass. ~~~~ Friday –Novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour during Mass. ~~~~ Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for 30 mins before each Mass ~~~~ Eucharistic Adoration Every Saturday 12noon – 5.00pm And before weekday Mass For 30 Mins ~~~~ Confession is by appointment only – Please contact the
for further details ~~~~ Church Opening Times For Private Prayer Monday and Friday Open all day for evening Mass at 7pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday open until 3pm Saturdays 12noon to 5pm and Sunday until 1pm. ST COLMCILLE’S CHURCH, HOLYWOOD PARISH Fr Stephen P McBrearty PP 2A My Lady’s Mile, Holywood, BT18 9EW
Office Hours: 10.00am – 2.00pm
holywood@downandconnor.org Website : www.stcolmcillesholywood.org St Colmcille's Holywood https://www.stcolmcillesholywood.org
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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 25th October 2026 Almighty ever-living God, increase our faith, hope and charity, and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
St Vincent de Paul Helpline Number: 07845 854671
To donate directly to our bank account, the details are as follows: Account Name: Ulster Bank Springhill Account Number: 10523499 Sort Code: 98-07-60 If you would prefer to phone directly to donate money, please phone 028 90750161 and mention Holywood.
Thank you for your continued support during these difficult times.
If you can, please remember to Gift Aid your donation Sensory-Friendly Mass Invitation St Colmcille’s Parish Ballyhackamore warmly invites you to our monthly Sensory Mass on Saturday, 31st October at 12:00 noon.
This special Mass is designed to be inclusive and welcoming for individuals and families who may benefit from a quieter, more relaxed worship environment.
The short Mass will feature: Gentle lighting and sound; A calm and supportive atmosphere; Space to move around if needed; Sensory items to aid regulation; A warm welcome for all ages and abilities.
Whether you or a loved one experience sensory sensitivities, or you simply wish to attend a short peaceful and reflective service, we would love to see you there.
Refreshments after Mass. Abide in His Love Women’s Conference.
The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, 20th –22nd November 2026. Join women from across Ireland for a faith-filled weekend with inspiring speakers including Sarah Swafford, Danielle Noonan, Fr Mark Wharton, Fr Barry Braum, Fr Oisín Martin, the Dominican Sisters of Nashville, Bishop Fintan Gavin, and more.
A conference not to be missed! Register now: https://abideinhislove.eventbrite.com/ Church Cleaning Morning
Monday 26th October at 10am. If you can spare an hour, we’d love your help many hands make light work! Thank you! The Road Home
Sunday 22 November 2026 , 7.00pm Clonard Monastery, Belfast Join Cappella Caeciliana, directed by James Grossmith, for an evening of uplifting choral music celebrating belonging, hope and the choir’s 31st anniversary.
Featuring Ruth McGinley (piano) and Thomas Isaac (cello), the concert marks St Cecilia’s Day.
Tickets: £20 | Under 25s: £5 Book: www.caeciliana.org DOWN and CONNOR DIOCESAN TRUST HOLYWOOD PARISH VACANCY ‘ASSISTANT PARISH SUPPORT OFFICER’ Would you like to play a key role in supporting parish life and helping to ensure the smooth day- to-day running of a busy parish office?
Holywood Parish is seeking to recruit an Assistant Parish Support Officer to provide confidential, efficient and effective administrative support to the Parish Support Officer and Parish Priest, while offering a welcoming and professional service to parishioners and visitors.
The terms are based on a permanent appointment requiring 20 hours per week.
Work pattern : Monday to Thursday from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Rate of Pay - £14.04 gross per hour Full details relating to the vacancy can be found on the Diocesan website at: http://www.downandconnor.org clicking on the tab: JOB VACANCIES and on the Community NI website, where terms and conditions relating to the role can also be accessed by way of a Role Profile and Employment Application form.
Application packs can also be obtained from Holywood Parish Office.
We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the criteria and are interested in playing an active part in the Parish.
Closing date for applications will be 12.00 noon on
Tuesday 27 October 2026 Down and Connor Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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Wednesday Morning Coffee Mornings Are Back!
Everyone is warmly invited to join us for tea, coffee and a friendly chat on Wednesdays after Mass.
We look forward to seeing you! November Short-Term Pledge The month of November offers a special opportunity to make a small sacrifice in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
We invite parishioners and friends to consider taking a Short-Term Pledge throughout November.
Pioneer Offering - "I promise, in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to abstain from all intoxicating substances until the end of November.
Please consider joining with others in prayer, sacrifice and support for those affected by addiction.
Day Pilgrimage to Knock on
Monday 2nd November for feast of All Souls, leaving St Agnes at 7.30am. Price £30 (includes tea and scone).
Contact Pat 07946917354 or Harriet 07812098991 . Mass to remember deceased members of the Pioneer Association A Mass to remember all deceased members of the Pioneer Association will take place on
Friday 20 November in St Agnes' Church, Andersonstown Road, Belfast at 7 pm. Light refreshments afterwards.
All Pioneers welcome. Knock All Night Vigil : Departing Clonard Monastery at 1pm.
Monday 7th December returning to Belfast
Tuesday 8th December at Noon Price £75. Includes Dinner and Breakfast. To book: Please call brendan on 02890665211 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri.
Deposits can be paid at Shearer Butchers Andersonstown Road.
Vigil starts at 11pm and consists of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Benediction and finishes with Mass at 4am All are invited to come and hear from representatives of 6 Christian Churches who will consider: 'Who is Mary in God’s Plan of Salvation?
Martina Purdy will present on behalf of the Catholic tradition.
There also will be time for audience questions, chaired by Alf McCreary (Belfast Telegraph, BBC News) . This is an opportunity to listen and understand other perspectives.
Wednesday, 2 December 2026 at 7pm in Corr’s Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey.
Refreshments will be served. To aid in planning please rsvp to ecumenical@downandconnor.org or via QR Code available on the poster in the porch.
Centering Prayer Group: We are pleased to announce the Centering Prayer has resumed.
Centering Prayer Group offers a quiet and peaceful opportunity to step away from the business of everyday life and spend some time simply being still in God’s presence.
Centering Prayer is a simple form of silent prayer that helps us to deepen our relationship with God and grow in openness, trust and peace.
No previous experience is necessary — just come as you are.
Whether you are new to Centering Prayer or already familiar with it, you will be very welcome.
It is a chance to pause, pray, reflect and share this quiet time with others.
Everyone is warmly invited to join us in Iona on Tuesday mornings after Mass Safeguarding Training – Behind the Screens The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland is offering a four-session online training programme, “Behind the Screens”, exploring the opportunities, challenges and risks of young people’s engagement in the online world.
The training is aimed at those involved in children’s ministry, faith formation, youth work, youth ministry and pastoral care.
Cost: €20 per session | Online via Zoom Sessions take place on: 4 November 9 November 18 November 9 December 2026 Further information is on our website.
Community Set Dancing Classes in Holywood continue on Mondays (7.30pm - 9.00pm).
Great exercise and good fun. Very different to Riverdance.
No need to come with a partner - just comfortable shoes and a friendly disposition!
This is an adult class but children over the age of 14 are welcome but need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Each class costs £5 (£3 for those under 25).
Please call Kevin MacMahon on 07940 803839 to reserve a place or for further information Beginning Experience : The loss of a partner through death, separation or divorce is devastating.
Beginning Experience is offering a programme of bereavement support in St Bride’s Hall, Derryvolgie Ave., Belfast Booking essential . To find out more, contact Pauline 07519289185 or Marie 078961196 69 or email belfastbe@yahoo.com
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Stay Connected with Our Parish! Join the PPC Facebook Page!
Want to stay up to date with parish news, events, announcements, photos, and other important information?
Follow and like our PPC Facebook page to keep connected with our parish community throughout the week.
Find us on
St Colmcilles Parish Join us online.
Stay connected. Be part of our parish community!
Requests for Masses for Deceased Relatives and Friends In remembrance of loved ones – To request a Mass for an Intention of a family member or friend.
Please give your request either by calling the office 028 90422167 (Option 2) or by sending an email to holywood@downandconnor.org Although we cannot guarantee the date you request will be available, Fr Stephen will be offering a Mass for the Intention each day Thank God and sincere thanks also to our many listeners and supporters as RADIO MARIA IRELAND continues to grow.
As an Irish-run Catholic Talk- Radio Station we enjoy commercial free broadcasting - Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – do join our growing faith family!
Here’s how you can listen: Via Digital TV - Saorview Channel 210 Download our FREE App “RADIO MARIA IRELAND” Streaming on our WEBSITE - www.radiomaria.ie Via our ‘Listen Live Radio’ link on our Facebook Page.
Why not drop a line to our Spiritual Director, Fr Des Farren by text on 089-4672000 , by phone on 01-4123456, or come and pay us a visit at Radio Maria Ireland, St. Anthony’s Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 22. D22 R7W2 As the season of Advent approaches, Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality invites religious members and parishioners to take part in its upcoming Advent retreats . These retreats offer an opportunity to step away from the busyness of the season, make space for prayer and reflection, and prepare spiritually for Christmas.
Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality 426 Clontarf Road, D03 FP52 Advent 2026 Retreat Offerings Advent Triduum Retreat: Monday –Friday, 30 November –4th December or Monday –Friday, 14th –18th December . This guided silent retreat offers participants an opportunity to step away uy67t5ed3x c rom the busyness of the season and spend time reflecting on the themes of Advent —a time of waiting, watching, and preparing for the mystery of Christ’s coming.
Advent Weekend Retreat: Friday –Sunday, 4 –6 December Centred on the core themes of Advent, this weekend retreat includes time for personal prayer and reflection, prayer with others, and the opportunity to meet with a spiritual director.
It offers participants a chance to step away from the many demands of the season and make space to notice where God’s Spirit may be moving.
For more information, visit manresa.ie or contact Manresa’s reception team at reception@manresa.ie or 01 5529 448.
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THE WORD Yea as EEA raat is a LOVE, ONLY Py, MT 32:34-40 i As The Pharisees prided themselves on strict observance of the law.
So meticulous were they in keeping it they had worked out that the biblical law contained 365 negative commandments fone ‘thou shalt not for every day of the year) and 248 positive commandments [one for every bone in the human body) In addition to this written law, they believed that God had given Moses another set of laws that weren't written down but were passed down by an unbroken chain from Moses to them, Some Pharisees taught that every commandment was to be observed with the same attention to detail.
Others taught that the commanciments ranged from serious to relatively minor.
This debate provides the background to today's Gospel.
By asking Jesus’ opinion, his opponents are also inviting him to line up on one side or the other in the debata.
Jesus answers by quoting a varse from the Book of Deuteronomy that every member of his audience would know (Dt. 6:5).
It was part of the prayer they said twice each day, the Shema Yisrael (Hear, 0 the Lord our God is He then adds a verse that ‘resembles this’ the command to lowe your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 18:2).
On those two verges, ha says, hang the whole of the Law and the Prophets, that is, God's entire revetation to his people.
This is the law that matters, W REFLECT gause the word ‘love’ with easy benign God who forgives Cain for the We today.
Thinkofthecasual murder of his own brother, forgives his way we throw it around.
We love people time and again, and is personally our bed, our favourlte TV soap, our new invested in them, unlie the apathetic shoas, We love salt with our chips, sugar or vengeful gods that other peoples In our tea, and a trip to the cinema. | love worshipped.
Israel's God is slow to anger, everything that's bad for me, according to rich in mercy, ablding in lave. my cardiologist. Love is desire, obsession, addiction, commitment, lust, service: lovels God, Robinson says, has a lofty view of whatever we want it to be, humankind, expressad poetically in Psalm 8: "What is man that you are mindful of him?
But if we Christians want to know whatlove Yet you have made him alittle lower than truly is, we need only look to God, Ged is the heavenly beings and crowned him with love, St John tells us, God not only loves, glory and honour.” God is love.
And where there Is love, there ig God. God loves. and God is love, But, when we say this, we're not describing an up in the Inher book Reading Genesis, Marilynne sky kind of love.
We're describing tha kind Robinson points out that this Godly love is of concrete love that Jesus showed, what distinguished the God of Israal from other Middle Easter gods of antiquity The People practise this kind of love every day.
Babylonians and others ballaved in multiple Think of parents whe care for children with gods; Abraham and his descendants were special needs.
Or grandparents who pick in being monotheilsts, in believing up the places when their child's marriage there is butone Ged, wha had crested them collapses.
Or groups like the St Vincent de in God's very own image.
We are notimages Paul, who help the most neady, All of thase of angels or lesser gods but of the creator put love into practice every day. himself This wes a radical way of thinking. to break down the great The other gods of antiquity were remote, commandment into its three parts. distant, and indifferent to the happenings We are to: here on earth.
The God of Genesis Isa THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME This week visit someone who is lonely or who Ives alone.
Lord, help me to love you and my neighbour to the best of my ability Pray for your parish community, that all will grow in love of God and one enother.
Love of God and neighbour is the mark of the Christian At the heart of our faith in that knowledge that God loves us without reservation *love ourselves.
Healthy self-lave comes from knowing | am made in God's own image.
Healthy self-love is not the same as selfishness or narcissism.
It is to see myself the way God sees me, as one made in God's wn image.
Therefore. | am unique, lovable Irreplacaable, Many of us find Ithard to iove ourselves, Young people, influenced by social media, find | so hard to love themselves.
But if we are to love God and others, we must learn to love ourselves, love our neighbour.
To love is to will the good of another. It is to go out of our way for others. “Feed the poor.” That's love. “Break bread with those no one will sit with.” That's love. “Respond with patience to someone who gets on my nerves.” That's love, Lowe of neighbour means never being bystanders.
More than anything else, God will judge us on whether we foved others. “love God, God created us out of love, and sustains us lovingly each day.
We return God's love through a lite of prayer, worship and good works.
St Paul instructed the Ephesians to ‘ive a life of love.
Thre little words beginning with the letter L. Easy to remember, Hard to do, That's how we keep tha great commandment. a