DOWN & CONNOR
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13/09/2026
Page 1
áAS
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 and
community for adults wishing to explore the teachings of Jesus Christ
and the Catholic Church. It is open to anyone unbaptised, those baptised
in another Christian tradition, or Catholics wishing to reconnect with their
faith. The 2026-2027 programme begins on Wednesday 23rd Sept and
runs weekly from 6.30pm to 8pm in St Mary’s Hall Chapel Lane Belfast.
Sessions include prayer, teaching, discussion and time for questions.
Spouses, fiancés, and friends are also welcome to attend alongside
participants. Further details are on our website.
Lay Bereavement Ministry – Volunteers Needed
Parishioners are invited to consider becoming
Lay Bereavement Ministers, a new ministry replacing
Bethany Bereavement . Ministers offer compassionate
support to those who are grieving through visits, telephone contact,
group support and parish remembrance events. We are looking for
people with good listening and communication skills, a caring and non-
judgemental approach, reliability, and an active parish faith. A minimum
team of 4 people is required, with ministry carried out in pairs. Teams can
also work across a Family of Parishes. Training: 29 September –14
November at the Diocesan Offices, 120 Cliftonville Road, Belfast.
Attendance at all six sessions is required. Application deadline: 12
noon, Friday 18 September . Places are limited. Further information is on
our website www.stcolmcillesholywood.org
REMEMBERING OUR DEPARTED
We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries
occur around this time.
Recently Deceased Peter McCoy, Margaret McConville, Frank McGrath, Brenda Brennan, Frank Boyd
Anniversaries : Maura Muldoon, Etta McGarry, James Dobbin, Carolyn Gibbons, Mary O’Doherty,
Roseleen Largey, Byran Largey, David, Patrick and Elizabeth Dorrian, Cordelia Garvey, Desmond
Herdman-Grant (40th) Freda Muckle, Ann Marie Rafferty (2nd), Frank Gray,
V Rev Brendan F McGarry, Rev Tom Gartlan, V Rev Francis McKenna,
ST COLMCILLE’S CHURCH, HOLYWOOD PARISH
Fr Stephen P McBrearty PP
2A My Lady’s Mile, Holywood, BT18 9EW Tel: 028 9042 2167 Office Hours: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Email: holywood@downandconnor.org Website : www.stcolmcillesholywood.org
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
~~~~
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.
PARISH OFFICE – REDUCED HOURS : Please note that the Parish Office
will be operating at reduced hours from Monday 14th September
until Wednesday 23rd September. If you would like to arrange a
Mass to be offered for a family member or loved one, please contact
the Parish Office by: Email: holywood@downandconnor.org
Telephone: 028 9042 2167 — please leave a voicemail if we are unable
to answer. We will respond to your request as soon as possible. St Colmcille's Holywood https://www.stcolmcillesholywood.org
Page 2
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 13th September 2026
Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things,
and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all
our heart. 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
DAY RETREAT TO LOUGH DERG
Saturday 19th September
Leaving St Paul’s at 6.30am Returning to St Paul’s at
7.30pm the day includes bus, boat, tea & scones on
arrival then a light lunch and retreat. The theme of
the retreat is “It is no longer I who live, but Christ
who lives in me”
(Galatians 2:20). The morning will include prayer,
teaching, fellowship and men’s testimonies, with Fr
Eddie McGee as keynote speaker.
All men are very welcome. Price for Retreat is £45
plus the bus price determined on the
uptake. Telephone St Paul’s Parish Office on 028
90325034 Mon – Thurs to book a place.
Defibrillator Training – Volunteers Needed
Our new defibrillator is located just inside the church
entrance, beside the toilets. While it is simple to use
without prior training, we are offering short training
sessions in September to help parishioners feel
confident using it in an emergency. We still need
volunteers from all three weekend Masses to
complete the training. No first aid experience is
required. If you would like to take part, please contact
the Parish Office with your usual Mass time and
St Colmcille’s Ballyhackamore at 7.30pm
Join us on the first and third Tuesday every
month to recharge your spiritual batteries
through prayer, study and friendship. First
Tuesday – Adoration with Guided Meditation and
Confession. Third Tuesday Group Study Course.
SCRIPTURE GROUP : We are delighted to announce
that our Scripture Group will be starting back on
Monday 14th September at 7.30pm in Gartan ,
directly after Evening Mass. Everyone is warmly
welcome to come along, whether you have joined
us before or are new to the group. It’s a lovely
opportunity to come together, reflect on Scripture
and share in faith and fellowship. If you would like
to join us, please contact
Paul Logan on 07798 655654 .
Church Cleaning Morning – Monday 28th Sept at
10am. If you can spare an hour, we’d love your
help — many hands make light work!
Thank you!
DOWN AND CONNOR DIOCESAN TRUST
ST MATTHEW’S PARISH, BELFAST
VACANCY – PART-TIME HOUSEKEEPER
St Matthew’s Parish, Bryson Street, Belfast, is
seeking a part-time Housekeeper to provide a
reliable cleaning service and assist with the
preparation and serving of food and beverages for
the Parish Priest. The successful applicant will help
maintain a clean, welcoming parish house for the
Parish Team, volunteers and visitors. Hours: 12
hours per week Contract: Permanent
Rate of pay: £12.71 gross per hour
Working pattern: To be agreed with the Parish
Priest; some flexibility may be required.
For full details, including the Role Profile and
Application Form , visit the Diocesan website at
www.downandconnor.org and select Job
Vacancies , or visit Community NI. Application packs
are also available from the Parish Office.
Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 28th September
2026. Down and Connor Diocesan Trust is an Equal
Opportunities Employer.
Diocesan Vocations Summer Newsletter
Read our latest newsletter and join us in praying for
vocations to priesthood, religious life and Christian
service. www.stcolmcillesholywood.com
Page 3
Could You Help
Share the True
Spirit of
Christmas? Each
year, volunteers in parishes across the north of
Ireland set up a small stall after Masses to sell
Trócaire’s Gifts of Change — meaningful gifts that
make a real difference to families living in poverty
around the world. We provide everything you
need including training and support. All we ask is a
little time and a big heart. Last Christmas, 50
parishes took part — and we’d love to grow that
number even more this year! If you would like to
find out more about how you can help, please email
Mark at mark.mcmahon@trocaire.org or call
028 9080 8030 .
Diocesan Vocations Summer Newsletter
We are delighted to share with you the Diocese of
Down and Connor Vocations Summer Newsletter.
The newsletter offers an insight into the many ways
in which vocations are being nurtured and
encouraged across our Diocese, as well as the work
taking place to support those discerning God’s call.
We invite parishioners to take some time to read
and reflect on the newsletter and to continue to
pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious life
and all forms of Christian service. Copies of the
Newsletter are on our website
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 imag ery 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
Marriage Enrichment Weekend
2nd to 4th October : Marriage Encounter Ireland
invites married couples to a residential Weekend
from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th October 2026 at the
“Focolare Centre” "Curryhills", Prosperous,
Co. Kildare. Step away from daily distractions to
deepen your communication, renew your love, and
rediscover the joy of your marriage.
Beginning Experience – Bereavement Support
Beginning Experience is a peer ministry supporting
those who are bereaved, separated or divorced. It is
part of the Family Ministry of the Diocese of Down
and Connor. The loss of a partner through death,
separation or divorce can be devastating. Beginning
Experience is offering a programme of bereavement
support over three Saturdays:
Saturday 26th September
Saturday 24th October
Saturday 21st November
St Bride’s Hall, Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast
Booking is essential.
For further information or to book a place, please
contact Marie on 07896 119669 or email
belfastbe@yahoo.com .
You do not have to walk through loss alone
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,
Pauline 07519289185 or Marie 07896119669 or e
mail belfastbe@yahoo.com
Abide in His Love Women’s Conference.
The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran,
20–22 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/
Community Set Dancing Classes in Holywood
are starting again on Monday 14th Sep
(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 Mac Mahon on 07940 803839 to
reserve a place or for further information
Page 4
The Chosen – Season 2 at the
Belfast Jesuit Centre: Weekly
screenings of The Chosen:
Season 2 continues each Friday at the Belfast Jesuit
Centre. Tea/coffee at 10.45am, episode at 11.00am,
followed by a reflective Examen and discussion. All
are welcome; no registration required.
Episode dates: 18 Sept, 25 Sept, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16
Oct, 23rd October.
Contact: bjc@jesuit.ie | 07955 282371 |
St Vincent de Paul – Treasurer
Could you help us? We are
looking for a reliable and community-minded
person to take on the role of Treasurer for our
St Vincent de Paul Group. If you have
bookkeeping experience or have previously
held a similar position, we would love to hear
from you. Your experience would be greatly
appreciated and would be a valuable help to
our group. If you think you might be interested,
or would simply like to find out more, please
leave your contact details with Claire in the
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 Facebook: St Colmcilles Parish
Join us online. Stay connected. Be part of our parish
community!
A Year of Ignatian Prayer
2026-2027
Belfast Jesuit Centre
There are a few places remaining on our
immersive programme in Ignatian Spirituality, which
returns on Saturday 26th September; offering ten
in-person Saturdays (10am –4pm) in the BJC and
seven online Integrative Practice Pause Points to
support prayer, discernment and reflective living.
Open to those new to Ignatian Spirituality and
those seeking to deepen their practice.
Suggested donation: £200 –£280. Bursaries
available.For dates and registration, please visit:
prayer-2026-2027/
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