St Patricks Belfast Parish Bulletin

Page 59

St Patricks Belfast

Page 60

PARISH BULLETIN
Sunday 13 September 2026
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fr Francis O’Brien

CONTACTS

Parish Office : 028 90 324597
Address : 199 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2FL
Emergency Telephone : 07496818511.
Office hours 10.30am – 2.00pm Tuesday -Thursday,
closes 1pm on Friday.
You can contact us by telephone or email. Since St
Patrick’s is a very busy Parish Office; we can’t always
answer the phone immediately. Please leave a
message with your telephone number and we will
call you back.
Parish email: stpatricks@downandconnor.org
Website: www.stpatricks.org
St. Patrick's Parish, Belfast | Belfast | Facebook
@stpatricks200
St Patrick’s Parish is a member of a Family of
Parishes comprising the Parishes of Holy Family, St
Gerards and St Patrick’s.
Holy Family – Fr Michael Spence, Fr John O’ Laverty
(028 90 743119)
St Gerards – Fr Patrick O’Keeffe (028 90 774833)
Belfast Jesuit Centre: Fr Gerry Clarke SJ
gclarke@jesuit.ie
St Patrick’s Primary School: 028 90 351478
Blessed Trinity College: 028 90 370665
WEEKEND MASS
Saturday Vigil 6pm. Sunday Morning 9am & 11am.
Sunday Evening 6pm Candlelit Mass.

WEEKDAY MASS

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
10am.
CONFESSIONS Saturdays 5.30pm to 5.50pm.

REST IN PEACE

Barry Geoghan.
Inurnment: Eamon Kirk.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Saturday 6pm: Eamon Kirk Months Mind.
Sunday 9am: Elizabeth Harley 2nd Anniversary.
Sunday 6pm: Annie Waterworth Birthday
Remembrance, Christy Matthews Anniversary.
Thursday 10am: Mary Meighan 29th Anniversary,
Bridie Gallagher 2nd Anniversary.
FEAST/MEMORIAL DAYS THIS WEEK
Monday 14 September - The Exaltation of the Holy
Cross. The discovery of the True Cross is dated to 320.
In 335 the churches on Calvary were dedicated and
the cross that St Helena discovered was venerated
there. The annual commemoration of that event has
been celebrated since, in praise of the redemption
won for us by Christ.
Tuesday 15 September - Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary,
standing by the Cross, suffered intensely with her Son
and united herself as his Mother to his sacrifice,
consenting with love to the offering of the victim who
was born of her, whom she also offered to the eternal
Father.
Thursday 17 September - St Hildegard, 1098-1179,
founder of the monastery of Bingen around 1150, she
knew the natural sciences, was a musician and
composer, a writer and a mystic. She worked for the
reform of religious life and the Church. She was
canonised and declared a doctor of the Church in
2012.
St Vincent de Paul 028 90351561
NEW LODGE GROTTO 50th BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATIONS
Fr Francis O’Brien and Fr John O’Laverty
would like to thank all those who
organised and supported the Rosary and
Mass at the Grotto as part of the 50th
Birthday Celebrations. The presence and support of
Bishop Alan was also very much appreciated. “We are
deeply grateful to everyone for your dedication,
devotion, and steadfast faith in Holy Mary. Your
prayers and commitment are a beautiful expression
of love for Our Blessed Mother. May Mary continue
to guide our community and bring us closer to her
Son, Jesus.”
ROSARY at the Lourdes Grotto in the New Lodge will
continue every Monday at 7pm and Thursday at
7.30pm. All welcome.

Page 61

TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
Forgiveness
In the Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that if we want
God to forgive us, we must forgive others. We all
know how hard it can be to forgive. At the same
time, we know how lovely it is to be forgiven.
Today’s Gospel raises the question of sin between
brothers and sisters, that is, fellow-Christians. The
Psalm talks about the greatness of God’s
forgiveness, (which contrasts with our miserly
forgiveness). Anyone who is forgiven has an
obligation to forgive. If we cannot bring ourselves to
do this, it is an indication that we haven’t
experienced God’s forgiveness. The position of the
servant in Jesus’ story was absolutely hopeless. He
owed the king so much money that even if he
worked forever, he would not be able to repay him.
This is our situation before God. We can’t win God’s
forgiveness. All we can do is plead for his mercy.
READINGS: First Reading (Ecclesus 27:30-28:7). In
refusing to forgive those who have sinned against us,
we exclude ourselves from receiving God’s
forgiveness for our own sins. Second Reading (Rom
14:7-9). The entire existence of a Christian is for
Christ and for others. Gospel (Mt 18-21-35). We must
be willing to extend to others the generous
forgiveness God has extended to us.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Down and Conor Diocese is renewing and developing
its Diocesan Adoration Lay Committee in order to
increase the practice of Eucharistic Adoration in
parishes throughout the diocese. We are looking for
members of the Parish who would be willing to
attend an Information Meeting at one of these
venues:
Thursday 1 Oct: The Parish Centre, Ballymena 8pm
Friday 2 Oct: St Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick 8pm
See Poster in the Church for more details. Contact the

Parish Office if you would like to attend

JESUIT CENTRE EVENTS
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
DOWN & CONNOR DIOCESAN RETREAT
As Fr Francis will be attending the retreat there will
be no weekday Mass this Tuesday 15 and
Wednesday 16 September.
HOLY FAMILY PARISH
Present an Evening of Music in Holy Family Church in
aid of Newington Day Centre . Featuring Neil Martin,
Cavehill Community Choir and Friends,
Sunday 4 October 7pm.
Tickets £10 available from Holy Family Parish Office.
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
WALK LIGHTLY
Each leaf, each petal, each grain, each
person, sings your praises, Creator God.
Each creature on the earth,
all the mountains and great seas,
show your glory, Spirit of love.
And yet the hand of greed has patented
and plundered your splendour,
has taken and not shared your gift,
has lived as owner of the earth, not guest.
And so, the ice is cracked, the rivers dry,
the valleys flooded and the snow caps melt.
God our Father, show us
how to step gently,
how to live simply,
how to walk lightly
with respect and love
for all that you have made. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"With each sunset, reflect; with each sunrise,
renew."
PARISH COLLECTIONS
The Offertory Collection for Sunday 6 September
came to £1966.00. Dona £156.25.
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The Monthly Stipend for the support of the priests
came to £1060.00. Dona £30.00.
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If you wish to donate directly via Bank Transfer the
parish bank details are:
Account Name: St Patricks Parish
Account Number: 70327727
Sort Code: 95-06-79 (please add an identifying name
to your transaction) or you can contact the Parish
Office for a Standing Order Form.
Thank you for your continued support and
generosity.