Church Building Fund ‘Big Draw Night’

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The annual Big Draw Night was held in the Parish Centre on Wednesday 30th April. Entertainment was provided by ‘Sunshine’, a very versatile group so there was music to suit all tastes. The evening was very enjoyable and successful.
The high point was the actual draw managed by the loyal and enthusiastic team comprising Angela, Adelaide, Rosaleen and Mary ably assisted by Fr Emerson who kept the ‘craic’ going while results were verified.
Congratulations to all the prize winners – click on the Bulletin tab for details.
Many thanks to the Fund Raising Team and Promoters – the new draw commences on May 12th with very attractive weekly prizes. If you haven’t yet joined and would like to just telephone the Parish Office on 9074 3119.

Holy Family PS Choir and Instrumentalists

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A fundraising concert in aid of Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church was held on Friday 25th April in Castle High School. A delightful programme show cased the talents of the City of Belfast School of Music Junior Band and Percussion Ensemble and those of the Holy Family PS pupils who are members of the Choir, Traditional Group, Flute Group and Djembe Drummers.
The School Hall was packed to capacity and an excellent evening was enjoyed by one and all.

Rev Lesley Carroll concluded the evening with a warm word of thanks to all those who had supported the event. We wish her well in all her fundraising projects.

 

Holy Family Parish Golf Society
Prize Day at the Hilton, Templepatrick


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Holy Family Parish Golf Society

As we start our 9th season I look back and wonder where the past 8 years have gone! In late 1999, during a conversation with Fr Colm McBride about golf, I mentioned that it was a pity that there was no golf society in the Parish and he immediately replied: “Let’s call a meeting and get one started”. Well by February 2000 we had held our third meeting and our first outing was organised for Cushendall in March! The response was tremendous and with a membership of around 30 we were up and golfing.
Click here to read more and view the gallery!!

 

'A Reflection for Holy Week in Words and Music'

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A Reflection for Holy Week

Members of Fortwilliam Musical Society, Rosemary Presbyterian Church Choir and McQuiston Memorial Church Choir presented a beautiful selection of music and Readings reflecting the themes of Holy Week and Easter in Holy Family Church on Tuesday 18th March. The Choir was conducted by Isobel Crowe and William Cairns was the Musical Director.
The evening offered us a welcome opportunity to take time out to pause and reflect, in song and word, on the mysteries of the Easter Triduum.
Afterwards everyone enjoyed a cup of tea, delicious tray bakes and plenty of chat in the company of friendships stretching back over 27 years.

The generous sharing of time and talent by the musicians and choir members is greatly appreciated.

Lisbreen Apostolic Society Hosts a Coffee Morning

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Members of Lisbreen Apostolic Society hosted a very successful and enjoyable Coffee Morning in the Presbytery of St Thérèse after the 10.00am Mass on Saturday 8th March. All money raised will go towards projects in the Developing World. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful hospitality and the opportunity to relax and chat while supporting an excellent cause. A big thank you to the members for raising the profile of the Apostolic Society and for giving Parishioners an opportunity to lend support.

Capella Caeciliana

On Sunday 9th March the members of Capella Caeciliana, conducted by Rita Goldsmith, (unfortunately Donal McCriskin was indisposed), sang Evening Prayer in Holy Family Church at 5.00pm. They inspired and uplifted all present with the beautiful quality and integrity of their singing and organ accompaniment. It was a very prayerful occasion and a welcome opportunity to take ‘time out’ to reflect and be still. We thank the members of the Capella for using their talents in such a unique way and wish the group well in their future projects.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation (St Thérèse of Lisieux PS)

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~ The Sacrament of Confirmation ~
On Thursday 21st February the Sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at 4.00pm in Holy Family Church. This was another significant occasion for the Parish as it was the first time the Sacrament was celebrated in the new Church. Bishop Patrick Walsh conferred the Sacrament on the Year 7 boys and girls of St Thérèse of Lisieux PS. It was a beautiful ceremony which the young pupils, their parents, sponsors and family members were fully engaged in. The young people read and prayed sincerely and they enhanced the Liturgy with singing and music.  During his homily, the Bishop stressed the importance of family life, prayer and participating in Mass on Sundays.
The Friends of St Thérèse of Lisieux PS served refreshments afterwards in the Youth Resource Centre and Bishop Walsh enjoyed meeting the Year 7 pupils individually, signing their Confirmation Booklets and having lots of pictures taken.

 

~ The Service of Light ~


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On Monday 11th February Year 7 boys and girls in Holy Family PS celebrated a ‘Service of Light’ in Holy Family Church, led by Father Emerson

Parents, teachers and the boys and girls joined together to pray, celebrate and share the Light of Christ in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation which will be conferred by Bishop Patrick Walsh on Monday 3rd March at 11.00am in Holy Family Church.

The beautiful Service was rich in symbolism ~ Father Emerson lit a candle for each young person from the Paschal Candle (reminding them of their Baptism) and then handed it to their parents who presented it to their child saying: ‘Receive the Light of Christ’.

The Parish Community is supporting the young people by praying for them, that they will be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and be builders of God’s Kingdom.

Last Mass - Church of the Resurrection

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~ Church of the Resurrection ~

The last two Masses were celebrated in the Church of the Resurrection on Saturday 2nd February at 6.00pm and Sunday 3rd February at 11.30am by Father Sean Emerson Adm. The music for the Vigil Mass was provided by the Choir and organ under the leadership of Mark Laverty who has been the Choirmaster and Organist since 1990. The music for the 11.30am Mass was provided by the Folk Group under the leadership of Paul McElkerney. It was a sad and emotional occasion as many members of the congregation had been present at the Solemn Dedication and Opening of the Church on Easter Sunday, 6th April, 1980 and had worshipped in the Church ever since.
Great relief was experienced when Bishop Walsh announced his decision about the future of the Church and the site - firstly to retain a place of worship on Cavehill Road and secondly that a new Church should be built. Almost coinciding with the first day of spring, this news gave Parishioners great reassurance, hope and confidence.
(You can keep up to date with developments by logging onto the website regularly).
After the 11.30am Mass refreshments were served in the Parish Centre. Despite the cold and wet day a huge number of Parishioners enjoyed the opportunity to chat, to reminisce and to look forward to a new period of growth in the Parish community.

(The ‘usual suspects’ who provided the beverages are going to do an advance course so as to be in a position to offer Latte, Americano and Hot Chocolate, served with generous dollops of Alpine Ranges of whipped cream!!! The challenge to meet this new benchmark has been thrown down by the younger members of the Scout troop!!!!)