A very warm welcome is extended to Ugandan visitors
Dr Cyprian Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala and Primate of Uganda was very warmly welcomed to our Parish as part of his two day visit to the Diocese on 6th – 7th May, at the invitation of Bishop Noel Treanor and Bishop Donal McKeown. The purpose of the visit was to explore the possibility of developing formal links with the Diocese of Down and Connor and the Archdiocese of Kampala through our Parishes and schools.
Archbishop Cyprian was accompanied by Father Joseph Kirumira and Father Vincent Mulumba. Their visit to the Parish commenced with a meeting with the Developing World Group, hosted by Fr Colin. The Archbishop’s delegation was accompanied by Trocaire representatives - Sean Farrell (Director of Trocaire, Uganda) and Eithne McNulty (Director of the Trocaire Office, Belfast). Members of the St Mary’s on the Hill Developing World Group also participated in the meeting.
On Saturday 7th May we were privileged when Archbishop Cyprian concelebrated the 6.30pm Vigil Mass in Holy Family Church with Fathers Joseph and Vincent, Fr Gerry and Fr Colin. It was a wonderful celebration of the Eucharist and the universality of the Church. The superb music and singing were led by Miss Fiona Keegan and members of the Folk Group. The vibrant opening hymn, specially chosen for its African rhythm, set the scene for a joyous Liturgical celebration and the congregation participated with faith filled enthusiasm.
During his homily, based on the Gospel story of the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus, the Archbishop stressed the importance of dialogue and peace.
By delightful coincidence, a group of five Ugandan teachers, part of a CCMS exchange schools project, were also present at Mass along with their host teachers – a blessed start to their eight day visit to Belfast. After Mass the Gathering Space was filled with smiles and joy as Parishioners greeted and chatted with our visitors.
Sincere thanks to Father Gerry and Fr Colin for facilitating this tremendous visit and for their hospitality. It was a memorable and special occasion in the life of our Parish.
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
Some of the beautiful features of the Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel are highlighted in this article. The three magnificent stained glass windows were designed and executed by a former Parishioner, Dan Braniff (RIP). The furnishings came from the Mercy Sisters Oratory in The Glen and in the Mercy Convent, Bessbrook. Also of note is the magnificent Celtic Monstrance which has been skilfully restored.
Our sincere thanks to Father Gerry, Canon Murray, Father Colin and the Pastoral Council for introducing this devotion to our Parish and to the many Parishioners who have accepted the invitation to spend an hour in the presence of the Lord. Our thanks also to the group of Parishioners who oversee the practical arrangements for Adoration and to those who have made generous donations. We are privileged to have this beautiful, peaceful, sacred space and our families and Parish community will reap many blessings and graces.
The specific intention assigned to our Parish is to pray for the sanctification of Priests and for vocations to the Priesthood and to the Religious Life -
St Thérèse Church: continuously from Sunday 1pm to Saturday 6pm
Holy Family Church: Mondays: 10am – 4pm
Appreciating anew the beautiful features of St Thérèse Church
The recent painting of St Thérèse Church and carpeting of the Sanctuary afford us an opportunity to re-visit some of the beautiful features of the Church and to appreciate them anew.
Two features are particularly noteworthy. The Cross which hung above the Altar in the Church of the Resurrection has been repositioned in the nave of St Thérèse Church. Secondly, the magnificent Cross which belonged to the old Holy Family Church has been lovingly restored and re-homed beside the Sacristy door.
Sincere thanks to all those Parishioners who helped to choose colour schemes, made donations towards the costs, and who helped in any way. A special word of thanks to the talented Parishioner who lovingly re-painted the statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus.
Prayer Around the Cross
On the last Friday of the month Prayer Around the Cross is celebrated in Holy Family Church at 8pm. As the title suggests the focal point is the Cross and the time of reflection is enriched by a selection of beautiful Taizé Chants. (The Chants originate in the Taizé Community, France, an international ecumenical centre for reconciliation).
The Cross which hung for many years in St Thérèse Church has been brought to Holy Family and from now on it will be the centre piece of the setting for Prayer Around the Cross.
On Friday 29th October we were delighted to welcome Rev Chris Hudson, his wife and six members of his congregation from All Souls Church in Elmwood Avenue. Visitors from St Bernadette’s Parish also joined us.
All Parishioners are warmly invited to spend an hour in quiet reflection, to take time out from the busy pace of life and to be renewed and refreshed.
We would like to thank the Sacristans, the musicians, those who prepare and serve refreshments, and Fr Colin.
    
The Passion Play at Oberammergau
From 21st – 28th July a group of Parishioners and friends, under the leadership of Fr Colin, enjoyed a wonderful and inspiring week, firstly in the Austrian Tyrol for five days when we visited Salzburg, Innsbruck, Achensee, Rattenberg (the smallest village in the Tyrol), Krimml Waterfalls (the highest in Europe), Wattens where the Swarovski Crystal Factory is located and then the highlight of the trip, the Passion Play in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau.
I hope this article, written by Nuala Prince, followed by the beautiful poem ‘Water’ by Joseph O’Boyle and greetings from Bill and Pat Webb from Whitehouse Parish and the accompanying photos will give you a flavour of our memorable and enjoyable trip.
Thoughts on Oberammergau by Nuala Prince
When I first saw the advertisement in the bulletin for the trip to Oberammergau I was very strongly drawn to it. Lovely, I thought but too expensive and too near to family weddings and other important celebrations in the summer. I resisted the inclination to investigate further and even stopped looking at the bulletin so that I wouldn’t see the continued information. No matter how hard I resisted, it still kept nagging on at the back of my mind. Then one Sunday, Fr. Colin announced at Mass that there were only a few places left and if anyone was interested, they would need to hurry and book their place. Well that was it; I got additional information from him and shortly after that, booked my place. I had to keep asking myself why I was so drawn to this venture. I remember my father talking about Oberammergau when I was about 10 or so. I remember him saying about a place in Germany that put on the Passion Play every 10 years and I gather from his tone, it was something he may have liked to have seen himself. I thought of many good reasons for going: In memory of my father, the chance of making new friends and getting to know some of the Parishioners who were also going.
I found myself looking forward more to the actual trip than the play in question. I was enticed by the idea of the holiday, visiting a new and different country, the mountains, walking, a sense of space and fresh cool air and some ‘me’ time.
Austria is a beautiful country; clean, fresh and the fields look like someone has manicured them every morning with nail scissors.
The people were warm and friendly and were often seen wearing their own national costume.
The trip for me was an amazing experience. I did make new friends and renew some old acquaintances. I met and got to know other parishioners, many whom I often see at Mass but don’t really know well. We had great food, great camaraderie and tons of fun and laughter. We also shared some very special prayer and reflection times and also celebrated Mass together and special thanks to Fr. Colin and Ann D’Arcy for the preparation they put in beforehand. Oberammergau itself is a beautifully quaint little town, a bit like a massive Santa’s workshop, full of wood carvings, hearts and Christmas decorations. There is a museum displaying costumes and information about the history of the Passion Play and some costumes date back to the 18th century.
The play originated during the great plague in the 17th century. The people in Oberammergau prayed for deliverance and said they would put on a play about the Passion, hoping it would save them from further infection. After the first play was enacted, there were no more deaths from the plague and so the play continues to be performed to remember God’s goodness and mercy.
The hall in which the play was held accommodated about 4,000 people and it was packed wall to wall. The stage settings were amazing and the costumes spectacular. I had read in one of the brochures how the Director had worked very closely with the Jewish community to guarantee the authenticity of the costumes, traditions and language of the time. The actors and singers had to be from the local community or within a certain radius of the area. Their performance was spellbinding. The play lasted for five hours with an interval for dinner in between and we arrived armed with binoculars, cushions, torches and blankets to combat the evening chill. In between the various acts, still life scenes were staged depicting various important biblical events. Again the costumes, colours and absolute stillness of the performers were intoxicating. The proverbial, ‘You could hear a pin drop in the audience’ definitely applied here.
One of the awareness’s that came to me during the Play (because I knew there would be definitely some lessons for me) was the squabbling and arguing between all the Elders of the Synagogue and I found myself thinking cynically ‘’Oh well what’s new.’’ Nothing much changed there!
Another awareness that kept creeping up on me was my own sense of frustration which I tried to make sense of. I realized that somehow I had expected more ‘action’ a sort of movie type of experience with lots of frantic moving around. I realized that the energy of the actor playing the part of Jesus was frustrating me.
He didn’t seem to me to be ‘active’ enough .Apart from falling down when being scourged or carrying the cross, the energy he portrayed was pure stillness. That was and still is the overriding awareness for me and I am still processing that and it’s meaning for me in my life. The lesson in that brings me back to an old framed embroidery which I bought 30 years ago and which I meditate often on; ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ The stillness of the presence of Jesus even in severe stress and turmoil - a lesson for us all.
A reflection entitled ‘Water’ by Joseph O’Boyle
Ice crystal melting
Tyrolean trickle, glacial gold.
Giving birth to Spring's purple Enzian, miracle flower of Tyrol.
Once trickling, now tumbling , now tumultous torrent
Water, clarity of diamond, colour of jade and steaming cold.
Our Baptism daily anew,
Our Creator's Warrant.
An appreciative message from Billy and Pat Webb who live in Whitehouse Parish
Our trip to Oberammergau was a fantastic experience and made all the more so by being accidentally included with the Holy Family Parish group. Little did we know as we drove down to Dublin on 20th July that we would end up with so many from Belfast on the journey to Munich. The many trips, the scenery and the companionship we enjoyed during the week are all memorable but the highlight was of course the Passion Play at Oberammergau. The Last Supper in the Play was so reminiscent of the Mass Fr Colin celebrated on the Sunday
Congratulations to Father Gerry on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood.
On Wednesday 7th July Father Gerry celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at 7pm in St Thérèse Church to mark the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood. Bishop Emeritus, Patrick Walsh presided, and Canon Murray and Father Colin were con-celebrants. It was a wonderful, happy, joyful occasion for Fr Gerry, members of his family, his many friends, fellow Priests, representatives of the previous Parishes in which he served (Saul and Ballee; St Peter’s Cathedral; Corpus Christi and St Agnes) and for the Parishioners of Holy Family. The venue of St Thérèse was particularly significant as it was the Church in which Fr Gerry was baptised. During his Homily he thanked God for his parents, sisters and brothers and acknowledged the gift of faith which his parents has nurtured and for his Vocation, in addition to thanking the many, many people who had supported and encouraged him in his Ministry. The Liturgy was enhanced by music provided by St Thérèse Folk Group and Olive Keyes. Afterwards everyone enjoyed refreshments in the Presbytery which were organised by the Hospitality Team. On behalf of our Parish community we offer Fr Gerry our warmest congratulations and appreciation and wish him many more years of service and fulfilment. Ad multos annos.
Festival of Praise
On Thursday 27th May Holy Family Parish was delighted to host a ‘Festival of Praise’ organised by the North Belfast Inter Church Committee. The combined choir was drawn from the following Churches: St Peter and St James, Cavehill Methodist, St Thérèse, Holy Family, St Gerard’s, Rosemary Presbyterian, Fortwilliam and Macrory and St Paul and St Barnabas. We also welcomed many of the Clergy and members of the congregation from their respective Parishes along with the choirs. We enjoyed a wonderful evening of choral singing of sacred music and congregational participation with some of the highlights of the evening provided by Elias Rooney and Grainne Donaldson who performed on the cello and harp. In concluding the evening, Canon Brendan Murray thanked the choirs and organising committee for providing us not only with an act of worship, but also superb entertainment which was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by all those present. Refreshments were served in the Gathering Space and all those present had an opportunity to mingle and chat. Bernadette Keenan is our Parish representative on the Inter Church Committee. Our sincere thanks to Bernadette and her team for organising this very special event.
Celebrating the role of the Laity
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday and Vocation Sunday. Very often the word ‘Vocation’ is identified exclusively with the priesthood or religious life (nun or brother). This year, the Pastoral Council organised an event to extend our understanding of ‘vocation’ and to heighten our awareness that we all share the common vocation of being a priest, prophet and king by virtue of our Baptism. This Sacrament gives us the privilege and the responsibility of building God’s kingdom wherever we find ourselves through using and sharing our talents and abilities. Members of the Lay Ministries in the Parish were invited to promote their particular group after all the Masses in Holy Family Gathering Space and St Thérèse Presbytery. It wasn’t long before a ‘buzz’ was generated as Parishioners stopped to chat, look at photos and posters and pause for thought. Welcome refreshments were also served. Perhaps you felt drawn to becoming a member of one of the organisations and signed up there and then. Perhaps you’re still thinking about it!!! Here’s a gentle reminder of our Lay Ministries – if you would like further information please contact a member of the Pastoral Council or the Parish Office: Apostolic Society, Flower arranging, Events, Church collectors and counters, Sacristan and Altar Servers, Ministers of the Word, Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, preparing children attending non-Catholic schools for the Sacraments, Saturday Club, Liturgy Group, Hospitality Team, Developing World Group, Parent and Toddler Group, Pioneer Association, Youth Club, Scouts/ Brigini, Evergreen Club, Bowling, St Vincent de Paul Society, Bereavement Support, Pastoral Council, Parish News Team, Music Ministry, Choirs, Altar Society, Church cleaning, Baptism preparation, Marriage preparation, Building Fund Draw, Tea Dance, Children’s Liturgy, Prayer Groups, Project Zambia, Whist and Bridge, Youth Faith Development, Newington Day Centre. This impressive wide range of Lay Ministries contributes enormously to the vitality of our Parish and affords opportunities to shape collaborative ministry with Fr McCloskey, Canon Murray and Fr Crossey. A sincere thank you to all those Parishioners who willingly volunteer their time and commitment to the particular work of their Lay Ministry and to the Pastoral Council for organising this event.
Our Parish Mission ~ 22nd – 24th March Theme: ‘The Year of the Priest’
A sense of anticipation and curiosity mounted in the Parish in the days leading up to the Mission. This promised to be something different. The Family of Mary – who had heard of them? The team - 1 priest and four sisters – what role would they have? The theme ‘The Year of the Priest’ – would this be an opportunity to respond to challenging issues? The youthfulness of the Team, the gentleness of Fr Patrick, the simplicity and reverence of the Sisters captivated us and from then on we were in their hands. For three days we were drawn into a very blessed time of prayer and devotion, renewal, reconciliation and celebration of the Eucharist. Our Parish community has been immensely enriched, graced and strengthened through the Mission and we can be confident that the fruits of the three days will continue to work as a leaven in our midst.
A profile of each member of the Mission Team:
Fr Patrick Maria Cahill is a native of Thurles, Co Tipperary and he was the first Irish ordained member of the Association of the Family of Mary. He studied engineering in Limerick and trained to be a teacher in Cork before commencing his studies for the priesthood in the Seminary in Rome. He was ordained in 2009.
Sister Lenka is from Slovakia. As a novice she is in the final year of her religious formation in the Mother House in Slovakia. She will take her final vows in September. She is a gifted musician and has a beautiful singing voice.
Sister Simone Maria was born near Innsbruck, Austria and speaks several European languages fluently as well as her native German. Her religious formation to become a member of the Family of Mary took place in Slovakia where she was professed 5 years ago. Since September 2009 she has been assigned to Cappoquin, Co Waterford where she provides nursing care for several frail elderly priests.
Sister Martina comes from the State of Indiana in America. She encountered members of the Family of Mary in Denvir, Colorado in 1992 and was so inspired by their witness and commitment that she applied to join the community. Five years ago she was professed and is currently based in Kazakhstan where she helps to run a soup kitchen for homeless people in addition to delivering catechetical programmes. Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world and the world’s largest land locked country. It is neighboured by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and borders on the Caspian Sea. The official languages are Russian and Kazakh.
Sister Edel Mary comes from Tralee, Co Kerry. She also completed her novitiate in Slovakia 8 years ago and she is currently based in Cappoquin with Sister Simone Maria.
The founding of the Association of the Family of Mary
In 1970 Fr Joseph Seidnitzer and a layman, Paul Sigl, were the core members of a prayer group in Innsbruck, Austria. The membership of the group increased and in addition to meeting to pray they also engaged in hospital chaplaincy and visitation. After a period of discernment Paul began to study for the priesthood and he was ordained in 1992, the same year in which Fr Joseph died. Like all new ecclesial movements approval had to be granted from Rome. Today Fr Paul is the Spiritual Head of the 300 members of the community of the Family of Mary - priests, sisters and brothers, working in Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uruguay. The members are consecrated to Our Lady, and their particular charism is praying for priests with an emphasis on Marian devotion and the Eucharist. They believe in leading by example, thus encouraging others to pray, in addition to addressing social needs with a practical response. They also base their lifestyle on the teachings of the Church and the lives of the Saints. Each member of the Community adopts a Saint as a role model and strives to imitate their virtues.
On behalf of our Parish community we wish Father Patrick, Sisters Edel Mary, Martina, Simone Maria and Lenka well as they continue with their respective ministries and studies and we thank them sincerely for planning, preparing and leading the Mission. Perhaps we can remember to say a prayer for them from time to time. Sincere thanks also to Aine and Sheena, members of the Music Ministries, the Sacristans, those who provided refreshments and in particular to Father McCloskey, Canon Murray and Father Crossey for the gift of their priesthood, their leadership, commitment and service.
Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation
'Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit’
Friday 26th February was a wonderful, joyful and happy day in our Parish. Bishop Noel Treanor conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on the Holy Family PS P7 boys and girls at 11am and the St Thérèse PS boys and girls at 4pm. For the past few months, parents, teachers and pupils in conjunction with the School Chaplains, Fr Gerry McCloskey (Holy Family) and Fr Colin Crossey (St Thérèse) have been preparing for Confirmation. The fruits of this team effort and hard work were evident as the pupils responded spontaneously, confidently and enthusiastically during the Bishop’s ‘conversation’ with the young people. Topics covered included signs and symbols of the Holy Spirit, the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, and the seven Sacraments. Bishop Treanor went on to outline the three main elements of Confirmation: firstly, the renewal of Baptismal Promises – from here on, the boys and girls, supported by their parents, will take personal responsibility for their commitment to being active members of God’s Kingdom; secondly, the Imposition of Hands – this gesture invites the Holy Spirit to be an active presence in the lives of the boys and girls; thirdly, the Anointing with Oil of Chrism – the young people will be strengthened to do good works and make the world a better and more beautiful place. Bishop Treanor went on to address parents and asked them to hand on Christian values to their children, to pray with them, to bring them to Mass, and to encourage them to live a life modelled on Christ’s teaching and example. At the end of the Celebration the Bishop congratulated the boys and girls on their dignity, reverence, wonderful participation in the Readings, prayers, singing and playing of instruments, which contributed to a magnificent Liturgy. In turn, Fr McCloskey thanked Bishop Treanor, the Principals of each school, all the teaching and support staff and the Faith Friends from St Patrick’s College and Little Flower School. Congratulations to all the boys and girls.
Social Evening for Promoters of the Church Building Fund
A very enjoyable evening was held in the Parish Centre on Wednesday 10th February for promoters of the Church Building Fund. A delicious meal was served followed by music, a ballot and a chance to chat with fellow Parishioners. Fr McCloskey thanked the Promoters for their sterling work and loyalty. He appreciated that they faced out in all weathers showing commitment and enthusiasm. He went on to say that the promoters were the public face of the Parish and there was a tremendous social aspect to their visits to collect the ‘draw’ in addition to the very necessary revenue generated for the Parish. He also thanked the members of the Committee for their energy and dedication and all Parishioners who contribute to the Building Fund. The final draw for this year will be made on 9th April. In addition to the four weekly prizes of £200 there will be one prize of £5000 and one prize of £2000 – remember ‘if you’re not in you can’t win!!!’ If you would like to be a promoter please contact the Parish Office on 9074 3119.
Making St Brigid’s Crosses
St Brigid’s Feast Day is celebrated on the 1st February. She is the secondary Patron Saint of Ireland. Every year in our Parish a group gathers to make St Brigid’s Crosses, these are blessed and distributed at all the Masses on her Feast Day. The blessed Cross is a symbol of protection on our homes from fire and evil and thus the Cross is usually placed in the kitchen. The tradition of making St Brigid’s Crosses began with the following story. A pagan chieftain in Kildare was dying. Christian members of his household sent for Brigid to come and talk to him about Christ. When she arrived the chieftain was delirious. Brigid sat at his bedside and began consoling him. As was the custom the dirt floor was strewn with rushes for both warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them into a Cross. The sick man asked what she was doing. She explained how the Cross was a symbol of Christ’s passion and death. As she talked his delirium quietened and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving he was converted and baptised at the point of death. Since then the Cross of rushes has been venerated. Down through the centuries many variations of weaving have developed and different counties have their special style. This year the Parish group made Galway, Derry and Waterford Cross shapes Many thanks to all those who gathered and prepared the rushes, made the Crosses and to those who provided the delicious refreshments.
Developing World Group hosts a Coffee Morning in support of ‘Habitat for Humanity’
The Developing World Group hosted a delightful Coffee Morning in the Gathering Space of Holy Family Church on Sunday 17th January. In addition to being a very enjoyable social occasion, the event raised sponsorship money to support a young Parishioner, Sinéad Dowds, who will be leading a Habitat for Humanity team in Ethiopia in June. Father Raymond McCullough, Chaplain at the UU Coleraine, will also be a team leader and together they will accompany 14 students from the University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus, to participate in a three and a half week project. Sinéad’s enthusiasm is infectious. She recently graduated with an MSc in Forensic Psychology and now she is busily engaged in fund raising and training her team members so that they will be equipped for the experience and have some insight into the challenges which lie ahead. The young people have been assigned to the Dessie Region of Ethiopia where they will construct homes for lepers who have been healed and who are being re-integrated into their local community. The students will work on-site everyday, laying foundations, building walls, roofing and painting. The style of house is called ‘chika’ – the walls are made using bamboo and mud, the roof is corrugated metal and the paint is derived from boiled donkey bones. Habitat for Humanity – building houses, building community, building hope. ‘Habitat for Humanity’ is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian movement with a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5million people. The work of Habitat for Humanity NI is focused on community regeneration and reconciliation, building houses, building community and building hope, locally and around the world. A very sincere thank you to the members of the Developing World Group for hosting the Coffee Morning. Our thoughts and prayers go with Sinéad, Fr Raymond and their team as they undertake their challenging and inspiring project and we look forward to reading about their experience in an autumn issue of Parish News.
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