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.
