Presentation to Fr Sean Emerson
On Wednesday 2nd December a great number of Parishioners gathered in the Parish Centre for the occasion of the ‘Presentation to Fr Sean Emerson’ to acknowledge his years as Administrator of our Parish. The organising team had gone to enormous lengths to ensure that the Hall was very welcoming and hospitable. The layout was beautiful, with the central area given over to a magnificent array of savoury and sweet foodstuffs and the tables were further adorned with lovely floral decorations. This arrangement allowed plenty of space around the Hall for Parishioners to mingle and chat as Fr Emerson circulated and enjoyed catching up with everyone present. The scene was enhanced by delightful music provided by a String Quartet led by Paul McCusker and a Traditional Group led by Mary Ellen Burns. Aidan Donaldson, a member of the Pastoral Council, had been invited to say a few words of appreciation on behalf of Parishioners. He outlined Fr Emerson’s abundant personal qualities – first and foremost he is a ‘people person’, a leader, a man of great faith, wisdom, compassion, courage and vision, with a huge capacity for work and boundless energy. During his 19 years in Holy Family Parish he established pastoral, administrative and management structures e.g. the Pastoral Council, Finance Committee and Liturgy Groups, as well as doing sterling work in the NI Hospice, Newington Day Centre and the Schools to list but a few areas where he has left his hallmark. As he journeyed with us since 1990, despite great challenges and the responsibility of taking many critical decisions, Fr Emerson always had time for everyone, he has a sense of ease and empathy with people as they coped with tragic, happy and life defining experiences. He has a capacity to bring people with him, to allow their talents and gifts to flourish and our Parish is all the richer for that today. Aine Morgan (Parish Secretary) then presented Fr Emerson with a beautiful painting by Vittorio Cirefice entitled ‘Cave Hill from the Waterworks’ and a cheque. To conclude the evening Fr Emerson thanked everyone for their presence and the generosity, support and friendship shown to him over the years. He also asked God to bless Fr Gerry McCloskey, Canon Murray and Fr Colin Crossey and all of us as we continue to build ‘a praying, caring community centred in Christ’ within our Parish. Many thanks and congratulations to the team who planned and organised the evening and who made it both enjoyable and memorable
A Glimpse Into The Past
The members of the Apostolic Society, in conjunction with ‘War on Want’ hosted a wonderful evening in the Parish Centre on Friday 6th November. The evening was entitled ‘A Glimpse into the Past’ and featured the modelling of clothes dating from the period 1840 – 1919 by members of the Lisburn ‘War on Want’ Group. Many of the costumes once belonged to the families of the great merchants who were the founders of the commercial and economic life of the Lagan Valley and the City of Belfast. An excellent commentary had been composed to accompany each garment and thus we had a wonderful insight into the social history of the era. As a bonus, many of the secrets of the ladies ‘linens and lace’ rituals were unravelled!!! Financially, the evening was hugely successful, £1250 was raised to further the work of the Apostolic Society. As always the Apostolic Ladies served a delectable supper and they set the scene to ensure a sense of community, fun and friendship. . Many thanks to all who planned, organised and participated in the evening and to those who gave their generous support.
Sacred Music Workshop
On Thursday 1st October Holy Family Parish had the privilege of hosting a Workshop in Sacred Music led by Father Liam Lawton, the renowned singer and composer. More than 200 people, from Parishes throughout our Diocese, who are engaged in Music Ministry participated enthusiastically in the Workshop in the Parish Centre. Father Liam’s latest album entitled ‘Healing Song’ has recently been released and the Workshop focused on helping all those present to become familiar with his new repertoire. As the title of the Album suggests many of the songs are about healing, especially at significant times during our lives. We look forward to our own Choirs and Folk Groups sharing some of Fr Liam’s beautiful words and melodies with us during the months ahead. Congratulations and thanks to Fr Colin for co-ordinating all the arrangements.
Afternoon Tea Dance
Another very successful and enjoyable Afternoon Tea Dance was held in the Parish Centre on Tuesday 29th September. The next Dance will be on Tuesday 3rd November from 4 – 6pm. Why not note the date in your Diary and get those feet tapping to the music of Brian and Jimmy?
El Camino de Santiago
The Way of St James
On 21st July a group of Parishioners from Holy Family Parish and some friends set off to walk 112 km along the ancient pilgrimage route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, in north-west Spain. Under the leadership of Fr Colin and representatives of Camino Ireland we experienced a fulfilling, enjoyable, wonderful, challenging and unforgettable week. We were immersed in nature, and walked through driving rain and glorious sunshine, enjoying solitude and camaraderie along the Camino. We greeted our fellow pilgrims with the traditional ‘¡Buen Camino!’ as we passed fountains, stone crosses, tiny churches, hermitages, monasteries, hamlets, groves of oak and eucalyptus, farmyards and fields of ripening corn.
Pauses for café con leche and tortilla (even pulpo for those with adventurous palates!) were delightful opportunities to chat with people from other European countries and beyond and to tangibly experience membership of the Universal Church.
In the evenings, we were nourished by sharing the Eucharist together, followed by sampling typical Spanish cuisine and enjoying the ‘craic’.
On the eve of the Feast of St James which is celebrated on 25th July we had the privilege of attending the spectacular ‘son et lumière’ celebrations in the Plaza del Obradoiro, just in front of the magnificent Cathedral.
Then on Monday 27th July we participated in the traditional Pilgrims Mass at noon and walked the last few metres to the Pilgrims Office to present our ‘Credential del Peregrino’ and receive our treasured ‘Compostela’.
A Pilgrim’s Blessing from the 12th Century Codex Calixtinus:
O God, be a companion for them along the path, a guide at crossroads, strength in their weariness, defence before dangers, shelter on the way, shade against heat, light in the darkness, a comforter in their discouragements, and firmness in their intentions, in order that, through your guidance, they might arrive unscathed at the end of their journey and, enriched with graces and virtues, they might return safely to their homes, which now lament their absence, filled with salutary and lasting joy. Amen.
A fuller account of the Camino will be featured in the next issue of Parish News and it is hoped to have an evening in the Parish Centre when a power point presentation will be shown.
Taizé
The Taizé Community in France was founded by Brother Roger Schutz (1915 – 2005). It was a direct response to the horrors and aftermath of the 2nd World War. Today there are over one hundred brothers in the international ecumenical community. Taizé is a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and separated peoples. In addition to being a centre for prayer and reconciliation, Taizé is the source of the beautiful, repetitive and meditative chants which are most often incorporated into the celebration of ‘Prayer Around The Cross’.
(If you would like to know more about the Taizé Community there are many websites which you can browse by keying Taizé into a search engine).
On Friday 29th May, in preparation for the great Feast of Pentecost, ‘Prayer Around The Cross’ was celebrated in Holy Family Church from 8 – 9pm. After the summer holidays it is planned to hold the Prayer Service on a regular basis.
Many thanks to Fr Colin, the members of St Thérèse Folk Group and the team which provided the refreshments afterwards in the Gathering Space.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
First Confession
On Tuesday 24th April the P3 pupils from Holy Family PS celebrated their ‘First Confession’ in Holy Family Church at 7pm. The following evening the P3 boys and girls from St Thérèse PS celebrated their ‘First Confession’ in St Thérèse Church at 7pm.
Both ceremonies were joyful and beautiful occasions, led by Fr Emerson and Fr Crossey – the culmination of many months of preparation in our Primary Schools, at home and in the Parish.
The children enthusiastically engaged in dramatising the Parable of the Lost Sheep as well as singing sweetly and listening attentively to the Readings before individually receiving absolution for the first time. The children had a wonderful experience of God’s love and forgiveness – perhaps the challenge for us, as adults is to enter into the opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation with the same spirit of openness, trust and confidence!
Congratulations to the children, their teachers and parents and many thanks to Fr Emerson, Fr Crossey, Canon Murray, Fr Layden and Fr Eastwood.
Annual Lenten Lunch
On Palm Sunday the Developing World Group hosted the annual Lenten Lunch in the Gathering Space of Holy Family Church. The simplicity of tea, bread and cheese gave us a chance to empathise with the plight of our brothers and sisters in the Developing World and it was also an opportunity for our own Parish Community to come together and show solidarity with people who are less well off than ourselves. All the money donated will be forwarded to Trocaire. In the next issue of Parish News the Developing World Group will report on the projects which their fund raising has supported throughout the year.
Many thanks to the Group for organising the event and to Parishioners for supporting it.
Afternoon Tea Dance
A splendid ‘Afternoon Tea Dance’ was held in the Parish Centre on Wednesday 11th March from 4 -6pm. Foot tapping music was provided by Brian and Jimmy and an array of delectable savouries and cakes was prepared by members of the organising committee. The event was a wonderful blend of dancing, good music, fun and chat.
Many thanks to Fr Crossey and the Committee for planning the occasion, making everyone very welcome and setting the scene for a most enjoyable afternoon.
So, ladies and gentlemen, keep your dancing shoes polished and the rosin at the ready! The date of the next Tea Dance will be printed in the Bulletin – come along and join in – ‘craic’ and enjoyment are guaranteed.
Apostolic Society Coffee Morning
Another very successful and enjoyable Coffee Morning was hosted by the members of the Apostolic Society on Friday 13th March in St Thérèse Presbytery.
As always the hospitality was first class – the ladies had baked their renowned selection of cakes and pastries, they were very gracious hostesses and Parishioners had a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours.
Many thanks to all those who supported the event and contributed to the tremendous work of the Apostolic Society.
Promoters Night in the Parish Centre
The annual ‘Promoters Night’ was held in the Parish Centre on Wednesday 18th February. The promoters do a wonderful job by collecting the weekly contributions for the Church Building Fund. They are a superbly dedicated team of Parishioners, turning out in all weathers – gale, hail, rain or snow – nothing deters them!
On this special night appreciation is shown to the Promoters and the equally dedicated Committee members who oversee the weekly draw, complete all the administration and plan for the following year.
As you can see from the photographs, everyone was in great form and following a delicious meal the evening was rounded off by entertainment provided by none other than ‘Elvis’ The King himself, aka Jim Brown.
It’s never too late to become a Promoter or to join the Weekly Draw – remember if you’re not in you can’t win!!! For more information contact the Parish Office on 9074 3119.
The Service of Light
On Monday 23rd February the Year 7 boys and girls in Holy Family PS celebrated a ‘Service of Light’ in Holy Family Church, led by Father Emerson and it was the turn of the Year 7 boys and girls in St Thérèse of Lisieux PS on Thursday 26th February. Their Service was led by Father Crossey.
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 on Wednesday 4th March at 11am for the Holy Family pupils and at 4pm for the St Thérèse pupils. Both Ceremonies will be celebrated in Holy Family Church.
The beautiful Service was rich in symbolism ~ the Priests 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.
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Father Fred MacSorley RIP
8th February 2009. |
Fr Fred MacSorley was a Priest for 56 years and a teacher in Co Antrim for 15. His kind nature and keen sense of humour made him a firm favourite with all who knew him.
Born in April 1928, he was the fifth of a family of six children to the late Dr Fred MacSorley and his wife May.
Fr Fred was educated in St Malachy's College, Antrim Road, Queen's University and Maynooth, and was ordained in 1952.
His first appointment was as Curate to Cushendun Parish. While there, he was requested by the late Bishop Mageean to take a degree in chemistry and physics in preparation for teaching. This he did from 1954 -56, at the same time serving as Chaplain to the Poor Clare Convent , Cliftonville Road.
For the next 15 years he was a member of the teaching staff in St MacNissi's College, Garron Tower.
In 1971 he was granted one year's leave of absence from the Diocese and served as an assistant Priest in Long Island, New York. On returning he was Curate in Newcastle until 1982, when he was made Parish Priest of Cushendun.
After 6 years he was made Parish Priest to the newly elected Parish of St Bernadette's in East Belfast, working there for 15 years until resigning on grounds of age in 2003.
His last appointment was to Holy Family Parish in the north of the city where he was Curate for two years before retiring on grounds of ill-health.
In his younger days Fr Fred was a keen sportsman. He excelled in swimming and, while a senior pupil in St Malachy's, was the 100 yard freestyle champion of Northern Ireland. Later in the same year he came second in the All-Ireland swimming championship over the same distance.
He played soccer and Gaelic football at Queen's and in Maynooth. As a Priest he won the Clerical Cup at golf on several occasions and represented four different golf clubs in the Ulster Cup Teams as his postings took him around Down and Connor.
Fr Fred had a quick disposition and was gentle, sympathetic and kind by nature. This was coupled with a keen sense of humour.
He died aged 80 on February 8th in the Mater Hospital after being an inpatient for 4 months with multiple health problems.
He is survived by his eldest sister Maureen, of Ennis, Co Clare, and his youngest brother Dr Eamon MacSorley of Belfast.
Two brothers pre-deceased him - Dr Michael of Antrim Road, Belfast and Fr Liam of St Patrick's Missionary Society, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow - as well as his sister, Kathleen.
(This tribute was written by Dr Eamon MacSorley and was published in The Irish News on Saturday 21st February, 2009) |
Service of Commitment
Preparation for Confirmation
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Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday 4th March is well underway in our two Parish Primary Schools. On Saturday 17th January, during the 6.30pm Vigil Mass, the Year 7 boys and girls from Holy Family PS participated in their Service of Commitment and it was the turn of the Year 7 pupils from St Thérèse PS during the 11am Mass on Sunday 18th January.
So as to prepare spiritually and practically for the Sacrament, the young people make a commitment for 6 weeks, linked to one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Cúisle, Paul, Aisling and Gary chatted enthusiastically about their commitments which included thinking more deeply about right and wrong; helping to tidy up around the house; praying more and listening carefully to the Priest’s homily.
The Year 7 boys and girls also have the opportunity to engage in the Faith Friends Programme and a few weeks before Confirmation they will celebrate a Service of Light.
The young people can be assured of the prayers of the Parish community during this important time in their lives.
