10th May 2015 - 6th Sunday of Easter

Parish Office
T 3752 2813
Cathedral
T 3752 2638
St Malachy’s T 3751 0516
SVP Help Line T 07733 482604
Parish Safeguarding The contact persons for
the Parish are Aileen or Maura:
armaghparishsafeguarding@gmail.com or
07895 460797. Any visitor to the sacristy of any
church must sign the visitors book.
Cathedral Shop Mon-Sat 10.30am - 4.00pm &
Sun 12 noon -5.30pm. First Holy Communion
and Confirmation items now in stock. The
parish wishes to thank all the volunteers in the
Cathedral shop for their hard work and
dedication throughout the year.
Pearse Og News: Lotto: 1, 6, 20, 24.
2 matched 3, next jackpot £4700.
Abbey Lotto: 4, 19, 25, 28 . One matched 3.
Next week’s Jackpot £1250.
Eugene Quinn Handball Lotto: 8, 10, 19. No
winner. Next week’s jackpot £200.
Medjugorje Pilgrimages Family Pilgrimages
15th July and 12th August. Call Anthony on
07753406356
Milford Community Development
Association Jiving classes in The Old School
House Friday 7.30pm. Adm £5 Forever
Young at the Old School House - A
programme of activities for those 50+ aimed at
improving pysical and mental well-being,
Mondays 11am-12.30pm
Armagh Men’s Shed & Action Cancer will be
providing free health checks for Men in the
Cathedral Road Recreation Complex on
Thurs14th May 2015. Appointments :
02837528997.
Medjugorje Monthly Prayer Meeting in
Sacred Heart Convent on Tues 12th May at
8.15pm
Day of prayer to God's Cottage
Glendalough Co Wicklow with Fr Thaddeus
Doyle (author of Curate's Diary) walk around
old monastic ruins and St Kevin's cell. Contact:
Gabrielle 028 87784964 / 07933521105 or
Pauline 028 7548716 / 07713358295
Baptism Course All parents of children being baptised in the parish must attend a short course
before the baptism. The course, run by members of our parish baptism team, occurs on the first
Monday and third Wednesday of every month, and should be booked through Eleanor in the
Parish Office.
Armagh Diabetes Group will next meet on Wed 13th May in Dobbin Street Community Centre
at 7.30pm. Guest speaker Brendan Heanye from Diabetes UK Northern Ireland will give a talk on
new driving laws, regulations and insurance. Everyone welcome.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul wishes to express thanks for the generosity of
parishioners in supporting families in need across the community. From January through to the
end of March you have contributed £3,303. 90 in support of those in need. Huge thanks to all
parishioners who supported the SVP Lenten Food Appeal.
Why do a Marriage Preparation Course?
Probably a better question is to ask ‘Why not?’ Would you attempt any other major project
without doing some research, study or discussion? "The Church must promote better and more
intensive programmes of marriage preparation in order to favour positively the establishing and
maturing of successful marriages". Pope John Paul II Familiaris Consortio, Apostolic Exhortation
on the Family. All couples who are planning to get married in the parish must do a Pre
Marriage Course with ACCORD. Couples are advised to book their place at least ten months
before the wedding. The next course is on three consecutive Tuesdays: 25th August, 1st and 8th
September. Contact 02838334781 or www.accordni.com.
Adorers required for adoration chapel in St Malachy’s Church at 10am on Sunday. Contact Nora
McBrien on 02837 525265 if you can commit to these times.
Website: www.armaghparish.net
Email: armaghparish@btconnect.com
facebook.com/ArmaghParish
twitter.com/ArmaghParish
10th May 2015 - 6th Sunday of Easter
Reflection
Partings are often painful and farewells are tinged with great sadness. I sometimes think of the
great loneliness of the “American wake” of years gone by. Many of our people had to emigrate
from every county in Ireland to the United States and other parts of the world, knowing that they
might never return. In those days, they didn’t have much means of communication, so the
farewell party on the eve of departure was indeed equivalent to a wake.
Today’s gospel is also a story of farewell and departure. It’s taken from a section of St John’s
gospel known as “The Farewell Discourse”. The setting is the Last Supper, the night before
Jesus’ execution. For a group of people who had become dependent on him as leader and friend,
they must have felt lonely and bewildered. The uncertainty of a future without Jesus disturbed
them deeply. In the course of bidding them farewell, Jesus says to his disciples, “Remain in my
love.....This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.....You are my friends if
you do what I command you.....You did not choose me, no, I chose you.....I commissioned you to
go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last”.
Widowed at an early age and left with a young family, Brigid made a decision. She would devote
her life to her children. To provide for them and rear them was a full-time task. Often the going
was hard and lonely but she never regretted the decision she had made. She found a deep personal
fulfilment in giving of herself. Her giving was a giving in love.
To be a loving giver is to be truly human. We are made in the image and likeness of God, the
giver of all. His Son Jesus freely gave himself in life and in death for each of us. Today he invites
us to follow his example and today’s gospel puts the challenge plainly before us.
Mass for students: On Thursday evening, a special Mass will be celebrated in St Malachy's
Church at 7.30pm for all students who will be doing exams in the coming weeks. We invite all to
come along to pray in a special way for all our students, that all of them may be guided in their
work and in their efforts at this time.
Examinations Prayer
Holy Spirit, send your gifts of wisdom, understanding and knowledge upon me.
Enlighten my mind and inspire me to work hard so that I may be successful in my examinations.
Guide and direct me in all my undertakings and help me especially to discover my true vocation
in life. Help me not to be afraid and teach me always to live in your light, your love and your
truth. I make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Year of Consecrated Life
A celebration will take place in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 6 September to honour all the
religious from our parish during this special year. The Parish Pastoral Council are currently
compiling a list of all the religious who have lived and worked in the parish over the years.
Anyone who has contact details for religious who have lived and worked here in the past and who
have now moved elsewhere are asked to contact Eleanor at the Parish Office before Friday 29th
May.
RECENTLY DECEASED Margaret Pattison, Eddie Doran, Kathleen Donnelly,
Tom Donnelly, Noel Cawley, Patricia McGuirk, Teresa Carroll, Mary Cunningham,
Michael Devlin, Brian Toner Months Mind: Barbara Smith 16th May
Priests’ Dues collection amounted to £ 11,494.27 & € 293.20. Thank you
All requests for prayers and Masses are to be arranged through the Parish Office. All
Anniversaries and Month’s Minds must be left in the Parish Office by 12 noon on the Thursday
of the week prior to the intention being remembered.
Church Noticeboards Please do not remove any notices from noticeboards in any of the
Churches in the Parish.
Coeliacs any coeliacs who wish to receive communion should inform priests in the sacristy
before the celebration of Mass.
Confirmation Dates 2015
Saturday 23 May
Christians Brothers PS
Mt St Catherines PS
Our Lady’s PS
Sunday 24th May
St Malachy’s PS
St Patrick’s PS
Saints & Schollars PS
ST COLMCILLES, KNOCKACONEY
St Colmcille's GAC lotto 29th April 2015: 2,5,6, 23. 2 match 3, next Jackpot £3250
The Social Club is available for the benefit of the people of the area for functions. Please contact
any committee member if you wish to use the club. In the coming weeks we will be asking for
peoples opinions as to what they would you like to see taking place in the local community, be it
a walking club or Bingo, or anything you have an interest in, please let us know.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, TULLYSARAN
Novena Mass on Monday evening at 7.30pm
Tullysaran Lotto 2nd May 2015: 6-8-14-22 3 x £10 winners, next jackpot £1350
Tullysaran SVP Helpline 07738838035
Armagh Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes We remember in prayer all those from our diocese
who are going off on the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes from Tuesday 12 - Sunday 17
May. May it be a time of great graces for all the pilgrims and for the people of our diocese.
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the
afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings, look with mercy on me.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary,
whence you dispense your favours, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their
infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come therefore with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, o
loving mother what I now request. Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate
your virtues, that I may one day share your glory, AMEN.
Viatores Christi: Volunteering for a just world Members of Viatores Christi will speak at all
Masses in the parish on 16thand 17th May. Viatores Christi is an association of Catholic lay
missionary development workers founded in 1960, which recruits, prepares and facilitates the
placement of lay people who wish to serve in areas of need in Africa, Asia and South America.
There will be a second collection at all Masses on that weekend in aid of their work.
Armagh Parish Draw: The draw for the month of May will take place on Friday 15th May in
the Parish office at 1pm. Tickets can still be purchased at the parish office. All monthly
payments must be received at the parish office before Wednesday 13th May.
Women in the Scriptures: the series, led by Fr Brian Lennon S.J. continues in The Synod Hall,
Armagh at 10.30am on Tuesday 12, 19 and 26 May. Come along to learn more about these great
women and if you have a Bible, bring it with you! Tea/Coffee will be served.
YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE! This four evening series covers salvation history
from beginning to end. It will be held in two venues, the Armagh Diocesan Pastoral Centre,
Dundalk and the Convent of Mercy, Dungannon on May 12 th, 19th, 26th and June 2nd. Contact
parishandfamily@gmail.com or john@fxireland.com
Called & Gifted Two day conference on 29th & 30th May in Dromantine Conference Centre.
This is a beautiful opportunity for people to discover and own the gifts and charisms given to
them in their baptism. Contact 00353429336649 or PARISHANDFAMILY@GMAIL.COM M
Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland will host a special evening of music and song with the
classical music trio The Priests in St Patrick’s RC Cathedral, Armagh on Friday 29th May 2015.
Tickets (£20) can be purchased at www.habitatni.co.uk or from Armagh Parish Office
Parish Outing A summer outing from Armagh parish will take place on Wednesday 3rd June
leaving the Cathedral Gates at 9.30am and returning at 7.30pm. We will stop mid morning in
Dundalk for coffee before making our way to Malahide, one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns.
Situated along a stretch of Dublin’s Bay scenic coastline, Malahide boasts a heritage village,
marina, the 12th Century Malahide Castle and long sandy beaches. Mass will be celebrated in the
local parish Church. On our journey home, we will stop for an evening meal in Newry. Cost £24
(non-refundable) includes morning coffee, coach and evening meal - book at Parish Office. An
additional bus has been laid on for the trip, but space is very limited so please book early to avoid
disappointment.
Day Retreat at the Servite Priory Benburb on Saturday 23rd May 10am-5.30pm led by Sr
Margaret Crinyion OSM. £25 including refreshments. Contact 02837548241.
Lough Derg will hold a special Day Retreat ‘Hope and Encouragement for a New Beginning’ on
Wed 20th May. Fr Ben Hughes will facilitate the day which will be beneficial to anyone who is
struggling with any issue that is holding them back or hurting their life. Advance booking is
essential. For more information contact Lough Derg on 00353 71 9861518
Pilgrimage to Shrines of Italy, 15 th – 22nd September 2015 Visiting the cities of Venice and
Verona, Padua, Assisi, Loreto. £739 (Single Supplement £210). Spiritual Director: Fr Peter
McAnenly. More info at Parish Office.
ADYC Pilgrimage to Fatima & Camino 19-29 August 2015 ADYC are organising a
pilgrimage to Fatima and Camino Portugues this summer for 20 years plus. We will spend two
days in Fatima, five days walking the Camino Portugues and two full days in the historical city of
Santiago. Cost: £450. Contact Dermot on 028 3752 3084 or armaghyouth@yahoo.co.uk
Armagh Diocesan Youth Commission: “Assume” Summer Camp! 10 – 14 August and 17 – 21
August at Greenhill Centre, Newcastle. This is an adventure and a four night, faith based
residential for 12 – 14 year olds. More details at armaghyouth@yahoo.co.uk or call 028 37523084
World Youth Day 2016: Armagh Diocese will lead a pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Krakow,
Poland in July 2016. Any young people (aged between 16 and 30) who are interested are asked to
contact armaghyouth@yahoo.co.uk or call 028 37523084