Parish Groups

Altar Servers
Girls and Boys in classes from P.5 and above may be trained as altar servers in the church in their particular area of the Parish. Those interested should contact the priest concerned. Parents are asked to encourage their children to apply to become altar servers.

Altar Societies
Each church in the Parish has a group of women who make themselves responsible for a general cleaning of the church, flower arrangements, care of the altar linens and sacred vessels. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to involve yourself in this worthwhile and important work.

Apostolic Work
The aim of the Apostolic Workers in the Parish is to share in the Missionary Apostolate of the Church by mean of prayer and by supplying material and financial needs to the developing Church abroad.

Choirs-Folk Groups
The celebration of the liturgy in greatly enhanced by the choirs and folk groups who lead the congregation in singing. New members are always welcome. Please contact the choir or folk group after Mass.

Ministers of the Eucharist
Eucharistic Ministers serve the Church by assisting the priest in the distribution of Communion and bringing Communion to the housebound in the Parish.

Ministers of the Word
Ministers of the Word proclaim the Word of God at Liturgical Services.

Parish Cell System
The Parish Cell System - Growing in a faith community. Parish Cell System more information here

Parish Finance Committee
The function of the Finance Committee is to advise the Parish Priest regarding the income and expenditure of the Parish.

Society of St. Vincent De Paul
The Society is a charitable organisation. There is a branch (Conference) in each of the three Parish areas.

SPRED (Special Religious Education)
SPRED welcomes mentally handicapped parishioners into a small community of faith to help them to grow in the love and knowledge of God.

Children's Liturgy
Special provision in the form of Children's Liturgy is made at the 1.00pm. Mass for young children (age 4 – 8yrs)
We try to ensure that Children's Liturgy is an enjoyable experience for the children which nurtures their relationship with God as equal members of our Parish Community. Follow this link for further information.



Social, Education and Fund raising Organisations

Parish Third World Group

Aerobics (Kids and Adults)

Bingo

Bowlers Bowlers now online...visit our page!

Girl Guides and Brigini

Hall Committee

Karate

Parish Building Draw

Scouts/Beavers/Cubs

Social Committees

St Enda's GAA

Services

ST. MARY'S ON THE HILL CHURCH
Carnmoney Road,Glengormley, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT36 6JU. Services: 10, 12noon. Hols M 7.30am and 10.30am;Mon-Sat 9.15am. Confessions: Sat 9.45am-10.15am Baptisms: Alternate Sundays 2.30pm (by arrangement). Parish Prayer Group: Each Tues 8pm.

ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH
Elmfield, 165 Antrim Road, Glengormley,Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT36 7QR. Services: Sun M Vigil 6pm; 9am, 11am, 1pm, 6pm. Hols M 9am, 11am, 7pm. Wkdys Mon-Fri 10am, Sat 12noon Confessions: Sat 11.30am-12noon & 5.30pm-6.00pm Baptisms: Alternate Sundays, 2.30pm (by arrangement)

ST. MACNISSI'S
Christine Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT36 6TH. Services: Sun M Vigil 7.00pm, 10.30am; Hols M Vigil 7.00pm;Wkdys Tues, Thurs, Fri 10am; Mon, Wed, 7pm. Adoration: Mon 6-7pm.Perp. Novena: Mon 7pm. Confessions: Sat 6.30pm.

Parish Bulletin
Notices for the weekly Bulletin must be received in the Parish Office no later than 2.30pm on the Wednesday prior to the Sunday of publication.

Parish Schools
Follow Link here for information on school within St. Mary’s on the hill parish.

Certificates, House Blessings, Mass Cards
Certificates, House Blessings, Mass Cards Requests for Marriage, Baptism or Confirmation Certificates should be made to the Parish Office. Please request a certificate in good time in advance of the event for which it is needed. This is especially so in the case of documentation needed for a wedding taking place outside the parish. Requests to have your house blessed or to have a Mass card can be made directly to the Priest concerned. Alternatively, you may contact the Parish Office.
Finance  Revenue is derived almost exclusively from the Offertory Collection, monthly Special Building Fund, Gift Aid and proceeds from the Weekly Parish Draw. The first two of these are administered by a Cathos committee (Working in four groups on a 1:4 weekly rota basis).

Gift Aid
A simple, effective and painless method of increasing your contribution to the parish is to take out a Parish Gift Aid. There are no questions asked about your income or tax paid. Contact the Parish Office for further information.
Register of Parishioners Parishioners are asked to fill in and return a Registration Card (available in this booklet and in each of the three churches).

New Parishoners
The Parish is anxious that new families feel welcome and existing parishioners are asked to help in this regard. New arrivals should phone the Parish Office(90832979).

Leaving the Parish
Please advise the Parish Office or one of the priests if you are changing address within the Parish or moving away from the  Parish. It would be helpful if you would contact the Parish Office if you have not been issued with weekly envelopes or if the details on your present box of envelopes are not accurate.
Parish Records The Parish holds records of Baptism, Confirmation and Marriage that have taken place since the establishment of the Parish in 1969.

Liturgies

Sacrament of Baptism
At the moment the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice monthly in St. Mary’s-on-the-Hill and St. Bernard's alternately (at 2.30pm). We request parents to give one month's notice of the baby's birth by phoning 90832979 (Mon-Fri 10.30am-2..30pm.) Arrangements will then be made regarding the pre-Baptism that both parents and Godparents are expected to attend. The course consists of one session ; please bring a long version of the birth certificate to the pre-baptism meeting in St. Bernard's church. The Churches expect that Baptism should be celebrated within the Parish church of the parent i.e. St.Mary’s on the Hill. The baptism of the children should be celebrated as soon as possible after the birth, taking into account the health of the mother and child and the parents ‘ preparedness of the responsibilities, which this Sacrament entails.
Sponsors One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient. If there are two sponsors one must be male and one must be female. Two is the maximum for a sponsor. The sponsor should be no less than 16 years of age, a catholic who has been confirmed and who lives an appropriate life of faith. A Baptised person who is not a catholic may also act, not as a sponsor, but as a Christian witness to the Baptism.

Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation) 
The time of Confessions is in this Directory and also in the weekly Bulletin. However, any of the Priests of the Parish, if requested, will hear individual confessions at any mater of time. During Lent and Advent (prior to Easter and Christmas) there are Penitential Services in the Parish and in adjoining Parishes. Details appear in the Bulletin at the time.

First Confession, First Communion and Confirmation 

Children of the appropriate age attending the Parish Schools are prepared for reception of the Sacraments. The parent of the children who are not attending Catholic Schools should contact one of the priests of the Parish in September to make the necessary arrangements for their children to receive the above Sacraments.

Funerals
Funerals arrangements should be made directly with the priest concerned. The Church strongly discourages eulogies, as the focus of the funeral liturgy is to encourage hope in the future rather than despair about what is past. The priest will always try and be sensitive to the mourning family and will co-operate in any way they can, however we ask that requests for eulogies, non sacred music and inappropriate emblems or personal possessions in the church are not made.

Month’s mind / Anniversaries/Special Intentions
If a family wishes to have a Months Mind/Anniversary Mass celebrated they should contact one of the priests or the Parish Office. Due to the demand it is requested that you give at least two weeks notice of special intentions.

Sacrament of Marriage
It is a requirement in this Diocese that both parties intending to get married should give a minimum of six months notice to the priest of the parish where they live. Please do not make firm wedding arrangements until you are sure that the date, time, priest and church are available. Couples are expected to attend a Pre-Marriage Course. The priest will advise when such a courses are available and also what documentation you are will require before the wedding may take place. Arrangements for photography, music, flowers etc. must be acceptable to the Parish. It goes without say that couples who are seeking a Church ceremony must observe the laws of the Church.

Sick Calls
A parishioner who falls seriously ill may wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. Contact one of the Parochial Houses. For a person who is housebound or unable to attend Sunday Mass, arrangements can be made for the reception of Holy Communion at home.

Passports
Priests of the parish are happy to sign a passport form, however it is a requirement that you are known to him (not that he is known to you). The form must be presented by the person involved. The nominal charge of £5 will go to Trocaire.