THE PRIEST ON DUTY: The priest on call this week is Fr Brendan 90841507.

BAPTISM PREPARATION MEETING – The next meeting will be held on Monday 6th December at 7pm sharp. All parents are expected to attend a meeting before the baptism of their child. Please phone the parish office on 90832979 Monday-Friday 10.30am-2.30pm, as soon as possible.

PARISH 24hr VIGIL IN ST. BERNARD’S CHURCH on Saturday 27th November from 9.00am to 9.00am Sunday. The theme of the vigil ‘Heal me, Lord’. All welcome.
E PRIEST ON DUTY:
Vigil_Poster

More on the Vigil to follow soon. Why not visit the Cell Groups page to look at our last 24 hour Vigil.

DIOCESAN VOCATION VIGIL will take place in Clonard Monastery, Belfast on Thursday 18th November from 8pm-10pm. The evening will consist of music, prayer and reflection led by local youth and other groups in the diocese. Mass will be at 9pm. Everyone welcome. Light refreshments afterwards.

VOCATIONS WEEKEND for young men in Drumalis Retreat House, Larne on February 11th-13th 2011. Contact Fr John Murray on 90619459 for further information.

DOWN & CONNOR DIOCESAN PIONEER COUNCIL invites Pioneers and friends to attend an Advent Retreat. This will be held in Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre, Crossgar on Sunday 28th November. The retreat director will be Fr Ephram CP, and the cost for the day is £25 (includes light refreshments on arrival and lunch). Enquiries should be made directly with the DCPA office in Belfast on 90322744. Spaces are limited and early booking is advisable.

“ADVENT: THE WONDER OF GOD WITH US” - A practical session to help us prepare for the season of Advent will be facilitated by Fiona Gallagher, a qualified catechist on Tuesday 16th November from 7pm-9.30pm in The Good Shepherd Centre. For further information contact Claire Dowds at the Family Ministry Office 90492777.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – Help raise money for Habitat and you could win a £25 iTunes Voucher. Prize drawn on Monday 15th November. To be in with a chance, visit and donate at www.justgiving.com/Laurence-Murray.

PROJECT 2030 FRIENDS AND FAITH GROUP – Advance notice of Autumn Reflection from 26th-28th November. Interested in meeting others from parishes in and around Down & Connor? Everyone is invited to our Autumn Reflection Weekend at Drumalis Retreat Centre, for time to relax from their busy lifestyles, and make new friends. Book direct with Drumalis. Alternatively come along to one of our information evenings for new members starting at 7.30pm Thursday 18th November – Poor Clare’s Monastery Retreat Centre, 7.30pm Friday 19th November – St Anthony’s Church, Woodstock Road or Friday 26th November – Drumalis Retreat Centre. For more information call 07751347559 Monday – Friday 6.30pm-7.30pm.

PARISH EVANGELIZING CELL SYSTEM: Would you like to deepen your Catholic faith, grow in an on-going intimacy with the Lord, give and receive support, grow in love of one another? Come and visit a Cell group, we meet twice a month in a leader’s home – everyone is welcome. For further information contact Briege on 90879611 after 7pm. The next meetings will take place on Monday 15th November & Wednesday 17th November.

DOWN & CONNOR DIOCESAN PIONEER COUNCIL invites Pioneers and friends to attend an Advent Retreat. This will be held in Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre, Crossgar on Sunday 28th November. The retreat director will be Fr Ephram CP, and the cost for the day is £25 (includes light refreshments on arrival and lunch). Enquiries should be made directly with the DCPA office in Belfast on 90322744. Spaces are limited and early booking is advisable.

PROJECT 2030 FRIENDS AND FAITH GROUP – Advance notice of Autumn Reflection from 26th-28th November. Interested in meeting others from parishes in and around Down & Connor? Everyone is invited to our Autumn Reflection Weekend at Drumalis Retreat Centre, for time to relax from their busy lifestyles, and make new friends. Book direct with Drumalis. Alternatively come along to one of our information evenings for new members starting at 7.30pm Thursday 18th November – Poor Clare’s Monastery Retreat Centre, 7.30pm Friday 19th November – St Anthony’s Church, Woodstock Road For more information call 07751347559 Monday – Friday 6.30pm-7.30pm

ST MACNISSI’S SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL are holding their annual Christmas dinner for senior citizens, in the Thunderdome on Tuesday 7th December at 7.30pm. If any senior citizen who hasn’t already been contacted would like to be included, please ring Kathleen on 90296051.

ST MARY’S ON THE HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL – Open Day on Friday 10th December from 10am to 10.45am, for parents who wish their children to be considered for admission to the school in September 2011.

ST BERNARD’S PRIMARY SCHOOL – Parent Teacher Consultation on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd November.
Open night on Tuesday 30th November at 7pm for parents of children starting Nursery and Year 1 in September 2011.
Can you help -The school requires the skills of an artist for some mural drawings/paintings. Please contact us on 90844634 if you would be available.

OVER 60, RETIRED, need some citizens advice? You are invited to join us at St Bernard’s Primary School on Friday 3rd December for a complimentary bowl of soup at 1pm in the school canteen. A guest speaker from Citizens Advice will present a number of ideas to help you through your retirement. Please contact the school office to reserve a place on 90844634. (100 places available). Bring your friends.

SPONSOR A LIGHT ON THE HOSPICE CHRISTMAS TREE – By sponsoring a light in memory of a loved one you will help Northern Ireland Hospice to care for those families currently living in the shadow of a terminal illness. For further information on how to donate visit our website. www.nihospice.org.

TROCAIRE – Would like to thank the dioceses and parishes for their response to the Pakistan crisis. Over the past few months people have generously donated over £5million, and almost half of this was raised as a result of the church collections that were held around the country in August. This figure is expected to increase to £3.6million in the coming weeks. The parish of St Mary’s on the Hill raised a total sum of £17,900. Thanks to the generosity of clergy and parishioners Trocaire was able to rescue over 20,000 people from the floodwaters in the first weeks, and provide more than 100,000 people with food, water, hygiene kits and other essential. Trocaire is now providing seeds, tools and other essential so that families can begin to recover and rebuild their livelihoods. Thank you all for this extraordinary response. For more information log onto www.trocaire.org.

FORTWILLIAM MUSICAL SOCIETY presents “A Little Light Music” in Ballyearl Courtyard Theatre, from Tuesday 23rd- Saturday 27th November at 7.45pm. Tickets £10 (group discount), can be booked through the Theatre Box Office on 90340202. www.theatreatthemill.com.

ST MARY’S FOOTBALL CLUB – Results 16th October
IFA National League
Under 14 St Mary’s FC 4 Warrenpoint 0
Belfast & East Antrim Youth Football League
Under 15 St Mary’s FC 0 Crewe Utd 4
South Belfast Youth Football League
Under 11 St Mary’s FC 5 Bloomfield 0
Under 12 St Mary’s FC 1 Aquinas 6
Under 13 St Mary’s FC 1 St Pat’s 2
Under 17 St Mary’s FC 5 Kashmir Juniors 4

FORTWILLIAM MUSICAL SOCIETY presents “A Little Light Music” in Ballyearl Courtyard Theatre, from Tuesday 23rd- Saturday 27th November at 7.45pm. Tickets £10 (group discount), can be booked through the Theatre Box Office on 90340202. www.theatreatthemill.com.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL – Christmas cards for sale this weekend after masses. £2.75 per pack.

ST BERNARD’S PRIMARY SCHOOL – Open night for parents wishing to enrol their children for Nursery and Year One for next September, will be held on Tuesday 30th November at 7pm in the school assembly hall.
Volunteers required - The School would be delighted to hear from any grandparent who would direct traffic from 8.40am-9am on a monthly basis. Please contact school on 90844634.

NOVEMBER DEAD LISTS: Lists (with envelopes) for your deceased relations and friends are now available in the church porch. Please return as soon as possible to the special box at the back of the church – do not leave lying in the church. The November envelopes are all opened and the offering removed before the lists are placed on the altar. A Mass is celebrated each day of November for all those names who appear on the dead lists.

ACCORD MARRIAGE PREPARATION: To all couples who are getting married next year now is the time to book your marriage preparation course. To book ring 90339944 as soon as possible.

PROJECT 2030 FRIENDS AND FAITH GROUP – Advance notice of Autumn Reflection from 26th-28th November. Interested in meeting others from parishes in and around Down & Connor? Everyone is invited to our Autumn Reflection Weekend at Drumalis Retreat Centre, for time to relax from their busy lifestyles, and make new friends. Book direct with Drumalis. Alternatively come along to one of our information evenings for new members starting at 7.30pm Thursday 18tth November- Poor Clare’s Monastery Retreat Centre, 7.30pm Friday 19th November- St Anthony’s Church, Woodstock Road or Friday 26th November- Drumalis Retreat Centre. For more information call 07751347559 Mon-Fri 6.30pm-7.30pm.

ADOPTION: There are children needing adoptive families now. Family Care Society is presently seeking adoptive families who would be interested in parenting children aged between 0-8 years and who need the love and attention of a caring and understanding family. Could this be you? For further information please contact Family Care Society on 90691133 or 71368592 – or visit the website www.familycaresociety.net.

SACRAMENTAL INSTRUCTION for First Penance will take place on Tuesdays from 5.30pm-6.30pm in St Bernard’s Primary School. This is for children attending non parish schools. Please contact the Parish Office on 90832979, Monday to Friday 10.30am-2.30pm, as soon as possible.

MOTHERS PRAYERS continues each Tuesday after 10am Mass in St. Bernard’s church meeting room.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY at 1pm Sunday Mass. Parents remember to register all children. Volunteers most welcome – see any of the leaders or ring the parish office on 90832979, Monday – Friday 10.30am – 2.30pm.

DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR takes place every Friday 5pm to 6pm St Bernard’s Church. Everyone welcome.

PASTORAL COUNSELLING Grief and mourning are natural responses to loss. Each person grieves in his/her own way, and at times difficulties may arise in the grieving process, leaving the bereaved feeling overwhelmed and unable to make sense of their thoughts and emotions. It takes time to say goodbye. If you are finding difficulty of any kind in working through your grief then one to one grief work can provide the time and space needed for the journey into acceptance and healing. If interested in availing of this service please contact the Parish Office (90832979).

ST. BERNARD’S FOLK GROUP Interested in joining us? We would welcome musicians and singers to join us to sing and play at 11am Mass in St. Bernard’s church. Practice each Monday at 8pm in the church

THE CHILDREN’S LITURGY 1pm mass each sunday. We would remind parents that all children must be registered before attending. Parents are asked to tick the attendance sheet in the porch each Sunday. We are required to do this in order to comply with Child Protection Regulations and request your full cooperation. If your child’s name is not on the attendance sheet please speak to one of the leaders after Mass. Registration forms are available from the leaders. or Download form here.

REVERENCE IN CHURCH Please remember to show respect at all times to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Christ is present before and after Mass, and at all times in the Tabernacle. Please refrain from chatting and switch off your mobile!

PARISH BUILDING CLUB DRAW If you wish to join the Parish Draw please ring the office on 90832979 between 10.30am – 2.30pm or give your name and address to one of the church collectors.

ST BERNARD’S REPOSITORY Now open in the front entrance of the church. Religious goods, books etc may also be ordered.

CAR PARKING The disabled car spaces should be used only by cars displaying an official ‘disabled’ sign, especially on Sundays when a number of disabled people are attending Mass.