Parish of Ardkeen. The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.

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1 Parish of Ardkeen - Silver Circle - June Draw (6 th Year) The June Draw took place last Sunday 26 th June after the 11.00am Mass and congratulations to the following winners: 1 st May and Andy Vance, 2 nd Ann Carnie, 3 rd Ann O'Prey, 4 th Jamie Savage. The monthly prize money for this year is: 1 st - 200, 2 nd - 150, 3 rd and 4 th There will be an extra draw at Christmas for 10 prizes of 100. It's still not too late to join up - forms are available at the church doors for anyone who would like to join for the first time or rejoin. You may make a payment of 60 for the year or 10 every two months (bi-monthly). If you take the bi-monthly option, envelopes will be forwarded to you with the relevant months marked on them. Great prizes but if you're not in you can't win!! Semper Fidelis - 11 th Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 2 nd September for 5 night's full board in the Hotel Mediterranee. 599 per person sharing, deposit 150 per person non-refundable. Contact Terry Andrews / for more details (see notice board) The Living Rosary in The Parish of Ardkeen Some years ago, the Living Rosary was set up in the Parish and a number of Parishioners joined the group. What Is The Living Rosary? The Association of the Living Rosary was founded in Lyons, France by Venerable Pauline Jaricot in From the beginning the Living Rosary had clerical approval, the Archbishop of Lyons gave his approval and Pope Leo XII orally blessed the Living Rosary in The Living Rosary is a method adopted for praying the Rosary in which the twenty Mysteries are shared between 20 people; one Mystery to each person. The precious devotion should be practised every day, members meditating on their personal Mystery while saying their decade (one Our Father, ten Hail Mary and one Glory Be ). The members, united spiritually, form with their hearts, a Living Rose in the flourishing field of Our Lady s Rosary Garden. We are asking for more Parishioners to join our Living Rosary to try to build it up for the month of October - the month of the Holy Rosary. Our Lady of Fatima is crying out for the Rosary to be recited and by joining the Living Rosary you will be uniting with other members of the Parish in offering up complete decades of the Rosary each and every day. There is still space for parishioners to join - we now have 5 complete Rosaries plus parts of 2 other Rosaries being recited each day. At the Church doors, there is a sheet with the names of those who have already signed up - check if your name is there. You may write your name (please complete the gaps first) against one of the Mysteries. Then all you have to do is to spend a few minutes reciting your Decade each and every day, at any time or place, meditating on your Personal Mystery. Mary, Queen of the Rosary, pray for us. Parish of Ardkeen Fr Patrick Neeson, Parish Priest (028) info@parishofardkeen.co.uk Parish of Ardkeen Fr Mulholland PP Portaferry and Ballygalget " 14 th Sunday of the Year 3 rd July 2016 The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Mass Times next week NB: All Masses in St Mary's Nunsquarter (w/b 3 rd July) Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9.00am Tuesday and Friday (Novena) at 7.30pm Saturday Vigil at 6.30pm and Sunday Masses at 9.00am and 11.00am. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Friday 7.00pm pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 5.45pm pm. First Friday 7pm pm New SVP Helpline No: Bulletin Notices: please call or news@parishofardkeen.co.uk Items for the bulletin must be in by Thursday morning at the very latest.

2 Our prayers are requested for: First Anniversary: Lil Hughes, Mary Margaret McCormick, Tom Denvir, Dr John Hinds Anniversaries: Robert Savage, James Fitzgerald, Annie Moore, William Gilmore, Shaun and Helen Torney, Peggy Knox, Francis Boyce, Margaret Gilmore, Joseph Ennis, Kathleen Smyth, Lily Moore, Cahal Lennon, Jackie Oliver, Odette Caughey, Vera Matthews, Joe Ritchie, David Stuart, Michael Doherty, Joe Watson, John Donaghy, Tony Orr, John Gilmore, Gerard Curran, Peggy Flynn, Annie Duggan, Mary Gilmore, Sophie Strutt and all those whose anniversaries occur at this time. We remember those who have no one to pray for them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. MONEY MATTERS Last week's Offerings amounted to Gate Collection for Cemetery Sunday 950. Thank you all sincerely for your continued support. Sanctuary Lamp Intentions (SL) Special Intention PG (SH) Special Intention PG (SH) Special Intention (OL) Mary Walsh 1st Anniversary If you wish to put forward an intention for one of the lamps, please call into the Sacristy after Mass. Suggested offering 5. Collection for the World Meeting of Families 2018: Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed so generously last weekend. A total of 780 was collected. St Joseph's Ballycran GAA Club News Club Lottery: Sun 26 June. Numbers selected 3,9, & 20. Jackpot not won. 10 to Mathew O'Prey, William Brown, Ronán O'Flynn and Assumpta Hughes. Jackpot this week: 950. Volunteers and tradesmen wanted to help refurbish the ladies toilets. Please contact Peter Finnegan for more details and to offer help. This is the start of the Club's commitments to the Club Plan launched this year. St Mary's Primary School News - Tel Speech Festival: Congratulations to the winners of The Speech Festival which took place last Monday. Thanks to Ellen Allen who judged the event and to the parents and friends who came along to support the children. A big thank you to the Parents Support Group who have worked hard this year in raising funds for the school through various entertaining and enjoyable events. They will provide more events when school resumes in September!! Congratulations to those who graduated from Kircubbin Community Nursery and welcome to all the children coming to St Mary s in September we are looking forward to seeing you all again! We say a fond farewell to our P7 class and wish them every blessing in their new schools in September. The Principal, staff and pupils wish everyone a happy, safe and sunny holiday. Your support, encouragement and help over the past year have all been greatly appreciated. Cash for Clobber Bin - please keep filling up the Clobber Bin over the summer holidays!! Items of Clothing left in School: any items of clothing left in school can be collected by next Friday 8 th July. Any items left after this date will be donated to charity. Children's Liturgy The Children's Liturgy has now finished for the summer. Sincere thanks to the Leaders and helpers for their dedication and enthusiasm in taking the children through the Liturgy each week. Holy Hour In Honour Of Jesus The Divine Mercy will be held on Sunday 3 rd July in St. Patrick s Ballygalget at 6pm. Bus will leave the Square at 5.30pm. Healing Mass in St Cooey's Oratory, Portaferry at 7.30pm on Wednesday 6 th July. Blessing of the Graves 2016 Families and friends were welcomed to The Blessing of the Graves in Ballycran last Sunday afternoon by Fr Patrick Neeson, Fr John McManus and Canon Noel Conway. A sincere thanks to all who ensured the graveyard looked its best, to Brendan and Barry for the PA System, the members of the Parish Choirs, the readers and those who recited the Rosary, the gate collectors and for the use of the 'overflow' car parking. After the Blessing, a very welcome cup of tea or coffee was served in the Old School House, where friends met and caught up with each other s news a big thank you to the Social Committee for their hospitality! Annual Pilgrimage Knock SVP St Patrick s Conference, Portaferry are organising their annual pilgrimage to Our Lady s Shrine at Knock for the 13 th and 14 th August. Price is and anyone wishing to attend should leave their details with Jean Byers, 35 The Square, Portaferry, Tel: Medjugorje Irish Centre Pilgrimages: Airport Transport Dubrovnik or Split and 7 nights. Apartment B&B 205. Tel or reservations@med-irishcentre.com. Call for flight info. MEDJUGORJE: IRELAND: reservations@med-irishcentre.com. WEBSITE: ARDS CCE host Ulster Fleadh in Bangor from July 16 th - 24 th with many events including Irish Music Sensations BEOGA on Saturday 16 th July at St Comgall's Parish Centre, Bangor and THE SANDS FAMILY on Thu 21 st July at Bangor Abbey. Tickets cost only 10 for each concert - More info onwww.ulsterfleadh.com. Thanks to our choirs - Ballycran Folk Group, St Mary's Folk Group and St Mary's Senior Choir - for their liturgical music which has enhanced our celebration of Mass throughout the year. Ballycran Folk Group will resume in September and St Mary's choirs will continue throughout the summer. New singers/musicians are always very welcome and if you would like to become a member of any of the choirs, please contact Siobhan or Maura. Pilates with Bernie. Kircubbin Integrated PS, Wednesday 6.30pm pm. No classes 29 th June, 6 th /13 th July. Portaferry Com Centre, classes finish on Thursday 16 th June, recommence Thur 8 th Sept. Ballyphilip Church of Ireland. New Pilates course commencing Friday 12 th August - 30 th Sept at 9.30am. 7 weeks 35. Contact Bernie on Family Care Adoption Society is presently seeking to recruit adoptive families for babies and young children. For more information please contact us at: Telephone: or Monday to Friday 9 1 p.m. @familycaresociety.org Website: The next Hospital Visitors' Training Course, run in partnership by the NI Healthcare Chaplains' Association and Edgehill College, will commence on Thurs 29th Sept from pm at Edgehill College, Belfast. The course will run until 8th December with half-term break 3rd Nov. For further information and an application form contact: Mrs Kay Irvine, College Administrator, Edgehill Theological College, 9 Lennoxvale, Belfast BT9 5BY kirvine@edgehillcollege.org Tel. (028) Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a parish based group ministry which aims to help those bereaved and grieving. Support is offered on an individual basis in the home, to groups in drop-in centres, by phone calls, by helping at funeral liturgies etc. For more information or to register interest in the next Training Course which begins in September 2016 and will take place in the Good Shepherd Centre, please contact Claire Dowds, Good Shepherd Centre, 511 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3GS. ( , or bethanybereavementni@gmail.com Visit our Parish website and view the recent events Also visit our Facebook Page - Parish of Ardkeen for daily reflections and news - updated every day.

3 The Society of St Vincent de Paul - Clare Lodge Centre - A centre for well being Situated at 3 Castle Place Newcastle, County Down, Clare Lodge is more than just a holiday centre, it is a haven of peace and tranquillity for those who need a break from the pressures of day to day life, or to enjoy a relaxing stay by the sea. One of the few holiday centres to be opened all year round, Clare Lodge can accommodate 42 guests in 18 en suite bedrooms all with tea and coffee making facilities, free internet access and flat screen televisions. Together with a large dining hall, comfortable lounge and an outside seating area, this is a modern, spacious centre. All rooms are wheelchair accessible with a lift for ease of access. We can offer week long breaks, Sunday to Saturday as well as midweek and weekends on a full board basis which includes, breakfast, lunch, evening meal and light supper. Bed and breakfast and tailored options are also available. For further information contact any member of your local St. Vincent de Paul Conference or directly to Clare Lodge on Never be ashamed of your faith - no matter what religion you follow, Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist, Elim, Pentecostal etc - we are all worshipping the same loving God. Pray to Him and tell Him what you need. Pray for the sick of the Parish and community - there are many people in our pastoral community who need prayers for physical, mental and spiritual issues - issues that we can't see. Sometimes when you are sick, it is hard to pray for yourself - that's where we, the Parish, come in. An extra Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be or an invocation will help us know that we are helping someone in need. Our Lady Health of the Sick, pray for us. Can you give a little of your time to the church once a week/month? There are various areas in the church where your help would be very much appreciated and welcomed: for example becoming a Minister of the Word (5 mins during Mass every 4 th /5 th week), helping to clean the church (1 hour every 4 th week), joining any of the choirs (during Mass and perhaps 15 mins practice afterwards) etc. If you would like to help out in any area please give your name to Fr Neeson or contact Parish Office and leave a message. We particularly need more members to help clean the church - just one hour a month!! Jubilee of Mercy Every particular church will be directly involved in living out this Holy Year as an extraordinary moment of grace and spiritual renewal. Pope Francis, The Year of Mercy. A Holy Year also known as a Jubilee is to be celebrated by Catholics worldwide from 8 th December 2015, to 20 th November In the Roman Catholic tradition, a Holy Year is a great religious event, observed and celebrated by millions of Catholics across the world. The tradition has its origins in the Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament. A Jubilee was described as a special celebration each 50 years when slaves were set free and debts forgiven. In modern times, the Pope calls a Holy Year every 25 years as a unique time for all Catholics to find spiritual renewal in prayer, pilgrimage, the forgiveness of sins and the gaining of special indulgences. From time to time, the Pope may call an Extraordinary Jubilee, which is a Holy Year outside of the normal quarter century cycle, to mark an important event or anniversary in the Church s history. Pope Francis has called an Extraordinary Jubilee to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vatican Council II. The theme of Pope Francis Extraordinary Jubilee is Mercy. The Pope wants the whole Church to be reawakened to Mercy, which in the context of Christian teachings, refers to concepts such as forgiveness, healing, hope and compassion for all fellow human beings. Pope Francis has called for a revolution of tenderness in the Church through a renewed focus on these values. All Catholics are called to spend the Year of Mercy celebrating not only the compassion and forgiveness of God but also increasing their own understanding and capacity for compassion and forgiveness, in all of their thoughts and deeds. "I have learned that forgiveness is necessary in order to "move on" and "heal". Forgiveness really does unleash a power in your life that can't be explained. For years, I was sinfully stubborn and it was eating away at me. When I decided to consciously make the effort to forgive, I felt a certain "heaviness" LIFT! When I asked Jesus to BLESS the very people who hurt me, I felt love and peace. Their deeds no longer had power over me. I no longer carried the hurt in my mind or my soul". W K. OTHER NOTICES Medjugorje st July 7 th August 2016 (Youth Festival) PLUS FURTHER DATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Guide will be with group throughout; All airport and local taxes; Travel insurance included. Flying from Belfast International Airport. COST STG Single room supplement is EXTRA deposit secures a seat! For further details contact: Reggie Donnelly or Jean Reynolds or jeanreynolds@hotmail.co.uk 2016 Centenary Of The Angel Of Fatima. Pilgrimage to Fatima & Santiago de Compostela. 9 th - 18 th August Nights H/B Los Abetos Hotel Santiago, 6 Nights F/B Hotel Avenida Fatima, visiting Pontevedra, Tuy & Balasar. Spiritual Directors Fr Gerry McCloskey and Fr Sean Gilmore. Special Group price 709 inclusive of tax & insurance. For further details contact Joe Catney or Early booking advisable, deposit secures. Living Youth Aged 17-25? Want to be part of World Youth Day 2016 in Poland? Come and be part of the Living Youth Team and explore your faith, friendship, music, fun, culture and Mass with the Pope. For more information go to ADOPTERS NEEDED NOW Family Care Adoption Services is presently seeking families who would be interested in adopting children aged between 2-6 years and who need the love and attention of a caring

4 and understanding family. Could this be you? If you would like to find out more please contact Family Care Adoption Services on: Belfast: or Derry: Website: FOSTERING AND THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Could you help a child in need? Northern Ireland is currently experiencing a severe shortage of Foster Carers, and particularly carers from the Catholic Community. Kindercare Fostering is a not for-profit organisation which works to find safe, secure and loving homes for children and young people in need in Northern Ireland. We need Foster Carers in your area! If you would be interested in finding out more about Fostering, please contact Gillian on , Gillian.devlin@kindercare.co.uk or check us out at WARM HOMES SCHEME Make your home warmer and reduce energy costs Grant schemes offering insulation and possibly new central heating at no cost are available, if you own or privately rent your home and meet qualifying criteria. For more information or independent advice on reducing energy costs call Bryson Energy on / and quote Health Routes FRIENDS IN FAITH GROUP- Clonard- Open to new members! Are you in your 30 s, 40 s +plus / Interested in making new friends / living & sharing your faith together / participating in various Spiritual/Social events. Why not come and see for yourself, you would be very welcome at Clonard. Simply register now by ing your name/and contact details to faithtogether@clonard.com or text your name to and we will be in touch. PRAXIS CARE BEFRIENDING NEEDS VOLUNTEERS COULD YOU HELP? Befriending provides one to one support and companionship to people who are feeling isolated or lonely as a result of their mental ill health. Volunteer Befrienders get involved with everyday activities with their Praxis Care friend: Going for a walk Meeting for a coffee Going to the cinema or a local event Shopping Playing sport Volunteers build friendships which have a lasting positive impact, make a huge difference to the lives of the adults they are matched with, reducing isolation, giving their time, sense of enthusiasm and energy. Could you get involved? Donating even an hour or two of your time will make a real difference to someone in your local community who feels isolated and lonely. To find out more, get a volunteer application form or to speak to someone about the service, contact Catherine on: Telephone: / volunteering@praxiscare.org.uk Online: AGE NI ADVICE SERVICE If an older person you know needs advice, information or practical support on a wide range of issues including welfare benefits, community care, housing and health, contact the Age NI Advice Service on Freephone to speak to a specialist advisor in confidence. Our advisors can provide a free benefit check to ensure that older people are accessing the benefits they are entitled to. TUESDAY S CHILD is a catholic charity helping children and their families in areas of the world ravaged by war and extreme poverty. Everything we do is All Through Mary for the glory of the Infant Child. Tuesday s Child gives 100 percent of donations received and monies raised. When you donate online, both pay systems we use take a small % of your donation. Administration costs are covered by a private sponsor and gift aid received goes to our projects. We work directly with catholic missionaries in all project areas. Where monies are donated to projects run by missionary priests, we ask for masses to be celebrated in return for Ireland. Tuesday s Child gives 100 percent of donations received and monies raised. If you are donating online both pay systems take a small % of your donation. ACTION CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES Counselling (for adults and children over the age of 5) counselling provides an opportunity to explore thoughts and feelings, to identify worries and concerns and to create self awareness and bring about change. Examples of therapies used include: Person Centred Counselling; Sandplay/art therapy; Thought Field Therapy and Emotional Freedom Technique Complementary therapies which include: reflexology, aromatherapy, relaxation techniques, Bach Flower remedies, gentle massage, Bowen and Emmett therapy. Acupuncture clinic acupuncture can help with pain and symptom control. One to one Coaching. A group focused Positive Living Programme this programme uses life coaching techniques to help people reflect, refocus, build coping skills and set personal goals to be able to move forward positively with life after a cancer diagnosis. For further information Tel or info@actioncancer.org or visit the website at THE EXPLOREAWAY PROGRAMME If you are single and between 21 and 40 years of age and feel you may have an interest in religious life and would like to share with others similar questions then ExploreAway aims to provide the input, support and accompaniment needed to help participants discern their call. The programme involves five residential weekends and one residential weekend retreat throughout the year, based in Dublin The weekends will provide input on vocation, discernment, prayer and religious life- its core values and the various ways it is lived. enquires@exploreaway.net or Tel or MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND CHANGE YOUR OWN LIFE FOREVER Since 1960, Viatores Christi has aimed to respond to needs overseas and at home by giving people an opportunity to share their lives and skills with those in need. People from all backgrounds and professions join VC - people who want to challenge themselves to make a difference in the world, however big or small. If you want to explore such a challenge, and you are interested in learning more colin@viatoreschristi.com call or visithttp://viatoreschristi.com/events/ SERVING AFRICA THROUGH OLD COMPUTERS Camara are a Local Charity based in Unit 10, Townsend Enterprise Park. Belfast BT13 2ES, who take old computers, wipe the data, refurbish them and set them up in schools in Africa as computer labs. Combined with accredited training courses and ongoing maintenance we have taught over half a million young people how to use a computer. This vital skill in today's world opens up unending opportunities for the young people whilst also building a better future for the country. To do this amazing work we need old computers. There is huge demand from Africa for Camara computers as we send them preloaded with software and train the teachers how to use them. From 11th November we will run our annual "One week, One Thousand Computers" campaign. Churches in Northern Ireland contributed over a quarter of this last

5 year. This annual event tries to find 1,000 unused and unwanted pcs and laptops for reuse in deprived schools in Africa. Camara wipe and repair computers of all ages, shapes and sizes, load them with educational software and ship them to one of Camara s seven African Hubs where they are distributed to the most deprived schools. We are asking people to dig out their old computers that are gathering dust. Visit for details of where to drop your computers off between 9.30 and 4.30 any week day. For your information. It costs 100 per computer to process, ship and provide the relevant training and maintenance for a minimum of 21 children to learn how to use it over the next 3 years. Most schools require a 25 computer suite at a cost of 2,500. Whilst we are not asking for donations anyone who feels they would like to support Camara in this way may do so through or by sending a donation along with a computer to our base in 10, Townsend Enterprise Park, Belfast, BT13 2ES