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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
We are delighted to announce all our pupils from St Thomas', St John's, and St Mark's have now received our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion for the first time! We give thanks to God for the outstanding effort put in by their families, teachers, priests, and parish community, without whom it simply would not have been possible over the past month and a half. Let us continue to pray for our beloved young parishioners that they may deepen their love and knowledge of the Lord who nourishes them in the Eucharist. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION After much planning and consideration our parishes and schools have arranged the following dates for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation: St Thomas' PS Pupils Monday 5th October, St Thomas' Church - Classes 1C & 1K - 6pm Tuesday 6th October, St Thomas' Church - Classes 1M & 1O - 6pm St John's PS Pupils Wednesday 7th October, St John's Church - Classes 1K & 1M - 6pm Thursday 8th October, St John's Church - Classes 1C & 1O - 6pm St Mark's PS Pupils Monday 26th October, St John's Church - Class 1M - 6pm Tuesday 27th October, St John's Church - Class 1O with three from 1K - 6pm Wednesday 28th October, St John's Church - Class 1C with three from 1K - 6pm In accordance with present restrictions, these Masses are open to the pupils and their invited guests only; we keep our young people in our prayers during these final weeks of preparation. OCTOBER DEVOTIONS During the month of October, we will have Sunday Devotions taking place in the church at 3pm; there will be the recitation of the Holy Rosary followed by Benediction. October is a month dedicated to our Blessed Month and the Rosary. Why not take some time to deepen your relationship with our mother Mary by visiting one Sunday afternoon during this month. We will also consecrate our parishes to the Immaculate Heart of Mary later in the month. RCIA WELCOME NIGHT If you are considering becoming a Catholic come along to an evening of welcome on Wednesday, 14th of October at 7pm at the parish house; this is an informal opportunity to meet the RCIA team and the priests of our parish, to discover what the RCIA program involves. CHANGES IN MASS TIMES Please note that the following changes in Holy Mass times come into effect this weekend, 3rd & 4th October. Saturday Vigil Masses: St John's 4pm St Thomas' 5:15pm We thank you for your continued prayers and patience as we, your priests, attempt to structure both parishes in such a way as to permit their Mass schedules to be celebrated by one priest should the circumstances require it. All other Mass times remain as they are. CONFESSIONS Priests are available in St John's oratory on Saturday mornings from 10:30am until 11am, and from 3:15pm to 3:45pm in the afternoon to hear your confession. The oratory has been restructured to permit social distancing, and a screen has been installed so as to maintain your anonymity. VOLUNTEER STEWARDS - ST THOMAS' To increase daily Mass at St Thomas' from 3 days per week, we require more volunteer stewards. Similarly, we wish to offer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each morning from 9:25am to 9:55am which will also require an increase in volunteers able to be at the parish for 9:15am. STANDING ORDERS We wish to offer a profound thank you to all those who have already signed up for a Standing Order to our parishes, enabling a weekly donation which sustains the life of our parishes during these uncertain times, especially given the financial burden so many are under. We would like to encourage those who may not have considered a Standing Order thus far to do so; this way you are able to contribute to the mission of the parish each week even though you may be unable to attend and donate in such a way that reduces the physical exchange of money which is discouraged in these days. May God reward you for your continued generosity. Standing Order forms can be obtained from the Sacristy. 2ND COLLECTION: PETER'S PENCE This weekend at all Sunday Masses we have a second collection in aid of Peter's Pence; this is a gesture of solidarity. Through it, every member of the faithful can participate in the activity of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his role as Pastor of the universal church. It is an activity that also supports the neediest and those in difficulty who approach the Holy See for help. PRAYER INTENTIONS We pray for all those who have died recently especially, Paul McEwan, Bernadette Larkin, and John Mitchell. And for the anniversaries of the following: Arthur & Mary Reid, James McCrossan, Mary Lunday, John & Mary Dickson, Joseph Hughes, Catherine White, Jim McCaffrey, Mark Mulroony, Catherine Garry, James Reilly, Patrick Devaney, Agnes McCormick, William & Agnes McHugh, Eamonn Duggan, Eileen Cameron, and the months mind of Pat McLaughlan.
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