28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
We are delighted to announce that our first-year pupils from St Luke's, originally from St Thomas' and St John's primaries, have all received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Let us keep our young people in our prayers that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit may be ever-present in their lives.

Please find below the dates for St Mark's pupils who are soon to receive this Sacrament:

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.

FUNERAL MASS
Tuesday 13th October 10am Mass at St John's will be a funeral Mass for the happy repose of the soul of Kathleen Mallon; we pray for Kathleen and for the consolation of her family and friends. In accordance with Government guidelines, the Mass is open only to Kathleen's family.

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 - CHANGE OF DATE
If you are considering becoming a Catholic come along to an evening of welcome on Monday, 10th 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.

ANNUAL ST CONVAL'S CEMETERY MASS - SUNDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2PM
Bishop Keenan will celebrate the annual Cemetery Mass, as usual, this year but in accordance with Government guidelines; these limit numbers to 200 persons outside with socially distanced seating. We would ask as many of those attending to try to come in cars and remain in them for the duration of the Mass. A small number of outside seating will be available. Mass will be a ticketed event. To book a please visit the Eventbrite site.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY ZOOM DAY FOR ADVENT PREPARATION
There will be a zoom meeting for all those involved in Children's Liturgy on Saturday 24th October 2020 from 11am - 1pm.

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.

SECOND COLLECTION: NEXT WEEKEND 18TH OCT - MISSIO SCOTLAND
Please note next week's second collection is for Missio Scotland; Missio is the Scottish branch of the Catholic Church's mission aid agency. They enable missionaries to help communities in need through grassroots projects. They build and maintain hospitals, schools, and seminaries, care for people in need, and act for justice in the developing world.

PRAYER INTENTIONS
We pray for all those who have died recently especially, Kathleen Mallon

And for the anniversaries of the following: John McGuire Snr, Matt Fearon, Sarah Currie, Margaret Stewart, Mary Dickson, Joe Hughes, John Cleary, Alice McGrory, Charles Duffin, Frank Gallacher, Dolly Quinn, and the first Anniversaries of Rena Mooney and Steven Ingram.