Welcome
Welcome to the website for the Loughshore Parishes.
This is a group of three parishes that came together in 2009:
St Mary’s Greencastle, Star of The Sea Whitehouse & St James’ Whiteabbey.
There are four churches in this group:
St Mary’s Greencastle, Star of The Sea Whitehouse, St James’ Whiteabbey & St Colman’s Greenisland
The links to the webcam for each of the churches is below:
Do This in Memory Masses
The parish-based programme, Do This In Memory, helps parents to be more actively involved in the sacramental preparation for First Penance and First Eucharist. The programme will require children and their parents/guardians to attend parish Mass once each month throughout the school year – 9 masses in total.
The Programme commenced on the weekend of 28th/29th September 2024 when the children were officially enrolled for the sacraments and parents and the parish community were invited to commit themselves to supporting the children in their sacramental preparation.
Please click on this link to see the full list of dates for Do This in Memory Masses for the year ahead >>
Pastoral Letter - "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful"
Bishop Alan has written a pastoral letter which addresses the crucial matter of end-of-life care in light of the proposed Terminally Ill Adults bill to be discussed in Parliament on November 29th.
Bishop Alan urges our parish communities to pray for those who are terminally ill and their families, that they may find comfort, support, and the unwavering conviction that their lives have profound meaning and purpose.
Bishop Alan’s letter can be read by clicking on this link >>
Voices & Brass Christmas Concert
Come and join us for a festive Christmas concert at Star of the Sea, Whitehouse on Friday 13th December at 7.30pm. Performing will be Third Carrickfergus Brass Band and Concordia, a small choir of which Fr David Delargy is a member. Admission will be by ticket only. Recommended donation is £15. Tickets will be available from next week from the Parish Office and from the sacristans in the churches. All funds raised will go towards the urgent restoration repairs required at Whitehouse.
This promises to be a wonderful evening of music, not to be missed!
NI Cancer Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Vacancy for Housekeeper/Cleaner in Ballyclare Parish
DOWN & CONNOR DIOCESAN TRUST
VACANCY – BALLYCLARE PARISH
HOUSEKEEPER/CLEANER
A vacancy has arisen for a Housekeeper/Cleaner within Ballyclare Parish, 69 Doagh Road, Ballyclare, BT39 9BG.
The post holder will be required to:
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provide a reliable and efficient cleaning service to the Parish Priest whilst ensuring a pleasant, welcoming, and clean Presbytery for the members of the team, volunteers, and parish visitors.
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carry out specific cleaning duties in the Church as agreed with the Parish Priest.
The terms are based on a permanent appointment requiring 6 hours per week, work pattern to be agreed.
Rate of Pay – £11.44 gross per hour.
Full details relating to the vacancy can be found on the Diocesan website at: http://www.downandconnor.org clicking on the tab: JOB VACANCIES and on the Community NI website, where terms and conditions relating to the role can also be accessed by way of a Role Profile and Employment Application form. Application packs can also be obtained from the Parish Office.
We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the criteria and are interested in playing an active part in the Parish.
Closing date for applications will be 12.00 noon on Tuesday 26th November 2024
Down and Connor Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Letter Welcoming Migrants to Ireland
CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ PASTORAL LETTER WELCOMING MIGRANTS TO IRELAND
On Sunday 13th October 2024, the Bishops of Ireland published a pastoral letter to welcome migrants to Ireland. As Christians, we have a responsibility to respond to the key question of immigration across our island, and the world. This fundamental question asks, “Who is my neighbour?”, and to answer this we are informed by the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). In the light of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching, our bishops offer this reflection on what hospitality for migrant people means in contemporary Ireland.
Mindful that migration has been a central part of our history, the Pastoral Letter provides a space to us as ‘migrant pilgrim people’ to contemplate the causes of migration, the gifts that migrants bring to our Church and our country, the economic and social issues we all face in Ireland, and the importance of encounter in building a true sense of belonging in every parish and community.
The Pastoral letter can be read by clicking on this link >>
Ukrainian Divine Liturgy in Belfast
13:00 – Divine Liturgy
(second Sunday of the month)
Celebrant: Fr Taras Khomych
Address: St Patrick’s Church, 199 Donegall Street, Belfast
Since Easter this year, a monthly Liturgy in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Rite has started in Belfast. This is in response to a request from Ukrainian refugees living throughout Northern Ireland for pastoral support in their own language and Rite.
Fr Taras Khomych, the Ukrainian Chaplain in Liverpool, travels to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street, Belfast on the second Sunday of the month at 1pm.
World Mission Sunday 20th October 2024
October and World Mission Sunday is a time for the faithful of the world to show their appreciation towards the work of overseas missionaries. Please donate €4.00 by texting the word ‘Mission’ to 50300.
Alternatively donate at www.missio.ie or call Missio Ireland on 01 497 2035.
To learn more go to www.missio.ie >>
Fundraising for Lourdes Pilgrimage 2024
The organisers of the Coffee Morning, held in St Colman’s & St James , and the Bingo Ballot would like to express their sincere thanks to you, our parishioners, for your generosity in supporting the Down & Connor Lourdes Pilgrimage 2024.
The events raised £1209 for Lourdes. The volunteers travelling with the pilgrimage are bowled over with your kindness and generosity. We placed your petitions at the grotto during the Down and Connor Mass.
A large candle was purchased for The Loughshore Parishioner Petitions, listing the names of all those who supported our funding raising events. Thank you again for making such a difference to those within our diocese. Photos can be viewed in the Gallery Page on the Parish Website >>
Annual Parish Census
Thank you for participating in the parish census which was carried out on the weekend of 27th & 28th April 2024.
The data captured can be viewed by clicking on this link >>
AGE NI's Shared Lives Service
Our service is brand new and is for older people aged 65+ who would benefit from spending time outside their own home. Our aim is to reduce isolation and loneliness and maintain independence and social connection. Our carers are self-employed, use their own home as a base for the care and are paid an hourly rate for their role.
For more information, please click on this link >>
If interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer, please contact deborah.mcilwaine@ageni.org
Have you, or someone you know been bereaved by suicide?
The Northern Trust have designed a guide dedicated to those grieving the death of someone they love >>
Local support groups and individual support sessions are available throughout the Northern Trust area to help you deal with a bereavement through suicide.
If you would like more information about a support group in your area, or to be referred to the individual support service, please
contact:
Danielle Gallagher
Bereaved by Suicide Service Officer
Holywell Hospital Site
60 Steeple Road
Antrim
BT41 2RJ
028 9441 3544
danielle.gallagher@northerntrust.hscni.net
David Olphert
Family Liason Officer
Holywell Hospital Site
60 Steeple Road
Antrim
BT41 2RJ
028 9441 3544
david.olphert@northerntrust.hscni.net