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 >>
All Saints & All Souls Days
SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS
Friday 1st November is the Feast of All Saints. This is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be celebrated in the Loughshore Parishes at the following times:
St James’, Whiteabbey 10am
St Mary’s, Greencastle 11.30am
Mass times in neighbouring parishes are as follows:
Vigil Mass on Thursday 31st October
St. Nicholas’, Carrickfergus Vigil 7pm
Mass times on Friday 1st November
St Bernard’s 9.45am & 7pm
Our Lady of Lourdes Whitehead 10am
FEAST OF ALL SOULS
Saturday 2nd November is the Feast of All Souls. Mass will be offered in Star of the Sea, Whitehouse at 11am.
Annual Mass for Deceased Parishioners
The Annual Mass for Deceased Parishioners will be on Tuesday 12th November at 7pm in Star of the Sea, Whitehouse.
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 >>
Vacancy for Sacristan - St Gerard's Parish
DOWN and CONNOR DIOCESAN TRUST
ST GERARD’S PARISH
We are seeking to recruit into the role of Sacristan within
St Gerard’s Parish, 722 Antrim Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT36 7PG.
The responsibilities within the Sacristan role will include:
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The maintenance of the sacristy, ensuring that, with volunteers and others, the sanctuary is set up for Mass, baptisms, weddings, funerals and other services, ensuring all the requisite books and sacramental vessels etc. are in place.
The terms are based on a permanent appointment requiring 26 hours each week.
Work pattern to be agreed with the Parish Priest.
Having a flexible approach to working hours will be a requirement within the role.
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 St Gerard’s Parish Office, 722 Antrim Road, Newtownabbey.
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 5 November 2024
Down and Connor Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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 >>
Recharge - a new young adult group
RECHARGE is a new young adult group starting in St Colmcille’s Parish for people aged 18 to 35. The group will meet twice monthly on the first and third Tuesday of each month to “recharge” the spiritual batteries through Adoration, intellectual formation and social gatherings. To keep updated and get involved, follow us on Facebook and Instagram or email rechargecatholic@gmail.com. Our first gathering will be for Adoration with guided meditation and confessions at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 1st October.
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