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:
Why Sunday Matters
A new pastoral resource from the Irish Bishops’ Conference entitled Why Sunday Matters is available to read by clicking on this link >>
As we journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Irish Bishops warmly invite all Catholics to reflect on the immense significance of Sunday Mass and, for those who no longer attend, to return with renewed joy to the celebration of the Eucharist.
Hearts on Fire Conference Talks
The Hearts on Fire Conference took place in the Hilton Hotel on the 25th & 26th June.
For those who did not have the opportunity to attend the conference, the talks given by the Keynote Speakers during the Conference can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Hearts on Fire Conference (25 – 26 June 2025) – Igniting the Church’s Missionary Spirit – YouTube
Day of Prayer and Reflection for Gaza
DAY OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION FOR GAZA
The Catholic Church in Ireland has called for a Day of Prayer and Reflection on Sunday 24th August and for every Parish to take part in this sacred initiative , it is not just a symbolic gesture , it is a spiritual act of Solidarity.
The hope is that August 24th will be a day of deep prayer.
- Offer your Sunday Mass for peace in Gaza.
- Spend time in Adoration , lifting up those who suffer.
- Pray the Rosary as a family or community.
- Light a candle in your home or parish as a sign of hope.
- Reach out to your elected representatives , urging them to support humanitarian aid and peace efforts.
- Support trusted Charities working on the ground.
Please click on this link to read Bishop Alan’s Pastoral letter >>
Please click on this link to view Bishop Alan’s video message >>
The Loughshore Parishes & Net Ministries
The Loughshore Parishes are undertaking an exciting new initiative with Net Ministries Ireland.
Please click on this link >> to find out more about this project and how you can support it.
Change to Mass Times & Services at St Colman's, Greenisland
The times for weekday Masses and Communion Services in St Colman’s, Greenisland is to change, starting this week. The days and times of the services will remain the same, Monday & Thursday at 10am but starting from Monday 28th July, there will be Morning Prayer & Communion Service at 10am on a Monday and Morning Mass at 10am on a Thursday.
MASS TIMES & SERVICES IN ST COLMAN’S
Sunday 9.30am Sunday Mass
Monday 10am Morning Prayer & Communion Service
Thursday 10am Morning Mass
Heatlthcre Chaplaincy Service User Survey
The NI Healthcare Chaplaincy Association (NIHCA) have commissioned Queen’s University Belfast to undertake a survey regarding the experiences of people who have used healthcare chaplaincy services in Northern Ireland. The research team is keen to hear from people of different faiths and beliefs who have accessed the service. You could have experience as a patient, family member of / someone close to a patient , or an employee of the healthcare setting. Please use the url link https://forms.office.com/e/YFbeb2Zcjm
Words are not enough!
At their Standing Committee meeting in Maynooth on 26th May, Irish Bishops stated:
“We in Ireland must pray for a change of heart. Throughout the month of June – the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – we call on everyone to pray for an outpouring of the compassion of God on a heartless world.”
Their letter can be read in full by clicking on this link >>
Pilgrims of Hope, Jubilee Year 2025
“Hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us”. (Rom 5:1-2)
To read the New Year Message from Bishop Alan McGuckian, SJ, please click on this link >>
What Is a Jubilee?
A Jubilee – or a Jubilee Year – is traditionally proclaimed by the Catholic Church every 25 years. It is a year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on the spiritual life.
More information can be found by clicking on this link >>
Jubilee 2025
The Jubilee 2025 will be centred on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” Pope Francis put it beautifully: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.” The Jubilee 2025 begins on December 24th 2024, with the official Opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica Rome. Bishop Alan McGuckian will launch the Jubilee in the Diocese at a mass in St Peter’s Cathedral on Sunday 29th December at 3pm – all are welcome.
Also 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the first Council of Nicea where the Nicene Creed, which we profess at Sunday Mass, was offered to the Church as an anchor of true belief.
Whether or not you will travel to Rome this year to enter through Holy Door, all can focus on opening the ‘Doors of our Hearts’ this Jubilee year to the transformative love and mercy of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
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