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The Bulletin

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PARISH OF DOWNPATRICK
Psalter Week 3, Year B,
Missal Pages 85 - 88
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 26th January 2003

COLLECTION: Wk:12 Offertory £2022, Loose Plate £678, Weekly Average of Standing Orders & Annual Payments £183, Total:£2,883

PRIEST ON DUTY:
Sun/Mon: 26/27th January: Fr. T. McDermott Tel: 028 44615206
Tues/Sat: 28/1st February: Canon B. Murray Tel: 028 44612443
Parish Office open Mon - Fri 12 Noon - 1pm & 6.15 - 7.15pm, Tel: 028 44612084

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR:
RECENTLY DECEASED: Jim Newman (Killyleagh)
ANNIVERSARIES: Frank McCrissican, Edward Cusack Jnr, Thomas McLoughlin, John Mullan, Paddy Feenan, Eileen Walsh, Jack Walsh, Teresa Hanna (Ballynahinch), Harry Kelly, Barney McKenna, Gretta McDonald, Annie Maginn, Sean McManus, Margaret M. Gracey, James Adair, Margaret McAvera, Anna McKeating, Winifred Steele, Winifred Breen, Leonard Mullis, Catherine Craig, John Foley, Isabelle McEvoy, Margaret McEvoy, Isabelle Redmond, Vincent Kelly, Hugh Henry Kelly, Mary A. McDonald, Margaret Cusack, Mary Jane Gracey, Hugh Trainor, Joe Trainor, Thomas Trainor, Cissie Reynolds, Michael McGrady, Mary Leathem, Helen Leathem, Fred Leathem, Alice McAllister, Rose Doris,

BAPTISMS: PLEASE NOTE: 4 Weeks notice required for Baptisms.

MONTHLY STIPEND:
For the Priests of the Parish will be taken up next weekend.

MEDICAL MISSIONARIES OF MARY:
Will visit the Parish this weekend to speak about their work.

CONVENT OF MERCY & ST. COLMCILLE'S NURSERY SCHOOLS:
Application forms for Enrolment for September 2003 are now available at both schools. If your child was born between 2nd July 1999 - 31st August 2000, you may apply. Application forms should be returned to the schools before Friday 7th February 2003.

PARISH PRIMARY SCHOOLS:
Children who will be four years old on or before July 1st 2003 are due to start Primary School in September 2003. Application forms are available from all Primary Schools in the Parish: Convent of Mercy P.S, St. Patrick's P.S, Bunscoil Naomh Padraig - Irish Unit, St. Colmcille's P.S., St. Brigid's P.S. Completed application forms together with a BIRTH CERTIFICATE should be returned to the school of your choice by 29th January 2003.



PTAA:
Preliminary notice: Pioneer Pilgrimage to Knock 28/29th June. To confirm your booking please contact Sheila McPoland, Tel: 028 44617212

DOWNPATRICK THIRD WORLD GROUP:
Would like to thank all those who left donations of old currency into The Divine Mercy Centre.

NAISCOIL DHUN PADRAIG:
Are holding an Open day on 29th January from 2pm - 3.30pm & 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Based at St. Michael's Parish Centre, the Playgroup provides a unique opportunity for pre-school children to become bilingual without effort through play and games. It is our aim to ensure that children are fluent in both English and Irish. Children of all religions and none are welcome. If you would like more information, or would like an enrolment form, contact the Naiscoil @ 07786528978 or Siobhan @ 44615010, or email: naiscoil@leathchathail.org or enrol online @ www.leathchathail.org

APOSTOLIC WORK:
Meetings of the Apostolic Work will resume on Tuesday 28th January in St. Michael's Parish Centre. New members welcome.

CANDLEMAS DAY:
This year, Candlemas day, the day on which the church blesses candles will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd February. The appreciation and use of candles has become a feature in our society today. On Sunday 2nd February, parishioners are invited to bring a candle which has special meaning to them to the Sunday Mass, these will be blessed during the Mass. When lit at home they will remind us of Jesus, the light of the world and also the presence of God when we turn our time to prayer.

DOWNPATRICK THIRD WORLD GROUP:
St. Brigid's Crosses will be on sale at all Masses in the Parish on 2nd February 2003. Donation £1. The group would like volunteers to help cut rushes and also cross makers. Those interested can contact Pat at 02844616867

HOMESTART:
Is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with a least one child under 5. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown. Homestart are starting a preparation course on Tuesday 4th February, if you are interested please contact 028 44615727 or call into the Downpatrick Office located at The Courtyard (behind Tony Roden).

ST. PATRICK'S CHORAL SOCIETY:
Are eagerly looking for new members to take part in their production of "Carousel", which will take place from the 1st - 5th April. If you are interested in singing, dancing or helping behind the scenes, then you will be welcome to join us at our rehearsals in the Presbyterian Church Hall, Fountain Street at 7.30pm this Thursday (or any Thursday) evening. For further information contact 44612117.


DOWNPATRICK CREDIT UNION:
Are holding their Annual Schools Quiz 2003 in The Great Hall, Downshire Hospital at 1pm on Friday 31st January. A dual competition will be held as follows: Competition A: Entrants must not have reached their 11th birthday on or before 30th June 2003. Competition B: Entrants must not have reached their 13th birthday on or before 30th June 2003. For more quiz details and information on how to enter a team from your school contact Paula at 02844614174

PATRICIAN YOUTH CENTRE:
THE FUREYS & DAVEY ARTHUR IN CONCERT: In the Abbey Lodge Hotel on Friday 7th February. Tickets £12 each available from the Patrician Youth Centre or Hanlons Music, Downpatrick.
GUITAR TUITION:
Every Wednesday evening 7pm - 10pm. Beginners: Primary age 8+ 7pm - 8pm, Form 1 + 8pm - 9pm.
Primary Provision: Every Tuesday & Wednesday afternoon 3pm - 5pm. Activities include Arts, crafts, & Multi-Sports.
ST. COLMCILLE'S YOUTH CLUB BALLYVANGE:
Is operational in the Killough Road Community Centre on Monday & Wednesday evenings 7pm - 8.30pm Juniors & 8.30pm - 10pm Seniors. Programme details available from the PYC Or St. Colmcille's Youth Club on the above evenings.

RUSSELL GAELIC UNION:
Sunday 26th January: Entertainment - Anthony McKenna
Lotto: Winning numbers - 5,8,9,18. Jackpot not won. 7 match 3 winners share £100. This week's jackpot £1900.

VOTER IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
Are options, but are targeted at electors who do not have any other specified photographic evidence for voting purposes. Only electors who requested a Voter Identification Card on their original voter registration form will have that form sent to them. Electors can have a photograph for their card taken free of charge. Venues for such photographs are available as follows: Down Leisure Centre on 6th, 7th & 8th February, Newcastle Centre on 13th & 14th February, Ballynahinch - date to be arranged.

ROAD SAFETY:
Over recent weeks, the Parish has been joining in the National Road Safety campaign which has been highlighting road safety as a Christian Value. The campaign is coming to an end, for the moment at least. In order to "round it off", we have reproduced the poster on the back of this week's bulletin in an attempt to reinforce the need to be conscious of how we use the road, whether as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian. The carnage on our roads since the beginning of the year tells us that we cannot be careful enough - at the time of writing, 15 people have lost their lives. We all need to take responsibility in order to try to reduce these awful numbers.


SCRIPTURE COURSE:
Fr. Tommy Lane LSS, DD, is offering transcripts of his revised Bible course, Enjoying the Bible 1, on the Psalms and Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, and Matthew, Mark, Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. The weekly lessons involve, reading Scripture, studying Scripture and praying with Scripture. The entire course comes in two halves and costs £10 sterling per half. You may order one half at a time or the entire course from: Fr. Tommy Lane, Main Street, Rathcormac, Co. Cork, Ireland. Postage free in Ireland & UK. Visit Fr. Tommy's website for resources on the Bible, Prayer & Spirituality at www.frtommylane.com

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Parish Office, Parochial House, 54 St. Patrick's Ave, Downpatrick, Co. Down, N. Ireland BT30 6DN

Tel: (028) 4461 2443 Fax: (028) 4461 9131 email: enquiries@parishofdownpatrick.org