News

St Patrick’s Church will re-open this Sunday 1st August for Mass at 10.00am.

We thank the management of Bright Community Centre, Ballynoe and the members of Bright GAC for the warm welcome given to the Parish for Sunday Mass during the seven weeks the church was closed for essential repairs.

The NI Executive Office has made the following announcement regarding the wearing of face coverings in Churches:

“The requirement for the wearing of face coverings in places of worship, during acts of worship, will be moved from regulations into guidance only. Face coverings will still be legally required when entering and exiting the building and will be strongly advised whilst singing or moving around the premises.”  To be effective from 6.00pm this evening (27th July 2021)

In light of this announcement, the Diocese would advise the following:

• Face coverings must be worn by all while entering and exiting the Church – this is a legal requirement.
• In the interests of the common good and for everyone’s well-being we ask that:
• Face coverings continue to be worn by all when moving around the Church, at Communion time and at other times when social distancing is difficult.
• Face coverings are strongly recommended at all other times, even when seated.

Rev John O’Laverty ministered as a Deacon for the first time today since his return home from Rome after his Ordination to the Diaconate on Sunday 4th July.  Rev John assisted at Mass this morning in St Joseph’s Church, Killough, where he was baptised; he is pictured with his parents, Martin and Elizabeth, and Fr Peter.

Rev John will soon take up a summer appointment by Bishop Noel Treanor before retuning to his studies in Rome in September. The parish is looking forward to Rev John’s Priestly Ordination next year in St Patrick’s Church, Legamaddy!

 

Congratulations to Rev John O’Laverty on his Ordination to the Diaconate yesterday, Sunday 4th July, in the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, Palazzola, in the Diocese of Albano, Italy, by the Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff.

We extend our congratulations also to Rev John’s parents, Martin and Elizabeth, from Coniamstown, in our Parish of Bright, and to his sisters Edel and Marie, and Marie’s husband Ciaran and their children.

We wish Rev John every blessing in his new ministry of the Diaconate, and we look forward to his Priestly Ordination next year.

Dear Parishioners,

As you already know, St Patrick’s Church, Legamaddy is now closed for the next five weeks for repairs due to an extensive water leak.

I am very happy to inform you that Bright GAC has kindly offered us the use of their Hall at Ballynoe for Sunday Mass. So, instead of having Mass in the grounds of the church as announced last weekend, we will now gather this Sunday 20th June and the following Sundays until the church is ready, at Bright Community Centre, Ballynoe Road, Downpatrick, BT30 8AL.

The doors of the Centre will be open at 9.30am for 10.00am Sunday Mass. The usual regulations of hand sanitising, social distancing, and the wearing of face masks will be observed as in the church.

On behalf of the Parish I would like to thank the Management of Bright GAC for accommodating us at his time; it is very much appreciated.

May God bless you and your families,

Fr Peter