The Blog

Advent, (from Latin adventus, ‘coming’), is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November. The First Sunday of Advent is the First Sunday of the new Liturgical year and the four Sundays preceding Christmas are recognised for four virtues. The candles on the Advent wreath …

For an article in Parish Notes that’s the sort of title that should grab your attention, raise your interest to continue reading the article and see if we can challenge where you are in life with regards to your ‘religious status’? In a recent Parish Council meeting we were discussing different initiatives that the Council were looking to initiate, and …

The final Mass for all of our deceased parishioners will take place in the Cathedral at 7.30pm this Thursday, the 17th November. The Council decided to turn on the Christmas lights on this same evening as well. The switch-on will now end at 7.10pm. Any parishioner who wishes access to Hill Street from 6.30pm can do so by going to …

Bereavement can certainly be painful whenever it occurs, but many feel that the experience of losing a child is by far the worst because it conflicts with our life-cycle expectations. Deaths of children between the ages of 1 and 14 now account for less than 5 percent of mortality with accidents and cancer being the next largest causes. It is …

Newry Cathedral Parish recognise the importance of ongoing pastoral support for the bereaved at this very difficult time in our history.  Traditionally, we have celebrated one Mass in November for all those who died in our parish during the past year.  However, this year we are celebrating four Masses, so that family and friends can attend together.    Families will be invited to one …

The Annual Mass for our deceased relatives and friends will be celebrated on the 14th, 15th, 16th & 17th November. Any family that has lost a dear one during the past year will receive an invitation to one of these Masses.

At a recent wedding, the celebrant kept reminding us about the love of friends and how for many of us friends are the new family. This is particularly true if there are challenging situations around family. It got me thinking if this is a new and today blood relatives are now taking second place to families. The popular American sit-com, …

Once in a while you are fortunate enough to meet someone who is truly inspirational. The recently deceased May Blood was such a person for me. She was a woman who had an ability to transcend the sectarian divisions of Northern Ireland and devoted her life to the entire community and bringing people together. It didn’t matter what social class …

In Grinan near the crossroads there is a lake aptly referred to as Grinan Lake. It has been the subject of a story which has been handed down through generations about a couple who after they had been refused marriage drowned in the waters of the lake. The water level rose to cover the castle which was situated there. Apparently, …

Many of us were deeply shocked last Friday on hearing of the tragedy for so many families in Creeslough, County Donegal. In the blink of an eye, 8 families were robbed of their loved ones and as a country we were united with them in their grief. We pray for the injured and bereaved in these sad days and many …