About The Parish of Maghera
Welcome
Parish Bulletin
Masses and Church Services
About the Parish
New to the Parish
Parish Schools
Children and Young People
Faith Development and Prayer
Social Activities
The Sacraments
Prayer Groups
Groups and Societies
Links to other Websites
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The Spiritual Team
The Spiritual Team in the Parish is led by the Very Rev. Fr. Albert McNally PP.
Fr. McNally was born in Dunloy, Co Antrim. Following his studies at St Malachy's College, Belfast, Queen's University and Maynooth College, Co Kildare, he was ordained in 1960.
After teaching in St Malachy's College, Belfast and St Patrick's College, Knock, Fr. McNally completed post-graduate studies in Sacred Scripture, at The Biblicum, Rome.
He returned to Belfast where he spent 22 years in St Mary's Teacher Training College (now known as St Mary's University College).
In 1993 he was appointed Parish Priest of Glenariff, Co Antrim and remained there until 1997 when he came to Maghera Parish as Parish Priest.
Declan was born in Loughinisland in 1971. He attended local schools: St Macartans's Primary, Loughinisland, St Colmcille's High School, Crossgar and the East Down Institute, Downpatrick.
In 1991 Declan began training for the priesthood in St Malachy's College, Belfast, but left to complete a BSc in Social Work at the University of Ulster. He practised as a family and childcare social worker for North and West Belfast HSST and within Children's Disability Services, Down Lisburn Trust.
He returned to complete his Bachelor of Divinity degree and HDip in Pastoral Studies at Maynooth College, Kildare.
Declan was ordained on 4th June 2006
Sr. Teresa is a member of the congregation of St. Louis.
The Sisters have been associated with the Parish of Maghera since 1924. Sr. Teresa was on the staff of the original St. Malachy's High School from its foundation in 1959.
She is currently enjoying retirement and is actively engaged in community work in the Parish
Frances McNally - Faith Development Worker
As part of the South Down Vicariate of the Down and Connor Diocese, this parish avails of the services of Frances McNally, Faith Development Worker.
Besides her formal qualifications, Frances has many years' work experience in varied types of youth ministry including faith development in the Diocese of Johannesburg, interface youth work in North Belfast and facilitating school retreats for the St Luke's Retreat team in the Down and Connor Diocese.
Her work in the Vicariate includes supporting parents, teachers and others in the organisation of children/youth liturgies and programmes as well as providing opportunities for them to live and grow in faith through reaching out to others
The Parish Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is a ministry of leadership and service. The Pastoral Council is the primary advisory and consultative body to the priests of the parish, collaborating with them to identify the pastoral needs of the parishioners and to plan how best to meet those needs.
The members advise and offer opinions as well as work on long-range planning and evaluate and support activites of the parish.
The Parish Pastoral Council works in collaboration with the priests of the parish
Current priorities include:
The Pastoral Council is always open to new ideas. If you have any constructive suggestions, please contact one of the priests or any member of the Pastoral Council.
Email: mppc_parishofmaghera.com
Our Lady of the Assumption Church
Downs Road, Newcastle
First opened on 12th June 1966, Our Lady of the Assumption Church was built to replace St. Mary's Church, Main Street, which had become too small for the ever-growing population, especially during the tourist season..
The church's circular style was a departure from the traditional style of church. In the 60's, as the emphasis on participation of the laity grew, it was felt that the circular style would allow the congregation to be involved more closely in the liturgy taking place on the central sanctuary. It is now a listed building as 'an example of sixties' architecture'.
In May 2005 a major refurbishment programme began involving, among other things, the relocation of the choir and organ, the creation of a side chapel (oratory) and the placement, behind the main altar, of a tapestry depicting the Risen Christ.
On 15 January 2006 the church was re-opened and a new altar dedicated by Most Rev. Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down and Connor.
>> Mass Times
>> interior views
>> the tapestry
>> Stained Glass Windows
St. Patrick's Church
Ballyhafry Road, Bryansford
Bryansford or Ballyhafry old chapel was erected in 1760 by the Rev. Robert Taylor. The original building had a thatched roof. Before it was erected, Mass was celebrated in a bohog at Cross and at Burren Mass Rock.
The church was rebuilt in 1830 by the Rev John O'Heggarty. It may also have been renovated around 1900. A brass plaque on the wall of the Church read In memory of the Very Rev. Eugene McCartan PP VF, Larne under whose will a debt of £430 remaining due for the renovation of this Church was paid off. The total expenditure having been £931. RIP Nov 1904. W Dempsey PP. The debt referred to may have been carried over from the rebuilding of the Church in 1830, or could have resulted from further renovations, which some believe, were carried out around 1900.
In the mid-eighties the church was up-dated. A new porch was built on the west end of the Church and new seats were provided by the parishioners. The Stations of the Cross were presented by Mrs Mary Cowan (RIP) in 1902.
Important Notice
The extensive refurbishment of St. Patrick's Church is now complete.
The church will re-open on Sunday 7th March 2010 with mass being celebrated at 10:00 am. Bishop Noel Treanor will make his first official visit to the parish on Palm Sunday 28th March 2010 to officiate at the solemn reopening of St. Patrick's Church.
Parochial House
24 Downs Road, Newcastle
Secretary: Margaret Lawrenson
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday
9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2 pm - 4.30 pm
Telephone: 028 4372 2401
Fax: 028 4372 5598
email: parishoffice_parishofmaghera.com
Notices for the Parish Bulletin should be left in the Parish Office, before 12 noon on Thursdays
Parish
Office
14 Main Street Newcastle
Manager: Margaret Brannigan
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri - flexible to meet needs of parish groups but opens at 10 am
Telephone: 028 437 23399
email: magheraparishcentre07_btinternet.com
The Parish Centre was officially opened on 20 October 2002 by Most Rev. A Farquhar, Auxilliary Bishop of Down and Connor. The centre provides a coffee shop, a shop selling religious objects, books, cards, etc as well as a clothes shop where you may buy or donate good quality used clothing.
The centre also provides facilities for meetings and conferences held by a range of parish gorups as well as outside agencies and organisations.
Centre
St. Mary's Hall Newcastle
Main Street Newcastle
St. Mary's Hall is one of two church halls in the parish, the other one being St. Patrick's Hall in Bryansford. St. Mary's Hall is a key facility in the parish and is extensively used by parishioners and a diverse range of community groups.
St. Mary's Hall is home to number of clubs and societies including St. Mary's Bowling Club and St. Mary's Snooker Club.
The hall also plays host to a wide variety of social events hosted by the parish including bingo, the Monday Tea Dance, indoor bowling, badminton, snooker, line dancing, exhibitions, displays and concerts.
St. Patrick's Hall Bryansford
St. Patrick's Hall is one of two church halls in the parish, the other one being St. Mary's Hall in Newcastle. St. Patrick's Hall is a key facility in the parish and is extensively used by parishioners and a diverse range of community groups.
St. Patrick's Hall is home to number of clubs and societies and plays host to a wide variety of social events hosted by the parish including exhibitions, displays and concerts. The hall is also used as a venue to provide tea / coffee and light refreshments following burials in the adjacent St. Patrick's Cemetery.
Catering Committee
The Parish Catering Committee, a group volunteers, can organise the provision of light refreshments after Church Services such as Funerals, First Communion, Fruits of the Earth Mass, Inter-church meetings and the Mass for the Sick.
Please note: If a full meal is required it will be necessary to use outside caterers.
Three venues are available in the Parish: St Patrick's Hall Bryansford, St Mary's Hall Newcastle and the Parish Centre Newcastle.
For further information please contact the Parish Office on 028 4372 2401
Minibus Service
A minibus service is available to help parishioners, without their own means of transport, to get to and from the 6.30 pm Saturday Vigil Mass and the 10:00 am Mass in Our Lady of the Assumption Church Newcastle.
The service is provided is provided in conjunction with ACTS (Age Concern Transport Service)
Those wishing to avail of this service may do so by contacting the ACTS office (Tel: 4372 5734)
Office hours: Mon Fri: 9 am 1 pm and 1.30 pm 4 pm (half day closing Wed)
