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
The Liturgy Group is a sub-committee of the Parish Pastoral Council. It exists to support the priests of the parish with liturgical celebrations and events.
The group includes members with responsibilities for, inter alia, Eucharistic Ministers, Ministers of the Word and Church music. Members of the Litergy Group also help plan events such as Lenten/Advent Devotions, the Fruits of the Earth Mass, the Tiny Tots Mass at Christmas and Masses for the sick (June) and the deceased/bereaved (November).
The Diocese of Down and Connor recognises that all children and young people have a fundamental right to be respected, nurtured, cared for and protected from harm. To ensure that this occurs the Diocese has produced its Child Protection Policy and Procedures booklet and Child Care Committees have been established in each parish to oversee the implementation of these practices.
The Parish of Maghera Child Care Committee has been in place now for almost four years, and during this time the committee, together with the assistance of the Vicariate Support Team and the priests of the parish, has been involved in disseminating the diocesan policy requirements to all parish groups involved with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
In carrying out these tasks, the committee is indebted to all the hardworking volunteers within the parish who work with these groups. Without the support of these dedicated people the committees task would be much more challenging.
Immaculate Conception Conference, Newcastle
St Patricks Conference, Bryansford
24-hour Helpline every day Tel 028 4372 5800
Presidents:
Ann Docherty Newcastle
Pat Smith Bryansford
P J McClean Kilcoo (Kilmegan Area President)
Helping those in need
Visitations: Homes, Hospitals, Prisons, Nursing Homes, etc
Thrift Shop: Vincents, 76 Main Street, Newcastle
Tel: 028 4372 4008
Open daily Monday to Saturday 10 am 5 pm
Holidays for Clare Lodge Holiday Home, Newcastle
families and aged: Bundoran Holiday Home, Bundoran
Caravans: Gyles Quay, Dundalk for short breaks
Saving Schemes: Oil stamps savings scheme
Childrens summer Gaelic (Cul Camp)
activities: Soccer
YMCA outdoor pursuits
Language Classes: English Classes for foreign nationals in
Parish Centre weekly
Christmas Gifts: SvP join with the Salvation Army to
provide gifts and help for children at
Christmas
Email: svp_parishofmaghera.com
Visit http://www.svp.ie/Home.aspx for more info
The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin on 7 September 1921. It is a lay Catholic organisation whose members are giving service to the Church on a voluntary basis in almost every country. The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary's and the Church's work.
The Legion of Mary meets every Tuesday morning at 10:30 am in the Parish Centre. For further information please contact: Felicity Fitzsimons 028 437 23702
Founded in Belfast in 1923 the Apostolic Work provided aid and assistance to missionaries worldwide. Its objectives have remained the same to share in the missionary apostolate of the Church by prayer, and by supplying material and financial help in those areas where the Church is not fully established.
The Parish of Maghera has 2 branches:-
Newcastle Branch: President Margaret McCartan Tel: 07816 752568
Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 8.15 pm in the Parish Centre
Bryansford Branch: President Maureen Smith Tel: 028 437 22019
Meets on the first Tuesday of each month (contact President for information)
Bereavement Helpline 077 217 76033
The Bereavement Ministry constitutes a group of volunteers available to help anyone who may welcome a listening ear at a very traumatic time in their life.
A group of men who are mourning the loss of their spouse meets on the first Monday of every month. in the Parish Centre
Special focus is given during the month of November to all parishioners who have died during the previous year
A member of the Pioneers seeks to address alcohol-related problems in society, mainly through prayer, self-denial, and the promotion of positive life-styles.
A Pioneer voluntarily decides to abstain from alcoholic drinks for the following reasons:
Anyone wishing to join should contact one of the following:
T J King Tel 437 23062
Don Corrigan Tel 437 23601
P J McElroy Tel 437 23461
The PIONEER COUNCIL meets on the third Wednesday of each month in the Parish Centre
St. Joseph's Young Priests Society is a society of lay people, which is approved by the Irish Episcopal Conference. It was founded in 1895 by Mrs Olivia Taaffe, Corofin, Co. Galway. The Newcastle branch was established in 1993.
The purpose of the society is to:
The society encourages regular prayer for vocations. Students preparing for priesthood are helped by the society in two ways:
The Society meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the Parish Centre after 7:30 pm Mass
For further information please contact Mr J J OHare Tel 437 23294
FOR ELDERLYand HOUSEBOUND
The members of this team aim to provide friendship to elderly/housebound parishioners who are largely confined to their own homes.
They visit the elderly and/or housebound at home and ensure they feel connected and cared for within the parish and supported in their faith journey.
“For where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. (Matthew 18:20)
If you are interested in joining the team or if you wish to be visited in your home please contact the
Parish Office. Tel 437 22401
