Welcome to St. Bernadette's Parish, Belfast

Beloved Mother, help us realise that we are all members of one great family and to recognise the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need.

Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

Pope Francis 2020

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man. 

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen. 

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY to the FEAST OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER

Good Shepherd Sunday is a day to celebrate the vocation of Priesthood.We invite everyone in the Diocese to pray this week for all vocations and,at this time, to pray especially for vocations to the priesthood in our Diocese of Down and Connor. Our week of prayer will close on the Feast of St Joseph the worker. In this Year of St Joseph, we ask especially for his intercession as we seek to hear God’s dream for our lives and for the grace to dedicate ourselves, in service and fidelity, to Christ and His teachings.

The Parish Pastoral Council have produced a number of resources for use at home during Lent containing a reflection for each day.

Parish Pastoral Council’s Lenten Reflections – Walking with Jesus along the Via Dolorosa

“A Celtic Lenten Journey – Harp, Voice and Violin” reflects in Word and in song on the Passion of Jesus.

More resources will be added during lent.

Following the recent announcement from the Northern Ireland Executive, there will be no Public Mass until at least the 5th March.

MASSES WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THE NORMAL TIMES.

It should be noted that “on the basis of the clear and unequivocal public health advice that people should continue to stay at home, the Northern Catholic Bishops have decided that, until 5 March, the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgies should continue to take place without the physical presence of the faithful.”

Statement by the Northern Catholic Bishops

The Full statement can be viewed on The Irish Catholic Bishop’s website

FROM FRIDAY 8TH JANUARY 2021 THERE WILL BE NO MASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

MASSES WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THE NORMAL TIMES.

Following a meeting on Thursday afternoon (7^th January 2021) between Faith Group Leaders and Junior Ministers of the Executive Office, the Bishops of the Northern Dioceses issued a statement (see diocesan website for full text). It stated that:

“… for a limited period (from midnight on Thursday 7 January until Saturday 6 February 2021, subject to review in late January), the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgies should take place without the physical presence of the faithful – with the exception of marriage, funeral, baptismal liturgies and drive-in services (subject to regulations).  Arrangements for recording and/or livestreaming, and making individual visits for private prayer are also permissible in accordance with regulations.”

As we face these difficult times, Pope Francis’ words from November 2020 may offer some perspective.“Let us offer to the Lord this distance between us, for the good of all, and let us think, let us think a lot about the sick, about those who are already marginalised when they enter the hospitals, let us think of the doctors, the nurses, the volunteers, the many people who work with the sick at this time: they risk their life but they do so out of love for their neighbour, as a vocation. Let us pray for them.”

Mass will be celebrated for The Epiphany of the Lord (6th January) at the following times:
Tuesday
7pm Vigil – St. Bernadette’s
Wednesday
9.30am St. Bernadette’s
11am Good Shepherd
7pm Good Shepherd

“The path of peace and reconciliation will require new acts of courage and prophetic witness to help us navigate the residual undercurrent of fear that continues to influence our society.”

Bishop Noel Treanor