News
Milltown and City Cemetery Sundays
Posted on 13. May, 2012
Milltown Cemetery Sunday On Sunday 3rd June at 3pm sharp, there will be a Ceremony of Prayers for the Dead and a Blessing of Graves at Milltown Cemetery, led by Bishop Noel Treanor. All those attending are asked to be in position at the grave of their own deceased by 2.45pm. Over 30,000 people [...]
Job Opportunity – Down and Connor Diocesan Youth Director
Posted on 19. Apr, 2012
Down & Connor Youth Commission DIRECTOR Salary Scale: £35,430 to £40,741 per annum The successful applicant will be responsible for the overall management, delivery and co-ordination of the work of Down & Connor Youth Commission Essential criteria include: Third level degree qualification in community youth work, youth ministry or related discipline Experience of [...]
7 April 2012 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Easter Vigil
Posted on 07. Apr, 2012
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Easter Vigil St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast 7 APRIL 2012 The sacred rites of this Paschal or Easter Vigil transport us from darkness to light. They move us from the bareness, from our intimated desolation of the death of God, from sombre silence of yesterday, Good Friday, [...]
Down and Connor Annual Safeguarding Report 2010-2011
Posted on 09. Mar, 2012
2010-2011 Annual Safeguarding Report Diocese of Down and Connor Summary The Safeguarding Office of the Diocese of Down and Connor has produced its first annual report for 2010-2011. Bishop Noel Treanor notes that the report is a testimony to the immense work of all individuals who contribute their time, energy and skills to safeguarding [...]
Trocaire 2012 – Rebuilding Lives Creating Futures
Posted on 21. Feb, 2012
Trocaire 2012 – Rebuilding Lives Creating Futures This year, Trócaire’s Lenten campaign focuses on communities in northern Uganda who are trying to rebuild their lives after 20 years of war. Along with other Irish representatives, Fr Raymond McCullagh visited Daniel Okweng and his family who are the focus of the Trocaire Campaign 2012. [...]
Annual St Brigid’s Day Lecture
Posted on 30. Jan, 2012
The Diocese of Down and Connor marks the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Conor O’Devany The Annual St Brigid’s Day Lecture will be delivered on 11th February at 3.00pm in St Bride’s Hall, Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast by Dr John McCafferty of UCD on the topic of “Blessed Conor O’Devany, Bishop of Down [...]
29 January 2012 Pastoral Letters to Primary and Post Primary Schools
Posted on 29. Jan, 2012
Pastoral Letters to Primary and Post-Primary Schools ‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s living body active in our world.’ Catholic Schools’ Week 2012 To mark Catholic Schools’ Week 2012, Bishop Noel Treanor has issued the following pastoral letters to primary and post-primary schools. (Click images below to download). The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is ‘Catholic Schools: [...]
Resources for Catholic Schools Week 2012
Posted on 18. Jan, 2012
Catholic Schools Week 2012 Catholic Schools Week 2012 January 29 – February 4, 2012 Theme: ‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s living body active in our world.’ The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is ‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s living body active in our world.’ The theme is taken from the anthem of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, [...]
01 January 2012 Homily of Bishop McKeown on World Day of Peace
Posted on 03. Jan, 2012
World Day of Peace 2012 Theme: Educating Young people in Justice and Peace Bishop Donal McKeown St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick Despite all sorts of depressing news, people have an ability to bounce back and to hope for better in the future. We came through terrible years in NI. After the St Stephen’s Day fire [...]
01 January 2012 Diocesan Statement on Restoration of Fr Sean Cahill to Ministry
Posted on 01. Jan, 2012
Fr Sean Cahill, Priest of the Diocese of Down and Connor Restored to Full Priestly Ministry Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor St Malachy’s Church, Castlewellan Sunday, 1 January 2012 Feast of Mary, Holy Mother of God I am delighted to be here today to welcome Fr Sean Cahill back to ministry in [...]
Bishop McKeown Installs New Acolytes at the Pontifical Irish College
Posted on 14. Dec, 2011
Bishop McKeown installs new Acolytes at the Pontifical Irish College Bishop Donal McKeown visited the Pontifical Irish College in Rome during Advent to install two seminarians in the ministry of Acolyte. The two students came from Down & Connor and Derry dioceses, and both studied at our Diocesan Seminary at St Malachy’s College before [...]
Prisons Week 2011
Posted on 21. Nov, 2011
Prisons Week 2011 www.prisonsweek.org November 20th–26th One of the most serious aspects of being in Prison can be the sense of isolation and even abandonment, and one of the most effective witnesses that can be given to prisoners is the assurance that they are not forgotten. Prison Week is held throughout England, Scotland Wales [...]
3 November 2011 Living Church Report
Posted on 03. Nov, 2011
Download the Living Church Report Living Church Report The Living Church Report, launched by Bishop Noel Treanor today, November 3rd, 2011, on the Feast of St. Malachy, is the fruit of a long process of listening in the Diocese of Down and Connor. The Listening Process In 2010 there were Listening Events for the [...]
29 October 2011 Down and Connor Clerical Appointments
Posted on 29. Oct, 2011
Down and Connor Diocesan Appointments Having considered the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese, Bishop Noel Treanor has made the following appointments, effective from 14th November 2011: Very Rev Daniel Whyte PP, St Mary’s on the Hill, has retired and will assist, when available, in North Down and Ards. Very Rev [...]
Faith in Action – Trocaire Resource
Posted on 20. Oct, 2011
Faith in Action – Trocaire Resource Trocaire have produced a post-primary resource for students which meets the requirements of the Social Awareness component of the John Paul II Award. If you are a student interested in putting faith into action with Trócaire and the Pope John Paul II Award, why not go online at www.trocaire.org [...]
Living Church – Report on Listening Exercises
Posted on 17. Oct, 2011
Bishop Treanor has received recommendations arising out of the Listening Day events held before the summer in all parishes throughout the Diocese. The recommendations now form part of a Report which will be officially launched by the Bishop on the Feast of St Malachy, 3rd November. It will be available on this [...]
Virtual Friends Workshop in St Oliver Plunkett Parish
Posted on 04. Oct, 2011
“Virtual Friends” Workshop A workshop for parents on the issue of social media – keeping children safe online – will be held on Sunday 9th October in St Oliver Plunkett Parish Hall at 7.00pm. Discussion will include the following: · Facebook – making parents aware of the basic dangers and what they can [...]
St Mary’s University College Belfast celebrates Success
Posted on 23. Aug, 2011
National Student Survey Success for St Mary's University College, Belfast Once again St Mary's University College finds itself in the top league for student satisfaction. The BBC has ranked St Mary's joint third for student satisfaction. Times Higher Education however places St Mary's in joint second place. The [...]
Bishop McKeown to lead pilgrims to World Youth Day
Posted on 11. Aug, 2011
Bishop Donal McKeown to lead pilgrims to World Youth Day in Madrid The pilgrimage of the Diocese of Down and Connor to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid will assemble in Belfast International Airport at 4.30am tomorrow morning, Friday 12 August. Photo opportunities will be available and the flight departs at 6.30am. [...]
22 July 2011 Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor on the Cloyne Report
Posted on 22. Jul, 2011
Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor on the Cloyne Report 22 July 2011 I am shocked and devastated by the content of the Cloyne report and by the failure to implement the basic national guidelines imposed by the Church within that diocese. Let me state once again that the protection of and [...]
26 June 2011 Homily of Bishop Treanor at Reception of IEC2012 Congress Candle
Posted on 26. Jun, 2011
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor at the Reception of the IEC2012 Candle Marking the Inauguration of the Year leading up to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (2012) St. Peter's Cathedral, Belfast 26th June 2011 Feast of Corpus Christi Here in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, we receive this candle stamped [...]
Annual Report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children
Posted on 11. May, 2011
Annual Report 2010 The Annual Report 2010 was launched today (11th May) at 11 a.m. by the Chairman Mr. John Morgan and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ian Elliott. This is the third report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church. Download a copy of the Annual Report 2011 [...]
Feast of Divine Mercy – 1st May 2011
Posted on 15. Apr, 2011
Feast of Divine Mercy 1st May 2011 St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. [...]
Fr Raymond McCullagh Receives Award from Northern Ireland Assembly
Posted on 05. Apr, 2011
Fr Raymond McCullagh Honoured by Northern Ireland Assembly Habitat for Humanity volunteer, Fr. Raymond McCullagh, has been honoured with an award for his outstanding contribution to international development by the Northern Ireland Assembly. At a ceremony in Parliament Buildings on Monday 21st March, Fr. Raymond received his award from the All Party [...]
Towards Healing and Renewal
Posted on 19. Mar, 2011
Towards Healing and Renewal The first anniversary of the publication of the Pastoral Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland occurs on 19 March 2010. To mark this anniversary Irish bishops wish to bring the following three important initiatives to the attention of the faithful: the publication of their pastoral [...]
Trocaire 2011 Lenten Campaign
Posted on 15. Mar, 2011
Trocaire 2011 Lenten Campaign Learn about the 2011 Trócaire Lenten campaign and its focus on Honduras. Watch a video of a recent visit to Honduras by some Trócaire Diocesan Representatives. In January 2011, seven Trócaire Diocesan Representatives and Francis Cousins (editor of Intercom) travelled to Honduras with Trócaire staff in preparation for the [...]
St Genevieve’s High School celebrates Catholic Schools Week
Posted on 06. Mar, 2011
St Genevieve's High School Celebrates Faith, Fun, and Friendship at Start of Catholic Schools' Week On Sunday 30th January , the Year 14 Search and New Day Leaders in St Genevieve’s organised a very successful youth event celebrating their faith and culture. These students ran faith development sessions, training Year 13 students in Faith Friends and GIFT programmes for the [...]
21 February 2011 NICCOSA calls for Retention of 50:50 Special Recruitment Provision for PSNI
Posted on 21. Feb, 2011
NICCOSA calls for retention of current 50:50 special recruitment provisions for PSNI The Northern Ireland Catholic Council on Social Affairs (NICCOSA), which is chaired by the Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Seán Brady, assisted by Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, with a membership of mostly lay Catholics, has called for the unanimous [...]
New Resource on Catholic Social Teaching
Posted on 16. Feb, 2011
A wonderful new resource has been created which outlines the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. For more information, go to Catholic Social Teaching – Faith in a Better World website Progressio is a UK-based charity working internationally to enable people in developing countries to challenge and change the situations that keep [...]
NI Launch of Catholic Schools’ Week 2011
Posted on 27. Jan, 2011
NI Launch of Catholic Schools’ Week 2011* Some indicators Q: “Why Catholic Schools Week?” Schools are very busy and pressurized places. There are so many deadlines to meet, so much material to cover, so many meetings to attend. But Catholic Schools Week is an important opportunity for all involved in [...]
Annual Service for Christian Unity
Posted on 13. Jan, 2011
Annual Service for Christian Unity All are very welcome to the Annual Service for Christian Unity which will be held in St Peter's Cathedral, on Tuesday 18th January at 7pm. The Preacher will be The Most Rev Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare. Bishop Clarke is the President of the [...]
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat
Posted on 13. Dec, 2010
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat Newbridge College, Co Kildare 17th – 19th December 2010 Youth 2000 are preparing to host their ever popular National Christmas Retreat in Newbridge College, County Kildare on the weekend of Friday 17th to Sunday 19th of December next. Over 500 young people from all over Ireland are [...]
The Priests’ New Christmas Album
Posted on 07. Dec, 2010
The Priests' Christmas Album The Priests new Christmas Album “Noel” is available from Monday 6th December and is available from supermarkets, record shops and online from Amazon.co.uk and the single of "Little Drummer Boy" with Shane McGowan will be available to download from iTunes and The Priests website on 12th December. For [...]
National Prison’s Week 2010
Posted on 22. Nov, 2010
"Be with Me" Prison's Week 21st-27th November 2010 A week of Prayer for all those affected by prisons "GOOD PEOPLE DO BAD THINGS; BAD PEOPLE DO GOOD THINGS" Prisons Week – 21 to 27 November – is a UK-wide initiative, which casts new focus on all those members of our society, who are [...]
Certificate in Christian Thought – Living Theology for Daily Life
Posted on 08. Nov, 2010
Certificate in Christian Thought – Living Theology for Daily Life – Drumalis is pleased to invite applications for this new two-year, part-time course validated by St Mary's University College, Belfast, which begins on 27th November 2010. [...]
Choirboys – BBC Series on the Schola Cantorum
Posted on 24. Oct, 2010
Choirboys Choirboys is a new three part series from BBC Northern Ireland which follows the Schola Cantorum from St Peter's Cathedral during a school year charting their journey from the audition process to the splendour of singing in St Peters Basilica for Pope Benedict XVI. The series begins on Monday, October 25 on [...]
National Day of Prayer for Children – Friday 8th October
Posted on 13. Sep, 2010
National Day of Prayer for Children – Friday 8th October On Friday 8th October the National Day of Prayer for Children will be celebrated. The 4th National Day of Prayer for Children is warmly supported by the Irish Bishops. The Society is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies and has had [...]
Down and Connor Seminarians 2010
Posted on 24. Aug, 2010
New Academic Year for Down and Connor Seminarians The new academic year has begun for the eleven men currently studying for the priesthood for Down & Connor. Three new students have entered the diocesan seminary this year joining three who are returning and five who are studying at the Pontifical Irish College in [...]
Sixteen Seminarians Commence Priesthood Studies for Irish Dioceses
Posted on 23. Aug, 2010
Sixteen new seminarians commence priesthood studies for Irish dioceses Today sixteen men begin formal studies for the priesthood for Irish dioceses. Covering a wide range of ages – from the late twenties up to early sixties – and with an array of life experience, the new seminarians can look forward to a concentrated period [...]
Diocesan Collection to Support Millions Suffering in Pakistan
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010
Diocesan collection to support millions suffering in Pakistan It has been announced that the Diocese of Down and Connor, together with the other dioceses in Ireland, will hold a national church collection to help fund the work of Trocaire in crisis-hit Pakistan. It is now estimated that over 14 million people are affected by the [...]
Bishops Launch ‘In Praise of Priests’ DVD
Posted on 16. Aug, 2010
Bishops launch of In Praise of Priests DVD in All Hallows, Dublin Bishop Philip Boyce, Bishop of Raphoe and Chair of the Council for Clergy and Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor and Chair of the Council for Vocations today launched the DVD, In Praise of Priests, at All Hallows College, Dublin, as [...]
Updated Vatican Norms on ‘Most Serious Crimes’
Posted on 15. Jul, 2010
Updated Vatican Norms on ‘Most Serious Crimes’ The Vatican has updated its own norms concerning ‘most serious crimes’ which include clerical sexual abuse. The Vatican stresses that civil law must always be followed. Brief Introduction to modifications in “Normae de gravioribus delictis” The significance of the updated norms Note [...]
Theme Announced for 2011 World Day of Peace
Posted on 13. Jul, 2010
Religious freedom, the path to peace “Religious freedom, the path to peace” is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of the 2011 World Day of Peace. “The World Day of Peace”, reads a communique on the subject released today, “will therefore be dedicated to the theme of [...]
Archbishop Ozorowski to visit St Agnes’ Church
Posted on 01. Jul, 2010
Archbishop Edward Ozorowski from Bialystok, Poland, will be visiting the Polish Community in Ireland from 30th June to 9th July 2010. He will also bring to Ireland the relics of blessed Fr. Michal Sopocko, the confessor and spiritual director to Sr Faustina. For more information on Fr Sopocko: Website 1 Website 2 The [...]
Festival Day of St Oliver Plunkett 4th July 2010
Posted on 29. Jun, 2010
Feast Day of St Oliver Plunkett – 4th July 2010 Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor will lead the 2010 celebrations to honour St Oliver Plunkett in Drogheda this Sunday 4th July. This year the procession and Mass commemorate the 90th anniversary [...]
International Meeting of Columbanian Society in Bangor
Posted on 28. Jun, 2010
Historic International Meeting of Columbanian Society in Bangor At the invitation of Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the First Annual meeting of the Columbanian society to take place outside continental Europe was held in Armagh and Bangor on the Weekend of 26/27 June 2010. Representatives of the [...]
Cathedral Schola to Sing for Pope Benedict XVI
Posted on 25. Jun, 2010
St Peter’s Cathedral Schola Cantorum, Belfast to sing for Pope Benedict XVI St Peter's Cathedral Schola Cantorum, based in West Belfast, will visit Rome next week (28 June until 2 July) where they will sing during a Papal Mass at the Vatican. The boys will also attend an Audience with Pope [...]
Summer 2010 General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference
Posted on 22. Jun, 2010
Press Release Summer 2010 General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference Protection and support for marriage and family Pope Benedict XVI’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland (i) Spiritual guidance and initiatives (ii) Safeguarding of Children (iii) Apostolic Visitation in Ireland Year for Priests Approval of the Third Edition of The Roman Missal [...]
‘Working Together to Safeguard Children and Young People’
Posted on 26. May, 2010
“Working Together to Safeguard Children and Young People” This week, the Down and Connor Safeguarding Office launched a booklet entitled "Working Together to Safeguard Children and Young People". This informational booklet aims to let people know about the initiatives that have already been taken by this Office and continue to be taken in relation to the safeguarding [...]
Knock Fest 2010: Summer Youth Festival
Posted on 20. May, 2010
Knock Fest 2010 – Summer Youth Festival 25th – 27th June Knock Shrine will hold its 9th annual Summer festival this weekend and are calling on all young people of Ireland to walk by faith. “It is a challenging time for the Church and I think we have all felt despairing at times, but this [...]
New Bishop of Killaloe
Posted on 18. May, 2010
A statement from the Irish Bishops’ Conference said Pope Bendict XVI had appointed the Rev Kieran O’Reilly as the new Bishop of Killaloe. Fr Kieran Andrew O’Reilly was born in Cork, on 8 August 1952. His parents, Sean O’Reilly and Theresa Conway, were devoted to the practice of their Catholic faith. His father [...]
National Board for Safeguarding Children Annual Report 2010
Posted on 17. May, 2010
Press Release by the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church Annual Report 2010 Monday 17th May 2010 The National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) published its second annual report today. It details the work done by the Board and its [...]
National Famine Commemoration Day 16 May 2010
Posted on 10. May, 2010
Statement of the Irish Bishops for the occasion of the National Famine Commemoration Day Sunday 16th May 2010 “You will be my Witnesses” (Acts 1:8) As the country holds the second National Famine Commemoration Day, we are confronted by the shocking reality that more than one billion people on the planet are [...]
New Translation of the Roman Missal
Posted on 10. May, 2010
ICEL welcomes Vatican Approval of the New Translation of the Roman Missal 30 April 2010 The Bishops of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy [ICEL] join me in welcoming the announcement of the approval by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of the definitive English text of [...]
Down and Connor Priests Celebrate Jubilees
Posted on 07. May, 2010
Down & Connor Priests Celebrate Jubilees in Rome Down & Connor priests have been among the groups celebrating their golden and silver jubilees of ordination at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. Mgr Ambrose Macauley and Fr Kevin McMullan were part of a group of six who celebrated [...]
E-Congress – Issue 1 of the Online Magazine for the 50th Eucharistic Congress
Posted on 03. May, 2010
"e-Congress" is a new on-line magazine prepared for the 50th Eucharistic Congress which provides links to a variety of articles as well as catechetical resources, which can be downloaded for use in your own community. Issue 1 (May 2010) of e-Congress is now available here. Please send an e-mail to E-Congress@iec2012.ie if [...]
World Communications Day 2010
Posted on 03. May, 2010
World Communications Day 2010 Sunday 16th May This year's World Communications Day falls on Sunday 16 May 2009. The theme for World Communications day 2010 ties in with the Church's 'Year for Priests', that runs until June 2010, is entitled The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service [...]
Diocesan Collection for the People of Haiti
Posted on 25. Apr, 2010
Down and Connor Diocesan Collection for the People of Haiti The total amount of money collected across the Diocese of Down and Connor for the people of Haiti was £757,851.35. This sum is made up of £573,890.02 collected in all parishes on the week-end of 30th/31st January and £183,961.33 collected in the schools [...]
ICAP Press Release on Mephedrone Ban
Posted on 22. Apr, 2010
The Inter Church Addictions Project (ICAP) was established in 2004 and formally launched in June 2006 by the leaders of four of the main churches in Northern Ireland (Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Catholic). It is an inter-church group motivated by the love of God and dedicated to the building of hope and confidence [...]
UK Bishops Apologise for Abuse Scandal
Posted on 22. Apr, 2010
Press Statement by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales 22 April 2010 Child abuse in the Catholic Church has been such a focus of public attention recently, that we, the Bishops of England and Wales, wish to address this issue directly and unambiguously. Catholics are members of a single universal body. These terrible [...]
Annual O’Connell Lecture
Posted on 20. Apr, 2010
Annual O'Connell Lecture Friday 30th April at 7:30pm The annual O'Connell lecture will take place in St. Malachy's College, Antrim Road, Belfast in the College Hall on Friday 30th April at 7:30pm. The title of the talk is: "King Dan – the Rise of Daniel O'Connell" which will be delivered by Dr Patrick Geoghegan, [...]
Visit of the Relics of St. John Vianney to Armagh 28th April
Posted on 16. Apr, 2010
Visit of the Relics of St John Vianney (Cure of Ars) to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh Wednesday 28th April 12:30pm Arrival of Relics for Mass Drama presentation after Mass prepared by children of Mount St Catherine's P.S. 2:00-7:00pm Short Prayer Services on the Hour The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available throughout [...]
Maynooth Seminary Open Day 2010
Posted on 15. Apr, 2010
Maynooth Seminary Open Day 2010 Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth will host an OPEN DAY on Vocation Sunday, 25th April 2010. This day gives young men considering priesthood as a way of life the opportunity to meet with seminarians and College staff. Agenda 14:30 Welcome guests to the Seminary in Renehan Hall – Tea [...]