2.0-//37.27.130.124//NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.26.9//GREGORIANPUBLISHhttps://www.downandconnor.orgEurope/DublinEurope/DublinEurope/Dublin2026-03-29T01:00:002027-03-28T01:00:00IST+00:00+01:002026-10-25T02:00:002027-10-31T02:00:00GMT+01:00+00:00ai1ec-17675@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZNovena to the Sacred Heart: Renew our Hearts<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-300x114.jpg" width="300" height="114" /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ReRCqImALqI" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Down & Connor Diocesan Novena to The Sacred Heart: Renew Our Hearts</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;">May 30th to June 7th, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"> </h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-17677 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="974" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-300x114.jpg 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-1024x390.jpg 1024w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-768x292.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-1536x585.jpg 1536w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-2048x779.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ begins his time as bishop of the diocese he would love everyone in the diocese to join him in nine days of prayer, asking Jesus to give us a new heart. Many people among us are weary or wounded, hurting in one way or another. He wants us to make a novena for each other, aware that we are brothers and sisters in Christ.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The prayers will be available in a <a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Booklet-Final.pdf">booklet</a> you can pick up at Mass or <a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Booklet-Final.pdf">read online</a>; it will also include a piece of scripture and a reflection for each day for those who wish to go a little deeper.  Bishop Alan’s hope is that this novena will be prayed either individually or together by parishes, groups, schools or families.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Even young children can join in with the short prayers!</span></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Join the Novena Online</span></strong></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; height: 600px;" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 24px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 24px;"><strong>Date</strong></td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 24px;"><strong>Location</strong></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 24px;"><strong>Time</strong></td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 24px;"><strong>Online Link</strong></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 48px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 48px;">Thursday 30th May</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 48px;">Sacred Heart Parish, Belfast</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 48px;">10am</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 48px;"><a href="https://churchmedia.tv/camera/test-3">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 72px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 72px;">Friday 31st May</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 72px;">Church of the Sacred Heart, Cloughmills</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 72px;">7.30pm</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 72px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Dunloy-and-Cloughmills-Parish-107107857591462/">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 24px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 24px;"> </td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 24px;"> </td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 24px;"> </td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 24px;"> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 72px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 72px;">Sunday 2nd June</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 72px;">Church of the Sacred Heart, Cargan</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 72px;">10.30am</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 72px;"><a href="https://www.churchservices.tv/duneane">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 24px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 24px;"> </td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 24px;">Saul</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 24px;">3pm</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 24px;"> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 48px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 48px;">Monday 3rd June</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 48px;">Parish of St Michael’s</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 48px;">10am</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 48px;"><a href="https://www.churchmedia.tv/st-michael-the-archangel-church">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 72px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 72px;">Tuesday 4th June</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 72px;">Church of the Sacred Heart, Dundrum</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 72px;">10am</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 72px;"><a href="https://www.mcn.live/camera/dundrum-and-tyrella-parish-dundrum">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 72px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 72px;">Wednesday 5th June</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 72px;">Church of the Sacred Heart, Ballyclare</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 72px;">7pm</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 72px;"><a href="https://www.mcn.live/camera/church-of-the-sacred-heart-ballyclare">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 48px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 48px;">Thursday 6th June</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 48px;">Parish of Lisburn</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 48px;">10am</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 48px;"><a href="http://www.churchlive.co.uk/livepage.html">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 48px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 48px;">Friday 7th June</td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 48px;">St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 48px;">1pm</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 48px;"><a href="https://www.churchservices.tv/stmbelfast">Link</a></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 48px;"> <td style="width: 13.796%; height: 48px;"> </td> <td style="width: 36.204%; height: 48px;">St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 48px;">7pm</td> <td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 48px;"><a href="http://www.churchservices.tv/stpeterscathedral">Link</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Prayer Resources</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Booklet-Final.pdf">Download a Copy of the Sacred Heart Novena Booklet</a></p> <p> </p>2024-05-302024-06-08en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/novena-sacred-heart-renew-hearts/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-300x114.jpg;300;114;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-1024x390.jpg;1024;390;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Cover-scaled.jpg;2560;974;ai1ec-18613@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZLaudato Si’ Week – Tree Planting<p>To mark Laudato Si’ Week 2025, Bishop Alan McGuckian will be planting a tree in the beautiful grounds of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Tuesday 27th May which is a small symbolic act of commitment to the principles of <strong>Laudato Si’</strong>.</p>2025-05-272025-05-28en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/laudato-si-week-tree-planting/freeai1ec-18644@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZDay of Prayer and Fasting for Gaza<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-300x169.jpg" width="300" height="169" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18641" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="359" height="202" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 359px) 100vw, 359px" /></p> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Irish Bishops call for prayer and fasting for Gaza</u></strong></h1> <ul> <li><strong>“We call on all Catholics to make 6 June, a day of prayer and fasting for Gaza” – Irish Bishops </strong></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">Irish Bishops offered prayers for peace in the Holy Land, for Ukraine, Sudan and in other troubled parts of the world at their Standing Committee meeting in Maynooth on 26 May.  In particular, bishops discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, stating:</p> <p>“From all over Ireland, parishioners are reporting their horror and helplessness on seeing images of death and communal destruction in Gaza.  Exhausted mothers can no longer nourish their young, children are dying of malnutrition, while aid lorries full of supplies are being refused entry into the territory, or are not safely arriving at their destination.</p> <p>“We in Ireland must pray for a change of heart.  Throughout the month of June – the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – we call on everyone to pray for an outpouring of the compassion of God on a heartless world. </p> <p>“To see the relentless bombardment of civilian areas, the deliberate withholding of food from the starving, as well as the callous holding of hostages, it appears that humanity has lost its heart.  In the face of these horrors, we invite everyone to turn to the heart of Jesus throughout the month of June by praying for the renewal of heart that our world so desperately needs.  In particular, we call on all Catholics to make 6 June, a day of prayer and fasting in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are suffering at this time in the Holy Land.</p> <p>“We echo Pope Leo XIV’s recent appeal to allow into Gaza ‘the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, whose heart-breaking price is paid by the children, elderly, and the sick.’”</p>2025-06-062025-06-07en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/day-prayer-fasting-gaza/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-300x169.jpg;300;169;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n-1024x576.jpg;1024;576;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502500129_1115974277228230_5791231575293923167_n.jpg;1920;1080;ai1ec-18652@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZDiocesan Sacred Heart Novena<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18649" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="352" height="264" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Down & Connor Diocesan Novena to The Sacred Heart</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>June 19th to June 27th, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  </strong></span><strong> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">It is with great joy as a diocese we celebrate the Novena to The Sacred Heart. This year we celebrate the 350th Anniversary of the apparitions of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Sacred Heart Novena invites you to nine days of prayer, cumulating in the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. These days offer a special opportunity to deepen your relationship with Jesus, to entrust your needs and intentions to His loving heart, a prayerful expression of our hope in this Jubilee Year.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The prayers will be available in a booklet you can pick up at Mass or read <a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Booklet-2025.pdf">online</a>; it will also include a piece of scripture and a reflection for each day for those who wish to go a little deeper. The images used in this year’s Novena book are by students from our schools from across the diocese.  Bishop Alan’s hope is that this novena will be prayed either individually or together by parishes, groups, schools or families.  Even young children can join in with the short prayers!</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Resources</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Booklet-2025.pdf">Sacred Heart Novena Booklet</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Prayers.pdf">Sacred Heart Novena Prayers</a></span></p>2025-06-192025-06-28en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/diocesan-sacred-heart-novena/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-300x225.jpg;300;225;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-1024x768.jpg;1024;768;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sacred-Heart-Novena-Facebook-Post-25-scaled.jpg;2560;1920;ai1ec-18308@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZD&C Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-300x156.jpg" width="300" height="156" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Down and Connor Lourdes Pilgrimage July 2025</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-Poster-PDF.pdf"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18297 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Poster-2025-PNG.png" alt="" width="433" height="612" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Poster-2025-PNG.png 1414w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Poster-2025-PNG-212x300.png 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Poster-2025-PNG-724x1024.png 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Poster-2025-PNG-768x1086.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Poster-2025-PNG-1086x1536.png 1086w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PLACES ON THE 5 DAY PILGRIMAGE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Further Information:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Pilgrm-booking-form-2025.pdf">Pilgrim Booking Form 2025</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DC-Pilgrimage-to-Lourdes-2025-information.pdf">Down and Connor Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025 (Details)</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-Poster-PDF.pdf">2025 Poster on D&C Pilgrimage to Lourdes</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-PDF.pdf"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18301" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-JPEG-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="615" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-JPEG-scaled.jpg 1810w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-JPEG-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-JPEG-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-JPEG-768x1086.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-JPEG-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/YT-Poster-2025-JPEG-1448x2048.jpg 1448w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PLACES ON THE 5 DAY PILGRIMAGE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED</strong></span></p> <p> </p>2025-07-092025-07-17en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/dc-lourdes-diocesan-pilgrimage/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-300x156.jpg;300;156;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-1024x533.jpg;1024;533;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1.jpg;1039;541;ai1ec-18556@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZPilgrimage to Rome and Assisi<p class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><u><span style="color: black;">Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi – Last Places Remaining!</span></u></b></span></p> <p class="xmsonormal"><span style="color: black;">Join the Alumni & Friends of the Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s for a Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage to <b>Rome and Assisi</b>, from <b>25 August to 1 September 2025</b>. </span></p> <p class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Enjoy 4</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI Symbol',sans-serif; color: black;">★</span><span style="color: black;"> hotel accommodation, private coach travel, guided visits to key religious and cultural sites, and selected meals—<b>this promises to be the trip of a lifetime</b>.  </span></p> <p class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Additions to the itinerary include a visit to Pope Francis’ tomb in the Basilica of St Mary Major, and a General Audience with our newly elected Pope.  </span></p> <p class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">With just <b>four double/twin rooms</b> left (and a waiting list for singles), don’t miss this unforgettable opportunity. </span></p> <p class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Whether you’re a graduate, a parent, or simply a friend—we consider you part of the Chaplaincy family.</b>  </span></p> <p class="xmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">For more information, contact <b>Shannon Campbell</b> at: <b><a href="mailto:catholicchaplaincy@qub.ac.uk">catholicchaplaincy@qub.ac.uk</a></b></span></p>2025-08-252025-09-02en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/pilgrimage-rome-assisi/freeai1ec-18921@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZAbide in His Love – Women’s Conference<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Abide-in-His-Love-1-212x300.png" width="212" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18920" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Abide-in-His-Love-1-212x300.png" alt="" width="328" height="464" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Abide-in-His-Love-1-212x300.png 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Abide-in-His-Love-1.png 508w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 328px) 100vw, 328px" /></p> <p>Abide Women’s Conference are organising a conference next weekend from November 21st to 23rd 2025 in Donegal. This will be their second conference. Last year, over 450 women travelled to join, and their enthusiasm and desire for a second one made it very natural to host another one this year. Women from all over Ireland are attending.</p> <p>The conference is centred on encountering Christ in His Real Presence in the Eucharist and in His Word. There will be more than twenty priests present for ministry, along with several religious sisters who will witness to the beauty of consecrated life, speak with the women, and build friendships and connections throughout the weekend.</p> <p><strong>For more information:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abide-in-his-love-womens-conference-2025-tickets-1283997654549?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abide-in-his-love-womens-conference-2025-tickets-1283997654549?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse</a></p> <p> </p>2025-11-212025-11-24en-USGreat Northern Hotel, Bundoran0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/abide-womens-conference/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Abide-in-His-Love-1-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Abide-in-His-Love-1-212x300.png;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Abide-in-His-Love-1.png;508;720;ai1ec-18924@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZColumbanus Festival in Bangor<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-300x151.png" width="300" height="151" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18925" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-300x151.png" alt="" width="300" height="151" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-300x151.png 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-1024x516.png 1024w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-768x387.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>C<span style="font-size: 14pt;">o</span>lumbanus Festival 22-23rd November 2025 in Bangor. </strong></span></p> <p>Music/workshops/talk/guided walk/church service.</p> <p>For more information <a href="https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/zcHMCymyrhXOKqfZfZCxNkns?domain=friendsofcolumbanusbangor.co.uk">https://friendsofcolumbanusbangor.co.uk/events</a></p> <p>Includes a special lecture on early Irish manuscripts by UCC professor.</p> <p>Tickets can be purchased by contacting Bangor VIC Office – 02891 270069 or <a href="mailto:bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk">bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk</a></p>2025-11-222025-11-24en-USBangor0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/columbanus-festival-bangor/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-300x151.png;300;151;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo-1024x516.png;1024;516;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FoCB-Logo.png;1200;605;ai1ec-19072@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZDiscernment Retreat for Diocesan Priesthood<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-200x300.png" width="200" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19068 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-200x300.png" sizes="auto, (max-width: 522px) 100vw, 522px" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-200x300.png 200w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-683x1024.png 683w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-768x1152.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026.png 1024w" alt="" width="522" height="783" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Discernment Retreat for Diocesan Priesthood</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>6th–8th March 2026</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>For young men who are open to the question: “Is God calling me to be a priest?”</li> <li>A chance to step away from the noise and busyness of everyday life.</li> <li>Time for prayer, silence, and honest conversation.</li> <li>No pressure to decide anything — just space to listen and reflect.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>For more information, contact Fr Conor McGrath</p> <p> <a href="mailto:C.mcgrath@downandconor.org">c.mcgrath@downandconor.org</a></p>2026-03-062026-03-09en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/discernment-retreat-diocesan-priesthood/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-200x300.png;200;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026-683x1024.png;683;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vocations-2026.png;1024;1536;ai1ec-19133@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZFeast of Divine Mercy Celebrations<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-300x191.jpg" width="300" height="191" /></div><p><strong>Feast of Divine Mercy – 12<sup>th</sup> April 2026</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Rosary (2:30pm). Divine Mercy Chaplet and Holy Mass (3:00pm).</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Sacred Heart Church, North Belfast</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Rosary (2:15pm). Divine Mercy Chaplet, Holy Mass and Blessing with relic of St. Faustina.</strong></p> <p>You are most welcome to join us in St Peter’s cathedral or the Sacred Heart Church for the celebration of this wonderful Feast. We would remind everyone coming to the celebration that there is no obligation to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the Feast Day itself, as long as you avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation within the octave of the Feast (eight days).  St. Faustina went to the sacrament on the day before the Feast day.</p> <p>For those who are unable to join us in person, you may wish to join us through the webcam</p> <ul> <li style="list-style-type: none"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.churchservices.tv/stpeterscathedral">St Peter’s Cathedral Belfast – Cathedral House, St Peter’s Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sacredheartparishbelfast.com/Webcam/">https://www.sacredheartparishbelfast.com/Webcam/</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p> </p>2026-04-122026-04-13en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/feast-divine-mercy-celebrations/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-300x191.jpg;300;191;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-1024x653.jpg;1024;653;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy.jpg;1200;765;ai1ec-19208@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZNovena for Vocations<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-214x300.png" width="214" height="300" /></div><p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19209" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-214x300.png" alt="" width="214" height="300" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-214x300.png 214w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-731x1024.png 731w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-768x1076.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-1097x1536.png 1097w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray.png 1428w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" /></a><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prayer.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19210" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prayer-214x300.png" alt="" width="214" height="300" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prayer-214x300.png 214w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prayer-731x1024.png 731w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prayer-768x1076.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prayer-1097x1536.png 1097w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prayer.png 1428w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" /></a></p>2026-04-182026-04-27en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/vocations-sunday-good-shepherd-sunday/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-214x300.png;214;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray-731x1024.png;731;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Invitation-to-Pray.png;1428;2000;ai1ec-19227@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZAnnual Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1-212x300.png" width="212" height="300" /></div><p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19229" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1-212x300.png" alt="" width="342" height="484" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1-212x300.png 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1.png 508w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 342px) 100vw, 342px" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Novena-2026-poster.pdf">Novena 2026 poster</a></p>2026-05-112026-05-20en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/annual-novena-mother-perpetual/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1-212x300.png;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Picture1.png;508;720;ai1ec-19230@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZKnock Pilgrimage to Pray for Peace in Holy Land<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN-213x300.png" width="213" height="300" /></div><p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19231 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN-213x300.png" alt="" width="289" height="407" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN-213x300.png 213w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN.png 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Knock Pilgrimage to Pray for Peace in the Holy Land</strong></p> <p>People from all over Ireland are invited to Knock Shrine on Saturday May 16, for a special pilgrimage to pray for peace in the Holy Land.</p> <p>The pilgrimage – organised by the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need – will be led by Bishop William Shomali from Bethlehem.</p> <p>Bishop Shomali will offer a message of hope at 11am, and celebrate Mass at 3pm.</p> <p>All are welcome.</p> <p>More information at <u><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinkprotect.cudasvc.com%2Furl%3Fa%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.acnireland.org%26c%3DE%2C1%2C5bRy4JQMB3JrWOJSatBVByxUXJ17hqJTs2a_Twa-f381uX-AyCA0V3kiYvh3tiSUAFcyH1jip8Xyx-Ju39F5_TbbLaLGll9S6VgWLwNAKBU6BA%2C%2C%26typo%3D1&data=05%7C02%7Ce.mcgee%40stmarys-belfast.ac.uk%7Cd9350eec581c4501573508dea43533ff%7C6ee96d79fdfc49cdabb89840bf58baa0%7C0%7C0%7C639128745653563968%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=29e1pjPsQZCAxGItT2FbM0DH7POOHZWu0pTZCJ4a9a0%3D&reserved=0" data-outlook-id="369de2e7-f6cf-4e30-8768-28a019f905ff">www.acnireland.org</a></u></p>2026-05-132026-05-14en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/knock-pilgrimage-pray-peace-holy-land/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN-213x300.png;213;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ACN.png;512;720;ai1ec-19062@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZDown and Connor Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-300x156.jpg" width="300" height="156" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Down and Connor Lourdes Pilgrimage July 2026</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Poster-png.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19053" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Poster-png-212x300.png" alt="" width="357" height="506" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Poster-png-212x300.png 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Poster-png-724x1024.png 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Poster-png-768x1086.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Poster-png-1086x1536.png 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Poster-png.png 1414w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Further Information:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Pilgrm-booking-form-2026.pdf">Pilgrim Booking Form 2026</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DC-Pilgrimage-to-Lourdes-2026-information.pdf">Down and Connor Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026 (Details)</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Lourdes-2026-PDF-Poster.pdf">2026 Poster on D&C Pilgrimage to Lourdes</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/YT-Poster-PNG.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19057" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/YT-Poster-PNG-212x300.png" alt="" width="348" height="492" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/YT-Poster-PNG-212x300.png 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/YT-Poster-PNG-724x1024.png 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/YT-Poster-PNG-768x1086.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/YT-Poster-PNG-1086x1536.png 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/YT-Poster-PNG.png 1414w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p></p><!-- /wp:post-content -->2026-07-082026-07-16en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/connor-diocesan-pilgrimage-lourdes-2026/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-300x156.jpg;300;156;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1-1024x533.jpg;1024;533;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lourdes-3-1.jpg;1039;541;ai1ec-19345@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50Z24 Hours of Prayer for Vocations – Feast of St John Vianney<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vocation-300x198.png" width="300" height="198" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>24 Hours of Prayer for Vocations</strong></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Feast of St John Vianney</strong></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>3–4 August</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">On the Feast of St John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, we warmly invite the faithful from across the Diocese to join us for 24 Hours of Prayer for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The vigil will begin with Holy Mass at 7pm on Monday, 3 August, and conclude with Holy Mass at 7pm on Tuesday, 4 August.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Throughout the 24 hours, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for Eucharistic Adoration. Priests will be available at various times during the night to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, offering an opportunity to encounter the Lord’s mercy as we pray together.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We especially invite our parishes, prayer groups, schools, religious communities, youth groups, families, and individuals to come, whether for a few minutes or a longer period, to pray that the Lord of the harvest will continue to raise up generous men to serve His people as diocesan priests. St John Vianney once said, “The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.” As we celebrate his feast, let us unite in asking the Lord to inspire new vocations and to strengthen those already called to serve.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Whether you can stay for an hour, join us for Mass, or simply drop in to pray, your presence and your prayers will make a real difference. All are welcome. Please email Fr Conor – <a href="mailto:c.mcgrath@downandconnor.org">c.mcgrath@downandconnor.org</a> </p>2026-08-032026-08-05en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/24-hours-prayer-vocations-feast-st-john-vianney/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vocation-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vocation-300x198.png;300;198;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vocation-1024x676.png;1024;676;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vocation.png;1414;934;ai1ec-18440@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZDivine Mercy Sunday<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-300x191.jpg" width="300" height="191" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9967" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Divine-Mercy.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="273" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: #008000;"><strong>Feast of Divine Mercy – 27<sup>th</sup> April 2025</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Rosary (2:30pm). </strong></p> <p><strong>Divine Mercy Chaplet and Holy Mass (3:00pm).</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">St. Paul’s Church, Belfast</span> </strong></p> <p><strong>Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, </strong><strong>Rosary and Reflections from St. Faustina’s diary (2pm)</strong></p> <p><strong>Divine Mercy Chaplet, Benediction, Blessing of Image and Holy Mass (3pm).</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">St. Mary’s Church, Belfast</span> </strong></p> <p><strong>Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, Blessing of Divine Mercy Image and Divine Mercy talk (2:30pm)</strong></p> <p><strong>Divine Mercy Chaplet (3pm). Holy Mass (5pm).</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Sacred Heart Church, North Belfast</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Rosary (2:15pm)</strong></p> <p><strong>Divine Mercy Chaplet, Holy Mass and Blessing with relic of St. Faustina.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">You are most welcome to join us in St Peter’s cathedral, St Paul’s, St Mary’s or the Sacred Heart Church for the celebration of this wonderful Feast. We would remind everyone coming to the celebration that there is no obligation to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the Feast Day itself, as long as you avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation within the octave of the Feast (eight days).  St. Faustina went to the sacrament on the day before the Feast day.</p> <p>For those who are unable to join in person, you may wish to join through the webcam. Webcam Links:</p> <p><a href="https://www.churchservices.tv/stpeterscathedral">St Peter’s Cathedral</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.churchservices.tv/fallsroad">St Paul’s Church</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.stmarysbelfast.org/webcam/">St Mary’s Church</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.sacredheartparishbelfast.com/Webcam/">Sacred Heart Church</a></p>Europe/Dublin2025-04-27T14:30:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/divine-mercy-sunday/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-300x191.jpg;300;191;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy-1024x653.jpg;1024;653;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Divine-Mercy.jpg;1200;765;1ai1ec-18541@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZSolemn Requiem Mass for Pope Francis in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25-300x251.jpg" width="300" height="251" /></div><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18542" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25-300x251.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="251" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25-300x251.jpg 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25-768x644.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25.jpg 940w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p>Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ will celebrate Solemn Requiem Mass for the happy repose of the soul of Pope Francis on Wednesday 30th April at 7pm in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast.</p> <p>All are welcome.</p>Europe/Dublin2025-04-30T19:00:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/solemn-requiem-mass-pope-francis-st-peters-cathedral-belfast/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25-300x251.jpg;300;251;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FB-Post-Requiem-30.04.25.jpg;940;788;1ai1ec-18605@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50Z‘Raising Hope – Living Laudato Si’ Conference<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1-300x280.png" width="300" height="280" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://laudatosiweek.org/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-18499 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1-300x280.png" alt="" width="346" height="323" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1-300x280.png 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1-768x716.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1.png 900w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Laudato Si’ Week 2025</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>‘Raising Hope – Living Laudato Si’ conference on Sunday 25 May, Clonard Monastery Belfast</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">On behalf of Down and Connor Laudato Si Group, we invite you and representatives from your Parish to attend a conference ‘Raising Hope – Living Laudato Si’ on Sunday 25 May in Clonard Monastery Belfast, to celebrate the 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the encyclical. (<a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=p45jb8d29Uegb3OHgweFe2aGasLRDuJOnO4nbo3WWMRUNFRJVDQ4VjFRTEVMVFY5M0FOS05SR0NQRi4u">Register for the Conference</a>)</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The conference will start at 2.30pm, ending at 4.30pm, and will be opened by Professor John Barry, QUB, with presentations from Eco – Congregation Ireland, Trócaire and Laudato Si’ animators.  <a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Speakers-at-Down-and-Connor-Laudato-Si-conference-May-25.pdf">Contributors</a> will share the support that is available – helping us in our journey to implement the messages of the encyclical.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">There will be opportunity to meet with friends from Parishes within the Diocese and to hear at first hand details on projects that they have in place and how these are being resourced. <em>All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents (LS14).</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">You are also invited to a  photographic exhibition on ‘Care for Our Common Home’ which will be on display.  The exhibition was undertaken by the Westcourt Centre, Belfast (part of the global Edmund Rice network) to mark the 10th anniversary of publication of the encyclical.  <em>Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise</em> <em>(LS12).</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Down and Connor Laudato Si’ Group</strong></p> <p><a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=p45jb8d29Uegb3OHgweFe2aGasLRDuJOnO4nbo3WWMRUNFRJVDQ4VjFRTEVMVFY5M0FOS05SR0NQRi4u"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Register for the Conference</span></a></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Further Resources</strong></span></p> <ul style="list-style-type: circle;"> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Poster-with-Diocesan-logo-final.docx">Poster to promote the Laudato Si’ Diocesan Conference on Sunday 25 May</a></span></li> <li><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Speakers-at-Down-and-Connor-Laudato-Si-conference-May-25.pdf"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Speakers at the Conference</span></a></li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The website <a href="http://www.laudatosiweek.org">laudatosiweek.org</a> contains further online resources for Laudato Si’ Week.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/A-Z-guide-for-Laudato-Si-18-pt.docx">A-Z guide for Laudato Si’</a></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/A-Z-guide-for-Laudato-Si-18-pt.docx">Quotations from Laudato Si’</a> selected by a local group called ‘Ephata’ (<a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/A-Z-18-pt-Irish-final-finalwith-English.docx">Also available translated into Irish</a>)</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/100-ways-to-implement-laudato-si.pdf">100 ways for Parishes to implement Laudato Si’</a></span></li> </ul> <p> </p>Europe/Dublin2025-05-25T02:30:00Europe/Dublin2025-05-25T04:30:00en-USClonard Monastery, Belfast0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/raising-hope-living-laudato-si-conference/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1-300x280.png;300;280;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laudato-Si-Goals-1.png;900;839;ai1ec-18546@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZAblaze Pentecost Ireland<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-212x300.jpg" width="212" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18547" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="543" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-768x1086.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster.jpg 1131w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18548" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="544" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-768x1086.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule.jpg 1131w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18549" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-day-2-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="385" height="545" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-day-2-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-day-2-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-day-2-768x1086.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-day-2-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/schedule-day-2.jpg 1414w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 385px) 100vw, 385px" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Europe/Dublin2025-06-07T10:00:00Europe/Dublin2025-06-08T15:00:00en-USSt Oliver Plunkett Church @ Toome BT48 3PE0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/ablaze-pentecost-ireland/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-212x300.jpg;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster-724x1024.jpg;724;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pentecost-poster.jpg;1131;1600;ai1ec-18634@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZChurches Together Pentecost Service<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert-300x169.jpeg" width="300" height="169" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18635" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert-300x169.jpeg" alt="" width="362" height="204" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert.jpeg 720w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 362px) 100vw, 362px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b>Churches Together Pentecost Service</b></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Sunday 8th June at 4.30pm</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Clonard Monastery, Belfast</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Preacher: Rev Danielle McCullagh (Chaplain, Q.U.B)</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p>As we celebrate 1700 years of the Council of Nicaea, our theme is ‘The Spirit of Unity’.</p> <p>Everyone is welcome.</p>Europe/Dublin2025-06-08T16:30:00Europe/Dublin2025-06-08T17:30:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/churches-pentecost-service/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert-150x150.jpeg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert-300x169.jpeg;300;169;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Churches-Together-Pentecost-2025-advert.jpeg;720;405;ai1ec-18669@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZHearts on Fire – A Call to Prayer and Renewal<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts-on-Fire-2-1-300x143.jpg" width="300" height="143" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18658" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts3-300x107.png" alt="" width="300" height="107" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts3-300x107.png 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts3-1024x366.png 1024w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts3-768x275.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts3.png 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><em>Hearts on Fire</em></strong><strong> – A Call to Prayer and Renewal</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Diocese of Down and Connor will host a special two-day gathering of parish leaders from across our parish families, and extending throughout Ireland and beyond on 25 and 26 June in Belfast.  Focused on renewing our vision for evangelisation, <em>Hearts on Fire will invite </em>parish leaders to explore ways to inspire and equip Families of Parishes to reignite the Church’s missionary spirit.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>We warmly invite all to join us in prayer at the opening Mass for <em>Hearts on Fire</em> in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, at 7:00pm on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We deeply value and appreciate your prayers for the success of this important time of sharing and discernment. May the Holy Spirit reignite the hearts of the faithful, embolden our witness and guide the renewal and growth of our Church in Down and Connor and across Ireland.</p>Europe/Dublin2025-06-24T19:00:00Europe/Dublin2025-06-24T20:00:00en-USSt Peter's Cathedral, Belfast0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/hearts-fire-call-prayer-renewal/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts-on-Fire-2-1-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts-on-Fire-2-1-300x143.jpg;300;143;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hearts-on-Fire-2-1.jpg;928;442;ai1ec-18698@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZRemembering Srebrenica Genocide 30th Anniversary Interfaith Walk<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-300x278.png" width="300" height="278" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18699 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-300x278.png" alt="" width="300" height="278" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-300x278.png 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1.png 470w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Remembering Srebrenica Genocide 30th Anniversary Interfaith Walk</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Sunday 6 July, gathering at 1.45pm at the NI Muslim Family Association (7 Rugby Rd, BT7 1PS) leaving there at 2pm, stopping midway at St Malachy’s Parish (24 Alfred St), and finishing around 3.15pm at the Belfast Islamic Centre (13-19 University Rd, BT7 1NA).</p> <p style="text-align: center;">All welcome.</p>Europe/Dublin2025-07-06T13:45:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/remembering-srebrenica-genocide-30th-anniversary-interfaith-walk/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-300x278.png;300;278;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1.png;470;435;1ai1ec-18735@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZViatores Christi – Volunteers Needed Overseas – Information Session<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-1.png" width="121" height="102" /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-18736" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-1.png" alt="" width="121" height="102" /></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>VOLUNTEERS NEEDED OVERSEAS</strong></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Make a Difference!</strong></h2> <h4 style="text-align: center;">You can help us make a difference and promote equality, justice and equal opportunity for all!</h4> <p style="text-align: justify;">Viatores Christi was founded in Dublin in 1960 and since then has sent over 2000 lay missionary volunteers overseas to share their skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Our roles are varied, based on the need identified by our overseas partners. Examples of areas  we have worked in include education, agriculture, social work, law,  healthcare, ICT, pastor roles and project support.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Next Volunteer Info Day</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sat 26th July 2025, 2.00 to 4.00 pm</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Viatores christi House</strong><strong>, </strong><strong>8 New Cabra Road, Phibsboro, Dublin D07T1W2</strong><strong><em>  </em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>For further information email </em></strong><a href="mailto:sally@viatoreschristi.com"><strong><em>sally@viatoreschristi.com</em></strong></a> <strong><em>or </em></strong><strong><em>Phone 00 353 87 2745422</em></strong></p>Europe/Dublin2025-07-26T14:00:00Europe/Dublin2025-07-26T16:00:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/viatores-christi-volunteers-needed-overseas-information-session/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Picture1-1.png;121;102;ai1ec-18701@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:50ZDiocesan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Moneyglass<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-212x300.png" width="212" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18702" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-212x300.png" alt="" width="319" height="451" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-212x300.png 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-724x1024.png 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-768x1087.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834.png 827w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The diocesan pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Moneyglass, will take place on Sunday 10th August at 3pm.</p> <p>Beginning at St. Ergnats GAA Taylorstown Road, the pilgrimage will make its way to the National Shrine in the parish of Duneane and will conclude with Benediction and light refreshments.</p> <p>All are welcome.</p> <p> </p>Europe/Dublin2025-08-10T15:00:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/diocesan-pilgrimage-national-shrine-lady-lourdes-moneyglass/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-212x300.png;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834-724x1024.png;724;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-04-113834.png;827;1170;1ai1ec-18821@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZMass and Blessing with Relic of St. Padre Pio<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Padre-Pio-1-205x300.png" width="205" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18822" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Padre-Pio-1-205x300.png" alt="" width="385" height="563" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Padre-Pio-1-205x300.png 205w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Padre-Pio-1.png 492w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 385px) 100vw, 385px" /></p> <h2 style="text-align: center;">Celebration of Mass and Blessing with Holy Relic of Saint Padre Pio</h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sunday 28th September at 7pm</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Saint Vincent de Paul Parish</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;">All welcome.</p>Europe/Dublin2025-09-28T19:00:00en-USSt Vincent de Paul Parish @ 171 Ligoniel Road, Belfast, BT14 8DP0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/mass-blessing-relic-st-padre-pio/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Padre-Pio-1-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Padre-Pio-1-205x300.png;205;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Padre-Pio-1.png;492;720;1ai1ec-18868@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZFrom Lament to Liberation – Conversation with Rev. Ashraf Tannous (Lutheran Church in Bethlehem)<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>From Lament to Liberation</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>In Conversation with Rev. Ashraf Tannous of the Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Tuesday, 21 October at 7.30pm in Knock Methodist Church (Belfast, BT5 6HS)</strong></span></p> <p>Come and hear Rev. Ashraf’s Palestinian Christian perspective in light of October 7th 2023, the genocide in Gaza these past two years, settlement expansion and annexations in the West Bank, and the recent ceasefire and peace plan. All are welcome.  </p> <p>Organised by Kairos Ireland. </p> <p> </p>Europe/Dublin2025-10-21T19:30:00en-USKnock Methodist Church @ Belfast, BT5 6HS0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/lament-liberation-conversation-rev-ashraf-tannous-lutheran-church-bethlehem/free1ai1ec-18916@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZLet’s Step Up – Faith Encounter for Youth and Young Families<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-1-213x300.png" width="213" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18917" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-1-213x300.png" alt="" width="392" height="552" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-1-213x300.png 213w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-1.png 510w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>About the Event:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Let’s Step Up is a joyful celebration of faith — a day filled with music, fellowship, and worship. It’s an invitation to take one more step closer to Jesus, deepening our relationship with Him through prayer and community.</p> <p><strong>Word of God:</strong><br /> “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”<br /> — 1 Peter 2:21</p> <p><strong>Organised by Jesus Youth Northern Ireland</strong></p> <p>Jesus Youth is an International Catholic Missionary Movement approved by the Holy See, committed for serving the Church and evangelizing through personal witness and community life.</p> <p><strong>Mission:</strong><br /> To bring youth and young families closer to Jesus and help them grow as His disciples.</p> <p><strong>Contact:</strong><br /> Melbin George Manjapallil – Regional Coordinator, Jesus Youth NI – 07796 500297<br /> Isona Joseph– Assistant Regional Coordinator, Jesus Youth NI – 07732 916536</p> <p><strong>Registration Form:</strong></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18918" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-2.png" alt="" width="175" height="200" /></p> <p> </p>Europe/Dublin2025-12-06T09:00:00Europe/Dublin2025-12-06T17:00:00en-USSt. Anne’s Parish Centre, Kingsway, Belfast, BT10 0NE0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/step-faith-encounter-youth-young-families/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-1-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-1-213x300.png;213;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Step-Up-1.png;510;720;ai1ec-18974@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZNew Year’s Eve Mass in St Oliver Plunkett Parish<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-300x300.jpg" width="300" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18975" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-2048x2048.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">You are warmly invited to join the Black Mountain family of parishes here at St Oliver Plunkett Parish, Glenveagh Drive, Belfast  this New Years Eve.</p> <p>We will be bringing in the New Year with the Lord and welcoming 2026 together as a faith community.</p> <p>There will be Mass starting at 11pm and we will conclude in the Parish hall afterwards for a few nibbles and a Toast to the New Year.</p> <p>We look forward to seeing you there and bringing in 2026 with the promise of spending time with the Lord this more this coming year.</p>Europe/Dublin2025-12-31T23:00:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/years-eve-mass-st-oliver-plunkett-parish/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-300x300.jpg;300;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-1024x1024.jpg;1024;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NYE2025-scaled.jpg;2560;2560;1ai1ec-18991@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZClose of the Jubilee of Hope Year 2025<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-2-300x119.jpg" width="300" height="119" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-18257 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-1.png" alt="" width="283" height="283" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-1.png 283w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-1-150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 283px) 100vw, 283px" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">THE CLOSE OF THE JUBILEE YEAR 2025</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Bishop Alan McGuckian will celebrate <strong>the Rite of the Closing of the Jubilee Year with Mass at 3.00pm in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast on Sunday 4th January 2026.</strong>  He would like to invite as many as possible, from across the Diocese, to join him for the Mass and some refreshments afterwards in St Comgall’s Centre.  While the Jubilee Year of Hope will formally close, the task ahead will be to carry it’s Message of Hope with us into the New Year 2026. </p> <p> </p>Europe/Dublin2026-01-04T15:00:00en-USSt Peter's Cathedral, Belfast0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/close-jubilee-hope-year-2025/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-2-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-2-300x119.jpg;300;119;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-2-1024x405.jpg;1024;405;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jubliee-2.jpg;1280;506;1ai1ec-18985@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZIrish Inter Church Meeting Creation Care Conference<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-237x300.jpg" width="237" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Let-Justice-Flow-210-x-297-mm.png-2.pdf"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-18986" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-237x300.jpg" alt="" width="307" height="389" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-237x300.jpg 237w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-809x1024.jpg 809w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-768x972.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference.jpg 936w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Following the impactful visit of Church leaders to Lough Neagh in July 2025, a moment that highlighted both the beauty of our shared natural heritage and the urgent ecological challenges it faces, the Irish Council of Churches and the Irish Inter Church Meeting invite you to “Let Justice Flow Like Rivers”, a Creation Care Conference on Saturday 17<sup>th</sup> January 2026 in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry (10.00am–3.30pm).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Rooted in faith, justice and responsibility for creation, this conference brings together theology, science and lived experience to inspire concrete action for the care of our land and waters. With keynote contributions from Dr Jim McAdam (agricultural and environmental research, NI Government sector and Queen’s University Belfast), Dr Hilary Marlow (Girton College, Cambridge), Dr Gail Heffner (author of Reconciliation in a West Michigan Watershed) and a rich presentation of local actions from church and community groups, the day will inspire insight, challenge and hope.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Tickets (£10) are available via Eventbrite: <a href="https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cr5ZCD0o9SP3ONiWfjFjosxL?domain=letjustflow.eventbrite.ie">https://letjustflow.eventbrite.ie</a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Further info from: <a href="mailto:info@irishchurches.org">info@irishchurches.org</a></p>Europe/Dublin2026-01-17T10:00:00Europe/Dublin2026-01-17T15:30:00en-USCanal Court Hotel, Newry0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/irish-inter-church-meeting-creation-care-conference/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-237x300.jpg;237;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference-809x1024.jpg;809;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/January-Conference.jpg;936;1185;ai1ec-19066@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZDay of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Safeguarding-Logo-2-300x123.jpg" width="300" height="123" /></div><p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.safeguarding.ie/news/332-day-of-prayer-for-victims-and-survivors-of-abuse-resources"><strong>Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse (Click link for NSBCCCI Resources)</strong></a></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In Ireland, a Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse is marked each year on the Friday immediately following Ash Wednesday. This year it will be marked across Ireland on <strong>Friday 20<sup>th</sup> February 2026.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This day is not only for victims and survivors who have been so severely injured inside our Church, but also for the families and communities affected by the pain and grief of their loved ones.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crest-Bishop-Alan-McGuckian-Down-and-Connor.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-17590" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crest-Bishop-Alan-McGuckian-Down-and-Connor-230x300.png" alt="" width="93" height="121" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crest-Bishop-Alan-McGuckian-Down-and-Connor-230x300.png 230w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crest-Bishop-Alan-McGuckian-Down-and-Connor-785x1024.png 785w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crest-Bishop-Alan-McGuckian-Down-and-Connor-768x1002.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crest-Bishop-Alan-McGuckian-Down-and-Connor-1178x1536.png 1178w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crest-Bishop-Alan-McGuckian-Down-and-Connor.png 1570w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 93px) 100vw, 93px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ will celebrate Mass in St Peter’s Cathedral on</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Friday 20th February 2026 at 6:00pm.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All are invited to attend the Mass in St Peter’s Cathedral, particularly Chairs and members of Parish – Family of Parishes Safeguarding Committees, and join with Bishop Alan in praying for all those who have been affected by abuse.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>“It is essential that we, as a Church, be able to acknowledge and condemn, with sorrow and shame, the atrocities perpetrated by consecrated persons, clerics, and all those entrusted with the mission of watching over and caring for those most vulnerable. Let us beg forgiveness for our own sins and the sins of others. An awareness of sin helps us to acknowledge the errors, the crimes and the wounds caused in the past and allows us, in the present, to be more open and committed along a journey of renewed conversion”<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a>. </strong></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;">Abuse happened within the Catholic Church in Ireland.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> Abuse happened in our Diocese of Down and Connor.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Extract from the Safeguarding Resource package prepared for the Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse 20<sup>th</sup> February 2026</p>Europe/Dublin2026-02-20T18:00:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/day-prayer-survivors-victims-abuse/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Safeguarding-Logo-2-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Safeguarding-Logo-2-300x123.jpg;300;123;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Safeguarding-Logo-2.jpg;650;266;1ai1ec-19121@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZSaint Patrick’s Dawn Prayer Gatherings<p><u>Saint Patrick’s Dawn Prayer Gatherings</u></p> <p> </p> <p>Christians from all denominations will gather at Saint Patrick’s grave in Downpatrick at 5:45 am  17th March to pray The Our Father/ Lord’s Prayer, one hundred times  for peace and unity in Christ.</p> <p>Everyone welcome.</p> <p>Please spread the word and consider organising a Saint Patrick’s Dawn Prayer Gathering in your own area.</p> <p>For a straightforward guide contact <a href="mailto:legacyofsaintpatrick@gmail.com">legacyofsaintpatrick@gmail.com</a></p>Europe/Dublin2026-03-17T05:45:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/saint-patricks-dawn-prayer-gatherings/free1ai1ec-19212@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZFirst Anniversary Mass for Pope Francis<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass-300x251.png" width="300" height="251" /></div><p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19213" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass-300x251.png" alt="" width="300" height="251" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass-300x251.png 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass-768x644.png 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass.png 940w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>Europe/Dublin2026-04-21T19:00:00en-USSt Peter's Cathedral, Belfast0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/anniversary-mass-pope-francis/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass-150x150.png;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass-300x251.png;300;251;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pope-Francis-1st-Anniversary-Mass.png;940;788;1ai1ec-19183@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZLaudato Si Conference (QUB)<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-212x300.jpg" width="212" height="300" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Laudato Si’ Conference</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>A great opportunity to hear from Dr Lorna Gold, Executive Director Laudato Si’,  and also to meet with Lorna in person.  Join others who share a common interest in living more sustainably;  discuss actions that are being implemented and their impact; explore bold alternatives to our economic system.  Your presence and contribution is very welcome.</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19180" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="517" height="732" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-768x1086.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference.jpg 1131w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px" /></a></p>Europe/Dublin2026-04-22T09:30:00Europe/Dublin2026-04-22T13:00:00en-USQueens University Belfast0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/laudato-si-conference-qub/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-212x300.jpg;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference-724x1024.jpg;724;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laudato-Si-Conference.jpg;1131;1600;ai1ec-19247@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZMass for Lough Neagh Fishing Community<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-212x300.jpg" width="212" height="300" /></div><p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19248" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="212" height="300" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-723x1024.jpg 723w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-768x1087.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976.jpg 1054w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px" /></a></p>Europe/Dublin2026-05-10T15:00:00en-USLough Neagh Fishermen's Cooperative Building @ 4 Bannside, Toomebridge, Antrim, BT41 3SB0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/mass-lough-neagh-fishing-community/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-212x300.jpg;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976-723x1024.jpg;723;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1777543254976.jpg;1054;1492;1ai1ec-19266@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51Z‘The Holy Face of Jesus’ – A Talk in St Trea’s Church, Newbridge<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-212x300.jpg" width="212" height="300" /></div><p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19267" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="408" height="577" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-768x1086.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream.jpg 1414w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px" /></a></p>Europe/Dublin2026-06-09T19:30:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/the-holy-face-jesus-talk-st-treas-church-newbridge/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-212x300.jpg;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream-724x1024.jpg;724;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Newbridge-Derry-jpeg-livestream.jpg;1414;2000;1ai1ec-19264@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZCanon John Forsythe’s Golden 50th Anniversary<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-212x300.jpg" width="212" height="300" /></div><p><a href="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19265" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="408" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-212x300.jpg 212w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-722x1024.jpg 722w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-768x1089.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43.jpg 852w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px" /></a></p>Europe/Dublin2026-06-12T19:00:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/canon-john-forsythes-golden-50th-anniversary/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-212x300.jpg;212;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43-722x1024.jpg;722;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PHOTO-2026-06-05-10-17-43.jpg;852;1208;1ai1ec-19342@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZWords of Spirit and Life – An evening with Jeff Cavins<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Bible-300x181.jpg" width="300" height="181" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORDS OF SPIRIT AND LIFE: An evening with Jeff Cavins </strong></p> <p>Sunday 26th July 2026, 7pm Voco Hotel Belfast</p> <p>Spend an inspiring evening with Jeff Cavins, the internationally renowned Bible teacher, author, and creator of The Great Adventure Bible Timeline that shaped the hugely popular Bible in a Year podcast. Whether you’re a catechist, a young adult, or simply drawn to Scripture, come to meet others who love the Word, share in a time of prayer led by Fr Conor McGrath, and be reminded that the words of Jesus are Spirit and they are life.</p> <p>Register Online: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/5h483c83">https://tinyurl.com/5h483c83</a></p> <p> </p>Europe/Dublin2026-07-26T19:00:00en-US0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/words-spirit-life-evening-jeff-cavins/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Bible-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Bible-300x181.jpg;300;181;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Bible-1024x618.jpg;1024;618;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Bible.jpg;2139;1293;1ai1ec-19352@www.downandconnor.org2026-08-13T20:51:51ZFuaimlaoi in Concert<div class="ai1ec-event-avatar alignleft timely"><img src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-300x300.jpg" width="300" height="300" /></div><p> </p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-19353 aligncenter" src="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Experience the soul of Ireland with <strong>Fuaimlaoi</strong>—a captivating ensemble that blends ancient Irish tradition with powerful sacred music by renowned Irish liturgical composer <strong>Ronan McDonagh</strong>.</p> <p>Their rich harmonies, lyrical beauty and authentic spirit create a deeply moving concert experience, connecting audiences with Ireland’s heritage, faith and timeless song. This unforgettable performance is sure to be one of the highlights of the <strong>Fleadh Belfast Fringe</strong> programme.</p> <p>🎟️ <strong>Tickets: £5.50</strong><br /> Book now: <a href="https://fleadhfringe.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173683951">https://fleadhfringe.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173683951</a></p> <p>Don’t miss this special evening of music in the stunning surroundings of St Peter’s Cathedral.</p> <p>————————————————————————————————–</p> <p>Join us for the inaugural Féile tours of St Peter’s Cathedral, led by Stevie Corr, as we celebrate its 160th anniversary!</p> <p>Officially opened with great ceremony on 14 October 1866, St Peter’s Cathedral, with its iconic twin spires, has stood at the heart of West Belfast ever since.</p> <p>This special guided tour offers a unique opportunity to explore areas of the Cathedral that are rich in history and significance, including:</p> <p>The Chapel of the Resurrection, where three Bishops of Down and Connor are laid to rest.</p> <p>The Sanctuary, home to the Bishop’s Cathedra (official seat).</p> <p>The Aumbry, which houses the Holy Oils donated in memory of Fr Hugh Mullan and Fr Noel Fitzpatrick, who lost their lives while anointing the wounded during the Ballymurphy shootings.</p> <p><strong>Tour dates:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Monday 3 August at 3pm</li> <li> Tuesday 4 August at 3pm</li> <li> Wednesday 5 August at 3pm</li> <li> Thursday 6 August at 3pm</li> </ul> <p> Tickets: £5 per person, payable at the entrance (please bring the exact amount).</p> <p>Come and discover the history, heritage, and stories of one of Belfast’s most treasured landmarks.</p>Europe/Dublin2026-08-06T19:00:00en-USSt Peter's Cathedral, Belfast0https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/event/fuaimlaoi-concert/freethumbnail;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-150x150.jpg;150;150;1,medium;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-300x300.jpg;300;300;1,large;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM-1024x1024.jpg;1024;1024;1,full;https://www.downandconnor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Were-part-of-the-Fleadh-SM.jpg;1080;1080;1