Welcome to Autumn in the Parish of Maghera

As summer gives way to autumn, our Parish community warmly embraces the season of change—bringing fresh beginnings, renewed connections, and the comforting spirit of togetherness. Daylight hours in Ireland decrease throughout September as autumn approaches, with the sun setting noticeably earlier after the autumnal equinox on or around September 22nd. At the beginning of September, the days have around 12.5 hours of daylight, with sunrise as early as 6:41 AM, and by the end of the month, sunset will be closer to 6:00 PM. This reduction in daylight is a gradual process, with roughly two minutes of daylight lost each day. 

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Harvesting Community Life at the Parish Centre & St. Patrick’s Hall

At the heart of our parish, the Parish Centre continues to be alive with activity. This week’s diary features a wide variety of groups and gatherings:

• Hospitality Group in the Coffee Shop – Monday, 9:45–10:45 am

• Chit-Chat Club in the Millstone Room – Monday, 10:30 am–12:30 pm

• Yoga with Janet, Ladies Fitness Class, Sewing for Charity, Speech & Drama, Bingo nights, Children’s Liturgy, and many more activities across the week.

For full details of what’s happening in the Parish Centre and St. Patrick’s Hall, please visit the parish website. After a well-earned summer break for our volunteers, the Coffee Shop has reopened for the autumn and winter season. With its cosy charm, the Coffee Shop is a perfect place to enjoy warm drinks, good conversation, and the peaceful view of autumn leaves. Why not drop in for tea or coffee after morning Mass, or after the 11:30 am Sunday Mass Everyone is warmly welcome.

 

Back-to-School Buzz: Primary, High, and Grammar Schools Return

With the arrival of autumn comes the fresh energy of a new school term. Children across the parish are returning to their primary schools:

• St Mary’s Primary School,

• St Joseph’s Carnacaville,

• St Patrick’s Burrenreagh, 

• Alongside others primary schools attended by children of the parish, including All Children’s Integrated Primary and Newcastle Primary.

 

Our older students return to high schools and grammar schools, across the district including:

• St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan,

• Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch,

• Trinity Lecale Grammar, Downpatrick,

• St Louis’ Grammar School, Kilkeel, and

• Shimna Integrated College Newcastle

We also welcome the new school teams—teachers, classroom assistants, and support staff—whose dedication and fresh ideas will guide and inspire throughout the year ahead. From the youngest starting primary to sixth form students embarking on new challenges, there is a real sense of excitement and renewal across the parish.

 

Parish Life at Its Best: Togetherness, Tradition, and New Chapters

Parish Draw

Congratulations to the winners of the August draw:

• £500 First Prize: Nuala Lobo

• £200: Evelyn Markey

• Other £100 winners: Jennifer McKay, Frances Creelman, Ona Byrne, and Dan Murphy

• Promoter’s £50 Prize: Seamus Boden

 

Join Our Folk Choir! 🎶

Do you love music? Looking for a way to share your talents, meet great people, and lift spirits in worship? The Parish Folk Choir is back—and we’d love you to be part of it! No experience is required, just bring your voice, your instrument if you play one, and plenty of enthusiasm! We welcome everyone from Year 8 upwards, whether you’re a seasoned member or brand new.

 

Rehearsals begin:

• Wednesday 10th September

• 7:00–8:00 pm

• In Our Lady of The Assumption Church

• Our first Mass back will be the 6:00 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday 20th September.

 

For more information, contact Brenda on 07840 028 461 or email brenda@parishofmaghera.com  As St Augustine once said: “To sing is to pray twice.” And in the words of Pope Benedict: “Singing itself is almost like flying, rising up to God; it is in some way an anticipation of eternity when we will be able to unceasingly sing God’s praise.” Come and join us - your voice matters!

 

A Warm Welcome

The Welcome Group reminds us that all are embraced in our parish family—whether you are a lifelong parishioner or visiting for the first time. The invitation is always open to those seeking peace, belonging, or a fresh connection with parish life  READ FULL ARTICLE

 

Mass Times & Liturgies

• Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm

• Sunday Family Mass: 11:30 am

• Weekday Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:00 am

• Liturgy of the Word: Wednesday and Saturday at 10:00 am

• Confessions: First and third Saturdays of the month, 3:30–4:00 pm

 

In Summary

As the leaves turn golden and the Mourne breeze grows crisp, our parish enters autumn with energy and faith. The Parish Centre Coffee Shop welcomes all with warmth and friendship, schools are alive again with children’s voices, and parish life continues to flourish through Mass, ministries, and community gatherings. Together, we step into this new season with gratitude and hope.