Parish Team Very Reverend Francis O'Brien Parish Priest Reverend Ricky Looney Parish Deacon Sacristans St MacNissi’s Church: Terry McCaughan St Anthony’s Church: Martin Wilson Parish Secretary Noel Wilson

Parish Bulletins Click on the links below to download the latest parish bulletins. To be updated soon.

LARNE PARISH Diocese of Down & Connor Welcome A very warm welcome to our Parish website. Here in Larne, we have a thriving Catholic community worshipping in our two churches – St MacNissi’s in the town centre and St Anthony’s in Craigyhill. You can find here the details of our many parish groups and activities, our sacraments and life of prayer. Whether you are a regular, newly arrived or a passing visitor, you are always welcome to join in the life of the Parish. Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us the way to the Father that our joy may be complete. By supporting one another in witnessing to our faith in God and walking the journey together, we form a community of faith. We share our highs and our lows, we share our celebrations and our struggles, and we place them all in God’s hands, knowing that He is our constant companion and guide, and that His plan is greater for us than any we could imagine for ourselves. Wherever you are, we wish you every blessing. Click here for St MacNissi’s Live Stream - Available 24/7 The Sacrament of Baptism takes place in: St MacNissi's Church on the last two Sunday's of the month at 11.30 am. St Anthony's Church on the last two Saturday's of the month at 11 am. Please note attendance at our pre-baptism course is required. This course is now available in St Anthony's Hall every 1st Monday of the month at 7.00 pm. PRAYER FOR THE HEALING OF POPE FRANCIS . Loving and merciful God, we implore You to look kindly upon your servant, Pope Francis. Touch him with your compassion and consolation. Restore his health and renew his strength in mind, body and spirit. Surround him with your peace and the support of the prayers of your holy people. We place Pope Francis in your healing love through the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who take care of him. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. St MacNissi's Weekly Schedule:- Mass: Sunday - 10 am Monday - 10 am Wednesday - 7.30 pm (Perpetual Novena) Friday - 10 am Holy days - (usually 10 am, but check weekly bulletin) Confessions: Monday - 10.30 - 11 am Wednesday - 7 pm - 7.25 pm Baptisms: 11.30 am on the last two Sundays of each month (Attendance at Baptism course is required) Please note: Our Baptism course is currently held on the first Monday of the Month in St Anthony's Hall at 7 pm. Eucharistic Adoration: Every Friday 10.30 am - 1.30 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet: First Friday of the month at 7 pm St Anthony's Church weekly schedule: Mass: Saturday (Vigil Mass) - 5.30 pm Tuesday - 7.30 pm Thursday - 10 am Holy days - (usually 7.30 pm , but check weekly bulletin) Confessions: Thursday 10.30 - 11 am Saturday - 5 pm - 5.25 pm Baptisms: 11.00 am on the last 2 Saturdays of each month - (Attendance at Baptism course is required) Please note: Our Baptism course is currently held on the first Monday of the Month held in St Anthony's Hall at 7.00 pm Eucharistic Adoration:- Every Thursday evening at 7 pm - 9 pm Anchor 1

Pastoral Council Larne Parish Pastoral Council shares responsibility with the Parish Priest for the development and living out of our baptismal faith. We aim to ensure that every individual and group in the parish feels welcome and rooted in parish life. We believe that when we share our giftedness the Holy Spirit builds the Kingdom of God among us. The Pastoral Council in its present formation came into existence in 2013 with the guidance of Jim Deeds from the Diocesan Living Church office. It meets once per month to discuss new initiatives that would benefit the mission of our parish and help projects ongoing. Their work is a valuable contribution, helping the priests of the parish greatly and engaging the wider community. Chairperson: Debbie McAllister Secretary: Ann McKendry Members: Fr Francis O'Brien (Parish Priest), Deacon Ricky Looney, Martin O'Mullan & Jacqueline Ryan

Our Churches The history of the Christian activity in the area of Larne dates back to St Patrick himself, who is said to have tended sheep on nearby Slemish and who had many profound experiences of prayer during that time. After his captivity, he later felt called to return to preach the Good News to the people of Ireland, and it was one of his own followers, MacNissi, who became the first bishop in our area and subsequently patron of the church in Larne and of the Diocese. Another son of the area is St Comgall, who founded the great abbey of Bangor that became a powerhouse of prayer and learning in early medieval Europe. For a long time, during the Penal Days, there was no church for Catholic worship in Larne. Mass was celebrated instead in a private house and subsequently in a disused slaughterhouse outside the town. At this time, only one priest served a large area including Larne and Carrickfergus. The first dedicated chapel was built two years after Catholic Emancipation in 1831, dedicated to Saint MacNissi and the forerunner of the present chapel. St MacNissi’s Church (Larne town centre) With the increase in the local Catholic population, the small chapel of 1831 was too small for the needs of the community. In 1859, a new and larger church was built on the same site, which was extended in 1905 to its present shape and size including the addition of the transepts. Some further enlargement was carried out in 1994 in the sacristy. The interior of the church includes an impressive vaulted dark wood ceiling and magnificent stained glass windows. The marble reredos stands behind the free standing altar, giving a focal point on the wall of the sanctuary and holding the tabernacle, wherein the Blessed Sacrament is reposed. The church stands with a car park to one side and Saint MacNissi’s Primary School to the other, with some of the priests who served in the parish buried beside the church. The church building is listed, and is one of the most historic and beautiful buildings in the town. St Anthony’s Church (Craigyhill) The beginnings of the more recent church of the parish were beset by disaster early on. As Canon A.G. Molloy recorded: “The growth of Larne as a busy seaport saw an increase in the number of parishioners and necessitates the building of another church in 1974 dedicated to Saint Anthony, to serve the new estate of Craigyhill. Unfortunately, just one year later, to the very day, it was completely destroyed by fire. The parishioners were in deep shock at the desecration of their beautiful new place of worship yet their faith and determination remained firm. After facing up to many difficulties and overcoming many obstacles they were proud to gather to celebrate the solemn dedication of the new church on 16th March 1980.” Since 1980, Saint Anthony’s Church has also received a substantial renovation and is the larger of the two churches in the parish. Above the central door of the church is an etched window of the Risen Christ. In the church grounds stand a parish house and Saint Anthony’s Hall. Source material taken from ‘Down and Connor: A Short History’ by Monsignor Ambrose Macauley, using also the Foreword by Canon Archie Molloy.

Parish Schools Our parish is proud to boast two excellent primary schools: St MacNissi’s Primary School in the town centre and St Anthony’s Primary School, Craigyhill. Both schools continue to maintain a strong Catholic ethos, whilst welcoming those of other backgrounds as well. Their model is found in the beautiful words: “Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen but ever present Teacher in its classes, the model of its staff, the inspiration of its students.” St MacNissi’s Primary School St MacNissi’s Primary School first opened in 1993, bringing together the boys’ (St Joseph’s) and the girls’ (St Mary’s) primary schools into one establishment, with the latter having been run for almost a century by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. A new school building was opened on 1st September 2000. Principal: Mrs J Baxter Address: 23 Agnew Street, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1RF Telephone: 028 2827 3571 E-mail: info@stmacnissisps.larne.ni.sch.uk St Anthony’s Primary School St Anthony’s Primary School opened in 1964 to alleviate the overcrowding in the schools in the town centre, after inspiring fundraising efforts among the local Catholic population. Over the decades it has seen the area around it develop significantly, with new residential areas being built across Craigyhill. Principal: Ms Colleen Tunney (Acting) Address: 43 Fairway, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 2BG Telephone: 028 2826 0444 E-mail: info@stanthonysps.larne.ni.sch.uk Beside St Anthony’s Primary School is St Anthony’s Nursery School. Address: 43 Fairway, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 2BG Telephone: 028 2827 8645

Safeguarding Committee In order to make our parish a safe place for children and vulnerable adults, a Safeguarding Committee oversees the implementation of necessary legislation and the Code of Conduct. It is a requirement of all parish staff and volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults to work accordingly and comply with statutory vetting procedures. Chairperson: Tahnee McCorry Secretary: Mary Moffett Members: Selene McKee & John McGreevy

Apostolic Work It was in Down and Connor that Apostolic Work was founded in 1923 in response to the needs of the missionaries who had started to travel abroad at beginning of that century. The work involved supplying both material and financial assistance to missionaries working in all the mission fields of the world. Hundreds of letters asking for help arrive at Headquarters every year; likewise hundreds of very grateful letters arrive from nuns and priests who receive help. It is sad that in this age of consumerism and materialism there are still people in some countries in the world who are desperately in need of the necessities of life. The apostolic Workers in our parish and throughout the diocese endeavour to ensure that people in the third world are not forgotten. The Apostolic Work in our parish began more than eighty years ago, and has accomplished a tremendous amount over the decades. Our Parish can rightly be proud of such generous work, donations and prayers for those less fortunate than ourselves by all within the group, and of all those who support them. The group meets normally once a month and at present our members are: Rosaleen Campbell, Margaret McMullan, Marie Clements & Philomena Craig. New members are always welcome.

The finances of our parish are managed by the Parish Finance Committee, who meet once per month. Finance Committee

Contact Us Address: St MacNissi’s Parochial House 51 Victoria Road Larne County Antrim BT40 1LY Parish Secretary: Michelle Oakes Telephone: (028) 2827 3230 E-mail: larneparish@gmail.com Facebook: St Macnissi’s Parish, Larne Twitter: @Macnissis Location: St MacNissi’s Church St Anthony’s Church