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 Directory To be updated soon.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul is found in parishes across Ireland and internationally. The Society follows the example of the French priest St Vincent, who was renowned for his compassion, humility and generosity and whose motto was “let all things be done with charity.” The Society is supported by the generous and much-needed offerings of parishioners, and its voluntary members then work to help those who are in material need. There is a dedicated Society in the Parish of Larne. Should anyone wish to request assistance, the number to phone is 07784 038838 . Please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Society of St Vincent de Paul

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

New Logo Competition! All the works of art submitted are below and on our Facebook page - please follow the link to be able to Like and leave a comment on the beautiful pictures! For Catholic Schools Week 2017, we invited the Primary 4 to 7 pupils in our two parish primary schools to design a new logo for our website and Facebook page, and the results were spectacular! We were overwhelmed with the response, so well done to all the boys and girls. After a tricky decision, our independent judge selected one winner and then a runner-up from each school. Runner-up from St Anthony's Primary School: Curtis! Runner-up from St MacNissi's Primary School: Thomas! Overall winner: Callum! (St Anthony's P.S.) All the entries were wonderful, however, and we can all learn a lot about what is most important in our parish when we look at what the children created. You can see them below organised by their class. Enjoy! Mr Oakes' Class, St MacNissi's P.S. Mrs McAllister's Class, St MacNissi's P.S. Mr O'Boyle's Class, St MacNissi's P.S. Mrs Hamill's Class, St MacNissi's P.S. Mrs Baxter/Mr Dempster's Class, St MacNissi's P.S. Miss McLarnon's Class, St Anthony's P.S. Ms Fleming/Ms Gorman's Class, St Anthony's P.S. Mrs McLarnon's Class, St Anthony's P.S.

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Marriage Any couple who would like to be married in the Church is required to give at least six months’ notice. They will meet with their priest to discuss in advance, and also be required to take a pre-marriage course through a recommended organisation to help them prepare. Tertullian, a father of the ancient Church, wrote beautifully on the subject of Christian marriage, saying, “How can I ever express the happiness of the marriage that is joined together by the Church, strengthened by an offering, sealed by a blessing, announced by angels and ratified by the Father? … How wonderful the bond between two believers, with a single hope… There is no separation between them in spirit or in flesh…” It is worth spending some time considering the spirit and prayerfulness of the wedding ceremony itself. This will include choosing scripture readings from a given selection that you find give inspiration for the marriage that is about to be created. It will also include selecting appropriate music , which must be religious music that gives praise to God and sees marriage and love in the context of the love of God. If you have any queries regarding what music is appropriate or what musicians are available, your priest will be very happy to help.

The Ministry of Welcome was formed officially in January 2016 after guidance from the Living Church Office. The committee meets monthly to help introduce initiatives into the parish to help cement the sense of community we have among our weekend congregations and to help create a welcoming atmosphere to newcomers and those who join us occasionally. This work is still in development, though guided by the nine members of the committee and involving many other volunteers. If anyone would like to lend a hand with anything from greeting those who come into the churches to volunteering in making teas and coffees when we have opportunities to mingle after mass, you would be more than welcome. Please speak to a member of the committee or leave your contact details with the Parochial House. Chairperson: Deborah McAllister Secretary: Allison Leitch Members: Ann McKendry, Rosie Looney, Eileen Looney, Maria Magill, Anne-Marie McGoran, Laura McClure, Jessie Totten Guest, Vera Kirkwood, Leo Mooney and Tom Martin Ministry of Welcome

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 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. Principal: Mrs Marie Claire McIlroy Address: 43 Fairway, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 2BG Telephone: 028 2827 8645

Confession The Sacrament of Confession (also known as Reconciliation or Penance) is instituted by God to share His mercy through the Church. We come to ask pardon for our sins, to receive absolution and to make a new start in our lives, hoping to grow in virtue by allowing the grace of the Holy Spirit to work within us. In the Parish of Larne, the Sacrament of Confession is available at the following times: Monday 10.30 - 11 am in St MacNissi's Church (after 10 am Mass) Wednesday 7.00 – 7.25 pm in St MacNissi’s Church (before 7.30 pm Mass) Thursday 10.30 - 11 am in St Anthony's (after 10 am Mass) Saturday 5.00 – 5.25 pm in St Anthony’s Church (before 5.30 pm Vigil Mass) Confessions can also be heard on request. When coming to the Sacrament, there is absolutely nothing to worry about . Whether it has been a week, a month, a year or decades since your last Confession, God is there and ready for you, and His mercy is limitless . Our priests are always happy to help you through the sacrament. They are there to represent Christ in imparting God’s forgiveness and to offer spiritual support, but not to judge anyone. For your preparation, you may wish to download this printable guide to Confession that you can bring with you, which includes common questions about the sacrament, an examination of conscience and all the words of the prayers involved. These guides are also available in each of our two churches.