Raised aloft, in Greater Belfast, a sixty-six-foot-tall cross illuminates the night sky. This impressive landmark embodies a story of hope—a story of people who, like the church itself, have risen through adversity.
St Bernard’s Catholic Church, whose tower the cross crowns, rose in 2003 from the ashes of an arson attack that utterly destroyed the previous building. Miraculously, the tabernacle in the church survived the devastating fire unscathed. That same precious tabernacle is still open every day for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St Bernard’s Adoration Room. The blessings have been incredible, radiating throughout this large urban parish.
St Mary’s on the Hill—with its older Chapel of Ease by the same name and its newer main parish church of St Bernard’s—serves the densely populated community of Glengormley and beyond.
Patricia Wade, Chairperson of the Diocesan Apostolate for Eucharistic Adoration, explains how it is providential that “St Bernard’s Church is geographically located right in the centre of the Diocese of Down and Connor. From the ruins of our charred church has come the spread of Eucharistic Adoration throughout the entire diocese. As there was already daily Eucharistic Adoration taking place in St Bernard’s, our first meeting room was chosen here for our apostolate. So far, we have worked successfully in approximately sixty parishes, spreading Eucharistic Adoration throughout the diocese.”
Drawing eighty committed weekly scheduled adorers, along with countless others who drop in spontaneously for consolation and prayer to the beautiful Saint Bernard’s Adoration Room, the fruits speak for themselves. The parish has flourished with a plethora of initiatives, ministries, and successful developments. In 2012, particular joy was experienced when, within their new church, one of their own was ordained to the priesthood: Fr Conor McGrath. Serving now as parish priest of St Columcille’s, a neighbouring Belfast parish, Fr Conor is also Diocesan Vocations Director.
Over brunch with some dedicated and highly active parishioners, I learned that Very Reverend Fr Pat Sheehan PP, assisted by Canon Aidan Kerr and Deacon Kieran Hunt, have all “genuinely encouraged and supported the tremendous growth of lay initiatives.” The diocesan call in 2013 to be a ‘Living Church’, promoting renewal, inclusion, and lay participation, was taken seriously in St Mary’s on the Hill. Co- responsibility is evident here in that both clergy and laity have reached out and invited people from all walks of life to participate in the many active ministries – a great example of lay leadership and ministry as emphasised in Down and Connor’s recent Pathways to the Future programme.
Community
Colette Higgins, Chairperson of the Diocesan Charismatic Renewal Committee, explains that many involved in parish prayer groups also serve in parish ministry. Remarkably, St Mary’s on the Hill Prayer Group has been active for over forty years, encouraging “a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and the use of our baptismal gifts.” Another group, ‘Parish Cells for Evangelisation’, meet fortnightly to study, reflect, and share the following Sunday’s gospel placing emphasis on evangelisation and building up community. Nine-day Rosary novenas during May and October, as well as house Rosaries, are further prayer opportunities that contribute to the spiritually rich landscape of parish life.
‘With the numbers coming along now, we could do with elastic walls!’ Monica laughs”
The parishioners, I spoke with, praise their clergy highly, emphasising both their notable spiritual warmth and the physical warmth of the church as important factors in promoting exceptionally high attendance at Mass. There are large congregations both on Sundays and during the week.
Hospitality features strongly. “Social gatherings after Mass were of great benefit to our family when we lived abroad,” Monica and Phillip McMurray share. “‘The First Sunday Cuppa’ and ‘The First Friday Cuppa’ ideas were mooted here in 2022. With the numbers coming along now, we could do with elastic walls!” Monica laughs. “Organised trips away for parishioners also forge faith, fun, and friendship.”
Youth
I spoke with Kathy Fox, a representative of the team who assists Deacon Kieran Hunt with the Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) programme. Deacon Kieran has been described as “very gifted” at connecting with young people through his homilies. GIFT builds on Confirmation preparation and was rolled out after eighteen months of focused prayer for youth. Still developing, it responds to the needs of young people by providing fellowship and faith development during those pivotal post-Confirmation years—years that are paramount in developing a relationship with God and with other believers. “Games, sport, reflection on the gifts of the Spirit, growing in virtue, friendship, and learning about the importance of Adoration are just some of the key aspects of the group,” Kathy elaborates. “We hope to take a group to Medjugorje to further build a sense of community and encourage young people to become leaders themselves.”
The Children’s Liturgy, which takes place during the 11am Sunday Mass, enriches younger children and provides a special way of connecting with young families. Strong links with the three parish primary schools, Edmund Rice Secondary School and the local integrated school, are fostered in a myriad of ways.
The parish office, staffed by Lorraine Carlin and Patricia Gillespie, is incredibly helpful and informative”
The Developing World Group encourages young and old alike to look beyond their local area and respond practically to projects that alleviate poverty across the world. The Gospel message, encouraging both spiritual and corporal works of mercy, is truly lived out.
It’s hard to think of much that St Mary’s on the Hill parish doesn’t do! Their uplifting choir is truly amazing. Everything from sacramental preparation, funeral ministry, flower arranging, Guides and Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Mothers and Toddlers groups, and Indian community fellowship happens here. It’s a challenge to keep up with everything, but the parish office, staffed by Lorraine Carlin and Patricia Gillespie, is incredibly helpful and informative.
“To the heights!” was recently canonised St Pier Giorgio Frassati’s motto. It encourages excellence, highlighting deep faith, love for the Eucharist, and service to the poor.
Siobhán Brennan is a teacher, course creator, and writer from Co. Down.
