2008 Gallery Archive
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Above: Members of the Transformers youth ministry group.
It was great to have our group back again from the Transformers programme last year and we have to say that each year this group just keeps getting better!! Check out the photos and have a look at what we got up to...
Below: Members of the Fun inc youth ministry group.
This group of year 8 pupils from the parish had already been together for faith friends last year and it was great to see some new faces joining the group too. The group provided a chance for everyone to get together again, to take part in games, small group discussion and prayer. The group also proved just how creative the young people in our parish are with their fabulous artwork.
Friday Night Project
The Fun Inc and Transformers have now combined to form the friday night project. Once a month the groups will have the opportunity to meet up, hang out together, play games and have some time in sacred space where they have the opportunity to pray together in creative ways. Our next night is Friday 20th Feb 7-9pm. There will be photos here soon.
New Day Group
Since October this wonderful bunch have met together every sunday to spend time with one another and chill out in Joey's. The group have been completing the New Day programme developed by Youthcom which helps to explore what it means to be growing up as a young person in northern ireland. There has been plenty of fun and games, discussion, the oportunity for prayer and a mountain of biscuits consumed too!!! The group will soon be getting ready for their first weekend away in March. Watch this space.
On New Year's Day the Church celebrates the Feast of Mary, Mother of God as well as it being World day of Prayer for Peace. At Noon, Parishioners gathered in St Joseph's for this annual celebration in which we give thanks for the year that has passed and ask God's blessing on the one that lies ahead. Its another way of Sanctifying time. Thanks to all who came along.
The Christmas Ceili took place on Sunday 28 December in Mc Kenna Community Centre. The Music this year was provided by Oriel Ceili band from Armagh and the caller was local man Harry Dornan. As usual it was a great night's crack. It even including a ladies shoe throwing competition (don't ask ). And you can't beat the great supper by the Social Committee.
On the Feast of the Holy Family the annual Carol Service was held in the barn/stable of Rubane Farm on the Gransha Road generously hosted by Fergal and Lucy Watson. On a cold, crisp, Winter's night parishioners gathered to sing favourite carols in the presence of a living Crib including sheep and donkeys. Fergal and Lucy and their first born child took the part of the Holy Family with friends playing the Shepherds and Wise men. It was a very beautiful event enhanced by the Mulled Wine and refreshments afterwards.
The annual Senior Citizens Christmas dinner was hosted on Sunday 7 December in Mc Kenna Community Centre. 112 members of the community with neighbours and friends from Ballyhalbert, Ballywalter, Greyabbey and Portavogie came along for an excellent meal prepared by parishioners. Afterwards the guests enjoyed dancing to Country Breeze and even though he was very, very busy Santa took time to drop by. Thanks to the great team of helpers and supporters for another very enjoyable day.
The Annual Bazaar took place on Sunday 30 November in Mc Kenna Community Centre.
The stalls looked really well with great variety and quality particularly on the Home Baked stall.
The complimentary glass of Punch and Mince pie went down a treat too. As ever the Rickety wheel was the main attraction with wonderful prizes of all sorts, even a Garden Shed. Thanks to the team for all the hard work and to all who supported them through donations and coming along on the day itself. A very successful afternoon for our parish.
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The Air Cadets from Regent House School in Newtownards and some of their officers joined parishioners for the Annual Service of Remembrance on Saturday 8 Novemberin in the Graveyard at Mount St Joseph's.
After the short prayer service, Crosses and flowers were placed on the Graves of the servicemen who lost their lives while based in the parish during the Second World War. There followed a Fly-past by an RAF Glider training craft based at Newtownards Airfield. Afterwards refreshments were provided in the Old School.
The annual mass for all those buried in the graveyard at St Patrick's Lisbane took place as usual on All Souls day, Sunday 2 November.
Fortunately for those obliged to stand outside it was a beautiful crisp Autumn morning.
The Chapel remained open until 5.00pm and many parishioners and friends from neighbouring parishes took the opportunity to make a visit.
President Mary Mc Aleese and Dr Martin paid a very successful visit to Ballycran GAC at Mc Kenna Community Centre on 23 October. It was a great tribute to the Club and honour for the parish community.
The President met the Management Committee and quite a number of club members and club & County Champions. A number who use the Centre were also introduced.
Entertainment was provided by club contestants in this years Scor Na Og and St Mary's school choir.
Before leaving the President renewed her acquaintance with a number of parishioners who are members of her extended family. Although the visit was brief the memory will last a lifetime.
Ballycran GAC management Committee.
Front row L-R Seamus Ennis Chairman, President Mc Aleese, Dr Martin Mc Aleese, Fr Colm Mc Bride, Club President.
Back Row. Noel Keith, Shane Gilmore, Gary Savage, Jim Mc Namara, Cathal O Flynn, Paul O Prey, Paul Ritchie, Patrick Hughes, Brendan Mc Carthy, Hugh Gilmore, Patrick Dorrian.
After the President's Address, a chance to meet and chat.
A very successful fashion show entitled, Style in the Village, in aid of Loughview Medical Centre, Kircubbin was held in St Mary's Primary School on Friday 3 October.
A full house enjoyed fashion items provided by 'Alan Espey' and 'Berlin' of Newtownards, Formal evening wear by Tutu Dress Hire of Ballygelagh Road. Heavenly Beauty of Greyabbey and Mc Elholm Opticians of Kircubbin presented ideas and advice on skin care and accessories. Comperes and models from the parish. Guests enjoyed a wine and canape reception on arrival and later a beautiful supper. A great evening raised £1000 for additional facilities at the Community Medical Centre.
Comperes Sinead Fitzgerald and Sean Ennis providing traffic information.
(Left to Right) Elizabeth Mc Carthy, an image of mature elegance. Teresa Hughes on her way to the Ball.
Escorts John Hughes and Bob Braniff taking their pick.
(Left to right) Cliona Fowler, Philomena O Prey
(Left to right) Louise Mc Namara, Jacinta Breen
(Left to right) Jenny Fowler, Kerry Adair
Glamour, glamour, glamour.
An ensemble of beauty.
Ann Crawford with members of the Social Committee presenting a cheque for £1000 to Dr Mageean of Loughview Medical Centre in Kircubbin.
The members of the Society who take care of the housekeeping of our Churches held their annual dinner in the Portaferry Hotel on Thursday 25 September. Thank you ladies for your faithful service.
Unlike this spectator who ran out of flat ground while looking for a parking place at Portaferry on Saturday 21st September, Ballycran Camogie players knew exactly where they were going.
The replay against Clonduff in the final of the County Seniors competition resulted in a thrilling match in which both teams gave a great account of themselves. But Ballycran were not to be put off. Their convincing win in extra time meant that for the first time in 39 years Ballycran Camogie Club has returned to the winners rostrum. A magnificent achievement. Congratulations to all.
L-R Nuala Mallon, (Vice Captain), Deirdre Mc Grath, (Down County Board) and Ciara Mc Carthy, (Captain).
Captain Ciara Mc Carthy, delivering her victory address at Portaferry.
In the midst of a very wet summer there was a welcome break from the misery for those who attended the Summer Ceili in Mc Kenna Community Centre on Sunday 17 August. The Trasna Ceili band provided the infectious foot tapping music which drew everyone on to the floor. The Social Committee provided the usual quality supper which sadly we now take for granted, leaving just our visitors to remark upon it. Thanks again ladies.
In this first year of the competition there were 40 entries.
Congratulations to the winners of the various categories and to Ann Doherty who took the overall prize.
Well done to all the Highly Commended entries and thanks to all for the effort and interest. Thanks to our generous sponsors, please support them when you can. Harrisons Nurseries, Greyabbey, Walker’s Merchants, Newtownards,
Colm Mc Carthy Portaferry. Planning for next year has already begun!
Ann Doherty, Church Avenue, winner of Window Box and overall winner receiving her prize from Tessie Lennon, Chair of Social Committee.
Ann Doherty’s Front garden display.
Ann Doherty Rear Garden.
Organiser Kevin Ennis presenting 1st Prize in Rear Garden Category to Peter Gilmore, Boyd Avenue.
Mr & Mrs Eamon Caughey, Granhsa Road, prize winners of Front Garden.
Mr and Mrs Lee Dynes, Glastry Road, winners of Water Feature Category.
Mariead Breen Manse Road, winner of 1st Prize for Vegetable Garden.
Mary Fagan, Parsonage Road, winner of Hanging Basket Prize.
Jeanette Thompson joint winner of Guest prize.
Rosenna Gordon joint winner of Guest prize
Kevin Ennis, Organiser and Judges,Charlotte Karsemeijer. Hort’Dip. RHS, and Mary Walshe WDPH.Dip. RHS.Dip.
Cemetery Sunday 2008
Ardkeen Players Concert and Night of Entertainment 2008The Arkeen Players presented a very successful concert and night of entertainment on Friday 30th May and again on Sunday 1st June 2008 in the McKenna GAC Community Centre. The audience was entertained on both nights with a wide selection of high quality performances. The Junior Ardkeen Players started the evening off with an excellent presentation of the well known fairytale "Rumpelstiltskin" followed by a medley of music hall songs from the Ardkeen Players. There were solo and group recitals by Eimer Magee, Joanna Corr, Ronan O'Flynn, Paula McKeown and Gerry Corr, as well as comical monologues from Ellen-Mary Woods and Christopher Lennon. Jim Sisk and Paul Gilmore as "Too Soon" and dancers from the Dierdre McKenna School of Irish Dancing made guest appearances. The Ardkeen Players presented a short comical sketch, "Just a Wee Loan", written by Pauline Coulter. The evenings entertainment ended with an excellent mime act from the Gilbert and Sullivan opera The Mikado. "Three Little Maids" was performed by Sean Lipfird, Josef Hoeritzauer and Gerry Corr. Musical accompaniment was provided by Maura Lipfird and MC was Ronan Magee. Overall production was by Mrs Belle Corr. The finale of each evening was performed by the parish social committee who presented a great supper enabling everyone to meet, chat and discuss the evening. A great end to a great evening.
Thank you to everyone who participated, helped or assisted in any way in the production of two very successful evenings. A very special thanks must be given to Belle Corr for the hours of behind the scene work she did to ensure these evenings were sucessful and to everyone who took the time to attend and enjoy the show.
Flower Arranging Evening 2008On Thursday evening, 8 May, the Social committee presented a Flower Arranging demo in the Innishargey room of the Maxwell Court building, Main Street, Kircubbin. Pamela Mc Cullough and Fiona Ford of Floristry School Ireland enthralled and entertained the audience with their beautiful floral creations and of course, making it look so easy and inspiring. At the end of the night the displays were prizes in a free draw and went to homes across the community.
Thanks to the ladies yet again, for an equally beautiful supper.
Restoration of Graveyard Wall at Mount St Joseph's 2008The wall between the old graveyard and the 'new' was in need of urgent repair as many of the coping stones had become loose and others dislodged by roots of shrubs. Some had already fallen out. Young parishioner, Thomas Mc Manus, an apprentice Stonemason, assisted by his father Colm, took on the task of restoring the wall which was built at the end of the 1800's when St Joseph's was consecrated. A much needed opening will be made at the lower end of the wall next the lane to facilitate movement between the two parts of the graveyard.
Thomas and Colm Mc Manus
Other people working always fascinates. Brian Caughey stops to see how its done.
Spring Ceili 2008The Spring Ceili 2008 was held on Sunday 4 May In McKenna Community Centre. Music was by the Trasna Ceili Band and the caller was Mary Pollock. Thanks to all who came along and made it a great night's craic. As usual there was a beautiful supper a big thank you to everyone who helped provide and prepare it.
Youth Ministry - Pentecost Party Bus 2008
Youth Ministry - Faith Friends 2008Members of the parish Youth Development Team hosted the Faith Friends programme during March for the girls and boys of the parish who were preparing for Confirmation on the 17 April.
The programme was held in the Innishargy Room in the Maxwell Court building in Kircubbin
From the photos, you can see they all enjoyed it.
Thanks to the Y.D.T. for all the hard work in preparing and hosting.
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St Brigid's Cross Rush Party 2008The parish held its first 'Rush Party', which is really a cover for making St Brigid's Crosses.
Legend has it that St Brigid, one of the secondary patron saints of Ireland d.524, plaited rushes as she sat by the sick bed of a pagan king. He was so moved by the Christian story that he asked to be baptised before he died.
Today the Crosses, blessed on the Feast of St Brigid, 1st February, are placed in the roof space or above the doors of homes or animal houses invoking God's protection on all who abide there in the coming year.Wine tasting evening 2008On Thursday 31 January 2008 the Parish Social Committee held a very enjoyable evening of information and wine tasting at Kirkistown Castle Golf Club.
Alistair Bell, the wine expert, not only talked through a total of 8 Chilean wines, but provided a slideshow of his travels in Chile, which resulted in the wine enthusiasts and teetotalers alike not only learning about how to taste wine, but about its production and storage as well.
On behalf of the Social Committee, a sincere thank you to everyone who helped make the night such a success.
Official opening of Kircubbin Community Nursery January 2008On Friday January 25th, the community in Kircubbin and Greyabbey districts took great satisfaction in witnessing the official opening of the new community Nursery School in Church Grove, Kircubbin.
Representatives of the three main Churches, local MLA's and officials from the Department of Education, local Primary Schools, CCMS the managing body, watched as Mr Donal Flanagan CEO of CCMS planted a commemorative tree.
The Principal Mrs Lisa Hickson, led the children in a song to celebrate this significant event which is the result hard work from people across the community.
