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Easter Blessings t

o all.S tella M

arisIssue 39 Easter 2013

Inside this issueGrandparents Day

Farewell Holy Father

Easter in Uganda

Ironman EimearBaby Alice Maria McLaughlin born 3 November 2012 with parents Pearse and Olivia. Baby Ryan Patrick Lowery with parents Colm and Angela are joined by siblings

Conor and Amy Lee.

Cathal James Sweeney born 27 November 2012. Parents Leo and Pamela.Baby Charlie McTaggart. Born 4 January 2013. Parents Mark & Lisa.

Catherine McAleese and Kieran Lagan

The shock decision of Pope Benedict to step down as leader of the Catholic Church made headlines across the world - nearly 600 years after the last papal resignation. Speaking in St Peter’s Basilica on Ash Wednesday he said: “I did this for the good of the Church.” His final tweet as he left the Vatican en route to Castel Gandolfo was one of gratitude and encouragement: “Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives.”That last day in February was full of emotion as the most famous religious leader in the world stepped out of public view to begin, in his own words, “the last leg of his pilgrimage on this earth.” Like any farewell there was sadness but also gratitude for a life of service and leadership at a critical time on the Church’s history. One of the iconic images from Pope Benedict’s farewell was his white helicopter flying over the Coliseum, the place in ancient Rome where the early Christians were persecuted and put to death. The Roman Empire is long since

gone but the Church founded by Christ is still here because it is rooted in faith. It can trace those roots right back to St Peter through shepherds like Benedict XVI. The Pope’s final act was one of humility. As a poster during his last public audience in St Peter’s Square read: Your humility was what made you

great! As the Pope Emeritus dedicates himself to a life of prayer we pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen him on his journey of faith. And we also pray for the Church under the leadership of our new Holy Father, that all of us will experience the joy of a relationship centred on Christ. Fr Raymond

Happy EasterHappy, or blessed are you when you remember your Baptism this Easter Sunday. You were welcomed into the Body of Christ, anointed with the sweet smelling oil of Chrism, heard the Word of God in church for the first time (and didn’t understand a word of it). You were the centre of attraction and everybody wanted to see you and hold you. You probably cried which made everyone laugh. There’s an old Irish saying which says on the day of your baptism, you were crying while everyone else was laughing. On the day of your death you’ll be laughing while everyone else is crying. Happy and blessed are you. Happy are you when you remember who you are on Holy Thursday morning. At the Mass for the Blessing of the Holy Oils we hear how we are to be part of a people who are ready to learn more (Oil of Catechumens), care for the sick and the vulnerable (Oil of the Sick) and offer God our very selves in worship (Oil of Chrism). Happy and blessed are you. Happy are you when you remember on Holy Thursday night how precious you are when Christ himself gives you his body and blood as simple food for your journey through life, to “remain with you always”. Happy and blessed are you. Happy are you when you remember on Good Friday your way to freedom opened, your possibility for saintliness became real. “This is my body given up for you – this is my blood poured out for you.” Happy and blessed are you.

In this Year of Faith may your faith in the person of Christ, involved with you throughout your life, continue to be a rich source of blessing and joy.

Father Austin

Page 1.

Customs and TraditionsSince St. Patrick defied a pagan king fifteen hundred years ago by lighting a paschal fire on the hill of Tara, Easter has been celebrated as a happy occasion where we remember Jesus coming to life after his cruel death on the cross.Down the ages Christians have rejoiced by attending Mass to celebrate the Resurrection. Besides liturgical celebrations, other traditions have evolved through time. Children competing to see who can eat the most eggs on the day, where part of the fun is hunting for chocolate eggs which the Easter bunny has mysteriously hidden – the egg representing new life. A custom which is linked to this part of the world, is the rolling of decorated hard boiled eggs down steep hills In youth, the sobriety of Good Friday was relieved for us children by the prospect of hot cross buns for tea. Roast lamb on Sunday is still traditional – the lamb to remind us of the sacrifice on the first Passover. As is Simnel cake, with eleven marzipan balls portraying Christ’s faithful apostles. Not to mention a new Easter bonnet for the Easter parade. The caption chosen for the cover of the Easter edition of Stella Maris is Gods Heavenly Glory. The Northern Lights display over our coastline reflects the intense green aurora which was such a joy for to witness.Eugene and I would like to thank all those who helped produce this edition of Stella Maris. Adrian for his work on the layout. Aaron for photography. Also Ciaran Clancy for supplying photos of the Dominican celebrations, and Bernard Loughrey for digging out that oldie. Bernadette Canning from St. Colum’s for her help with the Grandparents, and of course all the other contributors mentioned throughout the magazine.You can reach us by letter: Stella Maris, St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish Office, 4 The Crescent, Portstewart, BT55 7AB. Or by email: farren@myway.com Telephone 028 70833042. Or, speak with Eugene Outside the Chapel Gates.Have a very Happy Easter.Patricia Farren

Page 2.

Holy Week in Portstewart

Farewell Holy Father

PALM SUNDAYBlessing of palms in lower Marian Hall followed by procession into church at all Masses.Monday Morning Mass at 9.30amTuesday Morning Mass at 9.30am Penitential Service at 7.30pm Wednesday Morning Mass at 9.30am

THE EASTER TRIDUUMHoly Thursday Morning Prayer at 9.30am Parishioners are invited to the Mass of the Oils at 11am in the Cathedral

Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.30pmExposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 10.30pmGood Friday Morning Prayer at 9.30amLiturgy (including Reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross and distribution of Holy Communion) at 3.00pmStations of the Cross at 7.00pmHoly Saturday Morning Prayer at 9.30am Easter Vigil at 9.00pmEaster Sunday Masses at 9.00am and 11.00am

An all boys turnout for First Communion. St Colum’s primary school. Mid 50s.

Page 4.

Beauty Beneath the GrimeThanks to a small project undertaken in the parish towards the end of last year, a badly stained headstone containing a representation of the Eucharist has been restored to its former glory.It marks the grave, in the older part of Agherton Cemetery, of Father Daniel Lafferty, who died in January, 1948 while serving as Chaplain to the Dominican Convent and school in Portstewart. Down through the years, due to the ravages of wind and rain, the headstone had become covered with layers of grime and dirt, so much so that it was hard to make out the inscription. Along with the border surrounding the grave, it has been expertly cleaned and now the original beauty of the white Italian marble is visible once more.The anniversary of Father Lafferty’s death – the 65th – was commemorated in the parish at Sunday Mass and at the weekday Mass on the actual date of the anniversary, January 22. A newspaper report of his passing described him as being “of a shy and retiring disposition,” adding that beneath his reserve there lay “a quiet gaiety which made him much loved by those who knew him.” Ordained at Maynooth in 1918 at the age of 27, he had been in poor health for a few years prior to coming to Portstewart

in 1946 as Convent Chaplain. His duties would, it was presumed, be “less exacting” in view of his health problems. He seems not to have allowed himself any such luxury because he was ministering to the community and pupils right up until the day before he died. He had served in quite a few parishes including Dunloy, Randalstown, Rasharkin, Kilcoo, Newtownards, Portaferry and Ballycastle. Many people from these parishes attended his funeral, joining Portstewart parishioners and a goodly number of priests from throughout the diocese as well as representatives of the Dominican Order. The Bishop of Down and Connor, Most Rev Dr. Mageean, presided at the Solemn Office and Requiem Mass. The celebrant was Father John Gillen, PP, Portrush and the deacon, Father Seamus McKeown, who later became the first parish priest of Portstewart. Dominican pupils were among a large contingent accompanying the remains to the cemetery. Bishop Mageean officiated at the graveside. Father Lafferty’s sister, Josephine, from Dunfanaghy, and many cousins from various parts of Donegal, were among the chief mourners.Footnote: I was pleased to discover that Father Lafferty’s funeral Mass was

celebrated by Father Gillen of Portrush. I grew up in Portrush and have fond memories of him. When I was an altar boy in St. Patrick’s I served his Mass on many occasions!

Maurice McAleese

Happy memories at Dominican College reunionA PROFESSIONAL football coach, a housekeeping manager for a five-star London hotel used by the England football squad and a minder for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - just some of the people I met at the 95th anniversary dinner of Dominican College Portstewart held just before Christmas.

Throw in an assortment of doctors, teachers and solicitors and it’s clear to see that there are many who have good reason to thank the Dominican sisters for opening a grammar school in the resort way back in 1917.

Back then, there was no provision for the education of catholic children, aside from the local catholic primary school, for a growing population of over 1,600 people.Enter the Sisters from the Falls Road Dominican Community who regularly left Belfast to holiday in Portstewart to escape the trials and tribulations of life in the city.

The Dominican Sisters acknowledged the need to set up a school and when O’Hara’s Castle became available the order moved quickly to buy the imposing building in the spring of 1917. They wasted little time, either, in establishing the school, opening for the first time on September 3 that year with a grand total of 16 boarders and five day pupils.

Today, almost 100 years on, the boarders have gone while the college caters for around 500 pupils in premises which

are unrecognisable from the early part of the last century.

Thousands of young people - including yours truly - have passed through its doors down the decades, benefiting from the school’s unique mix of academia and pastoral care which was so evident at the reunion in the Magherabuoy House Hotel.Former pupils chatted freely with former teachers while old friends grabbed the opportunity to catch up with one another after an absence of many years.A number of past principals were present, including Barry Murphy and Sr. Lucina, while Bishop Anthony Farquhar, a one-time chaplain at the school, took time out of his busy schedule to come and share in a joyous occasion.

Current principal Dr Bob Cummings outlined recent developments at the school and spoke of ambitious long-term plans which he hoped would maintain Dominican College Portstewart’s position as one of the leading schools in the province.More immediately, the Dominican community will be focusing a lot of its attention on 2017 and the centenary of the ‘school on the cliff.’It is not known at this stage what form those celebrations will take but, if the 95th reunion is anything to go by, then it’s certainly one to look forward to...

Damian Mullan

And just look at the state of these Old Girls! What will they look like when we are celebration 100.

Beautiful old headstone depicting the Eucharist restored by parishioners of Portstewart.

Doherty Cup Final for St. Colum’s Soccer teamSt. Colum’s Primary School have qualified for the final of the Doherty Cup to be played at the Coleraine Showgrounds on the evening of Saturday 30 March. They have played 3 matches to reach the final, beating Damhead 8-0 in the first round, then beating Leney in the second round 2-1, before beating Ballymoney Model 5-0 in the semi final.

They now face Christie in the final. Their coach, Mr Shaw, has been managing the St Colum’s team for 18 years and never got this far before. With players from P7, P6, P5 and P4 the squad has performed really well in the matches to date.

The team comprises:

Matueaz Pajack , Luke Milla, Lorcan McMulla, Dara Moone, Seamus Donaghy, Leo Passmor, Jacob Miller, Finn Lund, Bradley Tweed, Pierce McGonagle, Owen Lagan, Ferghal

Loughrey, Conor Mullan, Patrick Kelly and Anton McIntyre.

Good Luck to the team for the final! We all hope they play well, it’ll be a great occasion for the young boys to

be playing at Coleraine Showgrounds, so please come along and show your support.

Mark Donaghy

St Colum’s hopefuls with Manager Mr Brian Shaw

Page 6. Page 5.

With Eugene Kelly

Oops!As written by children; The first commandment was when

Eve told Adam to eat the apple.

Christians have only one spouse.

This is called monotony.

Outside t he Chapel GatesGrandparents Go Back to School

Nigella, Delia and Rachel had better look out. Aine McNamee has just stepped into the kitchen. Aine, the daughter of Gerry and Anne and a year 11 pupil at Loreto, won through to the all Ireland Final of the 2013 RIBI Young Chef of the Year competition organised by the Rotary of UK and Ireland. Aine’s award winning menu impressed the judges in the regional final making her the winner. This qualified her for the final round of the competition in Dublin. Though she wasn’t successful Aine said that although the competition was fierce the experience she gained was invaluable. Well done Aine.

Chef of the Future

In the last week of February as part of Catholic Schools Week the church was decorated with banners representing each child that attends St Colum’s PS. This emphasised the partnership that exists between the school and the church in educating our children. To complete the triangle of school, church and home all grandparents were invited into the school to participate in a prayer service celebrating ‘Grandparent’s Day’. Grandparents have played an important part in handing on the faith to their own children and are currently helping in so many ways to hand on the faith to their grandchildren. This was one little way of saying a big thank you for the work they have done are continuing to be part of. It was delightful to see the love the children have for their grandparents as they entered the assembly hall. As a mark of respect they presented each grandparent with a special bookmark to celebrate the occasion.

Don steps aside After 13 years as president of Star of the sea conference of SVP in Portstewart Don Henry is stepping aside. He has given great service to the community here in Portstewart and further afield. He joined SVP when he was 19 and served the society here at home and when he worked in England. His generousity in spirit, time and energy has been sterling and for this we thank him. Don’t worry though he is still an active member of the conference so you will see him from time to time out at the chapel gates in all sorts of weather. One of his last wishes was to see more people getting involved in the conference. So if you feel that you have the time he would appreciate you joining the conference to help continue the work of the Society.

Mother’s DayBy the time you read this missive Mother’s

Day will have come and gone for yet another year. To many it was another way of making money in selling cards, bunches of flowers and presents but to most it was a special time to say thank you to that very special person who has been on your case since

you were born. After all “... Nothing can take the place of the heart of a mother...... True respect for work brings with it due esteem

for motherhood. It cannot be otherwise. The moral health of the whole of society depends

on that” (John Paul ll July 1979)

Easter In Uganda Is Bigger Than ChristmasI sat up in the pew with a jolt. Was the priest really asking the congregation to cheer if they were a Manchester United supporter at a cup final? A triumphant applause fills the church on a hot but breezy morning in Old Kampala. Some of the die-hard football fans are whooping while Arsenal fans are grumbling. It’s Easter, which in Uganda, in eastern Africa, is bigger than Christmas. The church is full and now practically heaving.

From an altar decorated in artificial flowers and bunting the priest reminds us that we can say ‘Alleluia’ again in the Gospel acclamation. I hadn’t realised that during Lent we had not been using it to welcome the Gospel. Now that we are, he wants us the get the tone right, to really feel a sense of praise and victory when saying it. By putting the same emotion we have at seeing our teams score, the singing of ‘Alleluia’ has been invigorated. Little

girls in 1980s style taffeta bridesmaids dresses smile and sing enthusiastically. The smartly robed choir clap and I can’t help joining them.

Since that eventful service I always think of a livelier Easter. This Easter Sunday in Portstewart, might prove livelier for different reasons. It’s ‘spring forward’ time again as daylight saving time begins on the 31st of March. For some the hour will reluctantly move ahead leaving them scrambling to change clocks and get out the door in time, Easter morning. Back in Uganda they won’t need to worry about this as the sun always rises by 7am and sets by 7pm. The predictabilty of such a day is a perk of being located on the equator. There is a comforting predictability in Easter too, a vibrant yet long celebration followed by great food at home and unexpected visitors (who might just stay the month!).

That extra bit of light in our day adds its own vibrancy to our Easter. Spirits will be livened with an expectation of summer. It will be sure to put me in the mood for celebrating like that day back in Uganda.

Muireann Kyeyue

Christ the King choir, Palm Sunday celebrations, Kampala. P.S. John Donnelly is considering a new dress code for Star of the Sea choir.

With a friend at the Equator.

Page7.

Sports Update

Junior Legion of MaryI am the president of the Junior Legion of Mary in Portstewart. I got involved in the legion through Sheila Conway, our previous president; she continues her dedicated work, offering guidance and assistance to all our young people. As one young girl said to me last week, “We are so lucky to have Sheila.” She has shaped the lives of so many young people over the past years. She conducts every meeting with that joy and freshness of her very first one twenty odd years ago, and I believe that is where her success lies.I would like to give you an explanation of the work we do in the parish. The Mary we are talking about is the “Mother of God,” and the word legion means “Army”. Mary’s army fights against sin through prayerful meetings combined with helping vulnerable and marginalized people in our locality.We meet every Friday in the parish centre from 5 – 6 p.m. At these meetings we;• Pray the Rosary, engage in spiritual discussions and conclude with the novena prayer for the Legion’s patron, Frank Duff.• Arrange to visit people in hospital, nursing homes or their own homes.At present we have over twenty children – simplicity is the key – and who can lead us better than a group of children who are enthusiastic, uncomplicated and open. They bring a fresh approach to all challenges and this works well in an ever changing world.Although each meeting takes its structure from the original one held on 7 September, 1921, our young participants

always bring vibrancy to help address issues in a no fuss, candid and effective way.The legion brings young people to the fore in the church, and through prayerful meetings and caring visits we try to walk the path of Mary. We are continually inspired by the ever increasing numbers of children who attend and the happiness and commitment they show. As Fr Austin said to me one day, “Therese, I think something’s happening there”. I totally agree.God is truly glorified through the prayers and good works of these beautiful children, an it is a privilege for me to be their president.

Thérése McAleese. President.

Ironman Eimear!From novice to Ironman UK double winner in just 5 years Eimear Mullan has grabbed the long distance tri world by the proverbial horns. For those with no knowledge of what ironman involves it is a triathlon of 2.4 mls swim, a 112 mils cycle followed by a full marathon of 26.2mls. Portstewart woman Eimear, daughter of Brendan and Agatha Mullan, is not your stereotypical pro athlete. Her naturally quiet and pleasant demeanour does little to blunt her winning edge when it comes to racing. After winning the 111 Majorca race in 2011 she went on one year later to become the first Irish woman to win both the full and half Ironman UK races in the same year. A second place win in the Wales Ironman in September rounded off a spectacular debut professional season for the 30 year old teacher.Eimear’s sporting career began with the pony club tetrathlon in 2000, combining running, horse riding, swimming and shooting. “ I was quite good and competed for the UK and NI team in 2000 but it was not practical to continue when I went to university,” she says. “ After that I did a bit of running for fun and fitness.”In 2006 after a gap year she decided to study for a PGCE teacher qualification in Bedford. While there the triathlon seeds were sown when she bought her first bike. She joined the university tri club and from then on she became hooked, doing local time trials with the satisfaction of knocking a few minutes of her times each week. With a decent background in running and swimming it wasn’t long

before Eimear entered her first triathlon in 2007. From then on her progress was swift, winning various local triathlon and duathlon races, eventually leading to a breakthrough eighth place overall at the Ironman 70.3 Worlds in 2010.Now based in Milton Keynes Eimear’s progress along the way has been aided with the help of coach Mark Booth who set up a comprehensive training programme for her . This has enabled her to reach the stage she is at and has prepared her for the future.While the world championship in Hawaii is not her immediate focus she admits that she has to improve on her swimming and bike skills before then. A lot of what she does in the future depends upon sponsors. She has recently joined professional triathlon

Team TBB as a full time athlete and is currently in training in Lanzarote in preparation for the season ahead. This allows her to focus on full time training which is usually around 30 hours a week. Some training days will exceed 7 hours in preparation for races that can last up to10 hours. It looks like Ireland and the UK could have yet another female iron-distance star in the making.

The new season is fast approaching for Eoghan Rua GAC Coleraine. The club will once again be participating across virtually all codes, including gaelic football, hurling, camogie and ladies gaelic football. Hundreds of players and dozens of coaches are already well advanced in their preparations for the season ahead with training and fitness sessions ongoing indoors and outdoors virtually every day of the week. One of the early highlights of the season that the club is busily preparing for and looking forward to is the All-Ireland Féile Peilnan Óg which will be held across County Derry from 28th-30th June. We will have an Under-14 boys football team and for the first time a girls football team participating. Clubs from across Ireland and Britain and indeed the USA will be coming to the Oak Leaf county for what is undoubtedly the highlight of the year for our young players. Underpinned by the spirit and effort of the volunteer, the

personal, social and cultural development of young people is at the core of what Féile Peilenan Óg stands for. Like the wider GAA it seeks to bond communities and provide sporting and cultural outlets for the development of our youth. It’s not new to us but it is something we must never take for granted.Apart from participating we will also be hosting one or two clubs in the community. Already over 20 families have agreed to host visiting players in their homes for the duration of the competition. This is always one of the most enjoyable aspects of Féile where visiting clubs join together with the host club over the course of the competition building ties and friendships that endure over a lifetime. With the longer days just around the corner we are looking forward to another season of sheer enjoyment both on and off the field of play…bring it on!

Kevin Mullan

Bring It On

Page 8.

Let us go singing as far as we go; the road will be less tedious - Virgil, Eclogues

Music has been an integral part of the liturgy in Portstewart Parish for very many years. Previous directors of the choir were Charles Tinsley, Joe Fairley, Sister Basil OP and, in recent times, John Corrigan. When John retired from the post some five years ago “the baton” passed to me, assisted by Aaron Loughrey. I joined the choir in July 1973, a large group of committed men and women.Under John’s tutelage the repertoire expanded to include the works of Mozart, Haydn, Palestrina and the main liturgical ceremonies (Christmas and Easter) included an orchestra from the parish. Music was arranged for special celebration such as parish priests’ Jubilees, funerals, first communions, confirmations and the annual broadcast mass.Virgil’s spirit continues to animate the choir today and we are always ready to welcome new members young and not so young. Many are put off for various reasons: ‘I can’t read music’, ‘I don’t have a good voice’, or ‘I can’t make the commitment’.Music in the liturgy is not a concert; it is an integral part of the act of worship, leading the congregation in hymns and responses. I would like to reassure any aspiring choristers that the ability to read music is not required. Choral singing does not require the same voice as a soloist; the general idea is to achieve a blend of voices. The choir is part of the congregation and there is no commitment to be present every Sunday 52 weeks of the year; the object is to build a group of which at least ten or twelve would sing each Sunday.

The performance of a musical piece to the best of your ability, both as a group and individually, gives enormous pleasure and satisfaction and the desire to improve and progress for the next occasion.Music is a thread which runs through all our lives whether you consider yourself musical or not. Nursery rhymes, pop, country & western, folk, classical, singing in the shower or at football matches. Everyone enjoys music. Why not join the choir and explore that enjoyment!If you are interested in joining the choir or would like further information please speak to me any Sunday or contact me, 07837367810, or email jjd@lineone.net.

John Donnelly

The assembled Star of the Sea choir, with Aaron Loughrey organist.

Junior Legion with Therese and Sheila

Page 9.

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