Life

Sermon notes

URBAN SOUL MATES: Pictured, from left, at the opening of the Urban Soul basement at May Street Presbyterian Church are: David McAuley, chairman, Urban Soul Community Interest Company; Dr Ian McNie, Presbyterian moderator; Dr Rodger Crooks, May Street vacancy convenor; Councillor Declan Boyle, Belfast City Council; George Peel, Biffa Awardp; Chris Hewitt, from the May Street congregation; Mel Waddell, Groundwork NI; and Arthur Acheson, from the congregation
URBAN SOUL MATES: Pictured, from left, at the opening of the Urban Soul basement at May Street Presbyterian Church are: David McAuley, chairman, Urban Soul Community Interest Company; Dr Ian McNie, Presbyterian moderator; Dr Rodger Crooks, May Street vaca URBAN SOUL MATES: Pictured, from left, at the opening of the Urban Soul basement at May Street Presbyterian Church are: David McAuley, chairman, Urban Soul Community Interest Company; Dr Ian McNie, Presbyterian moderator; Dr Rodger Crooks, May Street vacancy convenor; Councillor Declan Boyle, Belfast City Council; George Peel, Biffa Awardp; Chris Hewitt, from the May Street congregation; Mel Waddell, Groundwork NI; and Arthur Acheson, from the congregation

:: MERCY: To celebrate the Year of Mercy announced by Pope Francis and which begins in December, a day of reflection called 'Pope Francis: Who is this Man of Mercy' will be held in Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre on November 7. It will be led by Brian McKee. Contact the centre on 028 4483 0242 for more information.

:: CUBA AND US: To coincide with Pope Francis's trip to Cuba and the United States, the Vatican has published statistics relating to the Catholic Church in the countries.

Cuba has a population of 11,192,000, of whom 6,775,000 are Catholics, according to the Vatican, equivalent to 60.5 per cent of the population.

The Cuban Church includes 283 parishes, with 17 bishops, 365 priests and 659 men and women religious. There are 85 seminarians.

The Church in Cuba also has 173 hospitals and clinics, one home for the elderly or disabled, two orphanages and nurseries.

From a total US population of 316,253,000, the Vatican says 71,796,000 are Catholics, representing 22.7 per cent of the population.

There are 18,256 parishes, 457 bishops, 40,967 priests, 55,390 men and women religious and 5,829 seminarians.

The Church is involved in 888 hospitals and clinics, two leper colonies, 1,152 homes for the elderly or disabled, 1,090 orphanages and nurseries, 981 family advisory centres and other centres for the protection of life, and 4,295 special centres for social education or re-education.

:: URBAN SOUL: May Street Presbyterian Church in Belfast city centre is celebrating the expansion of its Urban Soul area following the £350,000 refurbishment of a basement hall.

The 1,400 sq ft hall will be made available for community-based activities and Christian outreach. It is covered by an entertainment licence and disabled access, and can accommodate up to 120 people.

The church hopes it will be in demand for conferences, classes, meetings and musical events.

Most of the funding came from Belfast City Council, with additional support coming from the Alpha Programme, managed by Groundwork NI, Biffa Award and the Listed Places of Worship scheme.