Parish Bulletin

2nd January 2022

Second Sunday of Christmas

 

Happy New Year from all at the parish of Ballymoney and Derrykeighan!

 

This Sunday we listen once again to the beautiful beginning of St John's Gospel.  He explains to us what the coming of Jesus into the world is all about.  The Word was made flesh and dwells among us so that we can become the children of God.  Let us be inspired by these sacred words to renew our faith in the coming year.  Let's aim to get to know Christ better in his Word, his sacraments and in the people we meet who are made in his image and likeness.  

 

Fr Damian

 

THIS WEEK

Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel
(search for Ballymoney Parish)

 

SATURDAY 1st                   6pm Vigil Mass

 

SUNDAY 2nd                     10am Mass

                                               (4pm Vespers & Benediction—Online only)

                                                5pm Mass

 

MONDAY 3rd                     10am Mass

 

 

THURSDAY 6th                  10am Mass

Epiphany of the Lord          7pm Mass

 

FRIDAY  7th             5.30-6.30pm Confessions

                                                  7pm Mass

                                               

Our Lady & St Patrick’s is open every day for private prayer—usually from 11am to 4pm.

 

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Anniversaries
Moira & James Boyle, Mary Jane Connolly, Matt Coyles, Victor Durkan,
Elizabeth Gillan, William Gillan, Sammy Graham, James Havlin,
Sarah-Jane & Andrew Hegarty, Rosetta McDaid, John McErlain, Mary McKillop,
Kathleen McVicker, Jeannie Mulholland, James Norton, Lilian Norton,
Kevin Osborne, Rose Quinn, Molly Young

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

 

 

 

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

On Thursday (6th) we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  This recalls the visit of the wise men to the child Jesus.  Due to Covid there is no obligation to attend Mass but it is a holy day.  We will have Mass at 10am and 7pm on Thursday.

 

An old tradition for this feast which is now becoming popular once again is the blessing of Epiphany chalk.  The priest blesses pieces of chalk for the congregation to take home.  The chalk is used to mark a blessing above the door of your home for the year ahead.  As we see it we are reminded that Christ wishes to dwell in every Christian home, and that if we make him welcome then he will richly bless us and our families.  Blessed chalk will be available at both Masses on Thursday.

 

 

 

PARISH FINANCES

Thank you for your support of all our parish collections taken up over the last twelve months.  Envelopes can be left in the church at Mass times or at the parochial house.  You can also set up a standing order or make a one-off payment  with these details:

 

Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

Sort code: 95-06-79 

Account No: 10020192.

 

Please make cheques payable to:

Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

 

 

 

ST VINCENT DE PAUL

If you need help or you would like to find out more about getting involved in the work of the SVP contact us on 07860 455 549 or by speaking to any member of the society.

 

 

 

OLD & NEW@No.5

Everyone at Old & New@No.5 would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year.

 

Thank you so much for all your support throughout the year.  We look forward to seeing you all in 2022.

 

 

 

BETHANY CHRISTMAS TREE

Thank you to everyone who has left a name on our Christmas tree to remember those who have died.  The names have been prayed for at each Mass and our
Midnight Mass at Christmas was offered for them.  The tree will remain in the church until after the feast of the Epiphany this week.

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR MESSAGES

“Dear brothers and sisters, amid all the many problems of our time, hope prevails, “for unto us a child is born” (Is 9:6). He is the word of God, who became an infant, capable only of crying, and in need of help for everything. He wished to learn how to speak, like every other child, so that we might learn to listen to God, our Father, to listen to one another and to dialogue as
brothers and sisters.

 

“O Christ, born for our sake, teach us to walk beside you on the paths of peace.”

Pope Francis

 

 

 

“Over this festive season, I encourage you to join our parish communities either in person or online and to pray for one another, for your families and friends. Let us continue to hold in prayer all health care workers and front-line staff as they selflessly and tirelessly
continue to care for our sick throughout the Christmas season.  May the blessings of the Christmas Season bring hope and joy into your hearts and homes and
provide the light for your pathway throughout the New Year 2022.”

Bishop Noel Treanor

 

 

 

“It is the simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing: simple happenings that formed the starting point of the life of Jesus — a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith. His birth marked a new beginning.  As the carol says, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight”. 

The Queen

 

 

 

“This year Sabina and I have chosen, for our official Christmas card from Áras an Uachtaráin, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s depiction of the Flight into Egypt. It represents a story of a journey impelled by a great will to protect others – a journey undertaken in great
darkness but navigated in a spirit of trust and hope.

 

“Once again, may I wish you a safe and Happy Christmas, and a New Year of hope, promise and
fulfilment.”

President Higgins