Parish Bulletin

2nd August 2020

Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

This week the period of shielding ends for a number of our parishioners. Some will be keen to be out and about while others will feel more cautious. Please remember that there is no obligation to attend Mass at this time and if anyone doesn’t feel ready to come, please don’t worry about it - why not watch our Masses online instead?

 

However we are pleased that Mass attendance is growing each week in the parish. It’s lovely to welcome people back each weekend and we’re grateful for the support that so many people are giving the parish. May God continue to bless us all!

 

Fr Damian

 

WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED

 

Anniversaries:

Monica Campbell, Gerry McKillop, Mary McIvor, Catherine McVeigh, Joanne Nevin, Josephine Smyth

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS

We offer our congratulations to the families of Arya West and Callum Grayson who were baptised in the parish this week.

 

Best wishes as well to Anne Marie McGill and Charles Walls who were married in Our Lady & St Patrick's on Saturday.

 

 

COVID-19 

The parish is taking every step to look after the safety of everyone using the church building.  We know that the virus hasn’t gone away and there is still the possibility of cases in this area.  

 

For that reason we ask that if anyone who attends Mass or visits the church should test positive for the virus in the future that they would let us know as soon as possible.  

 

The parish will then contact the health authorities immediately to get guidance on what steps to take to minimise the risk to others.  This may include specialist cleaning or even the temporary closure of the church.

 

 

CHURCH WEBCAM

Our Lady & St Patrick’s now has a permanent webcam which will allow almost all ceremonies in the church to be viewed by people at home.  The new webcam is accessed through the parish YouTube account.

 

If you have a YouTube account please subscribe and click the bell icon on the parish page to get updates of all our broadcasts.

 

 

MASSES AND SERVICES THIS WEEK

As we deal with the pandemic the obligation to attend Mass remains suspended.  Parishioners are invited to attend one Mass next weekend from the following options: 

 

Friday     . .    .    .   7pm

Saturday . .    .    .  6pm

Sunday    . .    .    .  10am  or  5pm

Monday  . .    .    .   10am

 

When you arrive you will be greeted by a steward and shown to a seat.  If the church is filled to capacity at any Mass it will not be possible for anyone else to attend. 

 

In addition there will be Vespers & Benediction on Sunday at 4pm and Mass on Wednesday at 10am - these two services will not be open to the public but will be streamed online.

 

At this stage we will not be using Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Choir or Folk Group.  The Bishop has asked that public Masses be celebrated in a simple way (as on a weekday) until a later date.

 

Those who have symptoms or who are vulnerable are asked not to attend at this time.

 

 

CONFESSIONS

Confessions will be available in Our Lady & St Patrick’s this week on Friday evening from 5.30-6.30pm.

 

 

CHURCH OPENING 

Our Lady & St Patrick’s will be open for private prayer 12noon-4pm on the days when Mass is celebrated - Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

 

 

PARISH FINANCE

Last week we have received the following contributions through envelopes, standing orders and online payments:

 

Weekly Collection (for the parish)    £1100.14

Parish Renovation Fund                     £ 684.86

 

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the parish finances.  We know many people are worried about their own family finances at this time, so it means a great deal that some people are able to support the parish too. 

 

If you want to make an offering you can leave your envelope through the door of the Parochial House at any time.  Collection envelopes may also be left in the church at Mass time.  If you’re shielding at the moment just save your envelopes at home until we’re all out and about again!

 

Cheques should be made payable to Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

 

You can also make a payment online to the parish account or set up a regular standing order using the following details:

 

Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

Sort code: 95-06-79 

Account No: 10020192.  

 

(If you are someone who normally pays by envelope, please use your envelope number as a reference.)

 

 

ST VINCENT de PAUL

Our parish conference is still running and they are doing great work to help people in need of practical assistance at this time.  For confidential help contact their answerphone on 07860 455 549.

   

 

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK (LAST RITES)

Regular visits to the sick by the priest or Minister of Holy Communion are suspended.  However emergency call outs are being carried out as normal.  Please contact the Parochial House (or if it’s for a hospital patient, ask the staff to contact the priest on call).