PARISH BULLETIN

May 3rd 2020

Good Shepherd Sunday

 

This week the readings in our Sunday Gospel remind us how Jesus described himself as a Good Shepherd who cares for the sheep of his flock.  He also promises to send us 'shepherds after his own heart'.  That's why this week is a special time of prayer for vocations to the priesthood.  

 

It's also the beginning of May, the month of special devotion to Our Lady.  The church may still be closed but if you're passing do call over and say a prayer at our Lourdes grotto.  And why not set up a May altar in your own home too?

 

God bless,

Fr Damian

 

WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED

 

Recently Deceased:

Mary Kelly, Balnamore

Terry Galvin, Antrim

 

Anniversaries:

Vera & Joe Fleming, John McCusker, Arnold McDaid, John McKenna, John Bernard O’Rawe.

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord

 

THIS WEEK

Mass will be live streamed at 10am on Sunday on our Facebook page.

 

At 5pm on Sunday we will live stream evening devotions.  We will pray Vespers (evening prayer of the Church) followed by Benediction.

 

Mass will also be streamed on Monday & Wednesday at 10am and Friday at 7pm. 

 

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY - World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood

If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about vocations to the priesthood or religious life why not contact Fr Damian for a chat or have a look at this page.

 

A prayer for vocations

Lord, make me a better person, more considerate towards others, more honest with myself, more faithful to you. Make me generous enough to want to do your will, whatever it may be. Help me find my true vocation in life and grant that through it, I may find happiness myself and bring happiness to others.  Grant Lord, that those who you call to enter priesthood or the religious life may have the generosity to answer your call so that those who need your help may always find it.  

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

MAY, THE MONTH OF MARY

As we enter into the month of May we encourage every family in the parish to set up a May altar in your home.  This lovely tradition encourages us to pray and is a sign of our love for Jesus and Mary.  This year especially when we can’t come to the church it is good to have a space for prayer in our own homes.

 

Pope Francis has asked us to pray the rosary daily in May to ask Our Lady’s protection on the world during this time.

 

PARISH FINANCE

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. 

 

Since the lockdown started we have received contributions of £4049.10 from envelopes and standing orders.

 

The parish also received an anonymous donation of £2000 which is very generous.

 

Thank you to everyone who is supporting us at this difficult time! 

 

If you want to make an offering you can leave your envelope through the door of the Parochial House.  If you’re isolating at the moment just save your envelopes at home until we’re all out and about again!

 

You can also make a payment online to the parish account (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.

 

CONFESSION

When confession isn’t possible we may seek God’s forgiveness by making an act of perfect contrition.

 

We should:

  • Prayerfully call to mind our own sins.
  • Tell God of our sorrow and desire for repentance.
  • Do what we can to make amends.
  • Promise to go to confession when it is possible.

 

We can then make the following prayer:

 

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

 

If you urgently wish to go to confession, please contact Fr Damian to make arrangements.

 

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 or care home patient, ask the staff to contact Fr Damian).

 

FUNERAL RITES

At this time only prayers at the graveside are allowed. Funeral Masses and prayers at the home are not possible. In the event of a death Fr Damian will offer Mass for the soul of the deceased privately.