Parish Bulletin

4th April 2021

Easter Sunday

 

Happy Easter!  This weekend Christians commemorate the highpoint of our year and the greatest event in history—the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

As we celebrate Easter we thank God for the blessings he has given us and for the signs of hope we see in the world around us.  Just as the spring sunshine lifts our spirits, so too do the prospect of vaccinations and easing of restrictions give us cause for cautious optimism.

 

I would like to thank everyone who contributes to the life of the parish, especially those who volunteer their time and talents.  But most importantly, I thank all of you for your prayers and your faith.  May the risen Jesus bless us all abundantly!

 

Fr Damian

 

 

THIS WEEK

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

 

SATURDAY 3rd         10.30am Confessions (until 11.30)

Holy Saturday                   9pm The Easter Vigil

 

SUNDAY 4th                   10am Mass

Easter Sunday                   4pm Vespers & Benediction

                                             5pm Mass

 

MONDAY 5th                 10am Mass

 

FRIDAY 9th                 5.30pm Confessions (until 6.30)

                                            7pm Mass

                                               

Our Lady & St Patrick’s church is open each day this week from 12noon to 4pm for private prayer.

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Recently Deceased

Kieran McKay

Ann Gillan (Portrush)

 

Month’s Mind

Anne Doherty (Coleraine)

 

Anniversaries

Margaret Delargy, Teresa Dempsey, Winnie Fleming, Margaret Gallagher, Joseph Getty, Paddy Kelly,
Frances McKay, Ena McKendry, Peggy McVeigh, Kathleen Montgomery, Francis O’Boyle,
Neal John O’Boyle, Rosemary O’Boyle, Leo O’Neill, Martin Turner, Kathleen Wallace,
Robert (Bobby) Wallace.

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS

to the family of Theo Bamford who was baptised last Sunday.

 

 

PARISH FINANCES

Thank you for your support of our parish collections.  Collection envelopes can be left in the church at Mass times or left at the parochial house any time.  You can also set up a standing order or make a one-off payment to our account 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 BRIGID’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
A massive thank you to everyone who made a donation this year through the 5 Day Fitness Challenge for Trocaire.  An amazing £2576.53 was raised. In such difficult times this will go a long way to supporting many people in need of our help. Thank you.

Please visit the school website for some wonderful pictures and work from the children. We think you will especially enjoy the 9 short videos produced by each class on the theme of Easter.

 

 

TROCAIRE LENT APPEAL

Donations to Trocaire can be sent directly by post or online.  You can leave Trocaire boxes in the church at Mass times or put your offering in an envelope marked Trocaire and post it in the letterbox of the parochial house.  The UK government will match donations from Northern Ireland residents received by May 16th.  

 

 

CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTS

The Sacraments of First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are being organised at this time.  Dates for children at St Brigid’s Primary School and Ballymoney Model Integrated will be
announced through the schools.

 

If you have a child who attends a different school please contact the parish office to arrange their sacraments:

 

First Confession: children currently in P3 (or older).

First Communion: children in P4 or older (who have already made First Confession).

Confirmation: children in P7 or older (who have already made First Confession and First Communion).

 

 

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

Next Sunday (11th April) is the feast of Divine Mercy.  The Church grants a plenary indulgence to those who venerate the Divine Mercy image on this day and who have both gone to confession and received Holy Communion.

 

The image of Divine Mercy will be venerated at both the 10am and 5pm Masses next Sunday.  Our afternoon devotions will be at the earlier time of 3pm and will be open to the public.  They will begin with the chaplet of Divine Mercy before Vespers & Benediction.

 

Confessions will be available this week on Friday evening (5.30-6.30pm) and on Saturday evening
(5-5.30pm).

 

To find our more about the Divine Mercy devotion click here.

 

 

CORONAVIRUS VACCINES

Just a reminder that Catholics are encouraged to take the coronavirus vaccine when it is offered to them.  The Bishops of Ireland recently said in a joint statement:

 

"The Catholic Church recognises that safe and effective vaccination is an essential aspect of the prevention of disease.  We are encouraging Catholics to support a programme of vaccination, not only for their own good, but for the protection of life and the health of those who are vulnerable and for the common good of humanity."

 

Pope Francis and Pope Benedict have both received their vaccines and the Vatican's own health service is vaccinating the papal staff in Rome.  Here at home, as a hospital chaplain, Fr Damian has already had both his shots too.