PARISH BULLETIN

Palm Sunday

April 5th 2020

 

As Holy Week begins our thoughts turn to the greatest truth of our faith - that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered and died to take away our sins and rose again. We should never forget that Jesus loved each one of us so much that he was willing to die for us. He also gives us hope that our sufferings and sacrifices are worthwhile, because the suffering Jesus walks the way of the cross with us.

 

I pray that this week each one of us may feel the love of Jesus in our hearts in a deeper way than ever before. I hope you will be able to join us on the internet for the Holy Week ceremonies and devotions.

 

God bless,
Fr Damian

 

028 2766 2003

We pray at this time for the sick - especially in our own parish, among our family and friends and the patients in our local Causeway Hospital.

 

We remember those who have died

 

Recently deceased:
Frank McAteer, Ballymoney

Margaret McLernon, Ballycastle

 

Month’s Mind:
Patsy Darragh, Palm Sunday 11am.

 

Anniversaries:
Joseph Donaghy, Winnie Fleming, Joseph Getty, Denise Glenn, Paddy Kelly, Patricia Maxwell

 

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HOLY WEEK
Masses and the Holy Week ceremonies will be made available through Facebook this week:

 

Palm Sunday  11am: Mass

 

Holy Tuesday  10am: Weekday Mass

 

Spy Wednesday  7pm: Penitential Prayers

 

Holy Thursday
11am: Chrism Mass
(from St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast celebrated by Most Rev. Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down & Connor)

 

7pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper

 

9.30pm: Gethsemane Devotions (Rosary, Reflections & Night Prayer)

 

Good Friday  3pm: Liturgy of the Passion

 

Holy Saturday  9pm: Easter Vigil

 

Easter Sunday
10am: Mass of Easter Day

 

5pm: Easter Vespers & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Easter morning Mass will be at 10am
so that parishioners can also watch Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi blessing from Rome at 11am.

 

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CONFESSION
Fr Damian will lead an examination of conscience and prayers of penance on Wednesday evening at 7pm.

 

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 patient, ask the staff to contact the priest on call).
 
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.
 
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.  Thank you for your generosity.

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.

 

TROCAIRE
Trocaire’s head office in Belfast wish to thank everyone who has contributed to their appeal this year. Due to coronavirus their offices are closed and they are unable to accept donations at this time. They would ask therefore that we keep our Trocaire boxes at home until later in the year.

 

GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION
The annual collection for Christians in the Holy Land normally takes place on Good Friday. Pope Francis has asked however that this year it be moved to September.