Parish Bulletin

7th February 2021

Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

 

The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes falls on Thursday this week.  Lourdes has always been a place of special care for the sick and many thousands who have visited there have experienced a gift of healing whether physical, mental or spiritual.

 

For that reason the Church encourages us to pray for the sick in a special way at this time.  We ask God to watch over those who are currently unwell in hospitals, care homes or in their own homes.  May the Lord give them strength and healing.  And may Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the sick protect and bless all those in our parish who are caring for the sick as well.

 

Fr Damian

 

THIS WEEK

all services available to watch on our YouTube channel.  

 

Sunday  .   .   .   .   .   .  10am Mass

                                         4pm Devotions  click here for the Order of Service

 

Monday  .   .   .   .   .   .  10am Mass

 

Wednesday .   .   .   .  9.30am Mass

 

Friday  .   .   .   .   .   .   .   7pm Mass

 

 

WE PRAY FOR OUR FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Anniversaries

Jim Darragh, Thomas Doherty, Joe Fleming, Christopher Hurley, Eileen McAfee, David McGuigan, Thomas McGuigan

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

 

CANDLEMAS

Those who left their own candles to be blessed can collect them from the church this weekend.  The candles have been left at Our Lady’s altar.  The parish will have a small number of blessed candles available once Masses restart.

 

 

LOCKDOWN ARRANGEMENTS

During the current lockdown period our arrangements will be as follows:

 

Online Masses:

Sunday at 10am

Monday at 10am

Wednesday at 9.30am

Friday at 7pm

 

Confessions:

Please contact Fr Damian to make an appointment for confession.

 

Funerals:

Requiem Mass and funeral services will take place under strict conditions.  A maximum of 25 people are allowed in the church for these services.

 

Baptisms:

Please contact Fr Damian if you wish to organise a baptism.

 

Sick calls:

Normal house visits are not permitted at this time.  In an emergency please phone the parochial house.

 

If the sick person is in hospital and requires the last rites please ask a member of staff to phone the priest on call.

 

Church opening:

Our Lady & St Patrick's church is open for private prayer only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 12noon to 4pm.

 

 

GETTING READY FOR LENT

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17th.

 

Lectio Divina sessions.  

This year Living Church is providing resources for a 5-week online programme. It will be an opportunity for people to come together online, pray with scripture and share their insights. 

 

Each week we will look at the Old Testament reading from Sunday Mass with a teaching video and then a Lectio Divina (prayerful reading) of the Gospel passage. The sessions are open to everyone from across the North Connor Pastoral Community. The Programme will run on Monday evenings from 22 February to 22 March inclusive starting at 7.30pm - registration details will follow. 

 

Lenten Pioneer Pledge

Many people choose to abstain from alcohol during Lent. Why not take this opportunity to perhaps help yourself or someone you know with an alcohol or drug problem by offering your sacrifice for freedom from addiction? Please consider taking the short-term Lenten Pledge and make a difference to someone's life and say the following daily prayer:

 

"I promise in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary to abstain from all alcoholic drink during Lent."

 

 

ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED IN 2021 or 2022?

It is a requirement for a Catholic marriage that the couple do a pre-marriage course before the big day. A Zoom online marriage preparation course is planned for 27-28 March 2021. This 2-day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship.  For more information or to book a place contact marriageencounter.ie or phone 028 27638512.

 

  

PARISH FINANCES

During January the parish received the following contributions from envelopes, standing orders and online payments:

 

Weekly Collection (for the parish)   £ 3673.86

Monthly Collection (for clergy)        £ 1058.18

Living Youth                                        £   266.50

Church Renovation Appeal.              £   540.00

 

Thank you for your support of our parish collections.  In these difficult times we greatly appreciate the financial support we receive.

 

 

In this lockdown period collection envelopes can be 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.