Parish Bulletin
8th May 2022
Fourth Sunday of Easter
This is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday, and is part of the continuing journey of Easter. We remember that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who both gives his life for his sheep and takes it up again. His relationship with us, after the resurrection, is closer than we can imagine: through his dying and rising, Jesus fulfils the promise he makes in today’s Gospel: I give them eternal life, and they will never be lost.
God once promised to send his people ‘shepherds after his own heart’. That’s why today is a day of special prayer for vocations to the priesthood. We all know that the number of priests and religious sisters has fallen back in recent decades and that increasingly affects our parish life and ministries. But God is faithful and he keeps his promises. He is still quietly calling some people to follow a vocation into priesthood or religious life. And he promises that if they do they will find great fulfilment in themselves and the opportunity to share his love with others. Lets pray for more vocations from our parish and our families!
Fr Damian
THIS WEEK
Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel
(search for Ballymoney Parish)
SATURDAY 7th 5-5.30pm Confessions
6pm Vigil Mass
SUNDAY 8th 10am Mass
5pm Mass
MONDAY 9th 10am Mass
WEDNESDAY 11th 10am Mass
FRIDAY 13th 5.30-6.30pm Confessions
7pm Mass
Our Lady & St Patrick’s is open every day for private prayer—usually from 11am to 6pm.
WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Recently Deceased
Canon Robert Fullerton, Belfast
Reggie McVicker, England
Anniversaries
Johnny Connor, Marie McConville, Arnold McDaid, Pearl McGowan,
Eileen & Tom McIldowney, Alan Miller, John Mulholland & Frances Mulholland,
Henry O’Loan, Kazimiera Plotka
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
CONGRATULATIONS
To the families of Freya Hoey and Luca McErlain
who were baptised here last weekend.
PARISH FINANCES
Thank you for supporting all our parish collections. Envelopes can be left in the church at Mass times or at the parochial house. You can also set up a standing order or make a one-off payment with these details:
Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan
Sort code: 95-06-79
Account No: 10020192.
Please make cheques payable to:
Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan
OLD & NEW@No.5
There’s lots of new stock in our parish shop this week! The centre piece in our window is a very attractive mirror backed hall stand, which should prove very popular! Other new items include paintings, crystal and ceramics, and there’s a nice range of pub jugs and replica advertising tins- ideal for interior design or in a 'man cave'! Check out too our lovely oak nest of tables, our drift wood elephants and our last remaining rope dogs!
Open Wednesday - Saturday 10.00am- 4.30pm and we are based at 5 Gate End, Ballymoney!
GARDEN OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Our garden of remembrance for babies who died before or after birth will be formally opened and blessed by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Down & Connor, Mgr Patrick Delargy, on Sunday May 15th after 10am Mass.
As part of the opening Mgr Delargy will unveil the plaque of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, which parishioners raised funds for last year. We look forward to this special occasion and keep all those affected by the loss of a child in our prayers.
DOWN & CONNOR LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
Full board in hotel: 5 nights (13-18 July) from £685. For further information contact the Pilgrimage Office on (028) 9077 0162 email: lourdes@downandconnor.org or visit www.downandconnor.org/Lourdes
BEREAVEMENT RETREAT
Losing a loved one can be a lonely, isolating and disorienting experience. These feelings of loss have been felt even more keenly in the time of a global pandemic. 'No Visible Scar' is a weekend long workshop which provides a gentle, safe and comforting space to help those bereaved before or during the pandemic to better understand their feelings, sensitively unpack the layers of grief their loss has brought and learn how to respectfully carry grief and embrace life again. Friday 20 May (arrive 5pm) - Sunday 22 May (depart 2pm) (retreat cost £220). Please contact Jacinta or Louisa to reserve your place: 028 3082 1964 or email: admin@dromantineconference.com
ST VINCENT DE PAUL
If you need help or you would like to find out more about getting involved in the work of the SVP contact us on 07860 455 549 or by speaking to any member of the society. Thank you for supporting our collections.
RACHEL’S VINEYARD
Rachel’s Vineyard offer weekend retreats to help people who have been involved in abortions in the past. These weekends offer a supportive, confidential, and emotionally safe environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortion emotions and begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.
Married couples, mothers, fathers, grand-parents, and anyone affected by abortion have come to Rachel’s Vineyard in search of peace and inner healing. Most of us at Rachel’s Vineyard are persons who have walked down the same path as you and have experienced the Healing power through a Rachel's Vineyard Healing Weekend.
The weekend is a lot of work, but those who are willing to journey through their grief, will experience the power of resurrection in their own lives. They will find meaning in what has happened, and allow God to transform the experience into something that gives hope, liberation and peace.
Rachel's Vineyard retreats are held at private locations. For more information check http://www.rachelsvineyard.ie or phone 00353 87859 2877.