Parish Bulletin
8th November 2020
Thirty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
This week we celebrate the first of our two First Confession ceremonies with children in Primary Four. It’s the last of our delayed sacraments from the spring and it should be a lovely occasion for them and their families.
Regular confession is a vital part of living a Christian life for all of us. No one is perfect but God is always merciful when we come to him with humility and trust. As Pope Francis famously says “God never tires of forgiving us. We are the ones who tire of asking forgiveness.” In these difficult times let’s not take things for granted and get back to using this sacrament regularly.
Confessions are heard on Friday evenings from 5.30 to 6.30pm. If you would prefer another time just ask Fr Damian. And there will be extra sessions available in the run up to Christmas.
Fr Damian
THIS WEEK
All services available to watch on YouTube
SATURDAY 7th 6pm Vigil Mass
SUNDAY 8th 10am Mass
4pm Vespers & Benediction** (Click here for the order of service)
5pm Mass
MONDAY 9th 10am Mass
WEDNESDAY 11th 9am Mass**
10.30am First Confession**
FRIDAY 13th 5.30-6.30pm Confessions
7pm Mass
** service not open to the public
Our Lady & St Patrick’s is open for private prayer
Friday-Monday 12noon to 4pm.
CONGRATULATIONS
to the families of children baptised in the church last week including
Kayden Morrison and Tierna Brogan.
WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Anniversaries
Elizabeth Fleming, Patrick McClements,
Francis McQuillan, Eileen Scullion, John Scullin.
and all the names on our November Dead Lists.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
NOVEMBER—MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
As Catholics we mark the month of November as a special time of prayer for the dead. There are a
number of ways to participate this year:
November Dead Lists
Your lists are placed before the altar for the month of November and all those included will be prayed for at every Mass and ceremony for the month. If you haven’t made your list yet please take a blank list and envelope with you from the church today. If you’re not able to come to Mass at the moment just write down your list at home, put it in an envelope and get them posted or dropped in to the parochial house. A very special thank you to all those who included an offering with their list.
Service for Deceased Parishioners
Our annual service for deceased parishioners is still available to view on our YouTube channel. Search on YouTube for Ballymoney Parish.
Plenary Indulgences for the Holy Souls
The Church grants a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory to those who come to a church and pray for the dead or who visit a cemetery during the month of November. This is granted under the usual conditions that we:
Those who are sick or housebound may gain the indulgence by praying for dead at home.
PARISH OUTREACH
In the next few weeks we hope to send out a gift bag to every household in the parish. It’s a way of keeping in touch with all parishioners, whether or not they can get out to Mass at this time.
Each gift bag includes:
Those who have previously registered with the parish for envelopes will have their gift bag delivered to them in the next few weeks.
If you haven’t registered with us before there will be bags available to take away from the church from next week. There are also spare bags which you are
welcome to share with others to let them know about the parish.
The bag will also contain information about two ways you can help the parish:
Parish Census
A pink parish census form is included. Please consider filling this in with details about you and your household so that we can update the parish records and keep in touch more easily. When completed the pink form should be sent in to the parochial house.
Parish Finance
This has been a tough year for many families and a difficult time for the parish too. We are very grateful that so many people have continued to support the parish and our other collections and appeals. We hope you will be able to continue that generous support in 2021.
If you have previously registered with us your bag will include a new box of envelopes for 2020-21. All the bags have standing order forms and details of how to contribute online.
Many thanks to the Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Committee for their work on this project.
PARISH FINANCE
Last month we received the following contributions:
Weekly Collection (for the parish): £5427.96
Monthly Collection (for clergy): £1508.31
World Mission Appeal: £ 535.92
Renovation Fund: £1305.99
Thank you to everyone who supports us so generously.
OLD & NEW @No.5
Our Parish Shop is keen to open again on Fridays in November and December for the run up to Christmas - can you help? Ideally we need 3-4 new volunteers to work either 10am - 1pm or 1pm - 4.30pm and training will be provided. It’s a rewarding experience and all our volunteers really enjoy it. If you think you can help, please contact Gemma on 07798501046 or Gerard on 07860474956.