Parish Bulletin

9th May 2021

Sixth Sunday of Easter

 

On Wednesday we had the joy of celebrating First Confession with the children from St Brigid's Primary School (this week it will be the turn of children from other schools).  

 
As adults we can also be nervous about going to confession.  We certainly aren't as innocent as we were in Primary 3!  But God still loves us as his children and he will always forgive us. and the joy and relief you feel after a good confession are just as strong whatever age you are.  Jesus wants you to come and celebrate confession regularly so that your sins are forgiven and you can feel his joy in your heart.
 
Fr Damian
 
 

THIS WEEK

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

 

SATURDAY 8th          5pm Confessions (until 5.30pm)

                                       6pm Vigil Mass

 

SUNDAY 9th             10am Mass

                                       4pm Vespers & Benediction (not open to public)

                                       5pm Mass

 

MONDAY 10th          10am Mass

 

WEDNESDAY 12th     9am Mass (not open to public)

                                               

FRIDAY 14th           5.30pm Confessions (until 6.30)

                                        7pm Mass

                                   

Our Lady & St Patrick’s is open Friday to Monday from 12noon to 4pm for private prayer.

 

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Recently Deceased

Pearl McGowan

Marie McConville

Michael McKiernan

 

Anniversaries

Johnny Connor, Arnold McDaid, Eileen & Tom McIldowney,

John Mulholland & Frances Mulholland, Henry O’Loan, Kazimiera Plotka

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

 

 

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

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS

to the family of Willow & Evan Harrigan who were baptised here last weekend.

 

 

CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTS

Here are the dates for Children’s Sacraments in the next few weeks:

 

First Holy Communion

Saturday May 22nd—St Brigid’s Primary School

Saturday May 29th—Other schools

 

Confirmation

Tuesday June 9th—All candidates

 

 

BLESSING OF GRAVES

There will be no Cemetery Sunday in June due to the ongoing restrictions.  We hope to have a public blessing of graves at some point later in the year if it is possible.

 

 

THE HEALING POWER OF POETRY
Focusing on the poets Patrick Kavanagh and Seamus Heaney, these three Zoom sessions led by Sr Una Agnew will look at some of the ways in which poetry offers analternative mind-set to experiences of social unrest, self-questioning, isolation, failure, and personal loss and gifts us instead with moments of perspective, meaning, transcendence and spiritual healing.  Suggested
donation: £30 per person. For further details or to book a place, please contact Drumalis during office hours Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm) – 028 28272196/28276455 or email drumalis@btconnect.com

 

 

PRAYING FOR OUR PARISH

Before Christmas we sent out census forms so that we can refresh our parish records which were some years out of date.  Around 100 households have sent back in their forms and we’re very grateful for their support.

 

Each week, four households will be chosen each week to be prayed for in a special way and remembered at Mass.  That means that by the end of this year all our registered parishioners will have been prayed for personally.  Especially at this time when it’s not possible for us all to come together, this initiative will remind us that we are all part of one Christian family and that
everyone matters to God and to our parish.

 

Fr Damian will contact you when your household is being prayed for.  If you wish, you can let him know if you have any special intentions.

 

If you haven’t registered yet you can collect the pink form from the church when it’s open. 

 

 

PRAYING WITH OUR LADY IN MAY

There are many different ways to show our devotion to Mary during her month of May:

 

Set up a May altar in your home as a place where the family can pray together.

 

Pray the rosary.  Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world to pray the rosary each day of May for the special intention of ending the coronavirus
pandemic.  Each evening at 5pm our time the rosary will be prayed at the Vatican and Marian shrines around the world  - this Monday the rosary comes from Knock.

 

Ballymena May novena.  The novena continues until Monday 9th.  Sessions are available to watch each evening at 7.30pm on the Ballymena Kirkinriola parish Facebook page.

 

May crowning.  Here in our own parish we will have a special May devotion later in the month.  More details soon!