PARISH BULLETIN

Fifth Sunday of Easter

10th May 2020

 

So here we are  - another week of lockdown.  We all know what's at stake at this time and we continue to pray for those who are sick and those who are caring for them - in our hospitals, care homes and in their own homes too.  

 

And we also remember those who lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down by this experience.  This week we would have been celebrating First Holy Communion - always a lovely day for our parish and our families.  It's sad that special occasions like this have been missed or postponed this year.

 

In Sunday's Gospel Jesus speaks to all who are sad or anxious "Trust in God still and trust in me."  The Lord Jesus will lead us through these difficult days to better times ahead.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  May he bless us in the coming week too.

 

Fr Damian

 

WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED

 

Recently Deceased:

Kazimiera Plotka, Ballymoney

 

Anniversaries:

William Blaney, Johnny Connor, Eileen & Tom McIldowney, John Mulholland & Frances Mulholland, Henry O’Loan. 

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord

 

THIS WEEK

Mass will be live streamed at 10am on Sunday on our Facebook page.

 

At 5pm on Sunday we will live stream evening devotions.  We will pray Vespers (evening prayer of the Church) followed by Benediction.

 

Mass will also be streamed on Monday and Wednesday at 10am and Friday at 7pm. 

 

MAY, THE MONTH OF MARY

As we continue the month of May we encourage every family in the parish to set up a May altar in your home.  This lovely tradition encourages us to pray together and is a sign of our love for Jesus and Mary.  This year especially when we can’t come to the church it is good to have a space for prayer in our own homes.

 

Pope Francis has asked us to pray the rosary daily in May to ask Our Lady’s protection on the world during this time.

 

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. 

 

Since we last updated you the parish has received £1030 in donations through envelopes and standing orders.

 

Thank you to everyone who is supporting us at this difficult time! 

 

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.

 

ST VINCENT de PAUL

Our parish conference is still running and they are doing great work to help people in need of practical assistance at this time.  For confidential help contact their answerphone on 07860 455 549.

 

CONFESSION

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.