Parish Bulletin

11th October 2020

Twenty Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time 

 

This week we celebrate the sacrament of confirmation with young people who are beginning Year 8.  Their big day was originally due in May but was postponed due to the lockdown.  The sacrament will be celebrated differently this year—in two sessions and with Fr Damian deputed to act on the bishop’s behalf.  It will be another historic occasion to include in the parish history for 2020!

 

But what doesn’t change is the meaning of the sacrament.  Jesus has given the Holy Spirit to the Church and to each individual Christian.  When we
receive the gifts of the Spirit we are empowered by God to bring his love to the world in a personal way.  And because we have the Spirit within us we don’t have to be afraid—no matter what we may face, God is looking after us.  Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to get to work in our lives this week!

 

THIS WEEK

All services available to watch on YouTube

 

SATURDAY 10th    .    .    .    6pm Vigil Mass

 

SUNDAY 11th    .    .    .    .    10am Mass

                                                          4pm Vespers & Benediction**

                                                          5pm Mass

 

MONDAY 12th    .    .    .    .   10am Mass

                                                          7pm Rosary & Benediction in Dervock

 

TUESDAY 13th    .    .    .     .    5pm Confirmation**

 

WEDNESDAY 14th    .    .    .  5pm Confirmation**

                                               

FRIDAY 16th     .    .    .     .       5.30-6.30pm Confessions

                                                            7pm Mass

 

** service not open to the public

 

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

 

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Anniversaries

Patrick (Poke) Connor, Catherine Gilmore, 
Grace Laverty, Mary McCaughan, Margaret McGuckian,
Terence McKenna, William McSheffrey, John O’Reilly, Patrick Osborne, Sr Perpetua Osborne, Margaret Shiels,
Samuel Thomas Ward, Charles Eugene Ward,
Jack Young

 

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

 

 

BABY LOSS AWARENESS WEEK

9th-15th October marks the annual week to raise
awareness of pregnancy and baby loss in the UK.  Here in our parish we have set up an area of the parish grounds which will become a garden of remembrance for those who have lost babies before or after birth.  To mark this there will be a short prayer service in the garden after Mass next Sunday morning at 10.45am (weather permitting!)

 

On Sunday afternoon a special online ecumenical service of remembrance will be broadcast online by the Causeway Area Hospital.  Fr Damian as hospital chaplain will represent the Catholic community.  

 

 

CONFIRMATION 2020

The sacrament of confirmation will be celebrated for Year 8 children in two sessions on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th October at 5pm on both evenings.  The families involved have been contacted. 

 

 

OCTOBER ROSARY DEVOTIONS

We are praying the Rosary and Benediction on the Mondays of October at 7pm in Our Lady & St John’s in Dervock.  Please note that with social distancing there are only 15-20 spaces in Dervock which will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.  This service will also be available to watch on Facebook.  

 

 

COASTAL ROSARY

On Sunday October 11th the Rosary on the Coast for Life & Faith in Ireland takes place.  Catholics will gather around Ireland to pray the rosary together.  This annual event also takes place in many other countries around the world.  The nearest locations to our parish are Ballycastle sea front, Benone Strand (both starting at 2.30pm) and Carnlough harbour ( 2pm).  For further details check the Coastal Rosary website.

 

 

FIRST CONFESSION 2020

Children in Primary Four will be making their First Confession in November this year.  Arrangements have been made with St Brigid’s Primary School and Ballymoney Model Primary School and they will
inform parents.  If your child attends a different school you are asked to contact the parish office as soon as possible to register for the sacrament.  Please phone 27662003 to leave a message or email
office@ballymoneyparish.com

 

 

UPDATE FROM OLD & NEW@No5 

Number 5 is now open three days a week and we’re doing great!  Now’s the time for something new so we’re going to launch an additional Facebook page called Something different @No5.  Stay tuned!

 

We also need good quality autumn/winter ladies’ clothes, handbags, shoes (in boxes where possible), scarves, etc.  You know the stuff you say is too good for charity shops?!  That’s the stuff we want (and all the better if it has labels on it!)

 

Donations can be left in the shop on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays between 10 and 4.30pm.

 

Thanks for your continued support and also thanks to all the Team@No5 who have made the shop the
success it is.

 

 

ST VINCENT de PAUL

Our parish conference continues to do great work to help people in need of practical assistance at this time.  For confidential help contact their answerphone on 07860 455 549.

 

 

PARISH FINANCE

During September we received the following
contributions by envelope and online payments:

 

Weekly Offering (for the parish):       £5072.65

Monthly Offering (for clergy):            £1161.50

Autumn Voluntary:                               £1218.00

Church Renovation:                              £1296.61

 

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the parish finances.  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. 

 

If you want to make an offering you can leave your envelope through the door of the Parochial House at any time.  Collection envelopes may also be left in the church at Mass time.  If you’re shielding at the
moment just save your envelopes at home until we’re all out and about again!

 

You can also make an online payment to the parish account or set up a regular standing order using the following details:

 

Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

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.)

 

 

COVID-19 

The parish is following guidelines from both the Diocese and the
Northern Ireland Executive to minimise the risk of spreading the
Covid-19 virus.  

  • Those who have symptoms or who are vulnerable are asked not to
    attend Mass at this time.
  • Those visiting the church for private prayer or Mass are asked to wear a face covering unless they are exempt.  Visitors should try to keep a 2m distance from those outside their own household at all times. 
  • When you arrive for Mass you will be greeted by a steward and shown to a seat.  If the church is filled to capacity at any time it will not be possible for anyone else to attend.
  • We ask that if anyone who attends Mass or visits the church should test positive for the virus in the future that they would let us know as soon as possible.  The parish will then contact the health authorities immediately to get guidance on what steps to take to minimise the risk to others. 

 

 

May God bless us and Our Lady protect us!