Parish Bulletin

13th December 2020

Gaudete Sunday

 

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete means rejoice in Latin and it comes from the first words of the entrance antiphon for the Sunday Mass - “rejoice in the Lord always!”  We show that joyfulness in the liturgy with the rose coloured candle on the Advent wreath, rose coloured vestments and flowers permitted on the altar.

 

This particular Gaudete Sunday we are rejoicing because our lockdown is over and Masses are open to the public again—thanks be to God!  But we do still need to be vigilant about the virus.  The parish continues to take every sensible measure to keep the church a safe place.  Your support and cooperation makes that possible—thank you so much.

 

Fr Damian

 

THIS WEEK

Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel

(search for Ballymoney Parish)

 

SATURDAY 12th            5pm Confessions (until 5.30)

                                             6pm Vigil Mass

 

SUNDAY 13th                 10am Mass

                                                4pm Vespers & Benediction***

                                                5pm Mass

 

MONDAY 14th                10am Mass                         

 

WEDNESDAY 16th         9am Mass***

 

FRIDAY 18th               5.30pm Confessions (until 6.30)

                                               7pm Mass

 

 

*** Service not open to the public.

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Recently Deceased

John McIlwaine

Ethna Donovan, Co. Clare

Paddy Higgins, Ballinlea

Owen Ward, Glenravel

 

Anniversaries

Teresa Cuddy, Bobby Kelly, James McAfee, John McIntaggart

 

Requiescat in pace

 

 

YEAR OF ST JOSEPH

Pope Francis announced this week that the Church is to mark a year of special devotion to St Joseph.  The Holy Father described Joseph as a beloved father, obedient, accepting, courageous and hard-working.  The Pope sees St Joseph as a patron for this time we’re living in.   As a parish we hope to celebrate St Joseph in a special way during the year ahead.

 

A prayer to St Joseph (written by Pope Francis)

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, 

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

To you God entrusted his only Son; 

in you Mary placed her trust; 

with you Christ became man.

 

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

show yourself a father 

and guide us in the path of life. 

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, 

and defend us from every evil.  Amen.

 

 

ST VINCENT de PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Thanks to everyone who has donated so generously to the SVP Christmas Appeal this year. 

 

You can still donate in several ways:

· Collection buckets in the church.

· Online at svp.ie/donate

(please state Ballymoney, Co. Antrim in the ‘specific
location to help’ box on the donate page.

· by Phone on 02890750161

(please tell them your donation is for Ballymoney, Co. Antrim).

 

If you need help please call our conference
confidentially on 07860455549.

 

PARISH FINANCES

During November the parish received the following
contributions through envelopes and online payments:

 

Weekly Collection (for the parish):   £7148.58

Monthly Collection (for clergy):        £1192.52

Renovation Fund:                                 £1447.71

Bishops’ Commissions:                        £  353.00

 

Thank you so much for your generosity—especially in these difficult times.  Our new financial year  began during lockdown but we have been boosted by a great increase in standing orders.  Thanks to everyone who has set up a standing order and to those who have
committed to contributing by envelopes during the year ahead.  We also received an anonymous donation of £600 this week—a huge thank you for that too!

 

If you would like standing order forms or collection envelopes please contact the parish office.  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.

 

Collection envelopes can be left in the church at Mass times or left at the parochial house any time.

 

 

CONFESSIONS

There will be confessions on Friday and Saturday evenings over the next few weeks (see the timetable on the opposite page).  There will also be additional times on Christmas week.  If you can, please make a special effort to come to confession before Christmas.

 

 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS

In the current circumstances our plans for Christmas will be more limited this year.  But we still want everyone in the parish to be part of our celebrations:

 

Penitential Prayers

A video service of prayers for those who are housebound and cannot come to confession will be shown on Facebook before Christmas.  More details next week.

 

Parish Carol Service

A carol service will be shown on our webcam at 7pm on Sunday 20th December.  Unfortunately the public will not be able to be present in the church for this.

 

Come to the Manger on Christmas Eve

Not everyone will be able to come to Mass at Christmas this year.  But we would like to invite you to call in to the church on Christmas Eve afternoon to visit the crib and say a prayer.  Fr Damian will be present from 1-3pm on Christmas Eve to give a blessing, have a chat or hear confessions.  We would especially like to welcome families with young children to come and see Baby Jesus in the manger.

 

Christmas Masses

Attendance at Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day must be by ticket only this year.  There are still a final few tickets for Midnight Mass and more for 8am and 10am Mass on Christmas Day.  Tickets will be distributed on Sunday 13th December from 1.30-3.30pm at the parochial house on a first come, first served basis.  Thanks to the Pastoral Council for organising this.  All our Christmas Masses will be available to watch live on our webcam.