Parish Bulletin

February 14th 2021

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

It only seems a few days since Christmas, but Lent is starting this week.  Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and although we won’t be having ashes this year we can all get Lent off to a great start with fast and abstinence.

 

These next six weeks are all about cutting out sin, building up our self control and turning to God.  If we do it well, we will be much better Christians by the time Easter comes.  We have so much to look forward to in the weeks and months to come - until then let’s have a good and holy Lent!

 

Fr Damian

 

 

THIS WEEK

all services available to watch on our YouTube channel.  

 

Sunday  .   .   .   .   .   .  10am Mass

                                         4pm Devotions  click here for the Order of Service

 

Monday  .   .   .   .   .   .  10am Mass

 

Wednesday .   .   .   .   .   9am Mass

ASH WEDNESDAY

 

Friday  .   .   .   .   .   .   .   7pm Mass

 

See below for details of Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 8pm.

 

 

WE PRAY FOR OUR FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Month’s Mind

Eoin Stewart

 

Anniversaries

May Kelly, Jack Laverty, Mollie Laverty, Peg McAlister, Elizabeth McCloy, Paddy Quigg, Willie Quinn, Lizzie Scullin.

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

 

 

GETTING READY FOR LENT

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday this week, February 17th.  There are a number of ways to mark the season at home with prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

 

Ash Wednesday - Day of Fast & Abstinence  

The Church asks all Catholics aged between 14 and 60 (and who are in good health) to commit to fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday each year.  On these days we:

 

Fast - eat one simple meal with up to two small snacks, if needed.

Abstain - eat no meat.

 

By following this we join with hundreds of millions of Catholics around the world in an act of prayer and penance for sin.  Please make every effort to follow the fast on Wednesday.

 

Trocaire Lent Appeal 

Trocaire is the aid agency set up by the Irish Catholic Bishops to support the third world.  The annual Lenten appeal has begun and envelopes are now available from the church with Trocaire boxes and details about how to donate to Trocaire by post or online.

 

Stations of the Cross 

With the church closed for public services we can’t come together for the stations as normal this Lent.  Instead we invite parishioners to pray them online with our friends on the Catholic Minute Facebook page on Fridays at 8pm.  We’ll put up a link on our parish Facebook page too.

 

You are welcome to pray the Stations of the Cross yourself when the church is open for private prayer.

 

Lenten Pioneer Pledge

Many people choose to abstain from alcohol during Lent. Why not take this opportunity to perhaps help yourself or someone you know with an alcohol or drug problem by offering your sacrifice for freedom from addiction? Please consider taking the short-term Lenten Pledge and make a difference to someone's life and say the following daily prayer:

 

"I promise in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary to abstain from all alcoholic drink during Lent."

 

Lectio Divina sessions  

This year Living Church is providing resources for a 5-week online programme which will be run by by Portstewart parish and the UUC Chaplaincy team. The programme is open to everyone across the North Connor Pastoral Community.  It will be an opportunity for people to come together online, pray with scripture and share their insights. 

 

Each week we will look at the Old Testament reading from Sunday Mass with a teaching video and then a Lectio Divina (prayerful reading) of the Gospel passage.  The programme will run on Monday evenings from 22nd February to 22nd March inclusive starting at 7.30pm - registration details will follow. 

 

 

CATHOLIC MINUTE

Catholic Minute are based in Portstewart and have worked with our parish on several projects over the last year.  The team invite you to join with them for online prayer during the week.  With daily scripture reflections, the rosary, intercessory prayer, and reflective music, you can be part of a community that wants to find our treasure in God. There is prayer each morning live on Facebook at 9am and in the evenings too. Why not tune in this Lent for some spiritual time-out with God! Everyone is welcome to join, just click here. 

 

 

ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED IN 2021 or 2022?

It is a requirement for a Catholic marriage that the couple do a pre-marriage course before the big day. An online marriage preparation course on Zoom is planned for 27th-28th March 2021. This 2-day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship.  For more information or to book a place contact marriageencounter.ie or phone 028 27638512.

 

  

PARISH FINANCES

Thank you for your support of our parish collections.  In these difficult times we greatly appreciate the financial support we receive.

 

 

In this lockdown period collection envelopes can be 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.

 

 

LOCKDOWN ARRANGEMENTS

During the current lockdown period our arrangements will be as follows:

 

Church opening:

Our Lady & St Patrick's church is open for private prayer only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 12noon to 4pm.

 

Confessions:

Please contact Fr Damian to make an appointment for confession.

 

Funerals:

Requiem Mass and funeral services will take place under strict conditions.  A maximum of 25 people are allowed in the church for these services.

 

Baptisms:

Please contact Fr Damian if you wish to organise a baptism.

 

Sick calls:

Normal house visits are not permitted at this time.  In an emergency please phone the parochial house.

 

If the sick person is in hospital and requires the last rites please ask a member of staff to phone the priest on call.