Parish Bulletin
19th December 2021
Fourth Sunday of Advent
We have reached the last week of Advent now and the Sunday Gospel invites us to join Mary and her cousin Elizabeth during their pregnancies. Both these women have been greatly blessed by God and together they give thanks for all that the Lord has done for them.
As we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in just a few days time, let's remember to give thanks to God for all the ways that he has blessed us. May the Lord watch over all of us and give us a holy and happy Christmas.
Fr Damian
THIS WEEK & NEXT
Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel
(search for Ballymoney Parish)
SATURDAY 18th 6pm Vigil Mass
SUNDAY 19th 10am Mass
4pm Advent Vespers & Benediction
5pm Mass
MONDAY 20th 10am Mass
6.45pm Penitential Prayers (online only)
7-8.30pm Confessions
FRIDAY 24th 10-11am Confessions
Christmas Eve 1-3pm Confessions available
Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be ticket only due to social distancing requirements.
SUNDAY 26th 10am Mass
Holy Family 5pm Mass
MONDAY 27th 10am Mass
FRIDAY 31st 5.30pm Confessions
New Year’s Eve 7pm Mass, Te Deum & Benediction
Our Lady & St Patrick’s is open every day for private prayer—usually from 11am to 4pm.
WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Anniversaries
Fr Peter Forde, Teresa Cuddy, Wilma McClelland, Roy McClintock, John McKeever,
Sarah McSheffrey, Vera McSheffrey, William Neill
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
PARISH FINANCES
Thank you for your support of our parish collections. Envelopes can be left in the church at Mass times or at the parochial house. You can also set up a standing
order or make a one-off payment with these details:
Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan
Sort code: 95-06-79
Account No: 10020192.
Please make cheques payable to:
Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan
BETHANY BEREAVEMENT CHRISTMAS TREE
Christmas is often the time when we most miss our loved ones who have died. It’s good to remember and pray for the Holy Souls during these days. Our parish Bethany team have put up a Christmas tree at the back of the church. Everyone is welcome to write down the name of a loved one who has died and to place it on a branch of the tree. The names will be remembered in prayer throughout the Christmas season.
CONFESSIONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Confessions will be available at the following times:
Sat Dec 18th 5-5.30pm
Mon Dec 20th 7-8.30pm
Christmas Eve 10-11am; 1-3pm
There will also be penitential prayers for the housebound on the webcam at 6.45pm on Monday 20th.
CHRISTMAS EVE—COME TO THE MANGER
Not everyone can come to Christmas Masses this year, but we would like to extend an open invitation to everyone to come and visit the church on Christmas Eve. Between 1pm and 3pm the Church will be open for prayer and to view the crib. Fr Damian will be present to hear confessions or have a chat. Please encourage your family, friends or neighbours to call in to the Church at this time and enjoy a moment of God’s peace and blessing this Christmas Eve.
CHRISTMAS TV BROADCASTS
There are a number of Masses and religious services on television over Christmas.
BBC 1—Midnight Mass 11.45pm on Christmas Eve
RTE 1—Mass 11pm on Christmas Eve
Mass 10am and the Pope’s Urbi et Orbi 11.55 on Christmas Day
The EWTN Catholic channel has Masses, devotions and other religious programmes 24 hours a day (Sky ch. 589). They will be showing Christmas Masses from the Vatican and from Bethlehem.
OLD & NEW@No.5
There’s 25% off all Christmas decorations at our parish shop and there’s still a good selection to choose from! Our recycled figures and our silver stags are also particularly popular, along with our ceramic Santas and snowmen.
This week we’ll be open 10-4.30 on Wednesday and Thursday and 10-4 on Christmas Eve! Find us at No. 5 Gate End.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
We are asking for your financial help to buy vouchers and you can donate in several ways:
- Red box collection in the church at Mass times.
- Online at www.svp-ni.co.uk
- by Phone on 02890750161
Our conference continues to support our local community. If you need help please call us
confidentially on 07860455549. We would like to thank you for your very generous ongoing support.
ST BRIGID’S PS P1 REGISTRATION
Is your child due to start P1 in September 2022? Due to restrictions we are once again offering an online tour of the school on our website through the eyes of our P1 children. If you would like to make an appointment to come and view the school, or, have any questions about St Brigid's PS, please contact Mr O'Neill on 028 27662664. Registration opens Monday 10 January and closes at 12 noon on Friday 28 January.