Parish Bulletin

20th February 2022

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

In the Gospel this Sunday we hear the famous teaching of Jesus that his followers should turn the other cheek.  But it’s a teaching that has often been misunderstood.  To some people it sounds cowardly, as if we shouldn’t stand up to evil but rather roll over and take it.

 

But that’s not what Jesus means at all.  When we are attacked we tend to ’fight or flight’ - react aggressively or just run away.  But to turn the other cheek means to do something else—to stand up and keep on going.  If someone offends us we shouldn’t stoop to their level or let them scare us off.  A Christian keeps going and doesn’t let someone else’s sin affect them.  And there’s a great example of this in the First Reading as we hear how David dealt with the unfair and aggressive attacks on him by King Saul.  Let’s ask God to help us understand what Jesus is truly teaching us through these words.

 

Fr Damian

 

 

 

THIS WEEK

Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel
(search for Ballymoney Parish)

 

SATURDAY 19th                   6pm Vigil Mass

 

SUNDAY 20th                      10am Mass

                                                  5pm Mass

 

MONDAY 21st                     10am Mass

 

WEDNESDAY 23rd          9.30am Mass (Online only)

FRIDAY 25th            5.30-6.30pm Confessions

                                                 7pm Mass

                                               

Our Lady & St Patrick’s is open every day for private prayer—usually from 11am to 4pm.

 

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Recently Deceased
Brian Mullaghan, Sligo

Ethna McCloskey, Belfast

 

Anniversaries
Denise Byrne, Annie Doherty, Anne Martin, Sam Ward

 

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

 

 

RELAXATION OF COVID RESTRICTIONS

Please click here to find out about the changes to Covid restrictions in the church from this month.

 

 

 

PARISH FINANCES

Thank you for your support of all 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

 

 

 

BROADCAST MASS

Thank you to everyone who participated in the broadcast Mass last Sunday morning.  The producers were particularly complimentary about the congregation singing the simple parts of the Mass—well done to you all! 

 

A special word of congratulations should go to Aimee Doherty and Carmel McCaughern for leading the music, to the reader, Emma Quigg, to Sr Rosemary Gallagher who joined us from the Causeway Hospital chaplaincy team, and to our sacristan Noel Burns.

 

The broadcast is available on the BBC website for the next three weeks.

 

 

 

OLD & NEW@No.5

Our parish shop is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm and you’ll find us at 5 Gate End.

 

 

 

ONLINE LENT STUDY COURSE: THE PSALMS

The programme will run from 7-8.30pm on either:

Tues 1st March  for 6 weeks until Tues 5th April 

or

Thurs 3rd March  for 6 weeks until Thurs 7th April                                                                                                          

 

To register, please contact  Kieran Hill stating your preference to attend either the Tuesday or Thursday evening session. kc.hill@btinternet.com  or  07964287839

 

 

 

ST VINCENT DE PAUL

If you need help or you would like to find out more about getting involved in the work of the SVP contact us on 07860 455 549 or by speaking to any member of the society.

 

 

 

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

The Down & Connor Pilgrimage to Lourdes returns this year after a two year gap.  It runs for five nights from 13-18 July and costs £685.  Our pilgrimage includes the celebration of Masses (including at the grotto), celebrations of Sacrament of the Sick and Confession, participation in the Blessed Sacrament and Candlelight rosary processions and the Stations of the Cross.  There is also plenty of free time for personal prayer and relaxation in this beautiful town in the south of France.

 

Due to Covid restrictions there will be no medical or nursing support available this year.  Pilgrims must be able to travel independently or be accompanied by someone who can provide for all their care and support needs.

 

Application forms are available from the sacristy before or after Mass.  For further information please contact the pilgrimage office in Belfast: 028 9077 0162 or email lourdes@downandconnor.org

 

 

 

SYNOD 2021-2023

Pope Francis has asked the whole Church to prepare for the next Synod of Bishops in Rome by taking part in a process of discernment.  He wants us to talk and listen about what path the Holy Spirit is directing the Church to follow at this time.  In our parish you can take part in this by answering some questions set by Bishop Noel Treanor.  This process will start next week.  Other opportunities to get involved in this exercise in our diocese will be announced in the next few weeks.

 

Synod Prayer (Adsumus)

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.  With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts.  Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.  We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.  Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.  All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen