Parish Bulletin

20th December 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

It’s just a few days now before Christmas and, as ever, the parish is preparing with a carol service, extra times for confessions and decorating the church. But not everything is the same this year, and we know that these next few weeks will be filled with uncertainty as we approach another lockdown. Our first thoughts and prayers should always be with those who are sick and those who are caring for them. We remember too those who have lost loved ones this year.

As we reflect on the angel’s message to Mary this weekend let us ask God to bring us the good news we long for this Christmas. May Mary, the mother of Jesus, watch over us with her protective love and may God grant us all a holy, happy and healthy Christmas this week.

 

Fr Damian

 

 

CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

The Northern Ireland Executive has announced a new lockdown beginning on 26th December.  The authorities have decided that churches will remain open for private prayer and services under strict conditions.  Our current timetable for Mass will continue during that time.  Thank you to the volunteers who help us to open safely and to everyone who cooperates with the health and safety requirements in the church.

 

 

THIS WEEK

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

 

SATURDAY 19th                    5pm Confessions (until 5.30)

                                                    6pm Vigil Mass

 

SUNDAY 20th                       10am Mass

                                                       4pm Vespers & Benediction***

                                                       5pm Mass

                                                       7pm Carol Service***

 

MONDAY 21st                       10am Mass

                                                 6.45pm Penitential Prayers

                                                   7-9pm Confessions                          

 

WEDNESDAY 23rd             9am Mass***

 

THURSDAY 24th           10-11am Confessions

Christmas Eve                         1-3pm The Church will be open for visits to the crib

                                                                (Confessions available during this time)

 

                                                Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses are ticket only.

 

SATURDAY 26th                10am Mass

St Stephen’s Day                 No vigil Mass this evening

 

SUNDAY 27th                       10am Mass

The Holy Family                          4pm Vespers & Benediction***

                                                         5pm Mass

 

*** Service not open to the public.

 

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Recently Deceased

Eunan McDaid

 

Month’s Mind

Annie Roche

George McKay

Bernie Gillan

 

Anniversaries

Fr Peter Forde, Ellen Blaney, Joe Graham, Sam Graham, Cassie Hendrie, Wilma McClelland,
Roy McClintock,  Jack McCormick, Siobhan McCrystal, John McKillop, Margaret McLaughlin,
Rose McLaughlin, Sharon Murry, William (Tappy) Neill, Margaret Turner

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

 

 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS

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

 

 

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.

 

 

Penitential Prayers

A short service of prayers for those who are housebound and cannot come to confession will be shown on our webcam at 6.45pm on Monday evening.

 

 

Confessions

As listed above, there will be confessions available in the church on Monday 7-9pm, and Christmas Eve 10-11am.  Fr Damian will also be available to hear confessions on Christmas Eve afternoon between 1pm and 3pm (see note below).

 

 

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.  Those who are coming to Mass should come in good time to be seated by the stewards.  You must bring your ticket with you.  Please fill in a contact phone number on the ticket for tracing.

 

Tickets are not needed for Mass on Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Day) or Sunday 27th (the feast of the Holy Family). 

 

 

Webcam Christmas Masses

All our services will be available to watch online including our Christmas Eve Masses (5pm and 7pm) and Christmas Day (Midnight, 8am and 10am).

 

The following page has details of how to watch Masses from other parishes in our diocese:

https://www.downandconnor.org/parish-mass-online/

 

 

Christmas Mass on TV

BBC 1 - Midnight Mass from Clifton Catholic Cathedral - Christmas Eve 11.45pm

RTE 1 - Mass from Clonard, Co. Meath - Christmas Eve 11pm

RTE 1 - Mass from Morges, Switzerland - Christmas Day 10am

RTE 1 - Pope Francis -Urbi et Orbi from the Vatican - Christmas Day 11.45am.

 

EWTN is the Catholic TV channel available on Sky (channel 588).  It broadcasts Mass from their chapel in America each day.  They will also broadcast Christmas Masses from the Vatican and Washington DC.

 

 

PARISH FINANCES

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.  Thank you to everyone who has supported the parish financially this year.

 

 

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:

(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.

 

 

YEAR OF ST JOSEPH

Pope Francis has announced that the Church is to mark a year of special devotion to St Joseph in 2021.  The Holy Father sees St Joseph as a beloved father, obedient, accepting, courageous and hard-working—and 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.