Parish Bulletin

28th November 2021

First Sunday of Advent

 

As Advent begins we enter a new liturgical year and we prepare ourselves afresh for the coming of Christ.  This year Pope Francis has invited us to practice and reflect on what he calls synodality—a way of being Christian which focuses on listening to each other and
praying together so that we can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and proclaim Jesus Christ to the world.

 

The starting point of this journey begins with our own personal prayer and reflection. "Prayer opens hearts. It opens the ear to a listening that is more than hearing and makes us attentive to the action of the Spirit in our lives.”  The run up to Christmas can be very busy but it should be a time to focus on our prayer.   As we pray this week let’s ask God to bless the Church and our parish in this coming year.  May we also reflect on the needs of people in our community.

 

 

THIS WEEK

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

 

SATURDAY 27th     6pm Vigil Mass

 

SUNDAY 28th         10am Mass

                                     4pm Advent Vespers & Benediction

                                     5pm Mass

 

MONDAY 29th        10am Mass

 

WEDNESDAY 1st    10am Mass (online only)

 

FRIDAY 3rd          5.30pm 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

 

Anniversaries
Fr Christopher Gray, Annie Blaney, John Boyle, Mary Ellen Elliott, May Hanna,  
Catherine Kelly, John Francis McAfee, Gerry McAfee, Margaret McCullagh,
Eileen McDaid, June O’Kane, Bertie Wallace

 

and all the names on our November dead lists

 

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

    

 

PRAYING FOR OUR PARISH

This week we pray for the McKeever, McGothigan, O'Neill and Smyth households.

 

 

 

ADVENT DEVOTIONS

Our Sunday afternoon devotions will be open to the public during the four weeks of Advent (beginning this Sunday, 28th November).  Vespers & Benediction will be celebrated at 4pm each week.

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Social distancing is expected to remain in place throughout the winter so we will be operating a ticket system for Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in order that as many people as possible can come.   

 

Tickets will be available from the Parish Hall on
Sunday December 5th between 1pm and 4pm for the following Masses:

 

Christmas Eve Vigils:      5pm and 7pm

Midnight Mass:                 12 midnight

Christmas Morning:         10am

 

 

 

ST VINCENT de PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

This year the SVP Christmas  Appeal will be a bit different again due to the Covid restrictions. Instead of distributing toys and gifts we will be providing vouchers to parents & carers to allow them to provide gifts for their children.  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

(if you give online or by phone please specify your donation is for Ballymoney, Co. Antrim).

 

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.

 

 

 

CAROLS TOGETHER

Our annual ecumenical carol service will take place on Monday 6th December at 7pm.

Due to Covid regulations the carol service will take place in just one outdoor location this year —the
Garden of Reflection behind the Church of Ireland hall on Queen Street. 

 

 

 

CONFESSIONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas we should all make use of the sacrament of confession.  Next
Saturday/Sunday (4/5th December) confessions will be available after every Mass.  In addition to our normal confession times on Friday evenings there will be an evening of confessions (7-8.30pm) on Monday 20th December and extra time for confessions on Christmas Eve.

 

 

 

PARISH FINANCES

Thank you for your support of our parish collections.  Although these have been difficult times for many households you have continued to give great support to our parish and to the regular diocesan and charitable collections.  May God bless you for your generosity—and keep up the good work!

 

Boxes of envelopes for the next year are available at the back of the church at Mass times.  Boxes will be delivered to those who are not attending Mass over the next few weeks.

 

An increasing number of parishioners now make their contribution through a standing order. This is a very convenient way to pay.  Standing order forms are also available in the church.  Form A should be sent to your bank and Form B left in to the parochial house.

 

You can also set up a standing order online or make a one-off payment to our account with these details:

 

Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

Sort code: 95-06-79 

Account No: 10020192.

 

Please make cheques payable to:

Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

 

 

 

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

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.