Parish Bulletin

29th November 2020

First Sunday of Advent

 

This weekend the Church marks it's new year with the beginning of the season of Advent.  Over the next few weeks we will prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ - not just as a baby at the first Christmas but as our saviour today and our king and judge at the end of time.

 

As we live through another lockdown lets ask the Lord to come quickly!  May he bring healing to the sick, help to the needy, prosperity to our community and peace of heart to those who need it most.  And in the meantime, let's get ready for his coming by preparing our hearts through prayer, good deeds and seeking forgiveness for our sins.

 

Fr Damian

 

THIS WEEK

From Friday 27th November to Friday December 11th the Church will be closed for public ceremonies in line with the regulations of the Northern Ireland Executive.

 

The following services will be available to watch on YouTube this week (search for Ballymoney Parish to see our channel)

 

SUNDAY 29th                 10am  Mass

                                                  4pm Vespers & Benediction (click here for the Order of Service)

 

MONDAY 30th                 10am Mass                      

 

WEDNESDAY 2nd     9.30am Mass

 

FRIDAY 4th                        7pm Mass   

 

 

Our Lady & St Patrick's church will be open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 10am to 4pm for private prayer.

 

For confession please phone Fr Damian to make an appointment. 

 

Funerals may take place in the church during this period with a maximum of 25 attending.

 

 

 

WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

Recently Deceased

George McKay

Annie Roche

Margaret McCullagh

 

Anniversaries

Annie Blaney, Annie Coyles, Lester Durkan, Jeanie-Mary Horner, Gerry McAfee, Pat McCloy, Eileen McDaid, Bertie Wallace and all the name on our November dead lists.

 

Requiescat in Pace

 

 

MASS INTENTIONS

Due to the lockdown some of our anniversary Masses have had to be changed.  Here are the public Mass intentions for the next week:

 

Sunday: Eileen McDaid (anniversary)

Monday: Fr Christopher Gray (anniversary)

Wednesday: A parishioner who will undergo surgery soon.

Friday: Jimmy Neill (anniversary)

 

The Missa Pro Populo will be celebrated privately this weekend.

 

 

CAROLS TOGETHER 2020

Ballymoney's annual ecumenical carol service will be a virtual celebration this year!  A video of carols and prayers featuring our parish, St Patrick's Church of Ireland, Ballymoney Methodist and First Presbyterian churches will be available online from Monday 7th December at 7pm.

 

 

ST BRIGID'S PS MEGA CHRISTMAS DRAW
Due to all the restrictions there will be no Christmas Bazaar this year. Instead we will have a Mega Christmas Draw with over 20 prizes.  The tickets for the draw will be on sale up to Thursday 10th December. The draw will take place in school on Friday the 11th December. To reflect the great prizes, tickets are priced at £2.00 each or a book of 6 for £10. Many parishioners support the school draw and bazaar every year and if you would like to buy some tickets please contact the school (028 27662664) or call to the main front door.

 

ST BRIGID’S PS P1 REGISTRATION 2021 & VIRTUAL TOUR
Is your child due to start P1 in September 2021? Unfortunately, due to the COVID restrictions, we are not able to offer our usual warm and welcoming open day. So for this year, please accept our warm invitation to visit St Brigid’s PS website.

On the website there is a section, 'Starting Our School' and it contains lots of information about the school, including a wonderful video tour of the school through the eyes of the P1 children. Alternatively, if you have any questions, please ring (028 27662664) to speak to the Principal, Mr O'Neill. Registration opens Thursday 7 January and closes at 12 noon on Saturday 30 January.

 

 

ST VINCENT de PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

This year the SVP Christmas appeal will be a bit different due to the pandemic.  Instead of handing out toys and gifts the conference will be helping out families in need with vouchers.  We are asking for financial help to buy all those vouchers. 

 

You can 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).

 

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. Our conference wishes everyone a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.

 

 

NOVEMBER INDULGENCES FOR THE HOLY SOULS

A plenary indulgence is granted for the souls in purgatory to those who come to a church and pray for the dead or who visit a cemetery during the month of November, under the usual conditions.

 

 

PARISH GIFT BAGS

These are being distributed to parishioners whose addresses we have from last year.  Thank you to the
volunteers who have helped with the deliveries!

 

If you haven't received a bag please contact the parish office to request one.

 

Parish Census

A pink parish census form is included.  Please consider filling this in so that we can update the parish records and keep in touch more easily in the future.  When completed, the pink form should be brought to Mass or sent in to the parochial house.

 

Parish Finance

If you have previously registered with us your bag will include a new box of envelopes for 2020-21.  All the bags have standing order forms and details of how to contribute online.   If you need envelopes please see Fr Damian after Mass.

 

Standing Orders

This year we would like to encourage parishioners to make their offertory contributions by monthly
standing order.   To set up a regular standing order you can fill in the white form (Form B) and take it to your own bank.  Alternatively if you have internet banking you can set up the standing order yourself online.

 

We then ask you to fill in the yellow form (Form A).  It allows you to divide up your monthly contribution between the different collections and to sign up for gift aid.  Please bring the form to Mass or send it to the parochial house.

 

Thank you very much for your support of all the parish collections.  We are very grateful for your offerings.

 

 

CHRISTMAS MASSES

To allow for social distancing our Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year will be ticket only.  There will be a further distribution of tickets after the lockdown.  Tickets will be allocated on a strictly first come first served basis.  All our Christmas Masses will be available to watch on our webcam.