Parish Bulletin

30th August 2020

Twenty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

In our Sunday Gospel reading this week, Jesus explains that to do his Father’s will and save us from death he must go to Jerusalem, suffer and die.  He also tells his friends that he will rise again on the third day - but they don’t understand what he means and his words upset them.

We too experience suffering and sadness in life at times and as Christians we know that this is what it means to take up our cross and follow Jesus.  But we shouldn’t lose sight of the hope the Lord wants to give us.  The kingdom of heaven is real and there will be a resurrection.  And even now the Lord promises us that he is always with us and, indeed, that he is especially close to the broken hearted.  May the Lord give us all hope for the future and help when we need it the most.

God bless,

Fr Damian

WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED

Anniversaries:

Christine Carr, Eileen Derry, Archie Elliott, Pat Fleming, Margaret Kelly, Johnny & Florence Kirgan, Rose & Patsy Lynch, Mary McLaughlin, Bena McQuaid, John Maxwell, Hugh O’Boyle, Ryan Robinson (1st anniversary). 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord

COVID-19 

From this weekend the parish asks that anyone visiting the Church for Mass or private prayer would use a face mask if they are able to.

We also ask that if anyone who attends Mass or visits the church should test positive for the virus in the future that they would let us know as soon as possible.  The parish will then contact the health authorities immediately to get guidance on what steps to take to minimise the risk to others. 

CHURCH WEBCAM

Our Lady & St Patrick’s now has a permanent webcam which will allow almost all ceremonies in the church to be viewed by people at home.  The new webcam is accessed through the parish YouTube account.

If you have a YouTube account please subscribe and click the bell icon on the parish page to get updates of all our broadcasts.

MASSES AND SERVICES THIS WEEK

As we deal with the pandemic the obligation to attend Mass remains suspended.  Parishioners are invited to attend one Mass next weekend from the following options: 

Friday     . .    .    .   7pm

Saturday     . .    .    .  6pm

Sunday     . .    .    .  10am  or 5pm

Monday     . .    .    .   10am

When you arrive you will be greeted by a steward and shown to a seat.  If the church is filled to capacity at any Mass it will not be possible for anyone else to attend. 

In addition there will be Vespers & Benediction on Sunday at 4pm and Mass on Wednesday at 10am - these two services will not be open to the public but will be streamed online.

Those who have symptoms or who are vulnerable are asked not to attend at this time.

CONFESSIONS

Confessions will be available in Our Lady & St Patrick’s this week on Friday evening from 5.30-6.30pm.

CHURCH OPENING 

Our Lady & St Patrick’s will be open for private prayer 12noon-4pm on the days when Mass is celebrated - Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

FORTHCOMING CLOSURE

Please note that Our Lady & St Patrick’s will be closed for the weekend of September 11-14th.  During these days Fr Damian will be away and it is planned that the church building will be more intensively cleaned.  Sunday Mass will be available to watch online only that weekend.

PARISH FINANCE

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the parish finances.  We know many people are worried about their own family finances at this time, so it means a great deal that some people are able to support the parish too. 

If you want to make an offering you can leave your envelope through the door of the Parochial House at any time.  Collection envelopes may also be left in the church at Mass time.  If you’re shielding at the moment just save your envelopes at home until we’re all out and about again!

You can also make a payment online to the parish account or set up a regular standing order using the following details:

Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan

Sort code: 95-06-79 

Account No: 10020192.  

(If you are someone who normally pays by envelope, please use your envelope number as a reference.)

ST VINCENT de PAUL

Our parish conference is still running and they are doing great work to help people in need of practical assistance at this time.  For confidential help contact their answerphone on 07860 455 549.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK (LAST RITES)

Regular visits to the sick by the priest or Minister of Holy Communion are suspended.  However emergency call outs are being carried out as normal.  Please contact the Parochial House (or if it’s for a hospital patient, ask the staff to contact the priest on call).