Parish Bulletin
5th December 2021
Second Sunday of Advent
In this Sunday's Gospel we hear from St John the Baptist. John’s message is that we must prepare ourselves to meet the Saviour when he comes—and the most important thing we can do is repent of our sins.
For Catholics that repentance should come easily. We learn from an early age how to say sorry to God in confession and receive his forgiveness. But how many of us go to confession regularly nowadays...? This week let’s take St John’s message to heart and make a commitment to go to confession before Christmas comes. There will be confessions after the Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday this weekend plus several more chances to go in the coming weeks.
Fr Damian
THIS WEEK
Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel
(search for Ballymoney Parish)
SATURDAY 4th 6pm Vigil Mass
SUNDAY 5th 10am Mass
4pm Advent Vespers & Benediction
5pm Mass
MONDAY 6th 10am Mass
WEDNESDAY 8th 10am Mass
Immaculate Conception 7pm Mass
FRIDAY 10th 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
Oliver Delaney, Kathleen Donaghy, Lester Durkan, John McAleese, Rosetta McKay,
Gerard Mooney, Jimmy Neill, Margaret Rodgers
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
PRAYING FOR OUR PARISH
This week we pray for the McAleese, McAlister, McKay and Moore households.
CONGRATULATIONS
to the family of Finn Hartin who was baptised in Our Lady & St Patrick’s last week.
PARISH FINANCES
Thank you for your support of our parish collections. Envelopes can be left in the church at Mass times or at the parochial house anytime. 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
CHRISTMAS MASSES
Tickets for our Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 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
Please note that all arrangements are provisional and may need to change depending on regulations.
ADVENT DEVOTIONS
Our Sunday afternoon devotions are open to the public during the four weeks of Advent. Vespers & Benediction will be celebrated at 4pm each week.
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.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
The feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception is on Wednesday this week (December 8th). Due to Covid there is no obligation to attend Mass, but for those who can attend there will be Mass at 10am and 7pm. Children from St Brigid’s Primary School will be joining us for the 10am Mass.
ST VINCENT de PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
We are asking for your financial help to buy vouchers and you can donate in several ways:
(please specify your donation is for Ballymoney, Co.
Antrim.)
(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.
GARDEN OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the appeal for our garden of remembrance for those who have lost babies. We have now raised £2600—well over our target of £2500.
Work on the garden will continue over the winter and we hope to formally open it and bless it next year.
ST BRIGID'S PS MEGA CHRISTMAS DRAW
Due to restrictions there will be no Christmas Bazaar again 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 16th December. The draw will take place in school on Friday the 17th 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
Is your child due to start P1 in September 2022? Due to restrictions we are once again offering an online tour of the school on our website through the eyes of our P1 children. If you would like to make an appointment to come and view the school, or, have any questions about St Brigid's PS, please contact Mr O'Neill on 028 27662664. Registration opens Monday 10 January and closes at 12 noon on Friday 28 January.