Parish Bulletin
11th April 2021
Feast of Divine Mercy
This weekend we celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy which takes place on the Sunday after Easter. The Gospel reading tells us how Jesus gave his apostles the authority to forgive sins in his name—the beginning of the sacrament of confession.
In the 1930s a Polish nun called Sr Faustina had visions of Jesus who asked her to make better known his mercy for sinners. In the visions the Lord appeared with white and red rays of light pouring from his heart, which represented the blood and water that poured out as he died on the cross. Sr Faustina is now a saint and Pope St John Paul made this day a feast of mercy and granted a special indulgence.
The feast reminds us that Christ wants to give us a all a fresh start and new life - no matter what sins or mistakes we have made in the past.
Fr Damian
THIS WEEK
Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel
(search for Ballymoney Parish)
SATURDAY 10th 5pm Confessions (until 5.30pm)
Easter Saturday 6pm Vigil Mass
SUNDAY 11th 10am Mass
Divine Mercy 3pm Divine Mercy Devotions
Sunday 5pm Mass
MONDAY 12th 10am Mass
WEDNESDAY 14th 9.30am Mass (not open to public, online only)
FRIDAY 16th 5.30pm Confessions (until 6.30)
7pm Mass
Our Lady & St Patrick’s church is open Friday to Monday from 12noon to 4pm for private prayer.
WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Month’s Mind
Paul Downey
Anniversaries
Hannah Crawley, Christopher Dunlop, Catherine Greene, Joe Greene, Veronica Greene,
Elizabeth McClements, John-Joe McMullan, Patricia Maxwell, Daniel Osborne
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
Sunday (11th April) is the feast of Divine Mercy. The Church grants a plenary indulgence to those who venerate the Divine Mercy image on this day and who have both gone to confession (within 21 days either side) and received Holy Communion (on, or as close to the day as possible).
The image of Divine Mercy will be venerated at both the 10am and 5pm Masses next Sunday. Our afternoon devotions will be at the earlier time of 3pm and will be open to the public. They will begin with veneration of the image and the chaplet of Divine Mercy before our usual Vespers & Benediction.
Confessions will be available this week on Friday evening (5.30-6.30pm) and on Saturday evening
(5-5.30pm).
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
PARISH FINANCES
Thank you for your support of our parish collections. Collection envelopes can be left in the church at Mass times or left at the parochial house any time. 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.
Please make cheques payable to:
Parish of Ballymoney & Derrykeighan
CORONAVIRUS VACCINES
Just a reminder that Catholics are encouraged to take the coronavirus vaccine when it is offered to them. The Bishops of Ireland recently said in a joint statement:
"The Catholic Church recognises that safe and effective vaccination is an essential aspect of the prevention of disease. We are encouraging Catholics to support a programme of vaccination, not only for their own good, but for the protection of life and the health of those who are vulnerable and for the common good of humanity."
TROCAIRE LENT APPEAL
You can leave Trocaire boxes in the church at Mass times or put your offering in an envelope marked Trocaire and post it in the letterbox of the parochial house. Donations to Trocaire can also be sent directly by post or online. The UK government will match donations from Northern Ireland residents received by May 16th.
CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTS
The Sacraments of First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are being organised at this time. Dates for children at St Brigid’s Primary School and Ballymoney Model Integrated will be announced through the schools.
If you have a child who attends a different school please contact the parish office to arrange their sacraments:
First Confession: children currently in P3 (or older).
First Communion: children in P4 or older (who have already made First Confession).
Confirmation: children in P7 or older (who have already made First Confession and First Communion).
REGINA CAELI
During the Easter season the Church often prays a prayer to Our Lady called the Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven). From Easter Sunday until Pentecost it replaces the Angelus at 12noon and 6pm. It is also chanted (usually in Latin) in religious communities after Mass and the Divine Office and as the last prayer before bed.
Here are the words in Latin and English:
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.