Parish Bulletin
16th May 2021
The Ascension of the Lord
This weekend the Church in Ireland is celebrating the feast of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. As we hear in the readings, forty days after his resurrection, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives from where he ascended.
But before he left from their sight, the Lord promised them that he would always be with them and that he would soon send them the Holy Spirit. We know that Jesus is always with us in prayer, when we read his Word in the Scriptures and most of all in the Eucharist. We also know that he has given us the Holy Spirit at our baptism and our confirmation.
May we all feel the presence of Jesus in our lives this week and may we know that he is with us always.
Fr Damian
THIS WEEK
Parish webcam can be viewed on our YouTube channel
(search for Ballymoney Parish)
SATURDAY 15th 5pm Confessions (until 5.30pm)
6pm Vigil Mass
SUNDAY 16th 10am Mass
4pm Vespers & Benediction (not open to public)
5pm Mass
MONDAY 17th 10am Mass
WEDNESDAY 19th 9.30am Mass (not open to public)
FRIDAY 21st 5.30pm Confessions (until 6.30pm)
7pm Mass
Our Lady & St Patrick’s is open Friday to Monday from 12noon to 4pm for private prayer.
WE PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Recently Deceased
Marie McConville
Alan Miller
Anniversaries
William Blaney, Martha Cochrane, Moira Daillott, Cissie Doherty, Eoin Henry,
Charles Hennon, Berna Kearney, James John Kelly, Robert Kelly,Martin McAuley, Neal O’Boyle,
Henry O’Loan, Patrick O’Sullivan
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
CONGRATULATIONS
to the family of Alfie Holmes who was baptised here last weekend
and to all the children who made their First Confession here over the last two weeks.
CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTS
Here are the dates for Children’s Sacraments in the next few weeks:
First Holy Communion
Saturday May 22nd—St Brigid’s Primary School
Saturday May 29th—Other schools
Confirmation
Tuesday June 9th—All candidates
PRAYING WITH OUR LADY IN MAY
There are many different ways to show our devotion to Mary during her month of May:
Set up a May altar in your home as a place where the family can pray together.
Pray the rosary. Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world to pray the rosary each day of May for the special intention of ending the coronavirus
pandemic. Each evening at 5pm our time the rosary will be prayed at the Vatican and Marian shrines around the world.
May crowning. On Monday 24th May there will be
special devotions in Our Lady & St Patrick at 7pm to mark the month of May. Our Lady’s statue will be crowned and we will pray the rosary and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
NOVENA PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Nine day novenas are a popular way to pray for a special intention. This tradition goes back to the apostles who spent the nine days after the ascension of Jesus in prayer with Our Lady. On the morning of the tenth day they received the gift of the Holy Spirit—the first Pentecost.
Ever since it has been a custom to pray a novena to the Holy Spirit between the feasts of the Ascension (this weekend) and Pentecost (next weekend). This is something you may wish to do at home this week:
Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.
O Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil.
And so, Holy Spirit, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your seven-fold gifts and the grace of [mention your intention here].
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
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