All churches will be closed for public liturgy from Friday 27 November to Thursday 10th December inclusive.

 Churches can open for funerals, with attendance restricted to 25, and for private prayer.

Mass will be celebrated each day in St. Patrick's and St. Brigid's at 10am and will be broadcast on the webcam.

There will be no Vigil Mass on Saturday 28th November or Saturday5th December.

The Rosary will continue to be broadcast each day Monday to Saturday at 3pm.

St Patrick's & St Brigid's Church will be open for private prayer from 10.30am to 4pm each day.

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Saint Vincent de Paul Society

Christmas cards

Available in the church porch after Vigil and Sunday morning Masses.

(Card are nor for sale as such, but donations for the cards gratefully accepted)

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SVdP Annual Appeal

Whilst the need to support families living in poverty will be greater than ever, the safety of our volunteers, of those who traditionally donated gifts / food, and of the families who would have received these donations is paramount.

That's why, instead of collecting and distributing food and toys, we have decided to provide gift vouchers this year, keeping the handling of goods to a minimum and empowering the families to choose their own food and the gifts their kids wake up to on Christmas morning.

If you are able to support our Christmas Appeal, we would be very grateful for any monetary help or vouchers.

Annual Appeal weekend is coming up on Sat 12th and Sun 13th Dec.

We are very grateful for your continued support and wish you all a safe and healthy festive season as we all experience a different kind of Christmas.

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Advent Prayer Resources for the home, the domestic church:

https://www.northernpastoral.network/news--resources#

https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/2020/11/11/liturgical-resources-advent-2020/

and an online Advent retreat:

https://www.thehookoffaith.com/single-post/mini-retreat-for-advent

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Please consider, if your present circumstances allow,

making a donation to the parish.

Scroll down to the very bottom of this webpage

to see methods of doing so. 

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Parish church webcam

https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-patricks-and-st-brigids-church-ballycastle

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 Mass 7 days a week at 10am (and also at 6.30pm on Saturdays, except for Sat 28th Nov and Sat 5th Dec)

Please remember that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday remains suspended.

Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet from Monday to Saturday at 3pm.

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Pictures below of some of the posters, hand sanitiser facilities and seating arrangements in the church.

FACE COVERINGS IN CHURCHES

The Church leaders in Ireland, including Archbishop Eamon Martin, following recent consultations with public health authorities, are formally recommending and encouraging the use of face coverings at all Masses and other liturgical celebrations.

It should however be noted that some people are exempt from the wearing of face coverings, as outlined in public health agency guidance: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-face-coverings

It has become increasingly clear that the wearing of face coverings, in conjunction with hand washing etc, is likely to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, thus helping to protect others. The use of face coverings is therefore one way in which we can evidence protection for the most vulnerable, support for our health workers and practical love for our neighbour.

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 An Act of Spiritual Communion.

“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire you with all my heart.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already in my heart
and unite myself to you completely.
Please do not let me ever by separated from you.”

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 We pray for all our deceased parishioners, relatives and friends, remembering especially those who have died recently

     Jim McIIroy (Kilrea; formerly Ballycastle)

Thomas Duffy (Belfast & Dublin)

Ann Chapman (Fermanagh)

and

Sean Smith (Belfast)

and those whose anniversaries occur at this time:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

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Due to the Coronavirus situation all are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation. Mass, without a congregation, is celebrated in the parish church daily at 10am and can be viewed on the webcam or listened to on the parish CB radio. (Webcam viewing can also be  be accessed on www.mcnmedia.tv. [by clicking on “cameras”, then “churches”, then “Co. Antrim”, and then “Ballycastle”]. Please also note a set top box is needed for those parishioners who wish to view on their televisions; however internet is still required. The webcam can be viewed on laptop, PC, smart phone, kindle etc. If you have the internet and wish to view the Church on your TV, this will involve having a set-top box installed on your TV. For further information please contact Seamus McNichol, MCN Media on 07732329066)

To read and pray with today’s Mass readings

go to https://www.catholicireland.net/readings/

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All enquiries to Fr. Brian Daly, P.P., 20762223; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Parish emergency mobile number 07809553349 

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Sacrament of Reconciliation - confessions

The ordinary means of receiving the Lord’s forgiveness, for the sins we commit after Baptism, is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Church’s faith in the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy, given in this Sacrament, is based on John 20:21-23, where the Lord told His disciples that, just as the Father sent Him, so He is now sending them. The Gospel says, “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. Those whose sins you retain, they are retained’. It is, therefore, not the priest who forgives sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is Jesus Himself Who reconciles us to the Father, through His Holy Spirit, sent forth and poured out among us. The priest, however, is God’s minister, acting in God’s Name. This is the normal and ordinary means of receiving God’s pardon but it is NOT THE ONLY MEANS. And we are not currently living in normal or ordinary times. God NEVER refuses His mercy and forgiveness when we sincerely ask it from Him. He ALWAYS forgives us when we turn to Him in sincere sorrow for the wrong we have done. During this current danger and crisis sacramental confession and absolution is still available when reasonably requested by a penitent, whilst observing social distancing and any other restrictions that are in place to protect lives and prevent the spread of the virus. Parishioners are reminded of the longstanding pastoral practice, when penitent’s access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is restricted, that they can be assured that their sins are forgiven if they make an act of contrition with a firm resolve to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation after the stay at home orders are lifted; such is in line with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Pope Francis spoken on this in a homily on March 20th.

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Sacrament of the Sick – anointing

During this emergency please note that for calls to private houses for emergencies it is requested that only one other person be in the room with the sick person, and that for calls to hospital only designated chaplains are allowed to visit, and then only in emergency as agreed with the family and the medical personnel.

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Bethany Bereavement Support

Regretfully home visits by the parish bereavement support group are being discontinued during the current outbreak of coronavirus. A member of the Bethany Group, however, may still be contacted confidentially on 07519  471481.

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Saint Vincent De Paul Helpline 07754722022

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For more notices please click on the "Parish News" section in the main menu on the left hand column of this page.

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For information on Parish Graveyards please go to 'Parish News' section of this website.

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Sunday Church Collections

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.

Thank you to everyone who is managing to make contributions at this difficult time

               OFFERTORY ENVELOPES, 2020 / 2021    

Each year we remind parishioners of the Standing Order option, but his year in particular we strongly encourage all to consider filling up a Standing Order form. Please also consider signing a Gift Aid form - if you use your envelope or contribute by Standing Order and pay TAX you can sign a GIFT AID FORM, which will enable the parish to claim (from the Government) an additional 28p roughly for every £1 contributed to the parish.

Standing Order forms (FORM A, with Gift Aid tick box, to be returned to the parish office, and FORM B to be submitted to your bank) below:

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Gift Aid declaration form (for those still using boxes of envelopes) below:

*** or consider***

paying by online banking faster payment to the Ballycastle Parish account:

sort code: 95-02-21  and account number: 21000616,

and please put your full name and envelope box number in the reference section.

ELECTONIC DONATION TO PARISH:

CLICK https://pay.easypaymentsplus.com/myeasypay1.aspx?id=1992 

AND GO TO "DONATION TO BALLYCASTLE PARISH" OPTION

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 Please consider leaving a legacy to the parish when making a will.