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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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IMPORTANT UPDATE from the Diocese of Down and Connor, 7th August, concerning face masks
……….The latest advice (published on the NI-Direct Website) does not specifically mention churches but reads: “From 10 August it will be mandatory to wear a face covering in a shop or shopping centre, or any indoor public space where it is not possible to maintain social distancing.”
We have sought further advice regarding how churches are to interpret this; however we would now recommend that all persons attending liturgical celebrations be strongly encouraged to wear a face covering as an additional measure in helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Should further advice or clarification be forthcoming, we will share this with you.
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Mass each day at 10am, and also at 6.30pm on Saturdays.
Please remember that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday remains suspended.
Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet from Monday to Saturday at 12noon.
Pictures below of some of the posters, hand sanitiser facilities and seating arrangements in the church.
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Diocese of Down and Connor
Guidance on Re-Opening of Churches for Public Worship, as of 26th June 2020
Full document:
https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/2020/06/26/26-june-2020-guidance-on-re-opening-of-churches-for-public-worship/
Extracts:
The current circumstances do not permit for any return to ‘normal practice’ at this time;
The advice, guidance and measures put in place are to mitigate against the transmission of the virus which is still present in the community and will continue to be so for some time to come. This justifies and necessitates the significant restrictions to the liturgical life of our community.
While Churches are open for public celebrations, you are reminded that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days remains suspended. Parishioners who can, should be encouraged to attend on other days, and at this time, be discouraged from attending Mass more than once a week to allow for others to attend.
In common with other northern Dioceses, a social distancing measure of 2 metres should be observed for the time being. Members of the same household are permitted to sit together without the need to observe 2 metre distancing.
In light of the diocesan guidance, St. Patrick’s & St. Brigid’s Church will open each day from 9am until 6pm, with Mass celebrated each day at 10am, and on Saturdays at 6.30pm. Unfortunately the churches at Glenshesk, Rathlin, Ballintoy and Ballinlea cannot be opened yet for public liturgies.
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For visits for personal prayer in St. Patrick's & St. Brigid's Church, please enter by the side-door on the car park side of the church and follow the one-way system that is sign-posted in the church and leave the church by the side-door on the McAlister Hall side of the church. Please use the materials available to wipe the pews and kneelers before and after you use them, disposing of wipes in the pedal bins.
Visits for personal prayer in St. Patrick's Church Culfeightrin: Sundays 11am-5pm.
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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:
Timothy Lofthouse (Fairhead View),
Andrew Grannell (Bleach Green; originally Tramore, Co. Waterford. Funeral in Ballymurn, Co. Wexford on Monday 10th August)
Gerard Graham (Portglenone) and
Anna Rose Kearns (Cargan, Glenravel)
and those whose anniversaries occur at this time:
Dominic McNabb (1st)
Charlie McAfee (1st)
Conor Healy
Evelyn Donaghy
Gerry McGoldrick
Martin Sloan
Joe Morrison
J.J. Molloy
Eileen McKillop
Eoin McIlroy
Eamon McCaughan and
Bishop Donal Lamont
Donal McAuley, R.I.P.
The family of the late Donal McAuley wish to convey their deepest and sincere appreciation to everyone who sent their condolences either in person, by phone, by Mass card or by letter. They would especially like to thank Fr McCahery and Fr Daly, Fergal McCarry, the staff of Dalriada Family Practice for their care over the years, the staff of Spar Moyle Road and passers-by who helped, the staff of Causeway Hospital, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Police Officers who helped us in our time of need. We would finally like to thank the Dallat family for their kind and caring service and how they conducted the funeral. The holy sacrifice of Mass will be offered for your intentions.
Month's Mind Mass for Donal will be celebrated on Saturday 8th August at 10am.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
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Recent photographs of
St. Patrick's & St. Brigid's Graveyard extension works
Pathways being laid out:
 
 
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Excerpts from "The Parish Of Ramoan" by Cahal Dallat, J.P., B.A., D.A.S.E., M.Phil. which was originally published in a booklet for the Re-dedication of the Church in 1993 will be republished here week by week for the next few weeks.
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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 the "Today's Mass Readings" link
on the left hand column of this webpage,
or else 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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Prayer Resources at Home:
‘Magnificat’ publications have generously provided complimentary access
to their online prayer resources at https://us.magnificat.net/free.
These include texts for daily prayer, Mass texts, and texts for family and personal prayer.
Many other aids and texts for praying at home available from www.downandconnor.org/ , as are many helps for catechesis at home.
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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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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. Since the last public Sunday Mass the parish has received £8,626 in donations through envelopes, standing orders and electronic donations. (During the equivalent period last year contributions amounted to £26,931)
Thank you to everyone who is managing to make contributions at this difficult time
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES, 2020 / 2021
Each year we remind parishioners of the Standing Order option, but his year, in the present circumstance of no public Sunday Masses, 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.
Sample wording for Standing Order and Gift Aid forms below:
 
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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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