No. 1699 ~ PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
DAILY MASS TIMES
Monday - Wednesday (26, 27 and 28 March)
Holy Rosary:
Monday ~ 10.00 am and 7.30 pm
Tuesday ~ 7.00 am and 10.00 am
Wednesday ~ 7.00 am and 10.00 am
St Colm’s High School
Tuesday ~ 8.40 am
No Mass on Wednesday Morning
HOLY WEEK CEREMONIES
HOLY THURSDAY
Mass of Chrism 10.00 am St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry
Holy Rosary 6.00 pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
St Patrick’s Sixtowns 7.30 pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Adoration at the Altar of Repose after Mass in Holy Rosary until 9.00 pm
Adoration at the Altar of Repose after Mass in St Patrick’s until 9.00 pm
GOOD FRIDAY
St Columba’s Straw 3.00 pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
An Rath Dubh 3.00 pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
St Patrick’s Sixtowns 7.30 pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
EASTER SATURDAY VIGIL
St Columba’s Straw 8.00 pm
EASTER SUNDAY
Moneyneena Eagle’s Valley 5.45 am Dawn Mass (further details below)
An Rath Dubh Moneyneena 9.00 am Mass
St Patrick’s Sixtowns 10.00 am Mass
St Columba’s Straw 11.00 am Mass
Holy Rosary Draperstown 12 noon Mass
CONFESSIONS
Wednesday March 28 ~ Evening of Love and Forgiveness - Penitential Service in St Patrick's Church, Keenaught at 7.30 pm
Good Friday ~ After 3.00 pm Ceremonies and before 7.30 pm Ceremonies.
Holy Saturday ~ Holy Rosary at 11.00 am
CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
40 Derrynoyd Road
Telephone: 79628376
Email:ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr John Downey CC
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Tel: 79628248
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
9.00 am – 3.00 pm
Friday 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
Wednesday ~ Closed
BULLETIN NOTICES
All notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday. ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
MASS OF CHRISM
Bishop McKeown will celebrate the Mass of Chrism with the priests and people of the diocese in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, at 10.00 am, on Holy Thursday 29 March. During this Mass the holy Oils for Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Ordination are blessed. Also, the priests renew their Ordination promises. Everyone welcome.
EASTER DAWN MASS
“On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb.... They found that the stone had been rolled away ...... two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. .... the two said to them, 'Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?
He is not here; he has risen.’”
(Luke 24: 1-6)
We too will go this Easter Morning to greet the Risen Christ at this early morning Mass, which will be celebrated in the open air, in Eagle’s Valley, outside Moneyneena on the Feeny Road, the same venue as last year.
Please follow the signs and the stewards who will guide you to designated parking areas.
Celebration of Mass will commence at 5.45 am.
All welcome.
WELCOME
The priests of the Parish extend a warm invitation to parishioners to join with them in the most important week of prayer in the Church’s Year. If you know of someone who might like to attend the Ceremonies this year please take an extra copy of the Bulletin for them.
LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross in St Columba’s Church Straw, today, Sunday at 5.00 pm.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday March 26 following the 10.00 am Mass until 7.25 pm.
FAST AND ABSTINENCE
Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence. Fasting means that the amount of food we eat is considerably reduced. This applies to those aged 18 to 60.
Abstinence means that those aged over 14 abstain from eating meat.
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTION
Weekly Collection: £2090
Church Renovation Collection: £1866
Many thanks to all who contributed
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Derry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund wish to acknowledge the sum of £1750, and sincerely thank all the parishioners of Ballinascreen for your continued generosity.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of;
Peter McGuigan, Moykeeran,
Brendan Hegarty, Desertmartin,
Joe Orr, Canada.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Patrick Conway, Glengomna Lane
Mary Kerr, Carnamoney
Peter Convery, Francis Hegarty,
Angela O;Keeney , Mamie O’Kane,
Annie Kelly, Ann McKenna,
Baby Jack Molloy, Joe Moran,
Brian Quinn, Eileen McDermott.
DO THIS IN MEMORY MASS
Mass for children preparing for First Holy Communion will be celebrated today, at 12 noon in Holy Rosary Church.
TRÓCAIRE LENTEN CAMPAIGN
‘O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.’ Psalms 118:1.
This Palm Sunday we celebrate God’s love that is manifested by the support we give to those in the world who are less fortunate than us and face daily hardship. People like Daniel from Uganda who appeared on the Trócaire Box in 2012 aged 9. Daniel is now 15 and doing well in school. The support Daniel's family received ensured that he and his siblings could get an education and dream of a better future.
Please bring your Trócaire box to any of the Ceremonies on Holy Thursday or Good Friday.
BALLINASCREEN PARISH DRAW
Draw on Monday March 26. Results will be printed in next week’s Bulletin.
EVENING OF SONG AND REFLECTION
St. Patrick’s Maghera College Choir invite you to an evening of song and reflection on the Passion of Christ, on Tuesday 27 March at 7.30 pm in St. Mary’s Church, Maghera. Everyone welcome.
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
Eight nights beginning 10 October 2018. An opportunity to literally walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ - from His birth, through His life, to His passion and death. Nine places still available. For details or to book, please telephone 71351233.
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
Places are still available on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2018.
Bishop Donal McKeown will lead the diocesan pilgrimage from 1 – 6 July.
2018 marks the 160th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes. Fare £669, covers flights, full board hotel, insurance, airport taxes and coach transfers in Lourdes.
Fare may be paid in instalements.
Application forms available from Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop St Derry. Open 11.00 am –1.00 pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY
The society acknowledges with sincere thanks a generous donation for the support and education of student priests at home and abroad. All benefactors share in the Masses and prayers of the society. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood for the church of tomorrow.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2018
First Holy Communion will be celebrated in Ballinascreen Parish on the following dates in May 2018:
Saturday 5 May ~ Gaelscoil na Speiríní in St Coumba’s Church Straw,
Saturday 12 May ~ St Columba’s P.S. in St Columba’s Church, Straw,
Saturday 19 May ~ St Mary’s P.S. in Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown,
Saturday 19 May ~ St Eoghan’s P.S. in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
CONFIRMATION 20
Bishop McKeown will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in Ballinascreen on Sunday April 29 at 3 pm.
BENEDICTINE MONKS
The Benedictine Monks, Rostrevor, invite men (18 – 40) to an Easter Triduum Retreat from Holy Thursday 29 March – Easter Sunday 1 April. ‘Prefer nothing to Christ, because he preferred nothing to you.’ (St Cyprian). Take time to reflect. Examine your life and consider your call. If interested, please contact: Br Thierry –
benedictinemonks@btinternet.com
Phone 41739979
BALLINASCREEN SCOUTS
Annual Easter Cake sale on Saturday 31 March 11.00 am - 2.00 pm, above Sonny’s please use entrance in the alleyway.
DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY
Open Night Wednesday 28 March at 6.30 pm for parents and young children.
BALLINASCREEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC GROUP
Grand Variety Concert in St. Colm's High School featuring local talent on Saturday 24 March at 8.00 pm
ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Draw Winners Week 4
£60~ Cahir McKee Draperstown £30~Sarah McAllister Mallon Villas
£20 ~ Gavin McKenna Brackaghlislea.
SPRING SALE
In An Rath Dubh, today, Sunday 12 noon - 3.00 pm. Stalls of new and pre loved goods. In aid of Cancer Research.
OWENKILLEW PLAY ACTORS
Present ‘Thy Will be Done’ in Sixtowns Community Hall on Sunday 25 March at 8.00 pm. Admission £7 pay at door.
ST COLM’S GAC
400 Club Winners:
£300 - Dermot Doyle £50 - Pat Donnelly,
£50 - Frankie McCloskey
Table Quiz - Friday 6 April at 9.00 pm in aid of ‘Friends of Africa’
POPE FRANCIS@ PONTIFEX
When we allow Jesus to enter our lives we discover the secret to keeping alive the flame of our spiritual life.
Official Family Prayer for World Meeting of Families
God, our Father, we are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,
One family, in the Spirit of your love.
Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind, gentle and generous, welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.
Protect all families with your loving care,
Especially those for whom we now pray:
Pause to remember family members and others
Increase our faith, strengthen our hope,
Keep us safe in your love,
Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share. This we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen
For more information view: www.worldmeeting2018.ie
CHOOSE LIFE 2018
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution upholds the right to life of both mother and baby. It is not about one life at the expense of another. It is about cherishing mother and baby equally. Occasionally medical interventions need to be carried out with the intention of saving the life of the mother, resulting in the unintended and unavoidable death of the unborn baby. This is not an abortion because it is not the direct and intentional ending of innocent human life. The greatest gift that each person has is the gift of life.’
Excerpt from the Pastoral Message from Bishop Francis Duffy of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
To access videos, testimonies and frequently asked questions visit www.chooselife2018.ie
We may not have a vote but we can pray!
