No. 1705 ~ THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD ~ World Communications Day
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 7.30 pm
SUNDAY
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw: 11.00 am
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
DAILY MASS TIMES
Holy Rosary
Monday ~ 10.00 am and 7.30 pm
Wednesday ~ 10.00 am
Friday ~ 10.00 am
St Eoghan’s Moneyneena
Tuesday and Thursday ~ 10.00 am
Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm
St Columba’s Straw
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
CONFESSIONS
Before the Vigil Masses
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
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 14: St Matthias. Apostle.
Friday 18: St John I. Pope and martyr.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
In Holy Rosary Church, Monday May 14 commencing after 10.00 am Mass and continues until Mass at 7.30 pm.
PRAYER FOR LIFE
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday May 18 in St Columba’s Church Straw from 6.00 pm - 7.25 pm.
REPEAL THE 8th REFERENDUM
The referendum that takes place on May 25 is also the day St Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) was born in 1887. Let us pray for his intercession for the protection of life from the moment of conception and that the vote taken on May 25 will continue Ireland’s long held defence of the unborn in the face of a world-wide campaign to discredit such protection as outdated.
On Friday May 25, the parishioners of Ballinascreen and Desertmartin are asked to come together for a day of continuous prayer in Holy Rosary Church, before the Blessed Sacrament. This Day of Prayer will begin at 7.00 am, when the polls open, and continue throughout the day until polls close at 10.00 pm.
Mass will be celebrated in Holy Rosary at 7.00 am, 10.00 am and 7.30 pm, concluding at 10.00 pm with Night Prayer.
On this Day of Prayer the 7.30 pm Parish Anniversary Mass will be in Holy Rosary Church NOT in St Columba’s Church.
This special Day of Prayer will require the support of many, young and old, as it is necessary to have at least two people present at all times in Holy Rosary Church when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar.
Please sign your name on the sheets provided this weekend, selecting a time you can commit to, so if any gaps remain we will have time before May 25 to get them filled. We trust that between the two parishes there will be enough support to cover all times throughout the day.
MONTH’S MIND MASSES
Brian McCloskey Fivemilestraight
Saturday 12 May in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena at 7.30 pm.
Susan Kennedy Dunlogan, Wednesday 16 May in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena at 7.30 pm.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Margaret Bottomley (nee McCloskey)
Moneyneena on Sunday May 13 in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena at 9.00 am.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary: Margaret Bottomley
Mary O’Kane, Charles O’Hagan,
Daniel Mulholland, Francis Toner,
Mark Cassidy, Maureen McCallion.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Matt Shields, Belfast.
PRIESTS’ RETREAT
Fr Madden will be on retreat this coming week and will remember everyone in his prayers and Masses.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
The 7.30 pm Friday Mass in St Columba’s Straw is offered each week as an anniversary Mass for deceased parishioners.
Please Note: If you wish to have your loved one prayed for at this Mass you MUST give their name to the Parish Office before Thursday of the relevant week.
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Priests’ Monthly Collection:£2725
Church Renovation Collection: £1557
Many thanks to all who contributed.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Padraig Joseph McEldowney, Drumard Road,
Kirsty Leanne McLean, Bradley Park.
PARISH DRAW
The Parish Draw commences its new year soon. This Draw makes a very valuable contribution to the parish funds, as well as providing £2000 monthly in prizes to you, the contributors. We are very grateful to our many parishioners and friends who support this Draw and we trust this will continue. We are also encouraging more parishioners and friends to please support it this year. Annual subscription is £60 or £5 per month. You may join the Draw through your promoter of through the Parish Office. We also sincerely thank all the Promoters who willingly give so much of their time to collecting each month. Their work is greatly appreciated. If you are willing to become a Promoter in your area or work place please contact the Parish Office. Promoters’ cards available.
DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
A group of young people from the Parish are accompanying the sick on the Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes as helpers. To assist with their fund raising efforts, there will be a special collection after each Mass this weekend, 12 and 13 May. No SVP collection this weekend.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Holy Communion will continue to be celebrated next Saturday 19 May ~
St Eoghan’s P.S. in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena at 11.00 am.
St Mary’s P.S. in Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown at 11.00 am.
LETTER FROM PAPAL NUNCIO
Recently our P4 children, as part of their Do This In Memory Programme, wrote letters to Pope Francis. Fr Madden forwarded all their letters to the Papal Nuncio and received the following letter in reply:
Dear Father Peter,
Recently, I received from you the letters addressed to the Holy Father by the children of Ballinascreen Parish, who attend the following Primary Schools: St Columba’s PS Straw, St Eoghan’s PS Moneyneena, St. Mary’s PS Draperstown and Gaelscoil Na Speirini Straw, and who have been celebrating the forthcoming World Meeting of Families, and taking part in dynamic activities marking their sacramental life.
These initiatives are holy and wholesome and I thank you for the thoughtfulness. Be assured that the letters of the children have been forwarded to Pope Francis.
Wishing you divine blessings, I remain
Yours sincerely,
Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo
Apostolic Nuncio.
PARISH BAPTISMS
First Sunday of the month:
Holy Rosary after 12 noon Mass
Second Saturday of the month:
St Eugene’s Moneyneena at 3.00 pm
Fourth Sunday of the month:
St Columba’s Straw at 3.00 pm
St Patrick’s Sixtowns:
By arrangement.
A baptism card is to be completed when booking a baptism. Please contact the Parish Office to book a baptism.
ST EOGHAN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
St Eoghan’s P.S. are hosting a Gala Dinner to celebrate their 60th anniversary on Friday 15 June in The Wild Duck, Portglenone. Music by The Muddlers Club. Tickets £35 per person includes a four course meal and a drinks reception. For further information, or to purchase your tickets, please contact the school on on 79628008. Tickets will also be on sale every Tuesday from 7.30 pm - 8.30 pm at the school up until the end of May.
PIONEER MASS
Mass for the intentions of all Pioneers and non-drinkers in St Mary’s Ardmore on Tuesday 15 May at 7.30 pm. All welcome. Light refreshments served after.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE
Pilgrimage to Lough Derg from Friday 22 – Sunday 24 June will be led by Bishop McKeown. Coach from St Eugene’s Cathedral, via Strabane. For pilgrims travelling by coach, cost is £80 (includes transport and pilgrimage costs). Non-refundable deposit of £20 is required to secure a place. Pilgrims may use their own means of transport. For more information or to register, please contact Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or email rebecca.odoherty@derrydiocese.org
SVP ANNUAL OUTING
Annual Outing on Tuesday 29 May to Portrush, stopping in Ballymena. Bus leaves from Holy Rosary at 9.00 am sharp. Cost £15, covers bus fare and lunch, must be paid in full when booking with Julia McGuigan, before Tuesday 22 May.
GAELSCOIL NA SPEIRÍNÍ
Bingo on Sunday 13 May at 3.00 pm in
Ballinacreen GAC in aid of Gaelscoil na Speiríní. Half a book £5, full book £10.
Top prize £100. All welcome.
LOUGH DERG 2018
One Day Retreats on May 15, 20, 22, 26, 27 and 28. Booking essential. Phone +353 (0)719861518 or email info@loughderg.org
3 Day Pilgrimages begin Friday 1 June.
COFFEE MORNING
Valued Voices / Towards Understanding and Healing event on Thursday 17 May at 7.30 pm at Holywell Diverse City Community Partnership, Bishop Street, Derry. Stephen Travers, survivor of the Miami Showband Massacre and founding member of the Truth and Reconciliation Platform, in conversation with Archdeacon Robert Miller.Chaired by Paul McFadden. All welcome. Phone 71261941to book.
PARISH HALL DESERTMARTIN
Sewing Class 7.00pm – 9.00 pm on Friday 18 May. Craft Session 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm on Wednesday 30 May. Both activities are Bee Project funded and are open to those who completed 1 programme with them.
KILCRONAGHAN EVENTS
Dementia/Alzheimer's information evening, Thursday 24 May at 7.00 pm
Cupcake Decorating 25 May 7 pm - 9.30
Bread Making, Tuesday 29 May 10 am.
Phone 79627826 to book on any course.
ROSARY ON THE COAST
Sunday 20 May at 3.00 pm on Benone Strand and Lisfannon Strand Buncrana. Please come to pray for Ireland and for the retention of the Eighth Amendment. For further details phone 7730330028
S.T.E.P.S. CYCLE
Cycle on Saturday 2 June to raise awareness of suicide and mental health. Registration from 9.00 am in St Colm’s High School. Cycle starts at 10.30 am. Cost £15. Family cycle in Straw.
BALLINASCREEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC GROUP
Monthly session in An Scioból Friday18 May. Juniors 8.30 pm - 9.30 pm followed by Open House. This will be the last session until September.
Friday 1 June Steak and Chicken BBQ in An Scioból.
GLASGOWBURY
Yoga with Gemma Cullen. Suitable for adults at beginner /intermediate level.
Dance Fit for adults with Caitriona Groogan. Contact Glasgowbury 79628428
ST COLM’S GAC
400 Club winners: £300 Mena Craig
£50 Michael Logan £50 HF Kerr.
Summer Camp 2018 - For current P3 to P7, boys and girls. Monday 2 – Friday 6 July. Register on Club’s Facebook page before the closing date which is 18 May.
Big Breakfast in aid of Féile Funds on Sunday 20 May. Black bags may also be returned on same day.
Thanks to all Club volunteers who helped out with 'The Big Screen Clean’.