No. 1808 ~ THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
SUNDAY MASSES (VIA WEBCAM ONLY)
VIGIL MASS
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
SUNDAY
St Mary’s Coolcalm: 10.00 am
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
DAILY MASS TIMES FOR THIS WEEK (VIA WEBCAM ONLY)
Holy Rosary Church: Monday, Wednesday and Friday ~ 10.00 am
St Mary’s Church Coolcalm: Tuesday and Thursday ~ 10.00 am Friday ~ 7.30 pm
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the Ballinascreen parish webcam: https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/ballinascreen-parish-1
All Masses in St Mary’s Coolcalm are transmitted live via the Desertmartin parish webcam https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/desertmartin-parish
BULLETIN NOTES
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 29: St Catherine of Siena: Lived from 1347 – 1380. Proclaimed a doctor of the Church in 1970 and patron of Europe in 2000.
Thursday 30: St Pius V.
Friday 1 May: St Joseph the Worker.
Saturday 2: St Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church.
MAY ALTARS IN OUR HOMES
Friday next is the first day of May and the Feast of St Joseph.
It has long been a tradition for families to erect an altar of adoration to Our Lady in their homes. As parishioners cannot attend Mass in church at the moment, this tradition is more important than ever. We invite families, especially the children of the parish to create a prayer space in their home. They can use images or statues of Our Lady or even create their own image on paper. We would be delighted if you would like to send us a photo of your own family prayer space and we will put them up on the parish website and Facebook.
To learn the prayers of the Rosary click on this link: Come Pray The Rosary. On Friday next, May 1, the prayer spaces and May Altars in all the homes in both parishes will be blessed at both morning and evening Masses.
HOLY HOUR
Holy Hour on Monday April 27 at 3.00 pm in Holy Rosary please join in via parish webcam.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation Day was to be this weekend but due to the coronavirus pandemic it has been postponed. We would like all P7 children and their families to light a candle in their homes this weekend and say the prayer to the Holy Spirit. We also invite the wider parish communities to pray with them by doing the same.
Come Holy Spirit,
Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle 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.
Amen
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Sean O’Hagan, Gortnari,
Jane Duffy, Moneyneena,
Josie McNally, Cordarragh,
Marie Celiene Arkins, Carrickfergus
Veronica McSorley, Maghera.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Hugh Mills, Scutchers’ Lane
ANNIVERSARIES
Hugh Mills, Philip Doherty, Breige McGuckin, Annie McCrory, Martin Breen, Danny McCloskey, Kathleen Trainor, Baby Dara Jude Kennedy, Charlie Kearney, Joe McEldowney and Elllen Doyle.
DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER A ‘VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE’
Bishop McKeown is inviting people to join him on Friday 1 May on a ‘virtual pilgrimage’, to fast and pray, asking God
to free us from this pandemic and to support those who are fighting it;
to comfort those who have been afflicted with this pandemic; and
to ask God for the wisdom to know how to live now and in the aftermath of the pandemic. It is proposed that the time of prayer and penance at home will take its shape from core elements of the 3-day Lough Derg pilgrimage. Each person is invited to participate in whatever parts of the penitential ‘virtual pilgrimage’ that they feel able to adopt. If anyone is suffering from weakness or ill health, they should not overexert themselves. At the heart of the full Lough Derg pilgrimage are the following elements:
1] Fasting:
To join spiritually with the Bishop on this ‘virtual pilgrimage’ people are invited, if they are physically able, to adopt the Lough Derg-style Fast from 12.00 midnight on Thursday night until after 7.00am on Saturday morning.
The Lough Derg Fast consists of water or black tea or coffee (sugar is permitted) with dry bread, toast and oatcakes at one time during the day. ‘Pilgrims’ can drink water, tea or coffee anytime.
2] Praying the Lough Derg Stations:
Throughout the first day, participants on Lough Derg would normally pray three ‘Stations’ outside. However, in this case, participants are invited to pray three Stations at home during the course of the day. They can join through webcam with Bishop McKeown in praying these three Stations.
Details of the Station prayers will be made available later
3] The Night Vigil:
During the Night Vigil, four Stations are prayed. Bishop McKeown proposes to stay in the Cathedral during Friday night and lead the four Stations on the webcam – at 12 midnight, 1.30 am, 3.00 am and 4,30 am.
The Vigil will end with the special ‘Mass in time of a Pandemic’, as proposed by Pope Francis, at 6.00 am. on Saturday May 2.
THE MESSENGER
Messenger Publications are offering a free online copy of the May edition (and possibly further editions) of The Messenger, given that it is impossible to distribute the paper copy in the usual manner. To access the May edition, visit: https://issuu.com/messengerpublications/docs/05_messenger_may_2020. Even if you do not normally receive The Messenger, you are welcome to access this link. If you have any difficulty accessing the link or if you have any further queries please email c.henry@messenger.ie
ONLINE RESOURCES
Resources are available on the Derry Diocesan Catechtical website to help families, young people and children to continue to engage with their Faith Formation during this time. Please log on to www.catecheticalcentre.org
Primary School Resources: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/primary-school-resources/
Post Primary School Resources: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/post-primary-school-resources/
Youth Resources: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/youth-resources/
THE NET
The April 2020 edition of ‘The Net’, the monthly publication sharing the fruits of the faith in parishes and schools within the Diocese of Derry, marks its fifth anniversary.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the April edition will be available only on the Diocesan website at this stage. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted.
Coverage in April’s edition includes:
Ballinascreen Remembrance Service;
Comforting thoughts and prayers shared from around the Diocese
Diocesan Youth Ministry team’s online programme;
Irish Page by Fr Oliver Crilly
A Word of God for Your Family Life by Fr Johnny Doherty CSsR;
Children’s Catechism Club;
Quiz Time
Buncrana couple blessed through Divine Mercy devotion;
Message of Mercy by Fr Joe Gormley
Candlelight Rosary Newtownstewart;
Eucharistic Adoration in Claudy;
Long Tower Folk Group celebrates 40 years of praying through music;
Fr Michael Keaveny celebrates 69th anniversary of ordination
Cappagh parish reaches out in current crisis;
Sr Clare Crockett still touching lives four years after her passing;
Faith story by Stephen Doherty.
For inclusion of your faith news in future editions please email: editorthenet15@gmail.com
BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
Please click HERE for full details of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.
PARISH BAPTISMS
In accordance with the Government statement and guidelines issued by Bishop McKeown there will be no baptisms until further notice. Baptisms will resume as soon as possible, but we ask parents not to be anxious. It is customary nowadays for children to be baptised many weeks and months after they are born. Parents can bless their children with the Sign of the Cross morning and evening and recite the Guardian Angel Prayer for them:
Angel of God My guardian dear To whom God’s love Commits me here Ever this day Be at my side To light and guard To rule and guide. Amen.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
If parishioners in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin wish to have their loved one prayed for at the 10.00 am Mass in Holy Rosary or the 7.30 pm Mass in Coolcam on a Friday, you MUST give their name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. You may contact the office by phone or email. These Masses from the Holy Rosary and St. Mary's Coolcalm may be viewed on the respective Parish webcam.
PART-TIME CERTIFICATE IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
St Angela’s College, Sligo, is inviting applications for this online course, which begins Autumn 2020. The course is open to: Qualified primary school teachers and Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching. Parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education may also apply. Closing date for applications is Friday 15 May. For more details and application forms contact Mary Kearns, Education Department, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie
or visit www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie
POPE FRANCIS@ PONTIFEX
The pandemic reminds us there are no differences or borders between those who suffer. We are all frail, all equal, all precious. May we be profoundly shaken: Now is the time to eliminate inequalities and heal the injustice undermining the health of the entire human family!
PRAYERS FOR OUR PROTECTION
The Irish Catholic Bishops have asked for prayers for those affected by the Coronavirus. Placing all our trust in the Lord, and asking Our Lady to intercede for us, the bishops invite everyone to pray these prayers:
EXTRACT FROM SAINT PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer. Amen.
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
40 Derrynoyd Road
Telephone: 79628376
Email:ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248
email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Please note that due to restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus Pandemic the Parish Office may only be contacted by email or phone (message may be left)
BULLETIN NOTICES
All notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday email ~ ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
During the current crisis Bulletins will only be available on the parish website ~ www.parishofballinascreen.com
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
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