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BALLINASCREEN & DESERTMARTIN PARISHES 21_DECEMBER_2025

No. 8 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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PARISH CONTACT DETAILS

Fr. Peter Madden PP VF

31 Sixtowns Road

Telephone: 79628376

Fr Michael McCaul CC​

​50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin

Telephone: 79632196

PARISH OFFICES

Ballinascreen:

9 High Street

Phone: (028)79628248

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.


Desertmartin:

St Patrick’s Keenaught

Phone: (028)79397047

Opening Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 10.30 am to 3.00 pm


SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding Contact Information

If you have any concerns with regard to the safeguarding of children within the Church, please contact:

Marie O’Kane - Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Tel.: +44 7596 500793 or Email: dlp@derrydiocese.org

Northern Ireland Emergency Services

  • PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland): 101

  • Social Services:

    • Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust: 028 7131 4090 (ask for the Duty Social Worker)

    • Gateway Services, Northern HSC Trust: 028 9442 4459

    • Regional Emergency Social Work Services: 0800 1979 995


SVP HELPLINE

Helpline telephone number: 07710838050


SPERRIN FOODBANK

Tel: 07543420639


BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP

Please click the link https://www.parishofballinascreen.com/ballinascreen-community-support-gro for full details of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.

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NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN

Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.


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VIGIL MASSES FOR SUNDAY

Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm

St Patrick’s, Keenaught: 7.30 pm


SUNDAY MASSES

St Columba’s, Straw: 9.00 am

St Mary’s, Coolcalm: 10.00 am

St Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 11.00 am

St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 12 noon


MASSES THIS WEEK

Monday ~ 22 December:

10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church

Tuesday ~ 23 December

10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcam

Wednesday ~ 24 December - Christmas Eve:

5.00 pm ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena

7.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church

7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaught

9.00 pm ~ St Columba’s, Straw

9.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns

Thursday ~ 25 December - Christmas Day:

9.00 am ~ St Columba’s Straw

10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm

11.0 0am ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns

12 noon ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena

Friday ~ 26 December:

11.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church


CONFESSIONS

Monday 22 December:

10.30 am-11.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church

Tuesday 23 December:

10.30 am -11.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm

Wednesday 24 December:

11.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church

11.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm

Saturday 27 December:

6.30 pm -7.10 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaught


FEASTS OF THE WEEK  

Tuesday 23 December: St John of Kanty, Priest

Thursday 25 December: The Nativity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Friday 26 December: St Stephen, the first Martyr

Saturday 27 December: St John, Apostle & Evangelist


CHRISTMAS MASS IN THE FOLD

Will take place on Monday 22 December at 1.00 pm. All welcome.


CHRISTMAS EVE MASS TIMES

5.00 pm ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.

7.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.

7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaught.

9.00 pm ~ St Columba’s, Straw.

9.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns.


CHRISTMAS DAY MASS TIMES

9.00 am ~ St Columba’s, Straw.

10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.

11.00 am ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns.

12 noon ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.


ST STEPHEN’S DAY / ANNIVERSARY MASSES

There will be NO anniversary Masses on Friday 26 December. Names of deceased loved ones will be prayed for at Masses held on 27 & 28 December or included in the anniversary Mass on 2 January 2026.


DEATHS

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:                  

Seamus McGuigan, Cookstown/Draperstown;

Cathal McKenna, Glenshane Park;

Sean McGlone, Moykeeran;

Francie Moore, Magherafelt.


ANNIVERSARIES

Ballinascreen:

Carmel McCartan, Bancran Rd;

Joe Conville, Sixtowns Rd;

John McEldowney, Magherafelt Rd;

Alice Hughes, Moneyneena Rd;

Patsy Kennedy, Bancran Rd;

Paddy Heron, Eglinton;

Conor Kerr, Maghera.

Desertmartin:

Joseph McKenna;

Ellen McIvor;

Mary McBride;

Mary Kerr;

Darren McDaid;

Peter Kearney;

Pat McCluskey;

Mary McKibbon;

Joe McHugh;

Jim Joe Kelly.


BAPTISMS

We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Grace Costello, Doon Rd.;

Grace Pauline Clerkin, Sixtowns Rd.;

Cassie Marie McKenna, Ballynagilly Lane;

Tadhg Clerkin, Sixtowns Rd.


PARISH COLLECTIONS

Ballinascreen

Standard Collection - £1765

Renovation Collection - £2095

Desertmartin

Standard Collection - £786

Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.

 

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW

Last few days to get your tickets!! Draw commences Christmas Day! Ballinascreen Parish office will be open for ticket sales on 24 December from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm.  

Tickets are £20each and the total prize fund is £5000. 

Tickets are also available at Heron’s gift shop;

Moneyneena P.O.;

Ballinascreen Credit Union;

Ballinascreen & Desertmartin Parish Offices;

Before & after all Masses in Desertmartin Churches;

Directly from Fr.McCaul at the Parochial House.

Draws every day for 12 days between Christmas Day & Monday 5 January 2026. Everyone’s tickets will be included in all draws, giving you 33 chances to win prizes! 

Prizes: For first 10 days there will be 3 prizes of £100 each day. On the eleventh day there will be 2 prizes of £500, and on the twelfth and last day of Christmas there is 1 final prize of £1000.

A ticket would make a nice Christmas gift for your family and friends this Christmastime. Proceeds going towards the running of Desertmartin parish & essential work to be carried out at St.Patrick’s Keenaught.


THE WORKSPACE COMMUNITY FUND FOR 2026 

The Fund is open to community & voluntary groups in the Ballinascreen, Kilcronaghan and Desertmartin areas. Welcomes applications for grants between £500 - £2,000 for projects addressing local need, improve the local area, enhance the quality of life & wellbeing in the local community, & promote community involvement. For an application form & guidance notes, contact Workspace  02879628113 or info@theworkspacegroup.org. Closing date for applications is 1.00 pm on Monday 22 December. Applicants who received funding for 2025 are not eligible to apply to the Fund this year.

 

SIXTOWNS HISTORY AND HERITAGE GROUP 

Booklets are running out so if you want to get one as a Christmas gift for someone who is away from home you can get it in Herons Gift Shop, Ballinascreen Credit Union, Sheehy’s or the Mill Wheel shop in Dunamore. £10 each. They are a one-off publication.

 

SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE

Christmas Social Dance on St. Stephen's night, Friday 26 December at 9.30 pm. Music by The Lakelanders. Everyone Welcome


DESERTMARTIN GAC – GOAL MILE 2025

Sunday 28 December 2025 from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm. Bring the family, join us at Longfield Hall & Community Hub for a cup of tea and a bit of craic. GOAL GLOBAL is a humanitarian organisation that supports communities in crisis throughout the world. Helping people whose lives have been shattered by conflict, disease, famine or natural disaster. Each Christmas they ask us to go the extra mile and either walk run or wheel one mile to raise funds for GOAL. You can donate online at www.desertmartingac.com/GoalMile or register at www.goalmile.org or simply come along on the day and make a donation.


NUALA'S BEGINNER 6 WEEK FITNESS CLASS

New Beginner Fitness Class designed to help you move, build confidence, and have fun! £3.50 per class. Perfect for absolute beginners, low impact and easy to follow workouts. Starting Tuesday 6 January from 6.45 pm to 7.45 pm in the hall, Workspace Recreation Centre on the Back row. To Book your space, contact Carin on 02879628113


CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE

A representative from Children in Crossfire will speak at all Masses over the weekend of 10 and 11 January. Updating us on their new programme, which supports children in Ethiopia who currently have to spend their time between attending school and scavenging on a large rubbish dump to try to find things to sell to get by. Your support will go a long way in helping change this reality


KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE 

Thank you to everyone for their continued support in 2025 & look forward to seeing everyone back in 2026. Wishing you a very happy & peaceful Christmas and New Year.  Gift vouchers available for any value & can be used against classes in 2026.

Painting for Pleasure: Classes resume on Wednesday 14 Jan from 10.00 am to 12 noon.  

Living Life to the Full: 6-week course commencing Monday 26 January from 10.00 am to 12 noon & is suitable for anyone feeling stressed/low mood/worried. This programme can make a big difference to your life; help you develop practical skills & how to cope with day-to-day challenges.

DIY Skills Programme: 4-week course commencing mid-February. Ladies, sign up & learn how to use tools safely:

Put up shelves/curtain poles

Use the correct tools & fixings

Create & take home your own toolbox.

Register now to reserve your place. To book please message 07821963749 for more details

 

LIFELINE

Lifeline can provide advice to someone concerned about an individual. Family, friends or colleagues can call Lifeline if you are worried that someone is struggling or might be thinking about suicide and you aren’t sure how to talk to them. It is Northern Ireland’s Crisis Response Helpline, available 24/7, free to call, & calls are answered by trained counsellors. Tel: 0808 808 8000 / Textphone 18001 0808 808 8000. 

More information on the service is available at www.lifelinehelpline.info


MARY’S MEALS 

Wish to express a huge thank you to Ballinascreen parish for the continued support of their mission this year. The Cookstown & District Mary’s Meals group visited the parish in August, since then our work has grown through your support and an amazing £5458.87 was also raised over that weekend. We are so grateful for your parish’s generous support, which will have helped many children with daily school meals.

 

TRÓCAIRE

Wish to extend thanks to Fr Madden for facilitating the Trócaire event on 14 December & also to the parishioners, who were so very generous. Thank you.

 

BALLINASCREEN SVP

Wishes to thank all those who contributed recently to their Annual Christmas Appeal and for your support in 2025. Blue envelopes are still available in church porches if anyone still wishes to make a donation and return to an SVP collection box. SVP also wish to thank the many parishioners who brought gifts and food to the Parish Carol Service for families in need this Christmas.

 

KNOCKNAGIN HALL COMMITTEE

All activities in the hall have now finished for the Christmas break.A huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers & patrons for your help and support throughout 2025. Wishing everyone a very happy & peaceful Christmas & a prosperous New Year. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2026.

 

GREENCASTLE PARISH PILGRIMAGES 2026

Poland: 16 - 23 June: Flights and Half Board, £1275.  Salt Mines £55(Optional). Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine.

Fatima: 23 - 30 July: Flights, Full Board and Coach to Dublin Airport: £879. Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine.

Medjugorje: 4 - 11 September: Flights from Belfast, Half Board: £849. Spiritual Director: Fr. Pat O’Hagan.

Further details contact Maria on 02881648357 or 07768 395038.

 

PARISH BAPTISMS 2026                                                        

Ballinascreen Parish:

All bookings to be made via Ballinascreen Parish Office on 02879628248 or ballinascreenparish@gmail.com Baptisms are held at 3.00 pm on the following dates:

December 28 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena.                                      

Desertmartin Parish:

To book a baptism, contact Fr McCaul on 02879632196 or Desertmartin Parish Office on 02879397047.  Baptisms can be held in either church & are held at 1.30 pm on the following dates:

4 & 18 January 2026

1 & 15 February 2026

1 & 15 March 2026

12 & 19 April 2026

3 & 17 May  2026

7 & 21 June 2026

5 & 18 July 2026

2 & 9 August 2026

 

NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN OVER CHRISTMAS

Parish offices will be closed from 22 December until 5 January.

Notices should be received by 12 noon on Tuesday 23 December & Tuesday 30 December for respective weeks by email to ballinascreenparish@gmail.com 


PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS & MONTH’S MIND MASSES     

If you wish to have a deceased loved one prayed for over the Christmas period, please email their name to ballinascreenparish@gmail.com by 12 noon on Tuesday 23 December & Tuesday 30 December for respective weeks. 

 

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

In both the First Reading and the Gospel this weekend we hear Jesus called "Emmanuel" - a name that means "God-is-with-us!" We pray for an increase in vocations to the diocesan priesthood, and that the future priests of our diocese will be modern-day Emmanuels - the loving, healing, forgiving, and merciful presence of God in the Church and in the world. 

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Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

Ballinascreen Parish Office, 9 High Street, Draperstown

Tel: 028 79628248

©2018 BY BALLINASCREEN PARISH. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM

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