BALLINASCREEN & DESERTMARTIN PARISHES 25_JANUARY_2026
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
No. 13 ~ THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Michael McCaul CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
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
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
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.
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
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 ~ 26 January:
10.00 am~ Holy Rosary Church.
Tuesday ~ 27 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Wednesday ~ 28 January:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Thursday ~ 29 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Friday ~ 30 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
CONFESSIONS
Ballinascreen:
Holy Rosary Church Saturday 5.30pm before Vigil Mass.
Desertmartin:
St Patrick’s, Keenaught Saturday 6.30 pm until 7.10 pm.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 26 January: Ss Timothy & Titus.
Tuesday 27 January: St Angela Merici, virgin and religious.
Wednesday 28 January: St Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church.
Friday 30 January: St Aidan, bishop. Blessed Margaret Ball & Francis Taylor.
Saturday 31 January: St John Bosco, priest.
JANUARY 2026 HOUSEBOUND VISITS.
Fr Michael will visit the housebound next week as follows:
Monday 26 January: Nutgrove Rd, Crocknamohill Rd, Brackaghlislea Rd and Gortahurk Rd.
Tuesday 27 January: Iniscarn Rd, Longfield Rd, Brackagh Rd, Quilly Rd.
Wednesday 28 January: Luney Rd, Forgetown Rd and Brackagh Lane.
Visitations will begin around 11.00 am, after morning Mass.
JANUARY MASS IN THE FOLD
January Mass in the FOLD will take place on Thursday 29 January at 1.00 pm. All welcome.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Bernadette McKernan, Oak Park;
Teresa McGuigan, Moykeeran Drive;
Mickey McBride, Portadown, formerly Luney, Desertmartin.
MONTH'S MIND MASS
The Month's Mind Mass for Brendan McBride, Cordarragh, will be held on Friday 30 January at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
The Month's Mind Mass for Aidan Kelly, Derrynoid, will be held on Friday 30 January at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
The First Anniversary Mass for Michael Brock, London & formerly Draperstown, will be held on Friday 30 January at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
Ballinascreen:
First Anniversary:
Maureen McGuigan, formerly Draperstown.
Anniversaries:
Peter Joe McNeill, Gortnari;
Frank Hagan, Ranaghan Rd;
Mary Margaret McGillian, Ranaghan Rd;
Margaret McCallion, Moykeeran Cres;
Michael Mckenna, Doon;
Brian McGurk, Cloane Rd;
Deirdre Diamond, Moneyneena Rd;
Francis McSorley, Moykeeran Cres;
Baby Oisin Graham;
Roseanne Kell, Bancran Rd;
Ann Doyle, Cullion Rd;
Kathleen Donnelly, Bancran Rd.
Desertmartin:
First Anniversary:
Declan Trainor
Anniversaries:
Annie Duffy;
Shane McGuigan;
Teresa McKay;
Maureen O’Kane;
Brigid Bradley;
Mary Shields;
Alice McGuigan;
James McBride.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Ballinascreen:
Renovation Collection - £2263.90
Weekly Collection - £1894.50
Desertmartin:
Weekly Collection - £1057.34
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PARISH MISSION 2026
Fr Paschal will lead our parishes in a Four Day Parish Mission beginning the day after Ash Wednesday. The mission will begin on Thursday evening 19 February and conclude after last Mass on Sunday 22 February.
WARM WLECOME WEDNESDAY
St Brigid’s Cross Making Session & Talk on the Myths and Legends surrounding St Brigid. Rushes & materials provided to make St Brigid’s Crosses at our session in Workspace Community Hub, on Wednesday 28 January from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. St Colm’s High School will be joining us at 12.15 pm to give a talk about the myths and legends surrounding St. Brigid. Refreshments available. Everyone welcome, no need to book.
NETBALL
Ladies aged 16+. Wednesday nights from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm in the Backrow Hall. Come along for a bit of exercise, meet new people and have a laugh. Suitable for all abilities and no experience necessary as it is mainly for fun. Contact Martina on 07795165999 or just show up on the night. Adm £3 to cover hire of the hall.
DESERTMARTIN CREDIT UNION
We are holding our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 27 January 2026 in "The Hub" at St Martin's GAC Hall, Desertmartin at 7:30 pm. It is very important that all members attend.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Social Dance will be held on Friday 30 January at 9.30 pm. Music by Family Affair. Everyone Welcome.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL COMMITTEE
Irish Language Class: Monday’s at 7:30 pm.
Chair Exercises: Tuesday mornings at 10.00 am.
Irish Dancing Lessons: Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7.00 pm To register, contact Nicola: 07518 207458
St. Mary's Bowling Club: Tuesdays at 8.00 pm. New members welcome.
Acrobats Gymnastics Club: Saturday’s from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Mary's Meals: Angela McGuigan, Knocknagin, sincerely thanks everyone who generously donated over £2000, to Mary's Meals on the occasion of her 90th Birthday held in St Mary's Hall, Desertmartin in December.
Sarsfield's Accordion Band: Making of St. Brigid’s Crosses on Friday 30 January at 7.00 pm, in the parish hall.
Band Practice continues on the First & Third Thursdays of the month, all members are asked to attend in preparation for St. Patrick's Day, which will take place in Dungiven. New and past members are welcome.
AN RÁTH DUBH
St Brigid's Cross making on Sunday 1 February at 6.00 pm in An Ráth Dubh. Rushes provided. Everyone welcome.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Painting for Pleasure: Classes resume on Wednesday 14 January 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. 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.
POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
Members of the Conference would like to recognise, thank and congratulate current Year 14 Pupils in our Parish as they attend The Annual Pope John Paul II Award Ceremony on Wednesday 28 January in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral. The pupils took up SVP collections at weekly Masses during 2024/25 volunteering their time to achieve parish hours. Bishop Donal McKeown will present the award to our Parish young people and from all over the Diocese of Derry and beyond. Well done to all.
LITTLE WOMBLES ANNUAL FUNDRAISER PUB QUIZ
Friday 6 February at 8.00 pm in The Market Inn. This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together for a night of craic and raise funds towards Little Wombles. £5 per adult - pay at the door.
CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE
Ronan from Children in Crossfire would like to thank each and every one of you who supported their appeal at Masses over the weekend of 10/11 January. As you will have heard, this appeal was on behalf of children living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, whose days are split between going to school and scavenging on a huge rubbish dump nearby, searching for items to sell for food. Children in Crossfire's goal, with your support, is to give those children the better future they deserve. Providing vital education, healthcare and supporting families to generate a sustainable income long into their future. Ballinascreen & Desertmartin together raised an amazing £4422.04 and €150, which will go such a long way in supporting some of the world's most vulnerable children.
DAY OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION:
You are warmly invited to a Day of Prayer and Reflection in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, Co Donegal on Sunday 1 February, Feast of St Brigid, starting at 11.00 am. Inspired by the spirituality of St Brigid – woman of faith, prayer and compassion - the day will include guided prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reflections on St Brigid and a St Brigid’s Cross-making workshop. A light lunch will be provided and the day will finish with the Celebration of the Eucharist. To book, telephone St Anthony’s on 0035374 936 8074. Suggested donation €25.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
5 Day Silent Ignatian Retreat for Men. Led by Benedictine monks from St. Joseph's Abbey, in France. Starts Thursday 30 April (3pm) at Benburb Priory, Co. Tyrone (1.5 hrs from Dublin). Cost €450 (all meals & single room included). Daily Mass - Ordinary Form (Latin & ad orientem). Discover the strength that only comes when you stop running and let God speak.
JOY OF PRIESTHOOD
Retreat for men (18+) interested in the diocesan priesthood, taking place in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, 6-8 March. Registration must be made using the following link:
For further information please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O'Hagan at pgoh2111@gmail.com
PARISH BAPTISMS 2026
Ballinascreen Parish:
All bookings to be made via Ballinascreen Parish Office on 02879628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Baptisms are held at 3.00 pm on the following dates:
1 February, Straw.
8 February, Moneyneena.
15 February, Holy Rosary.
22 February, Sixtowns.
8 March, Straw.
15 March, Moneyneena.
22 March, Holy Rosary.
29 March, Sixtowns.
Desertmartin Parish:
To book a baptism, contact Fr McCaul on 02879632196 or Desertmartin Parish Office on 02879397047. Baptisms can be held in either church and are held at 1.30 pm on the following dates:
1 & 15 February
1 & 15 March
12 & 19 April
3 & 17 May
7 & 21 June
5 & 18 July
2 & 9 August
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably emailed to ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS & MONTH’S MIND MASSES
If you wish to have a deceased loved one prayed for at any Anniversary Friday Mass, please email their name to the Parish Office by 1.00 pm on Wednesday of the relevant week. Notices for First Anniversary and Month's Mind Masses should be received before 1.00 pm on Wednesday of the previous week so that, they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
We pray for the men who will be sent out as priests of our diocese "... to preach the Good News..." to God's people in a way that they can understand and that will bring them to a deeper commitment to Jesus as The Word of God.
