BALLINASCREEN & DESERTMARTIN PARISHES 28_DECEMBER_2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 24 hours ago
- 6 min read
No. 9 ~ THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
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 ~ 29 December:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 30 December
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcam
Wednesday ~ 31 December:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday ~ 1 January:
10.00am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm
Friday ~ 2 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 6.30pm until 7.10 pm.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 29 December: Fifth Day of Christmas Octave, St Thomas Becket
Tuesday 30 December: Sixth Day of Christmas Octave
Wednesday 31 December: Seventh Day of Christmas Octave, St Sylvester I, Pope
Thursday 1 January: Mary, The Holy Mother Of God
Friday 2 January: Ss Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops, Doctors of the Church
Saturday 3 January: The Holy Name of Jesus, St Munchin (Mainchin), bishop
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Eamon Kerlin, Oak Park and Jonathan Molloy, Mallon Villas, will take place on Friday 2 January at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church
ANNIVERSARIES
1st Anniversary:
Henry McSorley, Leeds, formerly Sixtowns.
Anniversaries:
Ballinascreen:
May McKe, Glenelly Villas;
Gerard McAllister, Tobermore Rd.;
Anne O’Kane, Mallon Villas;
Margaret Groogan, Disert Rd.;
Gerard McEldowney, Strawmore Rd;
Jimmy Rogers, Foreglen;
Dolores Myler neé McKenna, Dublin/Tullybrick;
Paschal Kelly, Cahore Rd.;
Michael Kelly, Ballinascreen;
Mary Cassidy, Moneyneena Rd.;
Rose Slevin, Slievegallion Pk.;
Donaugh McCallion, Moykeeran Crescent;
Seamus Kerrigan.
Desertmartin:
Elizabeth Donnelly;
Josephine Breen;
Mary Kerr;
Tommy Shields;
Shauna Murchan;
Patricia McSwiggan;
Brendan Kelly;
Hugh McGuckin;
Josephine Donnelly.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Eoin Laurie Sing McAllister, Newfoundland, Canada;
Seamie William Doherty, Perth, Australia.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Ballinascreen
Weekly Collection: £1459
Renovation Collection: £2041
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
Ballinascreen Credit Union
December Quarterly Cash Draw Winners:
1st Prize: £10,000 - Mr Owen Kelly, Drumderg Road.
2nd Prize: £7,000 - Mrs Aileen Collins, Bancran Road.
3rd Prize: £5,000 - Mrs Donna McElhatton, Coolnasillagh Road.
4th Prize: £3,000 - Mr Sean Woods, Whitewater Court.
Next Quarterly Cash Draw Thursday 26 March 2026.
THE NET
Copies of The Net is available in the Church porches and on the Derry Diocesan website. This paper has many interesting faith stories and news clips from around our diocese.
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. 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
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 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
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.
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.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Holy Communion 2026 Ballinascreen:
St. Eoghan’s P.S. on Saturday 2 May at 11.00 am, in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Mary’s P.S. on Saturday 9 May at 11.00 am, in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil Na Speiríní, on Saturday 16 May at 11.00 am, in Holy Rosary Church.
St Columba’s P.S. on Saturday 16 May at 11.00 am, in St Columba’s Church, Straw.
Holy Communion 2026 Desertmartin
Knocknagin P.S. on Saturday 25 April at 11.00 am in St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.
St Columb’s P.S., Cullion, on Saturday 23 May at 11.00 am in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.
Confirmation 2026 Ballinascreen
Saturday 28 February at 12 noon in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Saturday 7 March at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary.
Confirmation 2026 Desertmartin
Sunday 1 March at 12 noon, in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.
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:
4 January, Straw.
11 January, Moneyneena.
18 January, Holy Rosary.
25 January, Sixtowns.
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 at 1.30 pm on the following dates:
4 & 18 January
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
Parish offices will be closed from 22 December until 5 January.
Notices should be received by 12 noon on Tueday 30 December by Email 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 12noon on Tuesday 30th December. Notices for First Anniversary and Month's Mind Masses should be received before Tuesday of the previous week so that, they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
As we celebrate The Feast of the Holy Family we pray that the families of our parishes and diocese will be places of faith, hope, and love, where vocations to the diocesan priesthood will be fostered and encouraged.
