BALLINASCREEN & DESERTMARTIN PARISHES 6_DECEMBER_2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 12m
- 8 min read
No. 6 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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
SUNDAY VIGIL MASSES
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 ~ 8 December: Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary
8.00 am ~ St Columba’s, Straw.
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
11.00 am ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
11.00 am ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns.
7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaught.
Tuesday ~ 9 December
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcam.
7.00 pm ~ St Columba’s Straw, Christingle Mass.
Wednesday ~ 10 December:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Thursday ~11 December:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm.
Friday ~ 12 December:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
CONFESSIONS
Ballinascreen:
Holy Rosary Church: Saturdays at 5.30 pm; before Vigil Mass.
Desertmartin:
St Patrick’s, Keenaught: Saturdays from 6.30 pm until 7.10 pm.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 8: Immaculate conception of Blessed Virgin Mary
Tuesday 9: St Juan Diego, Cuauhtlatoatzin
Wednesday 10: Our Lady of Loreto
Thursday11: St Damasus I, Pope
Friday 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe, St Finnian of Clonard
Saturday 13: St Lucy, virgin and martyr
NOVENA OF HOPE
Everyone welcome to The Novena of Hope which continues, with guest speaker, each Sunday at 6.00 pm, alternating between Holy Rosary Church and St Patrick’s Church Keenaught.
December 7: Holy Rosary Church ~ Carol Service with Novena prayers.
December 14: St Patrick’s, Keenaught ~ Fr Paul Farren.
Please Note: All Novena Services, in both churches, are recorded and posted on Ballinascreen Parish Facebook and Ballinascreen Parish website ~ www.parishofballinascreen.com
CHRISTINGLE MASS
Tuesday 9 December at 7.00 pm in St Columba’s Church, Straw.
All welcome.
MONTHS MIND MASS
John Shaw, Grange Lane will take place on Tuesday 9 December at 10.00 am Mass in St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.
ANNIVERSARIES
Ballinascreen:
First Anniversary:
Vera Cuskeran, Disert Rd.
Anniversaries:
Sean Kelly, Derrynoid Lane;
James Kelly, Drumderg Rd;
John O’Hagan, Moykeeran Gardens;
Baby Rio Crossett, Cordarragh;
Paddy Leyden, Tonaght Rd;
Shane McGregor, Tirruadh Square;
Bridie Loughran, Davagh Rd;
Padraic O’Kane, St Patrick's St;
James McEldowney, Moykeeran Crescent;
Annie Kelly (Dan), Brackaghlislea.
Desertmartin:
Kathleen McKenna;
Annie Henry;
Patrick McGuigan;
Eugene McGovern;
Pat McBride;
John Fitzgerald McGuigan;
Gerard O’Neill;
Pat O’Neill;
Patrick Trainor.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Shea Fergal McCrory;
Éireann Ireane Teresa McCullagh;
Tiarnán Thomas Pio Smyth;
Fíadh Anne McSorley;
Esmé Barrett.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Ballinascreen:
Parish Collection - £3207
Renovation Collection - £1432.10
Retired Priests Collection - £105.50 (£1785)
Desertmartin
Parish Collection - £617
Retired Priests Collection - £170 (£1007)
Totals shown include November Standing Orders from Parishioners. If you would like to avail of this option please contact the Parish Office.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Desertmartin Parish is having it’s Christmas Draw again this year!
The total prize fund is £5000. Tickets are £20 each.
Draws every day for the 12 days between Christmas Day and Monday 5 January 2026. Everyone’s tickets will be included in all draws, giving you 33 chances to win prizes!
Prizes~ For the 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.
Tickets On sale at:
Ballinascreen & Desertmartin Parish Offices;
Heron’s gift shop;
Moneyneena P.O.
Ballinascreen Credit Union.
Before & after all Masses in the Desertmartin Churches.
Directly from Fr.McCaul at the Parochial House.
A ticket would make a nice Christmas gift to send inside your Christmas cards to members of your family and friends this Christmastime. If anyone anywhere would like a ticket posted to them, please contact Fr.McCaul on 02879632196 or email desertmartinparish@gmail.com. All proceeds going towards the running of the parish & essential work to be carried out at St. Patricks Keenaught.
BALLINASCREEN PARISH CHOIR
Annual Carol Service on Sunday 7 December at 6.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church. Everyone welcome at this wonderful event.
BLESSING OF THE 'BAMBINELLI' BABY JESUS
On Saturday 13 December at 6.00 pm in the Holy Rosary, there will be a Blessing of the Baby Jesus from home cribs. The beautiful Advent Tradition known as Bambinelli Sunday was instituted by Saint Pope John Paul II during his Papacy. All are invited to bring the Baby Jesus figure from their home to be blessed.
CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL
Sperrin Foodbank and St Vincent de Paul are providing Christmas hampers to people in need in Draperstown and surrounding areas. Donation points found in:
All local schools;
Lynch's;
Centra;
Devlin's Moneyneena;
The Workspace Group;
At the Annual Carol Service in Holy Rosary on Sunday 7 December.
If you, or someone you know, would like to receive a hamper this year, please contact Sperrin Foodbank 07543420639 or SVP 07710838050 in complete confidence by Friday 12 December. It doesn't matter if you are a single adult, single parent with children or a working family, they are willing and there to help you.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP
Festive events at Sixtowns Hall, supported by Mid Ulster District Council. Everyone welcome.
Christmas Fayre: Sunday 7 December from noon to 3.00 pm. Stalls offering Christmas gifts, homemade crafts and baked goods. Raffle with great prizes on the day and carol singing from Sixtowns Choir. Free entry.
Children’s Disco: Sunday 14 December from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Open to pre- and post-primary aged children. Santa will be there with a gift for every child! £5 entry per child. Adult supervision required.
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAY
Workspace Community Hub from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm on Wednesday 10 December. Pupils & staff from St Mary’s Primary School will join us to perform Christmas carols and music to celebrate the festive season. No need to book, just drop in. Free tea/coffee and tray bakes also available.
THE WORKSPACE COMMUNITY FUND FOR 2026
Now open & accepting applications. 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 and wellbeing in the local community, & promote community involvement. For an application form & guidance notes, contact Workspace on 028 79628113 or Email: info@theworkspacegroup.org. Closing date for applications is 1pm on Monday 22nd December. Please note, applicants who received funding for 2025 are not eligible to apply to the Fund again this year.
KNOCKNAGIN PRIMARY SCHOOL CAROL SERVICE
Thursday 11 December in St Mary's Coolcalm at 1.15 pm. All welcome.
ST COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL CAROL SERVICE
Tuesday the 16 December in the Holy Rosary at 2.00 pm. All welcome.
THE SPREAD ANNUAL MASS
Thursday 18 December in St Mary's, Coolcalm at 10.00 am. All welcome
TRÓCIARE GIFTS AND DONATIONS
December 14: Trócaire stall selling gifts and accepting donations after 9.00 am Mass in Straw, 11.00 am Mass in Sixtowns and 12 noon Mass in Moneyneena.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Social Tea Dance: Friday 12 December. Music by Liam McLaughlin. Adm £7 - includes refreshments
Chair Exercise Class: Tuesday at 10:00am.
Irish Dancing Lessons: Tuesday evenings at 5:30 pm for new beginners, 6:00 pm for returning learners.
To register, contact Nicola: 07518 207458
St. Mary’s Bowling Club: Tuesdays at 8:00pm. New members’ welcome.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band:
December monthly draw winner:
No. 199 - Bláine Scullion, Castledawson.
Winner of Free draw for fully paid-up members:
No. 151 - Vickey McKinley, Magherafelt.
Tickets for 2026 monthly draw now on sale - £1 a month, £12 for the year. £50 in prizes every month.
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. Michael McCaul.
Further details contact Maria on 02881648357 or 07768 395038.
CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA.
One day retreat: Wednesday 10 December from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm at Ards Friary. Cost is 50€ includes tea/coffee and a light lunch. For bookings contact Ards Tel.:0749138909 Email: info@ardsfriary.ie or carolinebrown268@gmail.com
CATHOLIC MOTHERS IRELAND
A special Mass on Tuesday 9 December at 6:30 pm in St Malachy’s Church, Armagh, to mark the end of their 10-year Anniversary celebrations. Celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin. All are warmly invited to attend. Further information email: catholicmothers@outlook.ie
MARY’S MEALS – DOUBLE THE LOVE
Our Double the Love Campaign has launched. All donations will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1 million. Bringing hope to hungry children this year. Please continue to keep Mary’s Meals in your prayers so we can reach many more children. Further details and Christmas cards/gifts available at www.marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212
DUNGIVEN PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2026
Departing from Belfast International on Monnday 10 August for 6 nights*. We will be in Lourdes for the Feast of The Assumption. (*may be reduced to 5 nights - this will be confirmed at a later date). Cost per person based on twin/double sharing, including full board, is £975. Single supplement is £39 per night. Insurance is optional and costs an extra £45. There are a limited number of seats remaining. Contact dungivenparish@derrydiocese.org or Tel.: 028 7774 0702
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2026
Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July (4 nights) ex City of Derry Airport. Cost £895 inclusive of local taxes but exclusive of single supplements and insurance. The Pilgrimage office will open for bookings on Saturday 17 January 2026 at 11am. However, Gift Vouchers to any value are now available (Monday to Thursday) from the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
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 14 ~ St Columba’s, Straw.
December 21 ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns at 12noon.
December 21 ~ Holy Rosary Church at 3.00 pm.
December 28 ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
Desertmartin Parish:
To book a baptism, contact Fr McCaul on 028 79632196 or Desertmartin Parish Office on 028 79397047. Baptisms are held at 1.30 pm on the following dates:
December: Sunday 7 & Sunday 21.
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, you MUST 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.