BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 12 OCTOBER 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- Oct 10
- 8 min read
No. 2093 ~ TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME PRISONERS’ SUNDAY
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 OFFICE
OPENING HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
9 High Street
Phone: (028)79628248
SAFEGUARDING
Click on this link for safeguarding information regarding support services, complaints and reporting, and downloadable resources from the Derry Diocese: https://www.derrydiocese.org/safeguarding
The Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Marie Gormley. To contact Marie Tel: 07596500793, or Email: marie.gormley@derrydiocese.org
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.
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 ~ 13 October:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 14 Ocotber:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 15 October:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
1.00 pm ~ St Columba’s Straw
Thursday ~ 16 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday ~ 17 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
12 noon ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 15: St Teresa of Avila, virgin and doctor of the Church.
Friday 17: St Ignatius of Antioch.
Saturday 18; St Luke, Evangelist.
OPENING OF SCHOOL YEAR MASSES
St Mary’s P. S. - Wednesday 15 October in Holy Rosary Church.at 10.00 am.
St Columba’s P. S. - Wednesday 15 October in St Columba’s Church, Straw at 1.00 pm.
St Eoghan’s P. S. - Friday 17 October in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena at 12 noon.
DO THIS IN MEMORY MASS
The first Mass, in the DTIM Programme, for children from the parishes of Ballinascreen and Desertmartin preparing to receive their First Holy Communion in 2026, will take place at 6.00 pm on Saturday 18 October, in Holy Rosary Church. All children, parents and families most welcome to attend.
NOVENA OF HOPE
To celebrate the Holy Year which has HOPE as its theme a Novena of Hope will take place each Sunday at 6.00 pm alternating between Holy Rosary Church and St Patrick’s Church Keenaught. (Except for November 2). Guest speakers, listed below, have been invited to talk about their faith and life in the church.
October 19 in Holy Rosary Church
Marguerite Hamilton, Director Columba House Community.
October 26 in St Patrick’s Keenaught
Brenda Bannon, Former head of R.E. Loreto College Omagh.
November 2 All Souls’ Day Service
3.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s Keenaught
6.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
November 9 in Holy Rosary Church
Bishop Donal McKeown.
November 16 in St Patrick’s Keenaught
Fr Hugh Lagan SMA.
November 23 in Holy Rosary Church
Sr Perpetua McNulty, Sisters of Mercy and Thornhill Ministries.
November 30 in St Patrick’s Keenaught
Michael Murphy, Matt Talbot’s life and example.
December 7 in Holy Rosary Church
Annual Carol Service incorporating the Novena prayers.
December 14 in St Patrick’s Keenaught
Fr Paul Farren, Adm. St Eugene’s Derry.
PARISH NOVENA ALL SOULS’ DAY - ANNUAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE
The Novena Service on All Souls’ Day (November 2) will be part of our Parish Annual Mass of Remembrance.
On Sunday 2 November a Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated in St Patrick’s Keenaught at 3.00 pm and at 6.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
During the 6.00 pm Mass the names of all who died or were buried in Ballinascreen Parish since All Souls’ Day 2024 will be read out. After all these names have been read out one adult member, of each of these bereaved families, will be invited to carry a lit candle to the altar. Each family should ensure that an adult member has been selected to represent them. All candles will be provided at the back of the church during this Mass.
At the 3.00 pm Mass the names of all who died or were buried in Desertmartin Parish since All Souls’ Day 2024 will be read out.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Gerry Donnelly, Moykeeran Drive on Friday 17 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Gerry Kelly.
Anniversaries:
Patrick Joseph McAllister;
John Donnelly;
Anthony Rooney;
Sean McCullagh;
Bridget McCloskey;
John Spillane.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Priests’ Collection £2489,
Renovation Collection £1489.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm. All bookings to be made please via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or by Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
October 19 ~ St. Columba’s, Straw.
October 26 ~ St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns.
November 16 ~ St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
November 30 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
December 14 ~ St Columba’s, Straw.
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT TALK
To commemorate the 400th anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett’s birth on 1 November 1625, and the 50th anniversary of his canonisation in 1975, Rev Dr Thomas O'Connor, former Professor of History at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, will give a talk on the saint in St Oliver Plunkett Church, Clady, at 5.00 pm on Sunday 26 October. All welcome.
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAYS
Social Tea Dance in Workspace Community Hub on Wednesday 15 October from 12 noon to 2.00 pm. Music and dancing with Gerard from Country Harmony. Booking required. Contact Carin at Workspace (028) 7962 8113.
Everyone welcome, this free event is funded by the International Fund for Ireland, delivered as part of the BALGLEN project.
LITTLE WOMBLES PLAYGROUP
Family Fun Day to celebrate their 25th Anniversary, on Sunday 19 October from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. All invited to come for lots of fun and view their wonderful new premises. Special guests, activities, treats and goodies. Messy Express Wee Bugs and Beasties on site from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Parental supervision required at all times.
THE RISE AND SHINE TRUST PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The Rise and Shine Trust travels to Lourdes every Easter Sunday with young people and children. The Derry, Tyrone and Donegal groups are currently accepting applications from young people of all religious denominations with:
A medical condition, physical disability or illness (aged 9-18)
A learning disability (aged 11-21)
Very seriously ill children younger than 9, accompanied by parent or close relative
Young adults between 19 and 30 with a disability or illness.
The young person travels without their family but accompanied by experienced adult carers. This week is a great experience for the young person as they have the opportunity to make new friends, increase their social skills and confidence and often provides respite for parents /carers. The Rise and Shine Trust cover the cost of those young people selected to travel. If there is a young person that you feel would be eligible and would benefit from a trip to Lourdes, please contact Aileen Henry on 00353 872063183 for more details and an application form. Closing date is Wednesday 15 October.
REMEMBRANCES
On 1 November, Professor Michael Parker and Dr Gary Wade will deliver a lecture at HomePlace, Bellaghy which will bring together these two scholars to explore different subjects and forms of memory in Seamus Heaney's witing. There will also be a discussion of Gary’s recently published book Seamus Heaney and Catholicism. Tickets £10 can be purchased at HomePlace, Bellaghy or online at www.seamusheaneyhome.com
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Events for October and Halloween:
Indoor Bowls every Monday at 8.00 pm. Beginners welcome.
Tuesday 14 October: Social and Old Time Dance Class at 8.30 pm.
Saturday 18 October: Clean up outside of the Hall at 11.00 am. All volunteers welcome.
Thursday 30 October: Children’s Halloween Disco from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Friday 31 October: Monthly Social Dance at 9.30 pm Music by Larry & Co.
Sunday 2 November: Coffee / Tea Morning from 11.30 am. All welcome.
MESSAGE OF THANKS
The Fullerton family Lisnamuck wish to sincerely thank the businesses and people who so kindly supported their Charity Coffee Morning which raised £12,873.53. This money was shared equally between Charis Cancer Care and Cancer Focus NI.
TERMONBACCA RETREAT CENTRE DERRY
Fr Stephen Quinn will lead a silent retreat for men and women from Friday 5 - Sunday 7 December. This is a great opportunity during Advent to grow in contemplative prayer and friendship with Christ. Cost £90. For more details and to book call 028 71262512 or Email: termonbaccaderry@ocd.ie
Our Lady of Montligeon Prayer Group praying for all the souls in purgatory meet in Termonbacca at 12.30 pm on the last Wednesday of each month. Next meeting Wednesday 29 October, all welcome
ABIDE IN HIS LOVE CONFERENCE
Women’s Conference, November 21 to 23, in Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran. Amazing event for women exploring the beauty and gift of their feminine identity in Christ. Guest speakers include Sr. Mary Madeline Todd OP, Megan Madden from ‘A Mother’s Lace’, Fr. Barry Braum, Fr. Mark Wharton, Fr. Francesco Mary Gavazzi and Nashville Dominican Sisters. Mass with Archbishop Martin. See Eventbrite for tickets and more details.
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA
Direct from Belfast. 7 nights F/B Avenida Hotel, 29 May to 5 June, £850 p.p.s. Led by Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ. Very convenient flight times. Early booking discount £100. For more details please contact Joe Catney on 07776425631.
TIME FOR DEMENTIA
Could you help nurses of tomorrow learn about dementia? Join Time for Dementia – an innovative award-winning training programme, which is designed to educate healthcare students to improve their knowledge, attitude, and empathy towards people with dementia and their carers. Students are paired up with a family affected by dementia and will arrange to visit them at home. This is a unique learning opportunity for the students and a chance for a family affected by dementia to share their experiences. More details, please contact Anouska on 07860331648 or Email: anouska.noble@alzheimers.org.uk
PARISH ANNIVERSARY AND 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 Ballinascreen Parish Office by noon on Thursday of the relevant week. Notices for First Anniversary and Month's Mind Masses should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week so that, they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
GAMBLING HELPLINE
Is gambling affecting your life? If so help is available by phoning 028 71351329.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Céilí Dancing classes for 6 weeks begin Wednesday 15 October at 7.30 pm. Suitable for all ages, everyone welcome.
Light Exercise and Dance with Charmaine. Thursdays at 2.15 pm - £3. Both above classes supported by National Lottery Community Fund.
Chair exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am. Admission £4.
St Mary’s Bowling Club: Tuesdays from 8.00 pm to 10 pm. New members welcome.
Irish Dancing: Tuesdays st 5.30 pm for new beginners and 6.00 pm. To register contact Nicola on 07518207458.
Crochet Classes: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Only a few tables left for Craft Fair on Sunday 9 November - £20 a table or £30 for 2. To book contact 07887614094.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band:
Starting on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October there will be two weekly nights of practice at 7.30 pm. Pick the night that suits you best (or come to both if you’re keen). New and past members.
September Draw winner: Leanne Bradley Longfield.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
In our second reading this weekend St Paul asks the young Timothy to keep in mind the Good News of the life, death and, most importantly, the resurrection of Jesus as Paul had handed it on to him. We pray for the future priests of our diocese that, like Timothy, their ministry will bring the people they serve to salvation.
