top of page

BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 15 OCTOBER 2023

No. 1989 ~ TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

PARISH CONTACT DETAILS

Fr. Peter Madden PP VF

31 Sixtowns Road

Telephone: 79628376

Fr Dermot McGirr CC​

50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin

Telephone: 79632196

PARISH OFFICE

OPENING HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.

9 High Street

Phone: (028)79628248


NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN

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

SAFEGUARDING

The Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Marie Gormley. To contact Marie Tel: 07596500793, or Email: mariegormley@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.

 
 

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


DAILY MASS TIMES

Monday October 16:

Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am

Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm

Tuesday October 17:

St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am

Wednesday October 18:

Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am

Thursday October 19:

St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am

Friday October 20:

St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am

Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm


ST COLUMBA’S P.S. ~ SCHOOL MASS

Opening of the School Year Mass for St Columba’s Primary School in St Columba’s Church on Wednesday 18 October at 1.15 pm. All welcome.


FEASTS OF THE WEEK

Tuesday 17: St Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr.

Wednesday 18: St Luke, the Evangelist.


FORTY HOURS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Annual Forty Hours Adoration in St Columba’s Church Straw today Sunday 15 will start after 9.00 am Mass and conclude with Devotions and Benediction at 5.00 pm.

Eucharistic Adoration will resume in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 16 October after 10.00 am Mass and will continue throughout the day until 7.25 pm. Forty Hours Adoration will conclude with Mass in Holy Rosary Church on Monday at 7.30 pm.


DO THIS IN MEMORY MASS

Do This In Memory Mass for children preparing for their First Holy Communion and their families will be celebrated on Saturday next, October 21, at 6.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.


DEATHS

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

Johnny Spillane, Sixtowns Road;

Charlie Trolan, Portstewart, formerly from Cahore.


MONTH’S MIND MASS

Maggie Higgin,s Derrynoyd Lane, on Friday 20 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.

Fr John Downey on Friday 20 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.

There will also be a Month’s Mind Mass for Fr John Downey in St Eugene’s Cathedral Derry on Wednesday 18 October at 7.30 pm.


FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS

Peggy Conway, Magherafelt Road on Friday 20 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.


ANNIVERSARIES

Marie Donnelly;

Charlie Kelly;

Patrick Joseph McAllister.


PARISH COLLECTIONS

Weekly Collection: £2170

Renovation Collection: £2050

Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.


CONFIRMATION 2024

Confirmation will be celebrated in Ballinascreen Parish on the following dates:

  • Saturday 2 March at 12 noon for children attending Gaelscoil na Speiríní,

  • Saturday 9 March at 12 noon for children attending St Columba’s P.S.; St Eoghan’s P.S. and St Mary’s P.S.


FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2024

First Holy Communion will be celebrated in Ballinascreen Parish on the following dates:

  • Saturday 27 April at 11.00 am for children attending Gaelscoil na Speiríní and St Eoghan’s P.S.

  • Saturday 11 May at 11.00 am for children attending St Mary’s P.S.

  • Saturday 18 May at 11.00 am for children attending St Columba's P.S.


MASS FOR DECEASED YOUNG PEOPLE & CHILDREN

Annual Mass at 7.00 pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Sunday 12 November.



ST ANNE’S CHURCH OF IRELAND SIXTOWNS

Harvest Thanksgiving Service in St Anne's Church of Ireland on Sunday 15 October at 3.00 pm. This is one of only two times that the church is open each year. All are welcome.


HARVEST THANKSGIVING

Harvest Thanksgiving Service in St Columba's Church of Ireland, Draperstown with the Seven Towers Male Voice Choir on Sunday 22 October at 7.00 pm Apple tart supper. All are welcome.


OCTOBER’S WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAY

Monthly Luncheon Club offering FREE hot lunch for over 60s and the chance to meet and chat to others, takes place on Wednesday 18 October in Workspace Community Hub from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. Food served about 12.30 pm. Only 30 places available so booking is essential. To confirm your place contact Workspace on 02879628113 by 12 noon on Tuesday 17 October.


PULMONARY FIBROSIS

The trustees of PFNI and the organising committee of the recent Fundraising Drive wish to say a heartfelt thanks to the very many individuals and businesses from our community who responded so generously to the appeal for support. The amount raised was an amazing £170,000 which will enable the charity to provide a much-needed Respite Centre for sufferers of Pulmonary Fibrosis and their carers. Thank you.


LONG TOWER NOVENA

Annual Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St Columba's, Long Tower, Derry for the 9 Sundays before Christmas beginning Sunday 22 October at 6.00 pm. This year's theme is 'Year of Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood'. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, talk given by various speakers, Novena prayer and petitions, Eucharistic Healing Service and Benediction. Guest speaker on Sunday October 22 will be Bishop Cullinan, Chair of the Irish Bishops' Council for Year of Diocesan Priesthood. All welcome.


WORKSPACE RECREATION CENTRE

Nuala’s Keep Fit classes on every Monday and Thursday at 6.45 pm. Classes only cost £21 for 6 weeks (one night per week) works out at only £3.50 per class! To register your place or more information call Workspace on 0287962 8113


SIXTOWNS DANCE CLASSES

Social and Old Time Dance classes for beginners will be held in Sixtowns Cross Community Centre on Tuesday 17 October at 8.30 pm. Everyone welcome.


ANCESTRAL FAMILY NAMES

Glór na Speiríní announce their new project in partnership with all Ballinascreen schools. Please note that pupils from all the schools will be visiting family members, elderly neighbours to collect information on family ancestral names, the link to the past and the history behind them within the family. Our primary aim is to log and retain our rich heritage before it's all lost it will then be published as a booklet.


PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

Weekend Retreat at Ards Friary, from 8 - 10 December. Led by Philip McParland. In the weeks leading up to Christmas there is usually a lot going on in our lives. This weekend will offer you an opportunity to focus on your spiritual preparation. It will be both reflective and practical, suggesting ways to keep in touch with Jesus. To book contact Ards Friary Phone: 00353 749138909 or email info@ardsfriary.ie


ST. PEREGRINE DRETREAT

In Carmelite Centre Termonbacca on Thursday 19 October 10.00 am -3 pm. Cost including light lunch £15. Please bring a bottle of olive oil to be blessed. A first class relic of St. Peregrine will be available. To book phone 71262512.


TRÓCAIRE

Trócaire seeks people to join its team of Christmas fundraisers to help respond to the urgent need of poor communities around the world, including the millions of families caught in conflict across Ethiopia, South Sudan and Ukraine. Training and support provided. To find how you can help now or over Advent and Christmas please call 90808030 or email Mark McMahon on infoni@trocaire.orgi


SPERRIN FOODBANK

Foodbank now operates Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. If you or someone you know requires assistance please call 07543 420639. No questions asked or criteria to meet. facebook page Sperrinfoodbank, email


PARISH ANNIVERSARY AND MONTH’S MIND MASSES

If parishioners wish to have their 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 they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.


KNOCKNAGIN HALL

  • Chair exercises: Tuesdays at 10. 00 am followed by a short walk. Adm £4.

  • Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm. Bring your own project or you can help with knitting for local charities.

  • Line Dancing: Wednesday at 7.30pm.

  • Bowling Club: Tuesday from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm.

If interested in any of the above please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne

79642711

  • Sarsfield’s Band Practice: Thursday at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome.

 

NATIONAL SYNTHESIS OF THE SYNODAL PROCESS

The Irish Bishops' Conference has published the National Synthesis of the Synodal Process conducted across the Church in Ireland from Autumn 2021. The National Synthesis is the fruit of a wide-ranging process of listening and consultation and is based on the syntheses produced by the 26 dioceses in Ireland, as well as those submitted by religious congregations and other interested groups. The National Synthesis will be forwarded to Rome as part of the worldwide synodal process of listening and discernment launched by Pope Francis in October 2021 and which will culminate in the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2023.

To view this document click HERE


SYNODALITY

Synodality is about seeking together to discover God’s way forward in a new time and place.

This is not just a time of change but a change of time.

It is about learning to journey in hope from the great figures of the Advent liturgy: Isaiah, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph.

We are a pilgrim people, following the voice of God who calls us one step at a time.

We are moving beyond a Church where everything depends on ‘Father’.

Pope Francis has asked us to rediscover the Advent spirit of leaving our secure base and trusting that the Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace.

We aim to have a time of local listening to one another in January/February, building towards a diocesan submission to an Irish national response.

All national responses will be considered by the Vatican and a Working Document sent back for local reflection and comment in late 2022 – building towards the Synod of Bishops’ meeting in October 2023, and beyond.

This is the beginning of a new way of being Church. It is not just a passing initiative. It is facing the future together, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Advent is not just a season of the year. It is a permanent part of our identity as Church.

 

PRAYER FOR THE SYNOD


We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.


With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.


We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.


Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.


All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.


THE SYNOD PRAYER ~ IRISH TRANSLATION (Paidir an tSionaid)

Seasaimid i Do láthairse, a Spioraid Naoimh,

agus muid ag teacht le chéile i D’ainm

Agus Tusa amháin mar threoraí againn

socraigh Tú féin síos inár gcroíthe;

Múin dúinn an tslí a chaithfimid dul

agus conas is féidir linn leanúint di.

Táimid lag agus claonta chun peaca;

ná lig dúinn ainriail a chur chun cinn.

Ná lig don aineolas sinn a chur amú,

ná don chlaonpháirtíocht ár ngníomhartha a mhúnlú.

Lig dúinn teacht Ort inár n-aontacht

chun go dtriallfaimid le chéile chun na beatha síoraí

gan dul ar strae ó bhealach na fírinne ná ón cheart.

Iarraimid é seo uile Ort,

Tusa a bhíonn ag obair de shíor agus i ngach uile áit,

i gcomaoin an Athar agus an Mhic,

trí shaol na saol.

Amen.


To learn more about the Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland please visit:

To learn more about the worldwide Synod please visit: https://www.synod.va/en.html

Please say each day in your prayers the following prayer for the success of the Synodal Process which is both old and new.

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR PROTECTION

The Irish Catholic Bishops have asked for prayers for those affected by the Coronavirus. Placing all our trust in the Lord, and asking Our Lady to intercede for us, the bishops invite everyone to pray these prayers:

EXTRACT FROM SAINT PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,​

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

MEMORARE

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you,

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer. Amen

 

bottom of page