BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 17 AUGUST 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
No. 2085 ~ TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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 ~ 18 August:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 19 August:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 20 August:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church,
Thursday ~ 21 August:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday ~ 22 August
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 20: St Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church.
Thursday 21: St Pius X, pope.
Friday 22: The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Saturday 23: St Eugene, bishop.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Jack Murray, Maghera;
Marie Boyle, Dungiven;
Johnny Donnelly, Magherafelt.
ANNIVERSARIES
John McNamee;
Patsy Murphy;
John Convery;
Marie Groogan.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Pat McPeake, Glenelly Villas, on Friday 22 August in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Eileen O’Hagan, Moykeeran, on Friday 22 August in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Gerald Stewart, Moykeeran, on Friday 22 August in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Joe Daniel Hegarty, Bancran Road;
Saorlaith Rose Bradley, Moneyconey.
WEDDING
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Mariola Gajda and Pawel Bialous who were recently married in St Columba’s Church Straw.
SUMMER DRAW 2025
Many thanks to all have supported this year’s Summer Draw. The second draw will take place this weekend at the 6.00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass in Holy Rosary:
You may still purchase a ticket to be entered in the draw for the two remaining weeks!
Prizes are as follows:
Week 4:
1st Prize ~ £1,000
2nd Prize ~ £200
3rd Prize ~ £100
Week 5:
1st Prize ~ £2,000
2nd Prize ~ £500
3rd Prize ~ £300
Tickets only £20 each are available to buy from Heron’s Gift Shop or Ballinascreen Parish Office. Alternatively you can purchase on line by scanning this QR Code:
or
Log onto:
Winners will be announced at the Saturday Vigil 6.00 pm Mass in Holy Rosary Church. All proceeds from this draw will go to our church renovation fund for the upkeep of all our churches in the parish.
Winners Week 2
£1,000 - Bronagh McGregor, Tonagh Rd.
£200 - M & K Gray, Drumard Road.
£100 - Charlie Hegarty, Sixtowns Road.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1855
Renovation Collection £1980.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
SUNDAY ENVELOPES
If you have not ever received a box of envelopes to contribute each week to the upkeep of the parish please email the Parish Office and we can arrange for you to receive a box. We appeal especially to the younger wage earners of the parish to begin supporting their parish. Contributions can also be made by standing order or direct debit.
NOVENA OF HOPE
Beginning Sunday 19 October a Nine Week Novena of Hope will take place in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Parishes to celebrate the Holy Year which has HOPE as its theme. Guest speakers have been invited to talk about their faith and life in the church and the Novena will take place each Sunday at 6.00 pm alternating between Holy Rosary Church and St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught. More details in the coming weeks.
MONEYNEENA PAROCHIAL HOUSE
As the Parochial House is now a private residence, no parking is permitted at all within its grounds. Please use the church car park and available spaces around the church. The space nearest the sacristy steps is reserved for the Celebrant.
VOCATIONS NOTICE
Anyone considering a vocation to the diocesan priesthood is invited to an afternoon of prayer and discussion organised by the diocesan vocations team on next Sunday 24 August. Mass at 12.30 pm in St Columb's Church, Waterside, , followed by refreshments in parish hall. Bishop McKeown hopes to attend, along with a number of priests and seminarians. The afternoon will end at 6.00 pm.
ACN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Papal charity Aid to the Church in Need Ireland invites people to join their pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday August 30 to highlight the plight of Christians who suffer persecution for their faith in many parts of the world. Mass 3.00 pm, all welcome. For more details please see www.acnireland.org
SLIEVE GALLION ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
Tea Dance in Knocknagin Hall, Desertmartin on Sunday 31 August.
Music by Shaun Loughrey. Dancing 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Admission £10 Bring your own bottle.
SIXTOWNS HISTORY AND HERITAGE GROUP
Heritage Day on Sunday September 7 from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Old crafts and tools from long ago will be displayed as the history and many aspects of life past in Sixtowns will be celebrated. Any contributions on the day will be much appreciated.
ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY
Could you help nurses of tomorrow learn about Dementia? Join Time for Dementia – an innovative award-winning training programme, coming to University of Ulster. The programme is designed to educate undergraduate 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 but also a great chance for a family affected by dementia to share their experiences of living with the condition. For more details please contact Anouska Noble on 07860331648 or email anouska.noble@alzheimers.org.uk
IOSAS CENTRE MUFF
Iosas Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden, is a vibrant, welcoming place for all the family. Come for Fish & Chip Friday, have an all-day breakfast on Saturday or enjoy a delicious Sunday lunch made with their own organic produce. Farm shop open Monday to Friday until 4.30 pm, selling organic fruit and vegetables, homemade jams & chutneys, free-range eggs and other treats. Explore the Celtic Prayer Garden - a peaceful space where children can explore and adults can reconnect with nature and enjoy a moment of calm. Eircode F93F104 will bring you to the Centre.
THE SACRED HEART MESSENGER MAGAZINE
A modern message in a much-loved tradition.
With the best writing on Spirituality, Prayer, Care for the Earth, Modern life, Scripture, Reflections, and children’s pages. Subscribe to the biggest selling religious publication produced in Ireland! From only €45 per annum or €15 for the digital issue. https://www.messenger.ie/product/sacred-heart-messenger-subscription/ The Sacred Heart Calendar and Living Prayer for 2026 are also available to order now!
LOUGH DERG 2025
One Day Retreats - Guided Days of Prayer and Reflection August 19, 23, 24, 25, 30; Sept 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 20, 21.
National Sacred Heart Crusade - A Sacred Heart Statue blessed by Pope Francis will be present for Day Retreats on 23, 24 and 25 August.
Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis: Sunday 7 September special devotions and blessing with Carlo Acutis Relic. Adm €50. Group discounts.
National Heritage Week - On Thursday 21 August immerse yourself in the story and heritage of the ancient Sanctuary. Guided tour of Station Island and boat trip at 11.00 am and 2.30 pm. Adm €15. Concessions for students, children and families.
Pilgrim Path Lake Shore Pilgrimage: Sunday 31 August. Guided 8 km and 12 km walk options available. Adm €25.
Quiet Day Retreat Friday 12 September. Adm €40 includes refreshments and lunch.
Advance booking essential for all events listed above. To book Tel.: 00353 719861518 or Email: info@loughderg.org
GAMBLING HELPLINE
Is gambling affecting your life?
If so help is available by phoning 028 71351329.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm. All bookings to be made please via the Parish Office: Tel.: 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
August 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw,
August 31 ~ Holy Rosary Church
September ~ 7 St. Patrick’s Sixtowns
September 21 ~ St. Eugene’s Moneyneena
October 12 ~ Holy Rosary Church
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
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.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Defibrillator training on Wednesday 27 August at 10.00 am. Only a few spaces left. To book a place please phone 07887614094.
Chair exercises have recommenced on Tuesdays at 10.00 am.
Irish Dancing Classes Tuesdays 5.30 pm for new beginners and 6.00 pm. Contact Nicola 07518207458.
Line Dancing classes resume on Wednesday 3 September at 7.30 pm
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
Annual Buffet and Dance in Parish Hall, on Friday 19 September. Music by Sprig of Heather. Tickets £15, on sale by band members, or pay at door.
