BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 18 MAY 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- May 17
- 7 min read
No. 2072 ~ FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
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
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.
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 ~ 19 May:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 20 May:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
Wednesday ~ 21 May:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church,
Thursday ~ 22 May:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
Friday ~ 23 May:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 20: St Bernadine of Siena.
Wednesday 21: Saints Christopher Magallánes, priest, and Companions, martyrs.
Thursday 22: St Rita of Cascia, religious.
Saturday 24: Day of Prayer for the Church in China.
PARISH MISSION
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Vincentian Fathers have had to regretfully cancel the Four Day Parish Mission in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin planned to be held from 29 May to 1 June.
Because the Parish Mission is now cancelled there will be Parish Anniversary Masses as usual on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May.
BLESSING OF GRAVES 2025
Blessing of Graves in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June at the following times.
Saturday June 7:
6.30 pm ~ Mass in St Patrick’s Keenaught followed by Blessing of graves.
Please note earlier Mass time.
Sunday June 8:
11.00 am ~ Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Sixtowns followed by Blessing of graves.
12 noon ~ Mass in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena followed by Blessing of graves.
2.00 pm ~ Blessing of graves at St Columba’s Straw.
3.00 pm ~ Blessing of graves at St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
4.30 pm ~ Blessing of graves at Old Keenaught Church.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Maurice Bradley, Moyard;
Sr Regina McCullagh, Kent, formerly from Bancran;
Mary McCullagh, Plumbridge;
Mickey Kearney, Tirnoney Maghera;
Marie McElhennon, Dungannon;
Peter Joseph McGurk, Dunamore;
Gerard Molloy, Cookstown formerly from Moykeeran Drive.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Patrick McGuigan.
Anniversaries:
John Reid;
Baby Henry Gray;
Pearly Burns.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Francis McNally, Sixtowns, on Friday 23 May at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Patrick McGuigan, Drumard, on Friday 23 May at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1775
Renovation Collection £2143.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
TRÓCAIRE
A further £405 has been received for this year’s Trócaire Lenten Appeal.
Many thanks.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Saturday 7 June in Holy Rosary Church,
St Eoghan's P. S., Moneyneena on Saturday 7 June in St Eugene's Church.
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOUGH DERG 2025
There will be a pilgrimage to Lough Derg from Thursday 10 July until Saturday 12 July. This is open to all members of the parish, and we may be able to book a bus depending on the number of responses. Please contact Fr Michael if you’re interested on 028 79632196 or by email at desertmartinparish@gmail.com
Alongside Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg is one of three esteemed traditional pilgrimage locations to be designated by the Irish Bishops’ Conference as national places of pilgrimage in this Jubilee Year.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Pilgrimage led by Bishop McKeown, on Sunday 15 June, commencing with Rosary at 2.00 pm, followed by Anointing of the Sick at 2.30 pm and concluding with Mass and Eucharistic Procession at 3.00 pm. Confessions available throughout the day.
Bus transport from St Eugene's Cathedral. For more details on this, please contact Karen on 028 71262 894 or Email: cathedral@derrydiocese.org
In conjunction with this pilgrimage, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, is running a two-night pilgrimage to Knock from 15 -17 June. Cost is £280 per person sharing. For more details on the 2 night pilgrimage and for the full itinerary, please contact Anne Marie at amhickey@derrydiocese.org or phone 028 71262894.
LITTLE WAY NOVENA 2025
Novena in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, closes today Sunday, at 3.00 pm.
PRAY FOR LIFE NOVENA
The Pray for Life Novena is an invitation to join thousands of people across Ireland to pray for the protection of human life, from Friday 23 May to the Feast of the Visitation Saturday 31 May. Each day’s intention will be accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life in Ireland. Visit www.prayforlife.ie for the daily novena prayers and to sign up for daily reminders. Prayers also on X @PrayforLife_ie or facebook.com/PrayforLifeNovena or on Instagram @prayforlifenovena. This is an initiative of the Council for Life of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
ALL IRELAND ROSARY RALLY
40th All-Ireland Rosary Rally on Saturday June 7 at Knock Shrine.
Rally will start at 9.30 am with a Marian Conference and conclude with a Pentecost Vigil and Healing Service from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Keynote at 1.00 pm by Mgr Steve Rossetti, USA. Rosary Procession follows the Stations of the Cross at 2.00 pm, Mass at 3.00 pm celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown. Music by Dana. Youth Conference 6.00 pm –7. 30 pm. Croagh Patrick climb and Mass on Sunday at noon. Full schedule and bus info: www.allirelandrosaryrally.com.
SLIEVE GALLION ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
Dance on Sunday 25 May in St Mary's Hall, Desertmartin. Music by John Rafferty, winner of ‘Glor Tire’. Dancing from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Admission £10 includes tea. (Bring your own bottle.)
BALLINASCREEN FOLD - JOB VACANCY
Domestic assistant required, 16 hours per week (no weekends). £12.35 per hour. To access the full criteria and to apply online please visit www.radiushousing.org/careers
Closing date is 26 May.
BLOOD DONATION SESSION
In Workspace Recreation Centre, (Backrow) on Wednesday 21 May from 12.30 pm until 7.30 pm. Please visit www.nibts.org to book an appointment.
FREE CPR AND DEFIB TRAINING
Mid Ulster Community First Responders will hold a free CPR and defibrillator training in Workspace Community Hub on Thursday 22 May at 7.00 pm. Places are limited, so booking is essential. To book, please contact Workspace by 4.00 pm on Monday 19 May on 028 7962 8113 or Email info@theworkspacegroup.org
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAYS
May’s Warm Welcome Wednesday Monthly Luncheon Club on Wednesday 21 May in Workspace Community Hub. Doors open 11.00 am, lunch served at 12.15 pm. Places limited so booking is essential. To book a place, please phone Workspace on 028 79628113 by 12 noon on Monday 19 May.
HELPLINE
Is gambling affecting your life? If so help is available by phoning. 028 71351329.
CCMS & DIOCESAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Department of Education seeks to appoint members to the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) along with appointments to the Diocesan Education Committee. If interested, information on this opportunity and an application pack is available by contacting DE as follows: visit website Public Appointment Opportunities | Department of Education or Email: egt1@education-ni.gov.uk or phone 028 91279461 or 91277684. Closing date for receipt of applications is 4.00 pm on Thursday 22 May.
SEAMUS HEANEY - POET OF CHILDHOOD
A lecture 'Vulnerable to Delight' by Dr Gary Wade (Adjunct Lecturer, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia) in St. Columb's College, Derry on Wednesday 18 June at 4.15 pm. To book please Email: info@stcolumbs.derry.ni.sch.uk or phone 028 71285000. Light refreshments served. All welcome.
JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH DERRY DIOCESAN TRUST
Parish Catechist - Three Patrons Parish, Derry City. Permanent post – 3 year Fixed Term Contract. 35 hours per week. In addition to faith development work in the parish, the Catechist will establish and develop chaplaincy initiatives at the Derry Campus of University of Ulster. For more information and/or application pack, email recruitment@derrydiocese.org or phone 028 71262302. Completed applications must be returned no later than 12 noon on Friday 30 May to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or by email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org
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
May 25 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
June 15 ~ St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns.
June 22 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena.
June 29 ~ St Columba’s Church Straw.
July 6 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
July 13 ~ St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns.
July 20 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena.
July 27 ~ St Columba’s Church Straw.
August 3 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
August 10 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
August 17 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena.
August 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw.
August 31 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
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
Jivercise classes Tuesdays 7.00 pm. Only two classes left. You can still join in in the fun by joining any night! Full recap every week! Beginners 7.00 pm, Jivercise 8.15 pm. All welcome. No experience or partner needed.
Defibrillator training second session planned for Wednesday 27 August at 1.00 pm. To book a place phone 07887614094.
Irish language class: Mondays at 7.30 pm. Funded by Desertmartin, Ballinascreen and Magherafelt Credit Unions.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am.
Crochet Class: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Irish Dancing: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm. Extra class for new beginners 5.30 pm. Register with Nicola at 07518207458.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
May Monthly draw winner: £50 Alec Carland, St Johnston Donegal.
Band Practice Thursdays at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome. Feast of the Assumption celebrations in Newcastle Co Down on Sunday 17 August.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS We pray for the men called to serve as priests in our diocese, that they will live and preach Jesus' ‘new commandment’ of love for all God's people and, in this way, be known as disciples of Jesus Christ. |
