BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 19 OCTOBER 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
No. 2094 ~ TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - MISSION 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 ~ 20 October:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 21 Ocotber:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 22 October:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday ~ 23 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday ~ 24 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 22: St John Paul II, pope.
Thursday 23: St John of Capistrano.
Friday 24: St Anthony Mary Claret.
MISSION SUNDAY
This weekend, we join with parishes worldwide to celebrate World Mission Sunday. Thank you for supporting in whatever way you can, and please remember, it is more than an appeal for financial help. Missionaries also need spiritual support. This year’s theme is 'Missionaries of Hope Among the Peoples'.
NOVENA OF HOPE - STARTS TODAY AT 6.00 PM
The Novena of Hope for Ballinascreen and Desertmartin parishes which will take place each Sunday at 6.00 pm alternating between Holy Rosary Church and St Patrick’s Church Keenaught (except for November 2) starts today. All welcome. 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.
ALL SOULS’ DAY MASS OF REMEMBRANCE
The Parish Novena Service on All Souls’ Day (November 2) will be part of our Parish Annual Mass of Remembrance.
On Sunday November 2 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.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of Michael Patrick Bradley Labby.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Anna McCullagh, Moneyneena Road, on Friday 24 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARIES MASS
Mary McAuley, The Square, on Friday 24 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Margaret Devlin, Slieve Galllion Park, on Friday 24 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Mary McAuley;
Margaret Devlin.
Anniversaries:
Rita Harkin;
Bronagh Murray;
Charles Kelly;
Peter McGuigan;
Peggy Conway;
Norah O'Hagan;
Michael McGillian.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Maja Rataj, Moneymore;
Isla May Hegarty, Sixtowns Road.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1990.
Renovation Collection £2220.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated
ST COLM’S HIGH SCHOOL
Year 8 Mass in School Hall on Thursday 23 October at 7.00 pm.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms on Sundays at 3.00 pm and all bookings to be made please via the Parish Office: Tel.: 02879628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
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.
LITTLE WOMBLES PLAYGROUP
Family Fun Day to celebrate their 25th Anniversary, today 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
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
Yoga classes continue on Wednesdays from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. £7 drop in or £25 for a 4 week block. Text or phone Anne for details on 07751978399. All levels welcome.
Indoor Bowls: Mondays at 8.00 pm. Beginners 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.
DUNGIVEN PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2026
Departing from Belfast International on Monday 10 August for 6 nights*, will be in Lourdes for Feast of The Assumption. (*may be reduced to 5 nights - this will be confirmed at a later date). Spiritual director Fr. Gerard Sweeney. Cost per person based on twin/double sharing, full board, is £975. Single supplement £39 per night. Insurance optional, extra £45. Only a limited number of seats remain. To book please contact Dungiven Parish Office. Phone 028 77740702.
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
BALLINASCREEN SCARECROW TRAIL
Households, community groups, schools and businesses are warmly invited to take part in this year’s trail which will run from Friday 24 October to Friday 7 November.
To register your display by Wednesday 22 October, please visit Ballinascreen Community Forum Facebook page for the online registration form or Tel.: 07748645007 or Email: Rosemary at info@cfballinascreen.org
GLÓR NA SPEIRÍNÍ
Aonach Oiche - Christmas Market in Ballinascreen GAC Club on Saturday 22 November, hosted by Glór na Speiríní. All businesses welcome. To book a table please contact conchurglor@gmail.com.
Irish Classes continue every Thursday night. Classes to suit all abilities of Irish.
Contact conchurglor@gmail.com for further details.
CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
Day Retreat in Ards Friary Creeslough, on Wednesday 10 December from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. Cost €50, includes tea/coffee and light lunch. For bookings Tel.: 0035374 9138909 or Email: info@ardsfriary.ie. For more details Email: carolinebrown268@gmail.com
TERMONBACCA CENTRE DERRY
Fr Stephen Quinn will lead a silent retreat for men and women from Friday 5 to 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 Tel.: 028 71262512 or Email: termonbaccaderry@ocd.ie
GLENSHANE HOUSE DUNGIVEN
L2 Autism course starts on Monday 3 November from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm, for 4 weeks. Registration fee £30 + cert £18. Special offer of £20 for 16-18 year olds. To register Tel 028 777 42494.
TIME FOR DEMENTIA
Could you help nurses of tomorrow learn about dementia? Time for Dementia is an innovative award-winning training programme, 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
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. See Eventbrite for tickets and full details.
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: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm. Suitable for all ages. All welcome.
Light Exercise and Dance with Charmaine: Thursdays at 2.15 pm - £3.
Health & Wellbeing Advice on Friday 7 November at 7. 30 pm, pharmacist, therapist, blood pressure and blood sugars checks available.
The above 3 activities are 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 10.00 pm. New members welcome.
Irish Dancing: Tuesdays 5.30 pm for new beginners and 6.00 pm . To register contact Nicola on 07518207458.
Crochet Classes: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Craft Fair on Sunday 9 November. Starts at 10.30 am. 30 crafters from all over Mid-Ulster with a wide selection of handcrafted items will be in attendance.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band:
Band will continue to try out two weekly nights of practice every Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30 pm. Pick the night that suits you best (or come to both if you’re keen). Would love for everyone to make it along each week if possible. New and past members welcome.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
On Mission Sunday we pray for those working to spread the Gospel to the furthest ends of the world. Let's pray also for those who are and will be called to proclaim the Good News of God's love as diocesan priests.
