No. 1961 ~ PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence Moneyneena
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.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 7: St Perpetua and St Felicity. Both were martyred in Carthage in 203.
Wednesday 8: St John of God, religious.
Thursday 9: St Frances of Rome, religious.
Saturday 11: St Aengus, bishop and abbot.
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 FOR HOLY WEEK
Monday in Holy Week:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
Padre Pio Mass
Monthly Mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina on Monday at 7.30 pm in the Holy Rosary Church.
Novena Prayers and Rosary will commence at 7.10 pm.
During this 7.30 pm Mass there will be a reflection on Confession and after Mass a number of priests will be present to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Tuesday in Holy Week:
Holy Rosary ~ 7.00 am
St Colm’s High School ~ 8.40 am
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 11.00 am
St Patrick’s Keenaught ~ 7.30 pm. During this 7.30 pm Mass there will be a reflection on Confession and after Mass a number of priests will be present to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Wednesday in Holy Week:
Holy Rosary ~ 7.00 am
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~11.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 7.30 pm
EASTER TRIDUUM
Holy Thursday:
Mass of Chrism in St Eugene’s Cathedral Derry at 10.00 am. All welcome. During this Mass the Oils used in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Sick will be consecrated and blessed. Priests also will renew the vows taken when they were ordained. Mass of Chrism may be viewed via the Cathedral Webcam.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
6.00 pm ~ St Eugene's Church Moneyneena,
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Draperstown
7.30 pm ~ St Mary's Coolcalm.
Good Friday: This is a day of Fast and Abstinence
Solemn Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Jesus
3.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church,
3.00 pm ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s Keenaught.
Stations of the Cross
7.30 pm ~ St Columba's Straw.
Holy Saturday:
Easter Vigils
8.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church,
8.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns,
8.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s Keenaught.
CONFESSIONS
Confessions after 7.30 pm Masses on Monday and Tuesday also after ALL the Ceremonies on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Confessions also on Holy Saturday morning in Holy Rosary at 11.00 am and St Mary’s Coolcalm at 11.00 am.
SAFEGUARDING MEETING
Many thanks to all who attended the Safeguarding Information Evening during the week and to Knocknagin Hall Committee for hosting the event and providing such a warm welcome. As a follow up to the meeting, and in order to maintain best practice, no Altar Server may serve Mass on their own. The first server to arrive must wait for another server before entering the Altar Servers’ Room.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
NO Stations of the Cross today Sunday April 2
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday April 3, in Holy Rosary Church from 12 noon until 7.30 pm.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Agnes Conway, Cavanreagh;
Nicholas John Dore, Oxford.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Michael Connolly.
Anniversaries:
John Kerlin;
Danny Mullan;
Peter O'Kane;
Annie McSorley.
TRÓCAIRE 2023
Please return your donation for this year’s Trócaire Lenten Appeal to any of Services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday. Thank you.
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA
Novena begins on Good Friday and continues until the Feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday 16 April. Novena leaflets will be available in all the Churches of our parish. A recording of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena Prayers for each of the 9 days will be available online at www.parishofballinascreen.com
and on Parish Facebook Page.
Our Lord urged St Faustina to encourage others to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, promising extraordinary graces to those who would recite it. The Feast of Divine Mercy will be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church on Sunday 16 April at 3.00 pm.
NEW PARISH WEEKLY ENVELOPES
Sincere thanks to all those who have assisted with the distribution of the new boxes of envelopes.
If you did not receive envelopes and wish to receive a box please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible. Thank you.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £2219
Renovation Collection: £967.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
VOCATIONS CONFERENCE
In life, many hear God’s call to priesthood.
Is your heart open to the Lord?
Have you ever considered taking the risk to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?
If so, you are invited to the national seminary of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 25 April, to attend a special conference on evangelisation and vocations in Ireland today. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation, will be the keynote speaker. Please register directly on www.vocations.ie, or contact the National Vocations Director Fr Willie Purcell at willie.purcell@iecon.ie or Rev Eric Cooney secretary of the National Vocations Office at eric.cooney@iecon.ie
SCOUTS EASTER BAKE SALE AND EASTER TRAIL
33rd Derry Ballinascreen Scouts Annual Bake Sale in Community Hub Saturday 8 April,10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Easter Trail also on 8 April at Derrynoid Forest. Please book at Eventbrite, Easter Trail-Derrynoid Forest. For more information on either event please contact 07749538199 or ballinascreen.scouts@gmail.com
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Maura Johnston will address the society on Tuesday 4 April at 8.00 pm in Community Hub. Her address entitled ‘Quare Craic’ will be a bend of local stories, local dialect words and reminiscences. Maura is an accomplished writer of short stories and much in demand as an adviser to writing groups. All welcome.
MASTERS COURSE FOR SCHOOL LEADERS
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This post graduate degree is dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within a Catholic School.
An information session via ZOOM will be held on Monday 8 May at 3.30 pm. For more details or to register for this information session, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
PURSE FOUND
Purse was found in St Patrick’s Street, please contact the Parish Office.
SPERRIN FOODBANK
If you require a food parcel, Sperrin Foodbank will be open on Fridays from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm for drop-ins. No appointment required. If you require assistance outside this time, please call 07543 420639 to arrange collection. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Other contact details are Facebook page Sperrinfoodbank or email
PILGRIMAGE RETREAT TO THE HOLY LAND
From 15 October 2023 for 9 nights. Flights direct from Dublin.
Part I: Galilee/Nazareth.
Part II: Bethlehem/Jerusalem.
Cost £1795 stg includes taxes, transfers, tips, half-board. For further details please contact Erin or Sr Perpetua at thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org.
LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE 2023
Pilgrimage from 3 to 7 July 2023. The Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ will be open to the public on Saturdays only from 11.00am until 1.00 pm commencing on Saturday 11 February. Intending pilgrims can also leave a message on 028 7126 0293 with their full postal address and the number of booking forms required, or email these details to derrypilgrim@outlook.com or write to the above address to request booking forms.
FAMILY EASTER FUN DAY
Naíscoil Charn Tóchair are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day at Drumnaph Nature Reserve, 15 Halfgayne Road, Maghera on Easter Monday 10 April from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. Tickets available online www.naiscoil.org/events or through Naíscoil Facebook page. For more details email eolas@naiscoilcharntochair.com
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAYS
In Community Hub Wednesdays from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm to provide a warm space, free tea / coffee and some chat. Free of charge open to all. No need to book, just drop-in.
Free Craft Session from 11.30 am - 1.30 pm at Warm Welcome Wednesday on 5 April making Family Tree Plaques. No previous experience or skill required and all materials will be supplied.
Booking required as places are limited. Call Workspace on 79628113 to book.
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 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. Email address is: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Social Dance on Friday14 April. Music by Chris Dallat. Dancing from 9.00 pm to Midnight. Admission £7, includes light supper.
Knit ‘n Natter and Line Dancing will recommence on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 April at 7.30 pm.
Sarsfield’s Band Practice will recommence on Thursday 20 April at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome, roles for accordion players, flag bearers and majorettes.
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
