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No.1903 ~ SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Email:ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248
email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Open Monday and Tuesday from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Bulletins are presently only available:
Online at www.parishofballinascreen.com
On the noticeboard inside the front porch of Holy Rosary Church.
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
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
Monday 21: St Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church.
Tuesday 22: The Chair of St Peter.
Wednesday 23: St Polycarp.
MASS TIMES FOR WEEK AHEAD
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Vigil Masses
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 5.00 pm
Holy Rosary: 6.15 pm
St Patrick’s Keenaught: 7.30 pm
Sunday
St Columba’s Straw: 9.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm: 10.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: 11.00 am
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
DAILY MASS TIMES (MONDAY 21 - FRIDAY 25 FEBRUARY)
Holy Rosary Church:
Monday: 11.00 am
Wednesday: 11.00 am
Friday: 7.30 pm
St Mary’s, Coolcalm:
Tuesday: 11.00 am
Thursday: 11.00 am
Friday: 11.00 am
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the Ballinascreen parish webcam:
https://www.churchservices.tv/Draperstown
All Masses in St Mary’s Coolcalm are transmitted live on the Desertmartin parish webcam:
https://www.churchservices.tv/Desertmartin
DAY OF PRAYER FOR SURVIVORS AND VICTIMS OF ABUSE
On Friday next, February 25, there will be two Prayer Services to pray for and remember the victims and survivors of abuse. After morning Mass in St Mary’s, Coolcalm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place until 2.00 pm. A Prayer Service will begin at 1.30 pm. All welcome.
In Holy Rosary Church Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin at 5.00 pm. A Prayer Service will take place at 5.00 pm and Exposition will continue until 7.20 pm. All welcome.
Both Prayer Services can be followed on the church webcams.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Eileen McNally, Clonoe.
MONTH’S MIND MASSES
Jean McElhinney, Oak Park on Friday 25 February at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Roseanne Kelly, Bancran Road on Friday 25 February at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Liz McCloskey, Dungiven on Friday 25 February at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Tishy McCloskey, Dungiven on Friday 25 February at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Paul Carlin, Drumderg, on Friday 25 February at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Paul Carlin
Anniversaries:
Dan McKenna,
Mary McKenna,
Patrick McEldowney,
Mary Bradley,
Sadie Glasgow.
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Connie Mary Dunlop, Derrynoid Lane.
LENTEN MASSES 2022
From Monday 7 March it is planned to have daily Masses during Lent as follows:
Holy Rosary ~ 7.00 am from Monday to Thursday,
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena ~ 11.00 am from Monday to Thursday,
St Mary’s, Coolcalm ~ 7.30 pm from Monday to Thursday.
Readers are needed please for each of these Masses.
If you would like to read at a particular Mass on one of the days (Monday – Thursday) each week during Lent 2022 please email either the Ballinascreen or Desertmartin Parish Office as soon as possible.
Thank you.
STRAW CAR PARK
Fr Madden would like to make it known that Straw Car Park is for the exclusive use of those attending Mass in St Columba's Church, Straw or visiting Straw Cemetery. It is being increasingly used as a public carpark which it is not. The Staff of Gaelscoil and Naíscoil na Speiríní and parents visiting the school have permission to use it but no one else.
If you park your car there all day, please make other arrangements.
Funerals have had to be rearranged due to the unavailability of space in the parish car park and therefore action must be taken now to address this situation.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The pilgrimage will resume this year, from 3 - 8 July 2022. Cost: £689 per person sharing, with single room supplement £150. Price includes flights, transfers and full board. The pilgrimage will be suitable for pilgrims who do not require medical, nursing or personal assistance as, unfortunately, this cannot be provided this year. The intentions of the sick of the diocese can be taken to Lourdes. The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, will be open for enquires and application forms on Thursdays and Saturdays, 11.00 am – 1.00 pm, from 3 March. Tel: 028 71 260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
BRING A HYMN!
Church music leaders are invited to consider appropriate music for Lent and Holy Week and some might be willing to share a resource or two with others. Zoom session on Monday 21 February at 6.30 pm. To register and receive Zoom details, please email: thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org
EXPLORING PRIESTHOOD
On Tuesday 1 March at 8.00 pm there will be an opportunity for men to join in on a Zoom to find out more about priesthood and to hear directly from a priest and from two young men who are studying for the priesthood in the National Seminary in Maynooth. The event is being run by the National Vocations Office. For more details and to register please email info@vocations.ie or visit vocations.ie/zoom
The Zoom session should end by 9.30 pm. There will be a short time spent watching YouTube videos on priesthood and vocation, and a Questions & Answers session with the seminarians and the panel.
DROMANTINE RETREAT CENTRE
Lenten Day of Reflection: Sunday 6 March from 9.30 am until 5.30 pm. Provides time and space to reflect and pray on Lenten themes in preparation for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Led by Fr Damian Bresnahan SMA. Cost, including full lunch, £35.
The Wonder of Creation – the Miracle of Life: Friday 11 March, 5.00 pm – Sunday 13 March, 2.00 pm. In contemplating the wonder of our common home and current threats to its integrity, we will explore an ecological vision in responding to the cry of the poor at this time of unprecedented planetary change. Led by Sr Nellie McLaughlin RSM. Cost, including full board, £220.
For further information or to enrol, please phone 028 30821964 or email admin@dromantineconference.com
ANAM ÓG
Anam Óg is being launched at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, this Sunday 20 February at 6.00pm. It will include a time of prayer, formation and accompaniment for boys and girls who are celebrating or have recently celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation. Those aged 10 - 14 years are invited to come to celebrate the great gift we have received through, prayer, formation, guidance and supporting each other in the adventure of faith. For further information please contact Aoife O’Neill on 028 7126 2512 or Fr Patrick Lagan on 028 7126 2894.
NO GREATER LOVE
Five-week Zoom programme, each session lasting one hour, with a time for prayer, sharing and reflection. This programme is considered a great way to prepare our hearts and minds for the holiest of seasons in the Church calendar. In a series of short films shot on location in the Holy land, No Greater Love is a biblical pilgrimage, taking us through the key events of Christ’s passion and revealing His amazing love for us. Best-selling author, Edward Sri, will guide us through the final hours of Christ’s life. You will walk step by step with Jesus through the Scriptures from the Garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary. Hosted by the Living Church Office in Down & Connor Diocese, there are six ‘starting’ options to choose from:
Tuesday 8 March at 7:.30 pm,
Wednesday 9 March at 7:30 pm,
Thursday 10 March at 11 am or 7.00 pm,
Monday 14 March at 11 am or 7.00 pm.
Please consider participating!
To book your place please click on the link: https://forms.office.com/r/TZkWYFSAHR
THE KISS OF CHRIST
Fr Séamus O’Connell, St Patrick’s University, Maynooth will resource and guide this course which will introduce the way of Lecito Divina and support those who wish to practice it during Lent 2022. For more information and to register your interest (10 euro per person) visit www.aspal.ie or email info@aspal.ie
YOUTH 2000 LAVEY
Lavey Prayer Group meet at Lavey Parochial House every Friday at 7.30 pm for ages 16-35. Please contact Cora on 07704386248 or Declan on 07544790147.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Society’s major new publication on “Geordie Barnett” will be launched next Saturday February 26 in Draperstown Library from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Everyone is invited to call at any time during these 2 hours.
DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY
Rhythm and Rhyme Sessions are on again on Friday mornings at 11.30 am
Knit & Natter on Tuesday evenings. For more details please ring 79628249.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Tuesday 22 February: Exercise with Thomasina at 11.30 am. Adm. £4.
Wednesday 23 February: Line Dancing from 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm.
The committee would appreciate any feedback or suggestions for activities that you would like to see organized in the hall. Please contact Kathleen: 07764277809, Anne 02879642711 or Olive 07887614094.
CONFIRMATION DATES 2022
Proposed dates for Confirmation Ceremonies in Ballinascreen Parish are:
St Columba’s P.S. on Friday 25 February at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
St Eoghan’s P.S. on Friday 4 March at 5.00 pm in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Mary’s P.S. on Friday 11 March at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Friday 1 April at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
COMMUNION DATES 2022
Proposed dates for First Holy Communion Masses in Ballinascreen Parish are:
St Mary’s P.S. on Saturday 7 May at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
St Eoghan’s P.S. on Saturday 14 May at 11.00 am in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Columba’s P.S. on Saturday 21 May at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speirini on Saturday 4 June at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
THE NET – JANUARY 2022
Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the January edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/publications/the-net/the-net-january-2022.pdf
For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Some of articles in this month’s Net are:
A New Year message from Bishop Donal
Francis Lagan – A man of faith who lived the ethos of Catholic Education
Fr Liam Donnelly reflects on priesthood
Synodal Pathway challenges and hopes
Behold Your Mother – A Lenten Retreat
Reflections on 2021
Children’s Catechism Club – C3
Irish Section by Fr Oliver Crilly Banagher & Claudy welcome first faith formation coordinator
The birth of Children’s Rosary
Young writers share thoughts on various issues.
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 emailtheir name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. e mail address is ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Friday Anniversary Mass.
At Bishop McKeown’s request, those attending any mass or service in our churches must wear a face mask.
Thank you for your cooperation on these important matters.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Sincere thanks to all who have returned parish envelopes, established standing orders, made online payments or used the ‘Donate’ button on Parish Website. Envelopes may be returned at any parish Mass, to Parish Office or any Parochial House.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE ~ CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER
A Marriage Preparation course is planned for 9/10 April 2022 in The Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly, Co. Derry.
This 2-day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship.
For more details and to book please email marriageencounter.ie or phone 028 27638512.
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.
REGULATIONS FOR ATTENDANCE AT RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Since Monday 12 April, regulations on the number of people attending weddings, funerals and baptisms have been relaxed, so the following arrangements are now in place in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin parishes. All churches have been risked assessed and the number of places determined for each church is as follows:
Holy Rosary: 100
St Columbna’s, Straw: 100
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 100
St Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 50
St Mary’s, Coolcalm: 60
St Patrick’s, Keenaught: 100
These numbers do not include priests, sacristans, or musicians as they have already designated places.
While extra places are now available, we ask that families be mindful of those who are vulnerable, even if they have been vaccinated. Social distancing and hand sanitising are necessary requirements inside the church but a lack of social distancing outside the church and elsewhere is a potential danger that should not be lightly ignored. Many outbreaks of Covid 19 have occurred when large numbers have gathered in homes and other places where the protocols have not been followed.
Track and trace is obligatory at all weddings, funerals and baptisms. Families will be provided with a template on which all names and contact details of those attending a wedding, funeral or baptism must be recorded and once completed returned to the relevant Parish Office.
WEDDINGS
As well as providing a Track and Trace contact sheet, couples will receive a plan of the church where their wedding will take place so that they can prepare their own church seating plan. This plan will then assist the church stewards to direct guests to their designated seats as they arrive. The plan must be received by the Parish Office three days before the date of the wedding. For the distribution of Holy Communion, guests will be asked to stand in their place and the priest or Eucharistic Minister will distribute Holy Communion to them. Masks must be worn by all attending the wedding. The bridal party, with the exception of the bride and groom, must wear masks when they are in their place.
FUNERALS
Unlike a wedding where there is plenty of time to prepare a church seating plan, families will receive specially printed admittance cards and families may distribute these cards as they wish. These cards MUST be shown at the door of the church to one of the stewards. Please do not ask to be admitted into the church if you have not been given one of these cards. Families are requested to adhere to social distancing inside the church, and so sit in their ‘bubbles’ of two, three or more. Occasionally, stewards may have to respectfully request mourners to move to another seat to ensure proper social distancing is maintained. For the distribution of Holy Communion, mourners will be asked to stand in their place and the priest or Eucharistic Minister will distribute Holy Communion to them.
Face masks must be worn by everyone. A track and trace contact sheet must be completed the day before the funeral.
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
