No. 2016 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY - DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
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.
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 a
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 12 noon
DAILY MASSES
Monday 22 April :
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 23 April :
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 24 April :
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 25 April:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 26 April:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
CONFESSIONS
In Holy Rosary Church every Saturday at 5.30 pm before the Vigil Mass.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Good Shepherd Sunday: As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday / Vocations Sunday we ask God's blessing on our diocesan seminarians in Rome, Maynooth, and Salamanca, and for all those working in the area of priestly formation. We pray for those discerning their vocation, that they will allow themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit speaking to them through their Spiritual Director and in their personal prayer. We ask God's blessing on those applying these days to begin their studies in seminary next January. May the Lord inspire many more men to answer His call to serve the people of this diocese as priests.
Thursday 25: St Mark, Evangelist.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Teresa McGuigan, Drumard Road;
Mary Cushenan, Oak Park;
Patsy Breen, Coleraine and Desertmartin;
Brian Cassidy, Slaughtneil.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries
Rose McCloskey;
Breige Flynn;
Jawad Joseph Elattar.
Anniversaries:
John P Bradley;
Joe McEldowney;
Annie McGovern;
Rita McDonald,;
Josie McNally;
Lorna Wilson.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Benny Kerr, Cordarragh on Friday 26 April in Holy Rosary at 7.30 pm.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Jawad Elattar, Cahore Heights, on Friday 26 April in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Mary Lynn, Cordarragh on Friday 26 April in Holy Rosary at 7.30 pm.
Breige Flynn, Stratford-Upon -Avon and Owenreagh on Friday 26 April in Holy Rosary at 7.30 pm.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Ella Murray, Moneyconey Road;
Daithi Patrick O'Connell, Sixtowns Road.
COFFEE MORNING
Ballinascreen GAC will host a Coffee Morning TODAY Sunday 21 April in the Clubhouse from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. All proceeds will be in aid of essential repair work being carried out on St Eugene’s Church. Everyone welcome.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1965
Renovation Collection: £2000.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
TRÓCAIRE
A further £2265 has been donated towards this year’s Lenten Appeal. Thanks to all who have donated to support Trócaire’s vital work.
ST EUGENE’S CHURCH
Fr Madden wishes to acknowledge personal donations to St Eugene's Church, Moneyneena Restoration totalling £6110. Donations may be given directly to Fr Madden or left in the Parish Office or made on-line via the Donate Button on our Parish website. If using this button please select the ‘Restoration Fund’. You may also contribute directly to Ballinascreen Church Renovation Fund account, using these bank account details:
Ballinascreen Parish Premium Business Reserve account number: 10585922. Sort code: 98-05-50
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and for your support of the various fund-raising events.
BLESSING OF GRAVES 2024
Blessing of Graves in the parishes of Ballinascreen and Desertmartin will take place on the following dates:
Saturday June 8:
6.30 pm ~ Mass in St Patrick’s Keenaught followed by Blessing of graves. Please note earlier Mass time.
Sunday June 9:
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.
The annual gate collection will be taken up, at the end of each ceremony to help with the upkeep of the graveyards.
CHURCH CEMETERIES
During the week a newly placed wreath was STOLEN from a grave in Straw Cemetery. It has caused immense distress to the family. It is a distress we should all share. The THEFT of personal effects on a family grave is a worrying development and I appeal to all parishioners to report anything untoward in any of the parish cemeteries.
Fr Peter Madden PP
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024
Baptisms on Sundays at 3.00 pm and bookings are to be made via the Parish Office: Tel: 028 79628248 or Email ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
May 5 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
May 19 ~ St Columba’s Straw
June 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
June 30 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
July 7 ~ Holy Rosary Church
July 14 ~ St Columba’s Straw
July 28 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
August 4 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
August 18 ~ Holy Rosary Church
August 25 ~ St Columba’s Straw
September 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
Sept 22 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
September 29 ~ Holy Rosary
October 13 ~ St Columba’s Straw
October 20 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
Nov 3 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
November 10 ~ Holy Rosary Church
November 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw
December 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
December 15 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
December 22 ~ Holy Rosary Church
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2024
First Holy Communion will be celebrated on the following dates:
Saturday 27 April at 11.00 am for children attending Gaelscoil na Speiríní and St Eoghan’s P.S.
Saturday 11 May at 11.00 am for children attending St Mary’s P.S.
Saturday 18 May at 11.00 am for children attending St Columba's P.S.
LOUGH DERG
One Day Retreats in May. These guided days of prayer and reflection will take place on Sunday 5, Monday 6, Sunday 12, Tuesday14, Saturday 18, Saturday 25 and Monday 27. More details at www.loughderg.ie. Cost €45 per person, booking essential.
Three Day Pilgrimages on Lough Derg begin on Friday May 31 and continue until August 15.
DRAPERSTOWN HEALTH MATTERS PROJECTS
Next session on Wednesday 24 April in Workspace Community Hub. Aine from O’Kane’s Pharmacy will talk about Safety in the Home at 11.30 am followed by a presentation from NI Fire & Rescue Service on Fire Safety at 12 noon. Refreshments served. All welcome, no booking required.
REFLECTION DAY
At SMA Retreat Centre, Dromantine on Saturday 4 May from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm: ‘Forgiveness: the journey from hurt to healing, freedom, peace and happiness.’ Cost (incl. lunch) £38. To book please phone 30821964 or email admin@dromantineconference.com
BALLINASCREEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC GROUP
Next Seisiún in Desertmartin GAC Club, Longfield on Saturday 27 April. Junior seisiún from 7:30 pm to 8:30pm,
Slow seisiún from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Advanced seisiún from 9:30 pm to late.
Adult admission £3. All welcome!
HUMAN LIFE INTERNATIONAL
‘Following Christ as a Catholic in Ireland today’ Conference and Gala dinner in Guildhall, Derry on Saturday 11 May, with Dana, Mickey Harte, John Pridmore (former East London gangster), Patrick McCrystal and others. Bishop Donal McKeown will lead grace at the Gala dinner. Book at www.humanlife.ie or call Human Life Ireland 00353 949375993. Don't miss out! Book by 6 May which is the deadline for dinner bookings.
SIXTOWNS DANCE
Monthly Social Dance in Sixtowns Cross Community Centre on Friday 26 April at 9.30 pm. Music by Pat McKenna and Glenshane Country. Everyone welcome.
THE DEEPENING
Morning Retreat, led by Fr Paschal, on Saturday 27 April from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm in An Grianan Hotel, Burt. It will include contemplation, input, personal time and celebration of Eucharist.Lunch served. For details and to register please contact Erin on 07736832458 or email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
The Centre has recently purchased a defibrillator, thanks to funding from Workspace Community Fund. FREE training on its use will be held at Kilcronaghan on Tuesday 23 April at 12 noon and Thursday 25 April at 6.30 pm. It is only necessary to attend either the morning OR the evening session. Each session will last 2 hours. Places must be prebooked, to book a place please ring/text 07821963749.
ALL IRELAND ROSARY RALLY
Rally on Saturday June 1 in Knock, starting at 9.30am. For more details visit www.AllIrelandRosaryRally.com
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
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Foodbank operates Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. If you or someone you know requires assistance please call 07543420639. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Facebook page is Sperrinfoodbank, Email:
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
SPRED Meeting on Monday 22 April at 7.30 pm.
Convery School of Irish Dancing will hold beginner Irish dancing classes for boys and girls aged 3 and over on Tuesday evenings, to register or for more information please contact Nicola on 07518204758.
Line Dancing classes: New 6-week block starts on Wednesday 24 April at 8.00 pm. £24 for 6 weeks to be paid on registration.
Yoga classes: Mondays at 10.00 am.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10 am followed by a short walk. Adm£4.00.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band practice on Thursdays 7.30 pm. New and old members welcome.
SYNTHESIS REPORT FROM FIRST SESSION OF THE XVI ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
The Participants in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God. The text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse.
It is not a final document, but an “instrument at the service of ongoing discernment“.
The Synthesis Report is structured in three parts:
The first outlines “the face of the synodal Church”, presenting the practice and understanding of synodality and its theological underpinning.
The second part, entitled “All disciples, all missionaries”, deals with all those involved in the life and mission of the Church and their relationships with one another.
The third part bears the title “Weaving bonds, building community”.
Episcopal Conferences are now called to focus on the questions and proposals that are considered most urgent, all this sustained by a climate of mutual listening and sincere dialogue.
To read the report, please click link below:
