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BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 21 APRIL 2024

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:

 

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