BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 21 SEPTEMBER 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- Sep 21
- 7 min read
No. 2090 ~ TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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 ~ 22 September:
There will be no 10.00 am Mass in Holy Rosary Church today. Requiem Mass at 11.00 am in St. Columba's, Straw for Patrick Gerard (Gerry) Donnelly RIP.
Tuesday ~ 23 September:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 24 September:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church,
Thursday ~ 25 September:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday ~ 26 September:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 23; St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), died 23 September 1968. Capuchin friar, stigmatist, confessor, friend of all who suffer.
Friday 26: St Cosmas and St Damian, early martyrs in Syria, patrons of physicians.
Saturday 27: St Vincent de Paul, priest. Lived 1580 – 1660. He is the patron of all charitable works.
OPENING OF SCHOOL YEAR MASSES
St Colm's Cullion P. S. - Wednesday 24 September, at 11.00 am in St Patrick's Church Keenaught.
Gaelscoil na Speirini - Wednesday 1 October at 11.00 am in St Columba's Church Straw.
St Colm's High School Harvest Mass - Thursday 9 October at 2.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
St Colm's High School Year 8 New Beginnings Mass - Thursday 23 October at 7.00 pm in St Colm’s High School.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Georgina McGlone Glenelly Villas, on Friday 26 September at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
Christine Gray;
Gavin Bradley;
Thomas Heaney;
Margaret McCloskey;
Patrick McGlone;
Patsy Stewart;
Patrick Kelly;
Rose McKenna;
Patrick O’Neill.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1957,
Renovation Collection £1552.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
NOVENA OF HOPE
To celebrate the Holy Year which has HOPE as its theme a Novena of Hope will take place each Sunday at 6.00 pm alternating between Holy Rosary Church and St Patrick’s Church Keenaught. (Except for November 2). 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.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm. All bookings to be made please via the Parish Office: Tel.: 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
October 12 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
October 19 ~ St. Columba’s, Straw.
October 26 ~ St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns.
November 16 ~ St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
November 30 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
December 14 ~ St Columba’s, Straw.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Fr Madden wishes to acknowledge with grateful thanks recent donations of £1000 and £100 to Ballinascreen Parish Funds.
TRÓCAIRE
Could you help share the true spirit of Christmas? Each year, volunteers in parishes across the north of Ireland set up a small stall after Masses to sell Trócaire’s Gifts of Change - meaningful gifts that make a real difference to families living in poverty around the world. Trócaire provide everything you need including training and support. All they ask is a little time and a big heart. Last Christmas, 50 parishes took part — and they would love to grow that number even more this year! To find out more about how you can help, please call 028 9080 8030 or email Mark @ mark.mcmahon@trocaire.org
MARY’S MEALS
A donation of £60 has been gratefully received and forwarded to Mary’s Meals.
YOUTH 2000
Youth 2000 Prayer Group, for ages 16-35, meet at Lavey Parochial House (opposite St Mary’s Church Lavey) every Friday at 7.30 pm. For more details please contact Gemma on 07934791188.
SMA NOVENA 2025
Novena in honour of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Patroness of the Missions from Tuesday 23 September to Wednesday 1 October. Mass and Novena Prayers at 10.00 am and 7.30 pm in SMA Chapel Dromantine. All welcome. You may join the Novena online www.sma.ie
CORMAC Ó CEALLAIGH CCÉ
Music Classes start on Tuesday 30 September from 7.15 pm to 8.00 pm, for 10 weeks in St Colm’s High School. Classes will be in fiddle (beginner, intermediate & advanced),tin whistle (beginner and intermediate), bodhran (adult and junior), guitar, concertina (beginner), singing (5 week block), harp (beginner & intermediate), banjo / mandolin and uillean pipes (new class).
There will also be a new adult mixed instrument class. This is for all adults, who used to play as a child or those who never had that chance. You will be able to learn at your own pace and be able to practice the tunes learned at our monthly Junior / Slow Seisiún. If you're not sure, just come along to the first class and give it a go!
Online Registration for all music classes is now open using the following link:
A Hire to Buy Instrument Scheme is available for the more expensive instruments (harp, concertina, uilleann pipes) for a monthly direct debit fee.
More details on Cormac Ó Ceallaigh CCÉ Facebook page.
DERRYNOID FOREST PARKRUN
Would you like to walk, jog, run or volunteer in Derrynoid Forest - join the local Park Run every Saturday at 9.30 am. More details on their Facebook page. Everyone welcome !
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAY
Monthly Luncheon Club in Workspace Community Hub on Wednesday 24 September. Doors open at 11.00 am and lunch will be served at 12.15 pm. It is free to anyone aged 55 or over but places are limited, so booking is essential. To confirm your place, please contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 by 12 noon on Monday 22 September.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Creative Writing Workshops resume on Tuesday 14 October from 10.30 am to 12 noon. This will be an 8 week block of classes, £28, paid week one, with author, Jim Simpson as the new tutor. Places must be pre booked. For more details or to book please message 07821963749.
Annual Vintage Rally, Craft Fair and Family Fun Day, Saturday 27 September from 11.00 am. Irish and Highland dancers, live music, Kidz Farm petting farm, bouncy castle, dog show and many more attractions. Includes car boot sale - no need to book! For more details please phone 028 79627826 or 07821963749.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Social Dance: Friday 26 September at 9.30 pm. Music by The Lakelanders. Everyone welcome.
Indoor Bowling: Mondays at 8.00 pm. All welcome, including beginners.
SPERRIN WELL-BEING & YOGA
Yoga continues in Sixtowns Cross Community Centre on Wednesdays from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Drop in £7.50 or enrol for 4 weeks, £25. All levels welcome.
BALLINASCREEN FOLD - JOB OPPORTUNITY
Domestic assistant, 16 hours per week (no weekends), £12.35 per hour. Closing date Monday 29 September. To access the full criteria and to apply online, please visit www.radiushousing.org/careers.
GLÓR NA SPEIRÍNÍ
Ranganna Gaeilge do dhaoine fásta - Irish classes for adults: Classes start Thursday 2 October from 7.30 pm to 9.00pm in Glór na Speiríní building, Straw. Cost for 10 weeks is £40, there will be 5 classes to suit all levels, beginners to advanced. To register or for more details please Email: conchurglor@gmail.com or fón 79627703 nó 07795536682. Tá fáilte roimh chách- All welcome!
Lapóglann - Toddle-Inn: Glór na Speiríní are delighted to announce the return of their parent/guardian and children's group, every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00 am to 10.30 am at Gaelscoil na Speiríní 82 Sixtowns Road Straw. Cost per session £2 which includes activities, snack and tea or coffee. Pre-booking is essential. For more details or to book please email conchurglor@gmail.com or phone 79627703 or 07795 536682. Tá fáilte roimh chách- everyone welcome!
ORGAN DONATION WEEK
This week from 22 -29 September is a time dedicated to remembering and giving thanks to people who have enabled the ‘Gift of Life’ to others by donating organs to those in need of life changing transplants. This week is an opportunity to have a conversation with your family, share your thoughts and decisions. For more details visit: www.organdonationni.info
SEAMUS HEANEY LECTURE
On 1 November, Professor Michael Parker and Dr Gary Wade will deliver a lecture at Homeplace, Bellaghy, on ‘Remembrances: Forms of Memory in Seamus Heaney’s Writing’. There will also be a discussion of Gary’s recently published book Seamus Heaney and Catholicism. Tickets £10 available at https://seamusheaneyhome.com/upcoming-events/
MONEY FOUND
Sum of money found outside the Parish Office. Please contact Parish Office.
GLENSHANE HOUSE DUNGIVEN
Art classes delivered by artist Sheila Byrne start on Monday 10 November from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, for 6 weeks. Names are now being taken for these art classes. Fee £60, includes all materials. To register please phone 02877742494.
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
Hall Committee AGM on Monday 29 September at 7.30 pm. The hall has been at the heart of the community since the early 1950s, and we want to ensure it continues to thrive for future generations. Come along, have your say, and get involved - your ideas, strengths, and energy can make a real difference in maintaining this community hub. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated.
Chair exercises: Tuesdays 10.00 am. Cost £4.
Bowling Club: Tuesdays from 8.pm to 10pm.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.
Irish Dancing: Tuesdays at 5.30 pm & 6pm.
Crochet Classes: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Bookings being accepted for Craft Fair on Sunday 9 November. £20 a table or £30 for 2. To book please contact 07887614094.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
We pray that our seminarians and the men discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood will be found worthy of the great things entrusted to them by the Lord.
