No. 1999 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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
St Eugene’s Moneyneena 6.00 pm
St Patrick’s Keenaught 7.30pm
SUNDAY MASSES
St Columba’s Straw 9.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm 10.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns 11.00 am
Holy Rosary Church 12 noon
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 25: The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Tuesday 26: St Stephen, first martyr
Wednesday 27: St John, apostle and evangelist
Thursday 28: The Holy Innocents, martyrs
MASSES FOR THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
An invitation to all parishioners to celebrate the arrival of the Magi on the Feast of the Epiphany.
Vigil Masses - Friday 5 January:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
St Patrick’s Keenaught ~ 7.30 pm
Masses - Saturday 6 January
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
Saturday Vigil Masses
Holy Rosary Church ~ 6.00 pm
St Patrick's Keenaught ~ 7.30 pm
DAILY MASS TIMES (26 - 29 DECEMBER)
Tuesday December 26:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 12 noon
Wednesday December 27:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 12 noon
Thursday December 28:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 12 noon
Friday December 29:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
LIVE CRIB 2023 - OPEN INVITIATION TO ALL
Everyone is very welcome to come and discover the true meaning of Christmas at St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena next Saturday December 30. The day will commence with Mass at 10.00 am at which Bishop McKeown will be chief celebrant. Following this Mass, the Live Crib will be operational all day in the Church grounds until the closing candlelit Mass and Benediction at 6.00 pm.
Free refreshments will be served all day. This is a free event but voluntary donations to necessary repair work on St Eugene’s Church are welcome. Everyone welcome.
Please Note: No Vigil Mass in Holy Rosary on December 30. 12 noon Mass on Sunday December 31 will be celebrated in Holy Rosary.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Sean O’Neill Tobermore Road, on Friday 29 December in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Mary McCullagh Moorside Villas on Friday 29 December in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Bridget Stokes Campbelltown;
Elizabeth O’Connor Desertmartin;
Conor Kerr, Maghera;
Philomena McErlean, Greenlough;
Evelyn Haskins, Dunmurry;
Paul Crilly, Dungannon.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Patsy Kennedy.
Anniversaries:
Carmel McCartan;
Joe Conville;
Gerard McAllister;
Rose Slevin;
John McEldowney;
Alice Hughes;
Pascal Kelly;
Michael Kelly.
LIVE CRIB
If you wish to donate home bakes, biscuits etc to be served in the Tea Tent at the Live Crib event please bring your food donation to the Tea Tent which will be erected next to the Parochial House in Moneyneena. Food may be dropped off on Friday 29 between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm or preferably on Saturday morning after 9.00 am.
·As part of this special parish event, Eucharistic Adoration, will take place within the Church. It will commence after 10.00 am Mass and conclude at 5.30 pm. If you are willing to commit to at least 30 minutes of Adoration please email your name and your chosen half-hour or hour to the Parish Office or write your name and chosen time on one of the rota sheets in the Church porches. Thank you.
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Cathaoir Anthony Convery, Dunlogan.
WEDDING
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Charlene Scullion and Joseph Murray, who were married recently in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1820
Renovation Collection: £1885.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PARISH OFFICE
Parish Office will be closed for Christmas until Thursday 4 January 2024. Please email in any notices for Bulletin or requests for an Anniversary Mass. Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
DATES FOR BAPTISMS 2024
Baptisms in Ballinascreen will be held on the dates listed below. All baptisms will take place on Sundays at 3.00 pm and bookings are to be made via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
If you email a request please leave a telephone number for contact.
January 7 ~ Holy Rosary Church
Jan 21 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
February 4 ~ St Columba’s Straw
February 18 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
March 3 ~ Holy Rosary Church
March 10 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
March 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw
April 7 ~ St Columba’s Straw
April 14 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
April 21 ~ Holy Rosary Church
May 5 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
May 19 ~ St Columba’s Straw
June 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
SIXTOWNS DANCE
Christmas Social Dance in Sixtowns Cross Community Centre on Friday 29 December at 9.30 pm. Music by Liam McLaughlin and Bríd Gallagher. Everyone welcome
LOCAL HISTORY BOOK
Old Houses of Sixtowns and their People, is now on sale in Heron’s Gift Shop and the Credit Union. Limited number available and they are going fast. Nice little stocking filler or souvenir.
BALLINASCREEN CREDIT UNION DRAW WINNERS
December Quarterly Cash Draw
1st Prize - £10,000 Mr Joseph Mulligan, Drumderg Road,
2nd Prize - £7,000 Mrs Jane Kelly, Tonagh Road,
3rd Prize - £5,000 Mr Martin McGurk Ballinasollus Road, Plumbridge,
4th Prize - £3,000 Mr Michael Murray, Moneyneena Road.
Next Quarterly Cash Draw will be on Saturday 30 March 2024.
ST COLM’S ~ DRAW WINNERS
Week 9: £30 Cillian Maneely; £50 Donna Bradley; £100 Clíodhna McNicholl.
Week 10: £100 Andrea Glass; £200 Darren Kelly; £500 Sean McGlade; £500 Maureen Church.
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Foodbank operates Monday to Friday from 9.00am 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:
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 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.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Boxing Night Social Dance Tuesday 26 December from 9.00 pm to Midnight. Music by Country Sounds. Admission £7 including light supper.
Chair Exercises, Knit & Natter and Line Dancing will recommence in January 2024.
Yoga classes will start on Monday 8 January at 10.00 am, numbers limited (registration is necessary) £36 for 6 weeks. Please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 028 79642711 to register.
The Hall Committee wish to thank everyone who attended functions in the hall or supported them in 2023. It was very much appreciated and they look forward to your continued support in 2024. Happy Christmas and a successful new year to all.
CHRISTMAS CRIB BLESSING
O God, out of your love for us you sent your dearly beloved Son to become human.
You willed that he be born in a humble stable in order to give us an example of humility.
We pray you now to bless this crib, a representation of the scene of his birth; may it draw us closer to him.
By imitating his humility may we become a worthy dwelling place for his rebirth, Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord. Amen
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:
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
