BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 26 OCTOBER 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
No. 2095 ~ THIRTIETH 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 ~ 27 October:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 28 Ocotber:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 29 October:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday ~ 30 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday ~ 31 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
6.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s Keenaught
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 28: St Simon and St Jude, apostles.
Saturday 1: Solemnity of the Feast of All Saints. This is a holyday of obligaton. On this day we celebrate not only the saints who have been officially canonised by the Church but all those who share in the glory of heaven. Masses for the Holyday listed below.
FEAST OF ALL SAINTS
Holyday Vigil Masses
Friday 31 October
6.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaught.
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary, Church.
Holyday Masses
Saturday 1 November
9.00 am ~ St Columba’s, Straw.
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
11.00 am ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns.
12 noon ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
MASSES FOR FEAST OF ALL SOULS
Vigil Masses for All Souls’ Day
Saturday 1 November
6.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaugh.
Masses on All Souls’ Day
Sunday 2 November
9.00 am ~ St Columba's, Straw.
10.00 am ~ St Mary's, Coolcalm.
11.00 am ~ St Patrick's Church, Sixtowns.
12 noon ~ St Eugene's, Moneyneena.
3.00 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaught.
6.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
The 3.00 pm Mass and the 6.00 pm Mass on November 2 will be the Annual Mass of Remembrance for each parish.
FEAST OF ALL SOULS - MASSES OF REMEMBRANCE
At the 6.00 pm Mass on All Souls’ Day the names of all who died or were buried in Ballinascreen Parish since All Souls’ Day 2024 will be read out. After all these names have been read out one adult member, of each of these bereaved families, will be invited to carry a lit candle to the altar. Each family should ensure that an adult member has been selected to represent them. All candles will be provided at the back of the church during this Mass. At the 3.00 pm Mass the names of all who died or were buried in Desertmartin Parish since All Souls’ Day 2024 will be read out.
The Parish Novena Service on Sunday November 2 will be part of our Parish Annual Mass of Remembrance.
NOVENA OF HOPE - STARTS TODAY AT 6.00 PM
The Novena of Hope for Ballinascreen and Desertmartin parishes continues each Sunday at 6.00 pm alternating between Holy Rosary Church and St Patrick’s Church Keenaught (except for November 2).
Please Note: Novena Services held in St Patrick’s Church Keenaught will be recorded and posted online during the week.
All welcome.
Guest speakers, listed below, have been invited to talk about their faith and life in the church.
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.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Frank Campbell, Drumard;
Lorcan Porter, Maghera;
Aloysius Rooney, Magherafelt;
Orla Kielt, Magherafelt;
Brendan McKenna, Blackwatertown;
Brigid Hasson, Feeney.
ANNIVERSARIES
Maureen McCullagh;
Daniel Doherty;
Brigid McEldowney;
Reece Kelly;
Alice Teresa Kelly;
Baby Groogan.
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Lainey-Mae Kelly, Bancran Road.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1512
Mission Collection £1599
Renovation Collection £889.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated
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
November 16 ~ St. Eugene’s Moneyneena
November 30 ~ Holy Rosary Church
December 14 ~ St Columba’s Straw.
MASS AND HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS
On Tuesday 28 October, the 7.30 pm Mass in St Columb's Church, Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry, will be offered for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood in the Diocese of Derry. This will be followed by a Holy Hour from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm, concluding with Night Prayer and Benediction. All are welcome to come and pray.
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT TALK
To commemorate the 400th anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett’s birth on 1 November 1625, and the 50th anniversary of his canonisation in 1975, Rev Dr Thomas O'Connor, former Professor of History at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, will give a talk on the saint in St Oliver Plunkett Church, Clady, today, Sunday at 5.00 pm.
SLIEVE GALLION ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
Dance in Knocknagin Hall Sunday 16 November. Music from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Admission £10 (includes tea). John Rafferty – back by public demand. Bring your own bottle.
REMEMBRANCES
On 1 November, Professor Michael Parker and Dr Gary Wade will deliver a lecture at HomePlace, Bellaghy which will bring together these two scholars to explore different subjects and forms of memory in Seamus Heaney's witing. There will also be a discussion of Gary’s recently published book Seamus Heaney and Catholicism. Tickets £10 can be purchased at HomePlace, Bellaghy or online at www.seamusheaneyhome.com
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Yoga classes: Wednesdays from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. £7 drop in or £25 for a 4 week block. Text or phone Anne for details on 07751978399. All levels welcome.
Indoor Bowls: Mondays at 8.00 pm. Beginners welcome.
Thursday 30 October: Children’s Halloween Disco from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Friday 31 October: Monthly Social Dance at 9.30 pm. Music by Larry & Co.
Sunday 2 November: Coffee / Tea Morning from 11.30 am. All welcome.
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA
Direct from Belfast. 7 nights F/B Avenida Hotel from 29 May to 5 June; £850 p.p.s. Led by Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ. Very convenient flight times. Early booking discount £100. For more details please contact Joe Catney on 07776425631
GLÓR NA SPEIRÍNÍ
Aonach Oiche - Christmas Market in Ballinascreen GAC Club on Saturday 22 November, hosted by Glór na Speiríní. All businesses welcome. To book a table please contact conchurglor@gmail.com.
Irish Classes continue every Thursday night. Classes to suit all abilities of Irish.
Contact conchurglor@gmail.com for further details.
RECOLLECTION WEEKEND
Last chance to book for the Recollection weekend in Tí Chulainn, Mullaghbawn, Co Armagh! Recollection weekend from 31October to 2 November. Prayer, Mass, Adoration Vigil, conferences, silence, opportunity for Confession, community - and more! Main preacher Fr Patrick Desmond OP. For more details please visit www.thecollect.ie
CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
Day Retreat in Ards Friary Creeslough, on Wednesday 10 December from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. Cost €50, includes tea/coffee and light lunch. For bookings: Tel.: 0035374 9138909 or Email: info@ardsfriary.ie. For more details Email: carolinebrown268@gmail.com
TERMONBACCA CENTRE DERRY
Fr Stephen Quinn will lead a silent retreat for men and women from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 December. This is a great opportunity during Advent to grow in contemplative prayer and friendship with Christ. Cost £90. For more details and to book: Tel.: 028 71262512 or Email: termonbaccaderry@ocd.ie
YOUTH 2000
Prayer group, for ages 16-35, meet at Lavey Parochial House (opposite St Mary’s Church Lavey) on Fridays at 7.30 pm. For more details please contact Gemma on 07934791188.
TIME FOR DEMENTIA
Time for Dementia is an innovative award-winning training programme, designed to educate healthcare students to improve their knowledge, attitude, and empathy towards people with dementia and their carers. Students are paired up with a family affected by dementia and will arrange to visit them at home. This is a unique learning opportunity for the students and a chance for a family affected by dementia to share their experiences. More details, please contact Anouska: Tel.: 07860331648 or Email: anouska.noble@alzheimers.org.uk
ABIDE IN HIS LOVE CONFERENCE
Women’s Conference, November 21 to 23, in Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran. Amazing event for women exploring the beauty and gift of their feminine identity in Christ. See Eventbrite for full details.
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
Health & Wellbeing Advice on Friday 7 November st 7. 30 pm - pharmacist, therapist, blood pressure and blood sugars checks available. Light exercises with Charmaine.
Céilí dancing classes: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm. Suitable for all ages. All welcome.
Light Exercise and Dance with Charmaine: Thursdays at 2.15 pm - Adm £3.
Above 3 activities are supported by National Lottery Community Fund.
Chair exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00. Adm £4.
Irish Dancing: Tuesdays at 5.30 pm for new beginners and 6.00 pm . To register contact Nicola on 07518207458.
St Mary’s Bowling Club: Tuesdays from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm. New members welcome.
Crochet Classes: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Craft Fair: Sunday 9 November from 10.30 am. 30 crafters from all over Mid-Ulster with a wide selection of handcrafted items will be in attendance.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band:
Band continues to try out two weekly nights of practice, Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30 pm. Pick the night that suits you best (or come to both if you’re keen). New and past members welcome.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
For our seminarians, for the men discerning their vocation, and for the future priests of the diocese that, like St Paul, they will be able to say, "I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the end; I have kept the faith."
