No. 1982 ~ TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence Moneyneena
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 am
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 12 noon
DAILY MASS TIMES
Monday August 28:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am
Tuesday August 29:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Wednesday August 30:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am
Thursday August 31:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Friday September 1:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 28: St Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church. .
Tuesday 29: The Passion of St John the Baptist.
Friday 1: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This season runs from Friday September 1 (the World Day of Prayer for Creation) to October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi).
BUILDING PARISH LIFE
Talk by Mr David Wells in St Columb’s College, Buncrana Road, Derry on TUESDAY 29 AUGUST from 7.00 pm until 8.30 pm. An international speaker and author, David Wells has worked with parishes and dioceses internationally, encouraging and inspiring people to share the joy of the Gospel, through the lens of building parish life. He invites us to be witnesses to the Gospel and to encourage others on their journey of faith, in the context of taking up opportunities, ministries and responsibilities at local parish level. This is a free event. Booking not required. You are invited to attend this event, to be inspired and equipped for the work of building parish and discerning the way forward in changing times in our parishes. For more information, contact Tony Brennan Diocesan Pastoral Development Coordinator on 028 7126 2302 or email tony.brennan@derrydiocese.org
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of
Brendan McElhennon, Crocknamohill;
Kathleen Kirk, Plumbridge;
Jean Hegarty America, formerly Brackaghlislea.
ANNIVERSARIES
Francis McCloskey;
Mary Crossett;
Baby Olivia Bradley;
Baby Patrick Bradley;
Baby Robin O’Kane.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Aoibh Ellen McBride, Strawmore Road;
Celia Gray, Cahore Heights;
Croía Mary McGlone, Moneyneana Road;
Aoibheann Cara McKenna; Brough Road Castledawson.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1382
Renovation Collection: £1562.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
SUMMER DRAW WINNERS
Week 4:
£1000: Patrick McCullagh Coolnasillagh,
£200: Shirley Kelly Bancran,
£100: Campbell Family Ardboe.
MARY'S MEALS
We welcome a volunteer from Mary’s Meals who will speak at all Masses this weekend about their work and progress in providing school meals to children living in poverty around the world. Mary’s Meals Charity would appreciate your prayers in support of their work.
A Church Door Collection will be taken up after each Mass, this weekend, if you wish to support them financially.
Further information at www.marysmeals.org.uk or contact Pat McNeill at 07774043147
There will be no SVP Collection this weekend.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
Seminars in St Joseph's Hall, Omagh on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September, led by the Apostles of Love Missionary Team.
Registration from 10.00 am.
Saturday 11.00 am - 4.00pm,
Sunday 10.00 am - 4.30 pm with Mass. The Celebrant will be Bishop Michael Router. For any enquiries or to book please phone 07876411435 or 0759660904.
Cost ~ donation only.
Open to adults and children age 12+
DRAPERSTOWN HEALTH MATTERS PROJECT
O’Kane’s Pharmacy and The Workspace Group will be holding a series of free monthly health related information sessions on issues affecting the local community.
An initial information session will be held at 11.00 am on Wednesday 6 September in the Workspace Community Hub to discuss the project and agree topics for each month.
The project is open to anyone from Draperstown and surrounding areas, aged 21 and over, but places are limited. If interested in attending or would like more information, please call Workspace on 028 7962 8113.
BALLINASCREEN GAC
Have you a family member living elsewhere but was once a member of Ballinascreen GAA?
Would they have a story or photograph from their days playing for Ballinascreen GAA?
Please let them know that Ballinascreen GAA would really love to hear from them. They would also love to hear of course from past and current members who are still living locally.
Stories, memories, photographs could be published in the Club’s 90th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine later this year.
Please email stories or photos to screengac90@gmail.com
DIOCESAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Bishop McKeown extends an invitation to all members of Boards of Governors/Management who serve in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Derry, to an evening session on the 30 August at 7.00 pm in St Columb’s College. There will be a presentation by Brendan McGinn, Principal St Mary’s College, Derry, on ‘Building Communities of Dialogue and Forgiveness’, a panel session to allow for discussion / questions on the role of Governors in supporting this, finishing with a prayer of dedication for all Board Members. This is, an opportunity also to celebrate and acknowledge the great work done by Board Members in Catholic schools in the diocese.
GOSPEL MUSIC EVENING
An Evening of Gospel Music in Draperstown Presbyterian Church on Friday 15 September at 7.30 pm. Evening will feature Joseph and Sandra Kennoway, Solid Ground and Lynda and Alice Lindsay. All proceeds and donations to missionaries. Everyone welcome.
WORKSPACE RECREATION CENTRE
Nuala’s Keep-Fit Classes: A new block of classes will start on Monday 28 at 6.45 pm. Classes will run Mondays and Thursdays and only cost £21 for 6 weeks (one night per week).
To register your place or for more information please call Workspace on 028 7962 8113
BABY MASSAGE
New Baby Massage and Reflexology classes starting in September in Draperstown. For details contact Rosie on 07749121208
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Painting For Pleasure on Wednesday 13 September for 14 weeks from 10.00 am to 12 noon OR from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
Yoga with Angela on Thursday 28 September for 5 weeks from 10.30 am to 12 noon.
Chair based exercises on Friday 29 September from10.00am to 11.00 am for 10 weeks. Ideal for those who are less mobile
George Gourley Watercolours painting, on Monday 9 October from 10.00 am to 12 noon, for 4 weeks.
Text/WhatsApp 07821963749 for more details and to book a place on any class. Everyone welcome.
LOUGH DERG ~ ONE DAY RETREATS
On in September on 2, 6, 9, 12, 16, 17, 23 and 24.
Booking essential. Admission €45.
For all details see https://www.loughderg.org
SVP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers needed to help with weekly collections after each Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses. If you can help please contact 07710 838050.
SPERRIN FOODBANK ~ NEW OPENING HOURS
Foodbank now operates Monday to Friday from 9.00 am until 5.00 pm. If you or someone you know requires assistance please call 07543 420639. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Facebook page Sperrinfoodbank, email: foodbank@theworkspacegroup.org
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 they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
POPE FRANCIS@PONTIFEX
Prayer is never in vain: it always brings forth something new that, sooner or later, bears fruit.
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