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No. 1943 ~ FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Email:ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248
email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Open Monday and Tuesday from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.
Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
Please click the link https://www.parishofballinascreen.com/ballinascreen-community-support-gro for full details of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.
DAILY MASS TIMES
Monday: Holy Rosary Church: 11.00 am
Tuesday: St Mary’s Coolcalm: 11.00 am
Wednesday: Holy Rosary Church: 11.00 am
Thursday: St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm 11.00 am
Friday - Parish Anniversary Masses: St Mary’s Coolcalm 11.00 am & Holy Rosary Church 7.30 pm
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Vigil Masses:
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
St Patrick’s Keenaught: 7.30 pm
Sunday:
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
CONFESSIONS
Saturday in Holy Rosary Church before the 6.00 pm Vigil Mass.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 30: St Andrew, apostle.
Saturday 3: St Francis Xavier, priest.
ADVENT DEVOTIONS 2022
All Devotions listed below will be held in Holy Rosary Church. All welcome.
First Sunday of Advent - November 27 at 5.00 pm. Our Lady Untier of Knots.
Second Sunday of Advent - December 4 at 5.00 pm. St Joseph, Sleeping on Our Worries.
Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, December 11 at 5.00 pm. The Joy of God’s Forgiveness Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 18 at 6.00 pm. Parish Carol Service.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Barbara Rose Di Felice, Philadelphia.
MONTH’S MIND MASSES
Kathleen Toner, Drumard Road, on Friday December 2 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Rose McWilliams, Drumderg Road, on Friday December 2 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASSES
John Molloy, St Patrick’s Street, on Friday December 2 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Carmel McKenna, (nee McGeehan), on Friday December 2 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Robert Crossett;
Peter McAllister;
Carmel McKenna;
John Molloy.
Anniversaries:
James Gerard McGuigan;
Baby Jude Patrick Trainor;
Catherine McKenna;
Brian McGuigan;
Rose Conville;
Krzysztof Wojenodzki;
Rose Grant.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Aine Isobel McAuley, Strawmore Road;
Finn Peter McGuigan, Mulinderg.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1713
Renovation Collection £1050
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PRAYER FOR THE RETURN OF THE DISAPPEARED
As we look forward to Christmas on this First Sunday of Advent, the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace calls on us to remember those families whose hearts are not at peace because the bodies of their loved ones don't rest in peace at a place where families can visit and lay flowers like we all do. Please pick up a prayer card at the back of the church and remember them. Pray that they be found and given the dignity of Christian Burial and their families the consolation of a grave they can visit at Christmas, on Cemetery Sunday and all other times.
ADVENT REFLECTION
At Dromantine Retreat Centre, from 4.00 pm on Tuesday 13 December to 5.00 pm on Wednesday 14 December,
in preparation for Christmas. Hosted by the SMA Community, it includes Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Anointing of Sick. Cost £120. To book, phone 028 3082 1224 or email admin@dromantineconference.com
BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE
Books of Remembrance are in each of the churches in the parish for parishioners to enrol the names of their deceased loved ones.
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS
Anyone interested in serving the diocese of Derry as a priest should contact their local priest(s) and/or the diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan, PP, Bellaghy, at pgoh2111@gmail.com
PILGRIMAGE TO SAN GIOVANNI AND ROME
As part of St Eugene’s Cathedral 150th Anniversary Celebrations, Bishop Donal McKeown will lead a pilgrimage to San Giovanni and Rome from 25th – 30th September 2023. Visiting the birthplace of Padre Pio, Shrine of St Michael Archangel, St Peter’s Basilica and other important sites.
Cost is £879 p.p.s. (Single room supplement is £150.)
For more details email info@marian.ie or call Belfast on (028) 956 80005 or Dublin on (01) 878 8159.
BALLINASCREEN CREDIT UNION
The Annual General Meeting will take place tomorrow, Monday 28 November, at 7.30 p.m. in The Market Inn, St. Patrick’s Street. The annual report for the past year will be presented followed by supper. Once again your Credit Union has had another quite successful year during which time a range of very competitive loan interest rates were on offer. Make the Credit Union your first call for savings, children’s deposits and loans. A Euro exchange service also exists as does a very successful oil club.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Book Sale on Saturday December 3 from 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm in Community Hub, beside the Library. All welcome.
PILGRIMAGE MEDJUGORJE 2022
Seven Nights Pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 24 May to 31 May 2023. Spiritual director will be Fr. Séamus Kelly. Bed/Breakfast and dinner, price is £799. Offer of special price for early booking: £699 – if paid before 5 December 2022. Money must be paid in full. Contact Martina for further information. Phone 77741219 or 07715490880.
ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL ~ DIAMOND JUBILEE
The Board of Governors of St. Mary’s P.S. Draperstown would like to invite everyone to a Mass in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 12 December at 6.00 pm to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the school. A special effort is being made to reunite the first P1 and P7 classes from 1962. Please pass this invitation on to any past pupils and community members who would like to attend.
Refreshments will be served at the school after the Mass.
ST EOGHAN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Open Night in St Eoghan's P. S. on Thursday 1 December at 7.30 pm.
Christmas Craft Fair in St. Eoghan’s P.S. on Sunday 4 December. Book now to secure your place. £10 per table. Please contact Brigid Donnelly on 07595658380 for more information
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP
Christmas Craft Fair and Coffee Morning in Sixtowns Hall on Sunday 27 November from 12 noon to 3.00 pm.
ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK
Al-Anon groups provide family support to anyone whose life is, or has been affected by someone else’s drinking. All meetings are listed on the website or call Confidential Helpline on 028 90682368 from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm or from 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm Monday to Friday.
MARY’S MEALS - DOUBLE THE LOVE
Mary’s Meals is keeping the promise of a daily school meal to 2.2 million children in 20 countries. Their Double the Love Campaign means that all donations made to Mary’s Meals until 31 January 2023 will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.5 million. With Double the Love, your donation will be matched, and your kindness will go even further, providing children with hope of a better future through education and helping them to reach the next child waiting.
To learn more or to browse their range of Christmas cards and gifts, visit www.marysmeals.org.uk or contact Caoimhe McCann on 07394564065
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 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. Email address is: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE ~ CHRISTMAS DEMONSTRATIONS
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly: Monday 5 December. Cost £3 which includes festive refreshments. Choose from 10.00 am to 12 noon OR 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm, get ideas on how to decorate your home naturally, using greenery & foliage from your garden or locality.
Christmas Gift Wrapping With a Difference: Monday 12 December. Cost £3 which includes festive refreshments. Choose from 10.00 am to12 noon OR 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Learn how to wrap the most awkward shaped present. Use materials you have in your home, get gift ideas for those hardest to buy for!
Places MUST be booked for these events. To book ring, text or WhatsApp 07821963749 or PM KilcronaghanFacebook or email manager@kilcronaghan.co.uk
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Social Dance: Friday 9 December. Music by Country Memories. From 9.00 pm to midnight. Admission £7 which includes light supper.
Boxing Night Dance: Music by Francis Faulkner.
SPRED Group: Next meeting on Monday 16 January 2023.
Christmas wreath making with Mary: Monday 19 December at 7.00 pm.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am, followed by a short walk, admission £4.00, all welcome.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Indoor Bowls: Tuesdays at 8.00 pm.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays from7.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Admission £4.
Here and Now ~ Older People & Well-Being: Fridays at 7.00 pm. Come along and enjoy the craic. Open to all aged over 55. This is a free programme
To register for any of the above please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 79642711.
Sarsfield’s Band have produced a 2023 Calendar featuring photos of the band down the ages, cost £5 each, and may be bought from any band member. Band Practice every Thursday at new starting time of 7.15 pm until 8.30 pm. New and past members welcome.
WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE - LISBON 2023
The Diocese of Derry is inviting any young person who is over 18 or will be 18 by July 2023 to join their Pilgrimage to Lisbon for World Youth Day. World Youth Day (WYD) is the gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It is also a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth, an expression of the universal Church and an intense moment of evangelization for the youth world. This pilgrimage will take place in August 2023. For now, they are taking expression of interest until they have more information on dates, times and prices. Spaces are limited so signing up now is essential. You can register your interest on the derrydiocese.org website or on the @derryyouth Facebook page Any questions regarding this pilgrimage, may be emailed please to Lizzie Rea, Youth Coordinator at: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org
IOSAS CENTRE MUFF
Iosas Centre Café Muff: Sunday Carvery from 12.30 until 3.00 pm. Delicious starters, mains and desserts, using their own organic vegetables. Booking recommended and take away is available. Phone 00353 749384866
(1 course €12.50 ~ 2 courses €15.50 ~ 3 courses €19.50)
Finish your afternoon with a walk in the beautiful Celtic Prayer Garden.
PARKRUN AND PARKWALK
Parkrun and Parkwalk at Derrynoid Forest every Saturday at 9.30 am.
Come along and walk, jog or run on Saturday mornings at Parkrun Derrynoyd Forest, Derrynoyd Road.
Suited to walkers and runners of all abilities, to boost fitness for free. Children and dogs on leads welcome. Parkrun is a free community event and is a timed 5km walk or run. Walkers, runners and new volunteers all welcome. To join register online: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/
For more details see: www.parkrun.org.uk/derrynoidforest/
Follow on Facebook: Derrynoid Forest Parkrun
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
