BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 28 SEPTEMBER 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- Sep 28
- 7 min read
No. 2091 ~ TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
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 ~ 29 September:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 30 September:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 1 October:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church,
Thursday ~ 2 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday ~ 3 October:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 29: St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael. Archangels.
Tuesday 30: St Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church.
Wednesday 1: St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church.
Thursday 2: The Guardian Angels.
Saturday 4: St Francis of Assisi.
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.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS!
Wishing James Henry of Brooklands Nursing Home, formerly from Fivemilestraight, a very happy 103rd birthday on Sunday 28 September.
OPENING OF SCHOOL YEAR MASSES
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.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Gerry Donnelly, Moykeeran Drive;
Anna McCullagh, Moneyneena Road;
Josie Daly, Broughderg;
Mary McGuckin, Desertmartin;
Anne Bradley Rochdale, formerly Drumard.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Eugene Kelly, Magherafelt on Friday 3 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
Eileen Kelly;
Rosaleen Leyden;
Harry McPeake;
Brian McGuigan;
Bernie Murray;
Dan Kelly;
Donna Kelly.
WEDDING
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Sharlene Bradley and Donal Bateson who were recently married in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena.
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Rían Tennyson, Strawmore Road.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1530
Renovation Collection £1750.
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
October 12 ~ Holy Rosary Church
October 19 ~ St. Columba’s Straw
October 26 ~ St. Patrick’s Sixtowns
Nov 16 ~ St. Eugene’s Moneyneena
November 30 ~ Holy Rosary Church
December 14 ~ St Columba’s Straw.
HARVEST HYMNS AT SIXTOWNS
In Meeting House Cavanreagh, BT45 7BS today, Sunday 28 September at 3.00 pm. Speaker: Rev. Trevor Boyd. Soloist: Mrs Leona Davidson. Song: Ukranian family, living in Dungiven, in their language! Refreshments afterwards. All cordially welcome.
MASS AND HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS
The 7.30 pm Mass on Tuesday 30 September, in St Columb's Church, Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry, will be offered for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood in Derry diocese. Holy Hour from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm, concluding with Night Prayer and Benediction. All welcome to come and pray.
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAYS
In Workspace Community Hub on 1 October, from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Rosemary from Ballinascreen Community Forum will present a Corn Dolly Making Session. Corn Dollies are made with straw and associated with harvest and farming. No need to book, just call-in. Refreshments provided.
MARY’S MEALS - GOOD NEWS
Mary’s Meals is now reaching over 3 million children with daily school meals across 16 countries. They are grateful for your compassion, prayers and support that have made it possible to reach this milestone. Each little act of love is giving hope to new generations. They invites you to continue to pray so that they can reach the next child waiting and also to consider volunteering your time locally to help raise awareness and funds individually or as part of a group. For more details please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk or contact Caoimhe 07394564065.
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, continues until 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
SIXTOWNS COMMUNITY CENTRE
New yoga block with Sperrin Wellbeing & Yoga starts Wednesday 1 October. 4 weeks £25. Contact Anne on 07751978 399 or Emma on 07769289385 for more details or to book. All levels welcome.
CORMAC Ó CEALLAIGH CCÉ
Music Classes start 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 at https://hub.klubfunder.com/CormacOCeallaighCCE/membership
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 !
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Creative Writing Workshops resume on Tuesday 14 October, 10.30 am – 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.
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.
WEEKEND RETREAT
Recollection Weekend on the Four Last Things from 31 October to 2 November at Tí Chulainn Centre, Mullaghbawn Co. Armagh. An opportunity for adult Catholics who would like to go deeper in their faith and life and come together in prayer and reflection. Sacraments, Conferences, Silence, Community and more. Retreat leader: Fr Patrick Desmond OP. Fully residential with full board - non residential rates available also - all details online. Early bird closes Monday 29 September. For more details please visit www.thecollect.ie
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 book or for more details please email conchurglor@gmail.com or fón 79627703 nó 07795536682.
GLENSHANE HOUSE DUNGIVEN
Level 2 Autism course starting Monday 3 November from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm for 4 weeks. Registration fee £30 + £18 Certificate. To register please phone 028 77742494 or call into office.
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 028 77742494.
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. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, your involvement will be greatly valued, to ensure it continues to thrive for future generations. Your attendance and support would be greatly appreciated.
Light Exercise and Dance: New 6-week programme with Charmaine. starting on Thursday 2 October at 2.15pm. Admission £3, supported by National Lottery Community Fund.
Chair exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am. Admission £4.
St Mary’s Bowling Club: Tuesdays from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm. New members welcome.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.
Irish Dancing: Tuesdays at 5.30 pm & 6.00pm.
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
Praying this weekend for our seminarians and the men discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood we echo the advice of St Paul to Timothy in the second reading: that they'll fight the good fight of the faith and speak up for the truth as witnesses to the presence of Jesus Christ in the Church and in the world today.
