BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 31 AUGUST 2025
- Ballinascreen Parish
- Aug 31
- 8 min read
No. 2087 ~ TWENTY-SECOND 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 ~ 1 September:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
7.00 pm ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Tuesday ~ 2 September:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 3 September:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church,
Thursday ~ 4 September:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday ~ 5 September:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm,
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 1: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
Wednesday 3: St Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church.
CARLO ACUTIS CANONISATION
To celebrate the Canonisation of Carlo Acutis there will be veneration of Carlos’ relic, gifted to St. Eugene’s Cathedral by his mother, from 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm on Sunday 7 September. During the time of Veneration, the Rosary, which was a very important prayer in Carlo’s life, will be prayed each hour. Mass in thanksgiving for Carlos’ Canonisation at 7.00 pm, celebrant will be Bishop McKeown. Everyone is welcome to this time of prayer and celebration.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Georgina McGlone, Glenelly Villas.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Annette McWilliams,
Henry Devlin
Stephen Conway.
Anniversaries:
Marian Foley;
Rose-Celine Cleary;
Hugh Donnelly;
Charlie Murray;
Francis McCloskey;
Mary Crossett;
Danny Mullan;
Baby Robin O'Kane.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Paddy Gray, Corick on Friday 5 September in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
FIRST ANNIVERSARIES ~ MASS
Stephen Conway, High St.on Friday 5 September in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Henry Devlin, Draperstown, on Friday 5 September in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Brendan Kelly, Mulnavoo, on Friday 5 September in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
THANKSGIVING MASS LOURDES YOUTH GROUP 2025
Thanksgiving Mass for Lourdes Youth Group 2025 in St Mary's Church Coolcalm on Monday 1 September at 7.00 pm. This Mass is open to all especially those youth who may be considering going on pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2026. Refreshments after in Knocknagin Hall
PARISH SECRETARY RETIRES
As schools re open and life for many families return to normal and to a familiar routine, Ballinascreen Parish is entering a new phase. Maire Leadon, Parish Secretary for the past 28 years is retiring. As someone who has worked alongside Maire over all these years, as Curate and Parish Priest, I want to personally thank Maire for her dedication to her job and to this parish.
My role, especially since becoming Parish Priest has been made so much easier because of Maire's formidable knowledge of the parish and the wide ranging work that comes across her desk each week. She has coordinated all the different elements of running a parish with four churches and four CCMS schools with great ease. On behalf of the parishioners of Ballinascreen I want to thank her for the gracious manner in which she dealt with you when you had reason to call into or contact the parish office. I wish Maire a long and healthy retirement.
Following interviews that took place under the auspices of the Derry Diocesan Office, Marie Devlin has been appointed the new administrator of the parish office and over the next few weeks the transition will take place. I am grateful to Maire for agreeing to remain for a short while to enable Marie to familiarise herself with her new role and the different layers of diocesan and parish life.
I wish Marie every blessing and success in her appointment.
SUMMER DRAW 2025
Winners Week 4
£1,000 ~ Bronagh Walsh, Online Sale.
£200 ~ Niall Doyle, Sixtowns Road.
£100 ~ Alice Kerr, Carnamoney.
Many thanks to all who have supported our Summer Draw.
ST PIO KNOCK PILGRIMAGE
National Knock Pilgrimage in honour of St Pio on Sunday 21 September. A coach will leave Holy Rosary Church at 7.00am, pickup at St Mary's Coolcam (7.10 am) returning at 10.00 pm approx. Fare £30 (includes breakfast), payable at booking. All welcome.
To book please phone 07836366949 or 07732125316 or 028 79628920.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1331,
Renovation Collection £1653.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated
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
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,
Provincial leader Sisters of Mercy, Ulster.
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.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms on Sundays at 3.00 pm and all bookings to be made please via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or by email ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
September 7 ~ St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns.
September 21 ~ St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
October 12 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
October 19 ~ St. Columba’s, Straw.
October 26 ~ St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns.
November 16 ~ St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
November 30 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
December 14 ~ St Columba’s, Straw.
BLESSING OF BIKES
On Sunday 7 September, St Aengus’s Church Burt, Co Donegal 1.30 pm: short prayer service and blessing. All welcome.
Fr Gerry Sweeney will first celebrate Mass at 11.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church, Dungiven, remembering and praying for all deceased bikers. All bikers welcome to this Mass. Any biker who has died in the past year will be remembered in prayer at this Mass: names may be sent to Fr. Gerry at gerardsweeney@ymail.com. After Mass in Dungiven, bikers will ride to Burt Church for 1.30 pm. Usual collection for RNLI Station, Ned’s Point, Buncrana. After the blessing they will travel to Ned’s Point RNLI Station to present the collection and for some refreshments.
HEALTH & WELLBEING EVENT
CWSAN, in partnership with Mid Ulster District Council, Connect North and Desertmartin GAC will host a community Health and Wellbeing Event on Thursday 4 September, from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm at Longfield Hall and Community Hub.
Event will feature a range of speakers, information stands, resources, and friendly advice to raise awareness of local services available to you and your family. All ages welcome. Refreshments and light lunch served. For catering purposes please contact Ann from Connect North if planning to attend also inform her of any additional support needed or any food allergies. Ann Connect North Link Worker connectnorthmu@ageni.org
M: 07814196935 or Anita at CWSAN anita@cwsan.org M: 0754063 5862.
Farm Families Mobile Health Unit
This unit will also attend from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm. If you haven’t visited your GP in the past year, this is a great opportunity to have your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetic risk score checked. Spaces are limited so early booking is essential. To book contact John Murtagh at john.murtagh@midulstercouncil.org Mobile: 07876548648.
LOUGH DERG 2025
One Day Retreats Sept 3, 7, 9, 13, 20, 21
Quiet Day Retreat Friday 12 Sept.
Advance booking essential for retreats.
To book phone 00353 719861518 or email info@loughderg.org
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS
With Fr Eamonn Kelly on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September in Pastoral Centre Claudy from 10.30 am to 3.00 pm. Mass on Sunday. Refreshments provided but please bring packed lunch. Fee: donation.
O’NEILL DANCE ACADEMY
New term starts Thursday 4 Septemebr in An Rath Dubh at 4.45 pm.
S.G.A.R.A.
Tea Dance from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, in Knocknagin Hall today Sunday. Adm £10
SIXTOWNS HISTORY GROUP
Heritage Day on Sunday September 7. Exhibition of memorabilia to celebrate how we used to live. For more details please contact 07753589157.
A LEAP FOR FAITH SKYDIVE
Skydive in aid of Maghera Presbyterian Church, Heating aand Building Fund on Saturday 6 September. To donate please visit: justgiving.com/campaign/leapforfaith
BLOOD DONATION SESSION
Kilcronaghan Church Hall Monday 15 September from 12.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Book online at www.nibts or call 08085534653
CATHOLIC MOTHERS IRELAND
Annual National Mass and Family Day on Saturday 6 September at St James Church Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
11 am ~ Children's Adoration and Rosary.
12 noon ~ Mass followed by food and activities.
For more details and to book please Email: catholicmothers@outlook.ie
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Painting classes resume Wednesday 10 September. Spaces in the 10 am to 12 noon class and the 7pm to 9 pm class.
Watercolours 4 week painting class with George Gourley starts Monday 8 September at 10.00 am. Suitable for all abilities.
Yoga class with Angela O’Loughlin commences Thursday 25 September from 10.30 am to 12 noon, for 5 weeks.
Places must be pre booked for all classes.
To book or for more details please message 07821963749
Annual Vintage Rally, Craft Fair and Family Fun Day, Saturday 27 September from 11.00 am. All usual and new attractions for all the family. Includes car boot sale - no need to book! Tel 07821963749 for more 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.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Monthly Tea Dance: Friday 12 September. Music by Kenny Paul. Dancing from 9.00 pm to midnight. Adm £7 - includes light supper.
Irish language class: 8 weeks course from Monday 8 September from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm.
Chair exercises: Tuesdays at 10am. Adm £4.
St Mary’s Bowling Club: New season starts Tuesday 2 September from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm.
Line Dancing classes start Wednesday 3 September at 7.30 pm. £24 for a 6-week block.
Irish Dancing Classes: Tuesdays at 5.30 pm and 6.00 pm. Text Nicola 07518207458
St Patrick’s Céili Club host a Céilí on Saturday 6 September from 9.00 pm to Midnight. Music by Duntally Céilí Band. Adm £8.
Crochet Class: Tuesday 9 September at 7.30 pm.
Bookings being accepted for Craft Fair on Sunday 9 November. £20 a table or £30 for 2. Contact 07887614094.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
Annual Buffet and Dance in Parish Hall, Friday 19 September. Music by Sprig of Heather. Tickets £15, on sale by band members, or pay at the door.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS We pray that those called to serve the Church as priests of this diocese will be the gentle, humble, sensitive and attentive servants mentioned in our first reading this weekend. |
