No.1914 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER ~ DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

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 May 9:
Holy Rosary Church 11.00 am
Tuesday May 10:
St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm 11.00 am
Wednesday May 11:
Holy Rosary Church 11.00 am
Thursday May 12:
St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm 11.00 am
Friday May 13 - Parish Anniversary Masses:
St Mary’s Coolcalm 11.00 am & Holy Rosary Church 7.30 pm
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Vigil Masses
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 5.00 pm
Holy Rosary: 6.15 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
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Friday 13: Our Lady of Fatima.
Saturday 14: St Matthias, apostle.
RETURNING TO MASS
In March 2020 the Irish Bishops removed the obligation to attend Sunday Mass so that no one need feel any sense of personal responsibility due to their non-attendance. For the first time in their lives, many people could not attend Mass and it caused great distress. Now that the pandemic has eased and the rules are relaxed, the bishops are inviting the People of God to return. In their Spring Statement following their spring meeting at Maynooth,
the bishops said:
'When we gather for the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day, we do so to express our joy in the Risen Lord and to unite with our brothers and sisters in the Church in thanksgiving and praise to God. This is a communal celebration which shapes us as a community of faith, life and charity...’
The bishops go on to say...
‘This will once again be deemed an essential expression of faith for all in our Church in Ireland. As always, those whose health is vulnerable or who are unwell will not be under any obligation to attend Mass, and should keep themselves safe and pray at home until they are better.'
In these challenging times and in a world beset with war, we need the closeness and the nearness of God in our lives. We look forward to welcoming you home to your place of worship, to hear God’s word and to be nourished and fed by the Body of Christ in the Eucharist.
A piece of advice someone once gave to those who were unsure about God and faith, though they had been raised Catholic is worth passing on:
‘Don't analyse it.
Just come back.
The heart will follow.’
VOCATIONS SUNDAY
Today Sunday 8 May, is Vocations Sunday and is a very special day in the life of our diocese, as Michael McCaul will be ordained to diaconate in Christ the King Church Omagh, at 3.00 pm.
Are you being called to love the Lord and His people as a diocesan priest? If considering such a vocation, contact your local priest or Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’ Hagan, PP Moville at pgoh2111@gmail.com or email the info@vocations.ie
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Canon Robert Fullerton, Belfast;
Brendan Devlin, Tullyallen;
Phillip Gallagher, Belfast;
Phyllis Gavigan, Magherafelt.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Dan McDonald, Magherafelt Road, on Friday May 13 Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASSES
Bridget McKenna, Carnamoney Lane, on Friday May 13 Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Eileen O’Kane, London and Moneyneena, on on Friday May 13 Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
ANNIVERSARIES
Joe Rogers - First Anniversary;
Bridget McKenna - First Anniversary;
Eileen O'Kane - First Anniversary;
Francis McGurk;
Elizabeth Henry;
Pat Armour;
Peggy McGlade;
Seamus Kelly;
John Joe Doherty.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Frankie, Patrick Mooney Doyle, Mountain View, Churchtown;
Aoife Mary McCourt, The Orchard;
Saoirse Eirinn McCourt, The Orchard;
Maria Elena Gormley, Cordarragh.
TRÓCAIRE
Sincere thanks to those who have contributed to this year’s Lenten Trócaire Appeal.
A further £1227 has been received.
FIRST COMMUNION 2022
First Holy Communion Masses will continue in Ballinascreen Parish as follows:
St Eoghan’s P.S. on Saturday 14 May at 11.00 am in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Columba’s P.S. on Saturday 21 May at 11.00 am in St. Columba's Church, Straw.
Gaelscoil na Speirini on Saturday 4 June at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
HEALTH NOTICE
While all church seats are now available we ask please when attending any church service that:
You wear a face mask
You sanitize your hands as you enter and leave the Church
Overcrowding in any seat be avoided.
Thank you for your continued cooperation on these matters.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Sincere thanks to all who have returned parish envelopes, established standing orders, made online payments or used the ‘Donate’ button on Parish Website. Envelopes may be returned at any parish Mass, to Parish Office or any Parochial House. Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
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 the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2022
Pilgrimage from 3 - 8 July 2022 (ex Belfast) Cost is £689 per person sharing. Places are still available: contact the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, Tel: 71260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
All intending pilgrims are asked to return application forms and full payment by Saturday 28 May.
LOUGH DERG PILGRIMAGE 2022
Lough Derg welcomes pilgrims with a full Pilgrimage programme:
Three Day Pilgrimage: from1 June until 15 August. Booking advised. Concessions available for students, seniors and groups.
One Day Retreats and guided Pilgrim Path experience dates in May and late August and September. Booking essential. All booking information at www.loughderg.org or email info@loughderg.org or phone 00353 719861518
LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT SEMINARS
Seminars on Thursday evenings until Thursday 2 June at 7.30 pm in Sacred Heart Church, Omagh. Mass with Homily. Celebrant on Thursday 12 May will be Fr Damian Bresnahan, SMA Dromantine, he will preach on Receiving God’s Gifts. All welcome to attend the seminar or you may follow it on: www.churchsetvices.tv/drumraghparish
LOUGH DERG DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE 2022
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lough Derg Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June. Bishop McKeown will lead the pilgrimage and invites you to join him. Booking essential. Please contact Diocesan Catechetical Centre if aged over 16 Tel:71264087 or email email lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org Cost £80, this includes return transport from St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry.
MISSING
A labelled black wheelie bin is missing from Straw Graveyard. It would be appreciated if it could be returned as soon as possible please.
CONCERT FOR UKRAINE
The Magnificent Seven Crew in partnership with the Derry Branch of Concern Worldwide and many other singers and entertainers will feature in a concert on Monday 6 June in the Millennium Forum Derry in aid of Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. All artists are appearing for free. Tickets £16.50 available online or at the Millennium Forum Box Office.
UINNIÚ CINN BHLIANA
Glór na Speiríní AGM on Wednesday 11 May in Glór Centre Straw at 7.30 pm. If interested in the development of the Irish language you would be welcome to attend. Tá fáilte roimh chách. All welcome
GLENSHANE HOUSE
Please phone 77742494 if interested in attending any of these courses at Glenshane House Dungiven:
First Aid and Defib Training;
OCN L2 Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children;
BTEC L3 Paediatric First Aid.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Painting for Pleasure classes every Wednesday from 10.00 am until 12 noon and from 7.00 pm –until 9.00 pm. Suitable for all abilities and beginners, everyone welcome. Text or ring 07821963749 for details and to book your place.
STRESS CONTROL