No.1897 ~ THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

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 ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Bulletins are presently only available:
Online at www.parishofballinascreen.com
On the noticeboard inside the front porch of Holy Rosary Church.
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.

FEAST OF THE WEEK
Saturday 15: St Ita, virgin.
MASS TIMES FOR WEEK AHEAD
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
DAILY MASS TIMES (MONDAY 10 - FRIDAY 14 JANUARY)
Holy Rosary Church:
Monday: 11.00 am
Wednesday: 11.00 am
Friday: 7.30 pm
St Mary’s, Coolcalm:
Tuesday: 11.00 am
Thursday: 11.00 am
Friday: 11.00 am
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the Ballinascreen parish webcam:
https://www.churchservices.tv/Draperstown
All Masses in St Mary’s Coolcalm are transmitted live on the Desertmartin parish webcam:
https://www.churchservices.tv/Desertmartin
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Mary Cassidy, Moneyneena;
Annie May McNulty, Derryloughan;
Joe McGreevey, Lissan.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Karen Carlin, Drumderg.
ANNIVERSARIES
Phyllis Convery;
Agnes Murray;
Michael McCullagh;
Frank Kelly;
Baby Aimee Louise O'Hagan;
Kevin Kelly;
Patrick McEldowney;
Patrick Toner.
CONFIRMATION DATES 2022
Proposed dates for Confirmation Ceremonies in Ballinascreen Parish are:
St Eoghan’s P.S. on Friday 4 March at 5.00 pm in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Mary’s P.S. on Friday 11 March at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
St Columba’s P.S. on Friday 25 March at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Friday 1 April at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
COMMUNION DATES 2022
Proposed dates for First Holy Communion Masses in Ballinascreen Parish are:
St Mary’s P.S. on Saturday 7 May at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
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 Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speirini on Saturday 4 June at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE
If you collected a Children in Crossfire Donation Pack before Christmas please place your donation in the freepost envelope provided in the pack and drop it into the envelope box in any of the churches or into the parish office over the next week.
Donation Packs are still available in Holy Rosary Church.
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 emailtheir name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. e mail 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 Friday Anniversary Mass.
HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTICE
Due to ongoing Covid 19 restrictions and the very great need for us to maintain social distance inside buildings, we remind you that only family members of those being remembered attend the Parish Anniversary Masses.
Please remain at home and follow the Mass on the parish webcam. As Covid numbers continue to be a cause for concern, there are only a limited number of seats available. Families remembering the Month’s Mind of a loved one or a First Anniversary must have precedence until the pandemic is over.
At Bishop McKeown’s request, those attending any mass or service in our churches must wear a face mask.
Thank you for your cooperation on these important 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.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL COMMITTEE
2021 has been a difficult year for many people, as we move into 2022 with hopes and dreams for a better year ahead we all need to be mindful of the importance of our health and wellness.
The committee plan to re-start some of their actives in the hall, this is a great opportunity for people to come along and join in to learn, keep active and connected
Tuesday Morning 11 January: Exercise with Thomasina at 11.30 am Admission £4.00
If interested in registering for any of the following actives please contact Kathleen: 07764277809: Anne: 02879642711 or Olive: 07887614094 Activities planned for 2022 include: Crochet Class, Line Dancing, Sean-nós Dance and Spring Gardening.
Early registration would be appreciated.
The committee wish to thank everyone who supported them and attended classes in 2021 and they look forward to seeing you in 2022.
A safe happy and healthy New Year is wished to all.
N.I. FOSTER CARE
With an increase in children and young people needing foster homes across Northern Ireland, more foster carers are now needed. Every child deserves to have a happy, loving and safe home where they'll feel cared for, valued and supported. It’s always the right time for fostering.
Phone 0800 0720 137 for more information or click on this link: adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE 2022
Seven Night Pilgrimage to Medjugorje will take place 21 – 28 May 2022. Spiritual Director Fr. Séamus Kelly. Bed/Breakfast and dinner. Price £655 (includes insurance). Offer of Special Price for early booking: £605 – if paid before 20 December 2021. Money must be paid in full. Flight from Belfast. Contact Martina for more details, phone 77741219.
MARY’S MEALS ~ GIFT CARDS
Mary’s Meals are now bringing joy to over 2 million children with a daily meal in the children’s places of education. Their Double the Love Campaign runs until 31 January 2022, all donations up to a total of £1.6 million will be matched by a generous group of private donors. Every little act of love will go that little bit further during this period to help them reach the next child waiting, so please consider supporting this campaign and praying for its success. There are many ways to get involved including choosing a Mary’s Meals gift card or setting a place at their Big Family Christmas table- find out more at www.marysmeals.org.ukor phone 0800 6981212.
MESSAGE FROM BISHOP - COVID 19 ~ OMICRON VARIANT
Bishop McKeown, having received the most recent scientific and medical advice, has written to all parishes to reinforce the following safety points to ensure that our churches remain as safe environments as possible.
All Church events must continue to be risk assessed.
Face coverings be worn, not just for entering and leaving the church, but also when seated. This is winter, but ventilation is still vital and social distancing is critical, both in the church and when entering or leaving.
The routine celebration of the Sacrament of Confession should not take place in the current circumstances.
Holy Communion should not be distributed on the tongue. A right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue is not an absolute right and, at the moment, must be restricted for the protection of human life, a key part of the church’s pro-life stance.
THE NET DECEMBER 2021
Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website: www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-december-2021
For coverage of faith stories please email editorthenet15@gmail.com
Coverage in this edition includes:
• Christmas message from Bishop Donal
• World Youth Day at home
• Long Tower celebrations for St Columba • Children’s digital book on St Colmcille
• Answering God’s call to youth ministry –
• Reflection on St Joseph
• Christmas Novena to Divine Child
• Trócaire’s Gifts of Love
• Support for pro-life vigil
• Belfast Rosary of Reparation
• Is Sr Clare Crockett a saint? – Part II
• Irish section by Fr Oliver Crilly
• December Blessed Brunch & Books
• Children’s Catechism Club – C3
• Saints we celebrate during December
• Gifting talents to parish family
Comments from across the Diocese:
Young writers share thoughts on .. Preparing for Christmas
Gratitude for faith passed on
Caring for others less fortunate