BALLINASCREEN & DESERTMARTIN PARISHES 18_JANUARY_2026
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
No. 12 ~ 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 OFFICES
Ballinascreen:
9 High Street
Phone: (028)79628248
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm
Desertmartin:
St Patrick’s Keenaught
Phone: (028)79397047
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 10.30 am to 3.00 pm
SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding Contact Information
If you have any concerns with regard to the safeguarding of children within the Church, please contact:
Marie O’Kane - Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Tel.: +44 7596 500793 or Email: dlp@derrydiocese.org
Northern Ireland Emergency Services
PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland): 101
Social Services:
Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust: 028 7131 4090 (ask for the Duty Social Worker)
Gateway Services, Northern HSC Trust: 028 9442 4459
Regional Emergency Social Work Services: 0800 1979 995
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.
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
VIGIL MASSES FOR SUNDAY
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 ~ 19 January:
10.00am~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday ~ 20 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday ~ 21 January:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday ~ 22 January:
10.00am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm
Friday ~ 23 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
CONFESSIONS
Ballinascreen:
Holy Rosary Church Saturday 5.30pm before Vigil Mass.
Desertmartin:
St Patrick’s, Keenaught Saturday 6.30 pm until 7.10 pm.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 20 January: St Fabian, pope and martyr, St Sebastian, Martyr.
Wednesday 21 January: St Agnes, virgin and martyr.
Thursday 22 January: St Vincent, deacon and martyr.
Saturday 24 January: St Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Mary Elizabeth McGuigan, Belfast, formerly Brackaghlislea;
Mary O’Connell, Middleton, Co Cork;
Fr Eugene Hasson, Dungiven and PP Drumragh (Omagh).
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
First Anniversary Mass for Maureen McGuigan, formerly Ballinascreen, will be held on Friday 23 January at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
First Anniversary Mass for Declan Trainor will be held on Friday 23 January at 10.00 am in St Marys’ Church, Coolcalm.
ANNIVERSARIES
Ballinascreen:
Patrick McGlon, Glenelly Villas;
John Donnelly, Glenelly Villas;
Rosalind Donnelly, Cahore Rd;
Jean McElhinney, Oak Park;
Sean Murphy, Magherafelt;
Patsy Diamond, New York.
Desertmartin:
Helena McElhennon;
Brian Higgins;
Cissie Higgins;
Cassie Wilson;
Aloysius McElwee;
Seamus McGuigan,
Josephine Brunton;
Catherine Kearns;
Maureen McGuigan.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Ballinascreen
Renovation Collection - £2140
Weekly Collection - £2921
Desertmartin
Renovation Collection - £711
Weekly Collection - £935.95
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
Totals shown include December Standing Orders from Parishioners.
If you would like to avail of this option please contact the Parish Office.
PARISH MISSION 2026
We welcome to our parishes this weekend, Fr Paschal Scallon CM, who will speak at all masses in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin. Along with some of his colleagues Fr Paschal will lead our parishes in a Four Day Parish Mission beginning the day after Ash Wednesday. The mission will begin on Thursday evening 19 February and conclude after last mass on Sunday 22 February.
BALLINASCREEN PARISH READERS
Can all Parish readers please leave your contact details into the parish office as soon as possible please:
Tel.: 02879628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
MONTHLY LUNCHEON CLUB
Wednesday 21 Jan in Workspace Community Hub. Open from 11.00 am, lunch served at 12.15 pm. Booking is essential. Contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 by 12 noon on Monday 19 January, to confirm your place.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Social & Old Time Dance Classes for beginners on Tuesday 20 January at 8.30 pm. Everyone welcome.
SIXTOWNS HISTORY AND HERITAGE GROUP
Traditional Irish music session Sunday 18 January in The Shepherds' Rest at 6.00 pm. Children's session at 5.00 pm. All musicians, singers and listeners welcome.
DESERTMARTIN CREDIT UNION
Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 27 January 2026 in "The Hub" at St Martin's GAC Hall, Desertmartin at 7:30 pm. It is very important that all members attend.
Oil Orders must be placed before 11:00 am on Saturday 31 January. Please let us know, how much you require as soon as possible. Also, any member who is not in the Heating Oil Club can join and let us know your oil request for this delivery. Contact the Office on: 0287963458 on Fridays between 6.00 pm and 9.00 pm or Saturdays between 10.00 am and 12 noon.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL COMMITTEE
Chair exercises: Tuesday mornings at 10.00 am.
Irish dancing lessons: Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7.00 pm. To register, contact nicola: 07518 207458.
St. Mary’s Bowling Club: Tuesday evenings at 8:00 pm. New members welcome.
Acrobats Gymnastics Club: Classes continue on Saturday mornings from 9.00 am until 2.00 pm.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band: Tickets for 2026 monthly draw are now on sale, £1 per month, £12 for the year. Fully paid up members will be entered into an additional free draw. January and February draw will take place on Mon 2 February.
Band Practice recommences Thursday 15 January and continues thereafter on the first & third Thursdays of the month. All members to attend in preparation for St. Patrick's Day, in dungiven. New and past members are welcome.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Painting for Pleasure: classes resume Wednesday14 January from 10.00 am to 12 noon.
Living Life to the Full: 6-week course, Monday 26 January from 10.00 am until 12 noon. Suitable for anyone feeling stressed/low mood/worried. This programme can make a big difference to your life; help you develop practical skills & how to cope with day-to-day challenges.
DIY Skills Programme: 4-week course commencing mid-February. Ladies, sign up & learn how to use tools safely: put up shelves/curtain poles: use the correct tools & fixings: create & take home your own toolbox. Register now to reserve your place. To book please message 07821963749 for more details
RANGANNA GAEILGE DO DHAOINE FÁSTA- ADULT IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES
Adult Irish language classes on Thursday 22 January from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm in Straw, Ballinascreen. Cost for this block of 10 lessons is £40 and there are 5 levels to cater for everyone's needs. For information on booking and payment please contact Conchúr via conchurglor@gmail.com or Tel.: 07795536682
DESERTMARTIN GAC COUCH TO 5K 2026
Everyone welcome, all ages & abilities. Work at your own pace. Monday & Friday nights for 9 weeks starting 7.00 pm Monday 19 February. Held at the fully lit Desertmartin GAC walking track. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult. 18 progressive sessions building you up and finishing with your own 5k walk or run. £20 for over 18’s or £25 including a hi-vis running vest. £10 for under 18’s or £15 including hi-vis running vest.
Register at http://www.desertmartingac.com/C25K2026 or simply register and pay on the first night. Come for the fitness, come the craic, bring a friend – everyone welcome.
LOST WEDDING RING
Mens gold wedding band has been lost possibly around Holy Rosary or Straw church, if found please contact the parish office on 02879628376 to reunite with the owner.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Administrative & Financial Officer. Permanent post, 8-10 hours per week. Working for Swatragh Parish, based in Kilrea Parochial House. Working Days Wednesday & Friday. For application pack: Tel. 02871262302 or Email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12 noon on Monday 26 January 2026.
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND
Catholic Marriage Encounter in Ireland. Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March at St. Mary’s Retreat Centre, Knock, Co. Mayo. Online: www.marriageencounter.ie
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
5 Day Silent Ignatian Retreat for Men. Led by Benedictine monks from St. Joseph Abbey, in France. Starts Thursday 30 April (3pm). Benburb Priory, Co. Tyrone (1.5 hrs from Dublin). €450 (all meals & single room included). Daily Mass - Ordinary Form (Latin & ad orientem) Discover the strength that only comes when you stop running and let God speak. Book at: https://soutenir.clairval.com/retreat-benburb-priory
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
These questions can help you identify if someone else’s drinking is affecting you. If your answer is yes to any of the following, AL-Anon Family Groups can help. Do you worry about how much someone else drinks? Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else’s drinking? Are you afraid to upset someone for fear that it will set off a drinking bout? Do you feel that if the drinker loves you, he would stop drinking to please you? Do you feel like a failure because you can’t stop the drinking? Do you make threats such as "If you don’t stop drinking, I’ll leave you"? Do you search for hidden alcohol? Do you feel angry, confused or depressed most of the time?
For further information contact the AL-Anon confidential helpline: Tel. 08000086811 or Email: helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk Alternatively, Tel. 028 9068 2368.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2026
Ballinascreen Parish:
All bookings to be made via Ballinascreen Parish Office on 02879628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Baptisms are held at 3.00 pm on the following dates:
25 January, Sixtowns.
1 February, Straw.
8 February, Moneyneena.
15 February, Holy Rosary.
22 February, Sixtowns.
8 March, Straw.
15 March, Moneyneena.
22 March, Holy Rosary.
29 March, Sixtowns.
Desertmartin Parish:
To book a baptism, contact Fr McCaul on 02879632196 or Desertmartin Parish Office on 02879397047. Baptisms can be held in either church and are held at 1.30 pm on the following dates:
1 & 15 February
1 & 15 March
12 & 19 April
3 & 17 May
7 & 21 June
5 & 18 July
2 & 9 August
BULLETIN
Notices should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably emailed to ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS & MONTH’S MIND MASSES
If you wish to have a deceased loved one prayed for at any Anniversary Friday Mass, please email their name to the Parish Office by 1.pm on Wednesday of the relevant week. Notices for First Anniversary and Month's Mind Masses should be received before 1.00 pm on Wednesday of the previous week so that, they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
The Baptism of Jesus reminds us of our own baptism and that each one of us is called to be holy and to fulfil our vocation in life. We pray that the men called to serve the diocese as priests will know that, like Jesus, they are beloved sons of the Father, and that they will find fulfilment in spreading the Good News of God's love for everyone.
