Copy of BALLINASCREEN & DESERTMARTIN PARISHES 4_JANUARY_2026
- Ballinascreen Parish
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
No. 10 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
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 ~ 5 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
6.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Keenaught.
Tuesday ~ 6 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
11.00 am ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
7.30 pm ~ St Columba’s, Straw.
7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s, Sixtowns.
Wednesday ~ 7 January:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Thursday ~ 8 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Friday ~ 9 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
Monday 5 January: St Charles of St Andrew, Priest.
Tuesday 6 January: The Epiphany of the Lord.
Wednesday 7 January: St Raymond of Penyafort, Priest.
DEATH
Gertrude Brolly (USA) formerly Dungiven.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
First Anniversary Mass for Harry Loane, Motalee, will be held on Saturday 19 January at 7.30 pm in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.
ANNIVERSARIES
Ballinascreen:
First Anniversary:
Eamon Kerlin, Oak Park;
Jonathan Molloy, Mallon Villas.
Anniversaries:
Kevin Kelly, Corrick Rd;
Patrick Toner, Derrynoid Lane;
Patrick McEldowney, Drumard Rd;
Karen Carlin, Drumderg Rd;
Baby Patrick Campbell, Moneymore Rd;
Leon Toner, Glenelly Villas;
Donaugh McCallion, Moykeeran Crescent;
Michael Kelly, Ballinascreen.
Desertmartin:
First Anniversary:
Harry Loane, Motalee.
Anniversaries:
Josie Murray;
Fintan Scullin;
Eileen Ryan;
Michael McDaid,
Bonnie Storey;
Elizabeth Shaw;
Katie Smith;
Brigid Loane.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Mollie Ellen McGlone, Bradley Park, Draperstown;
Caden Patrick McGuigan, Mulnavoo Rd, Draperstown.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Ballinascreen:
Renovation Collection - £1497
Weekly Collection - £2664.60
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PRIESTS’ CHRISTMAS BOX COLLECTION
The priests of the parish wish to express their sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the people of the parish for their great kindness and generosity to them in the Priests’ Christmas Box Collection.
PADRE PIO MASS
The monthly mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated on Monday 12 January at 7.30 pm in the Holy Rosary Church.
CAPUCHIN CENTRE
The collection at the December Mass for the Capuchin Centre for the homeless in Dublin amounted to £1,060. Thank you for your generosity.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A talk entitled "The Irish Overseas Archive" by Roddy Hegarty will be held on 6 January at 8.00 pm in the Community Hub. Everyone welcome.
NUALA'S BEGINNER 6 WEEK FITNESS CLASS
New Beginner Fitness Class designed to help you move, build confidence, and have fun! £3.50 per class. Perfect for absolute beginners, low impact and easy to follow workouts. Starting Tuesday 6 January from 6.45pm to 7.45 pm in the hall, Workspace Recreation Centre on the Back row. To Book your space, contact Carin on 0287 9628113
DIANCHÚRSA AON LAE DO DHAOINE FÁSTA- ONE DAY ADULT IRISH LANGUAGE COURSE
Glór na Speiríní are facilitating an intensive one~day Irish language course for adults Saturday 17th January from 10am-3pm in Glór na Speiríní Centre, Straw, Ballinascreen. Cost to attend this event is only £30 (lunch included) Booking is ESSENTIAL and payment must be completed to secure your place before the 5th January. (Limited Spaces) For information on booking and payment please contact Conchúr via email on conchurglor@gmail.com or 07795536682.
RANGANNA GAEILGE DO DHAOINE FÁSTA- ADULT IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES
The committee of Glór na Speiríní are delighted to announce recommencement of our 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 email on conchurglor@gmail.com or 07795536682
LAPÓGLANN - TODDLE - INN
Our parent/guardian & children's group will return again on Wednesday 7 January. We are opened every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning from 9.00 am to 10.30 am. Cost per session is only £2 which includes free play, activities, snack and tae or coffee. We are located on the same site as Gaelscoil na Speiríní in Straw, Ballinascreen. For further information please Email: conchurglor@gmail.com or Tel.: 07795536682. You do not have to pre-book to attend and tá fearadh na fáilte roimh chách - everyone is welcome!
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Painting for Pleasure: Classes resume on Wednesday 14 January from 10.00 am to 12 noon.
Living Life to the Full: 6-week course commencing Monday 26 January 10.00 am to 12 noon & is 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
GREENCASTLE PARISH PILGRIMAGES 2026
Poland: 16 - 23 June: Flights and Half Board, £1275. Salt Mines £55 (Optional). Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine.
Fatima: 23 - 30 July: Flights, Full Board and Coach to Dublin Airport: £879. Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine.
Medjugorje: 4 - 11 September: Flights from Belfast, Half Board: £849. Spiritual Director: Fr. Pat O’Hagan.
Further details contact Maria on 02881648357 or 07768395038.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Holy Communion 2026
Ballinascreen
St Eoghan’s P.S. ~ Saturday 2 May at 11.00 am, in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Mary’s P.S. ~ Saturday 9 May at 11.00 am, in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil Na Speiríní, ~ Saturday 16 May at 11.00 am, in Holy Rosary Church.
St Columba’s P.S. ~ Saturday 16 May at 11.00 am, in St Columba’s Church, Straw.
Desertmartin
Knocknagin P.S. ~ Saturday 25 April at 11.00 am in St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.
St Columb’s P.S. Cullion ~ Saturday 23 May at 11.00 am in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.
Confirmation 2026
Ballinascreen
Saturday 28 February at 12 noon in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speiríní ~ Saturday 7 March at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary.
Desertmartin
Sunday 1 March at 12 noon, in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.
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:
4 January, Straw.
11 January, Moneyneena.
18 January, Holy Rosary.
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 at 1.30 pm on the following dates:
4 & 18 January
1 & 15 February
1 & 15 March
12 & 19 April
3 & 17 May
7 & 21 June
5 & 18 July
2 & 9 August
NOTICES FOR THE 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 1.00 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
At the beginning of a new year our prayer for seminarians and those discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood is taken from St Paul's prayer for the Ephesians in our second reading:
"May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit."