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BALLINASCREEN PARISH BULLETIN - 17 NOVEMBER 2019

No. 1784 ~ THIRTY- THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY

SUNDAY MASS TIMES

VIGIL MASSES

St Eugene’s Moneyneena 6.00 pm

St Patrick’s Keenaught 7.30 pm

SUNDAY

St Eugene’s Moneyneena 9.00 am

St Patrick’s Sixtowns 10.00 am

St Mary’s Coolcalm 10.00 am

St Columba’s Straw 11.00 am

DAILY MASS TIMES FOR THIS WEEK

St Eugene's Moneyneena

Monday – Friday ~ 10.00 am

St Columba’s Church Straw

Friday ~ 7.30 pm

CONFESSIONS

Before the Vigil Mass

CONTACT DETAILS

Fr. Peter Madden PP VF

40 Derrynoyd 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 Telephone:79628248

Opening Hours

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

9.00 am – 3.00 pm

Wednesday and Friday ~ Closed

BULLETIN NOTICES

All notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday. ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

SVP HELPLINE

Helpline telephone number: 07710838050

FEASTS OF THE WEEK

Thursday 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast celebrates Mary in her grace-filled life, wholly given over to the Holy Spirit.

Friday 22: St Cecilia, patron of music and musicians.

Saturday 23: St Columban, (Columbanus) abbot and missionary. Born around 543 and died at Bobbio, near Genoa, in 615.

SUNDAY MASS CHANGES

Holy Rosary Church is on schedule for re-opening on Sunday 1 December at 3.00 pm. Bishop Donal McKeown will be chief concelebrant at the Mass during which he will rededicate the church and anoint the new altar.

The reopening also provides a time for the rescheduling of Sunday Masses in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin to take place, taking into account the availability of priests in active full-time ministry in both parishes. At the centre of the changes taking place is the provision of a Sunday Mass in all churches, either on the Saturday evening or Sunday morning. This we hope to maintain for as long as possible.

Consequently, as from the weekend 7/8 December Masses in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin will be as follows:

6.00 pm V igil Holy Rosary, Draperstown

7.30 pm Vigil St Patrick’s Keenaught

9.00 am St Eugene’s Moneyneena

10.00 am St Mary’s Coolcalm

11.00 am St Patrick’s Sixtowns

12 noon St Columba’s Straw.

Over the past few months while Holy Rosary was closed for renovation, many parishioners remarked positively on the atmosphere at the other Masses, the larger congregations seeming to be an unexpected boost to a sense of an entire community at prayer. This concurs with what has been written about parishes that have reduced the number of Sunday Masses due to the fall in the number of priests. The pooling of talent and resources and the larger congregations have enlivened the worship of God and the celebration of the Eucharist. Please God this will be our experience too.

BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE

During the month of November a Book of Remembrance will be in each of the churches for parishioners to enrol the names of their deceased loved ones.

MONTH’S MIND MASS

Brónagh Murray Tirrudah Square on Sunday 24 November in St Columba’s Church Straw at 11.00 am.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME

Do This In Memory Mass will be celebrated in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena next Saturday 23 November at 6.00 pm.

The children preparing for First Holy Communion are asked to please remember to bring their blessed candle and when they arrive should bring it to the front of the Church for it to be lit during this Mass.

Candles will be returned after the Mass.

  • The theme of the Mass on 25 January will be Baptism and a photo will be requested via the schools in advance of this Mass.

DEATH

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:

Elizabeth Quinn, Gortnaskea.

ANNIVERSARIES

Rose McCloskey, James McTeague,

Elizabeth McEldowney, Sarah Quinn,

Eileen Donnelly, Patsy Heron,

Seamus McKenna, Brendan Brunton.

WEDDING

Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Teresa Bradley and John McKenna who were married recently in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Sunday December 15 ~ Annual Parish Carol Service at 6.00 pm in St Columba’s Church Straw.

Wednesday December 18 ~ Annual Service of Reconciliation at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.

Saturday April 25 ~ Parish Confirmation at 11.00 am in St Columba’s Church Straw.

PARISH BAPTISMS

Baptisms will take place at 3.00 pm in St Columba’s Church Straw on Sunday 24 November and Sunday 22 December.

Baptisms will take place at 3.00 pm in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena on Saturday 7 December.

A baptism card is to be completed when booking a baptism.

Please contact the Parish Office to book.

PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS

The Friday 7.30 pm Mass in St Columba’s Church Straw is offered as an anniversary Mass for deceased parishioners. If you wish to have your loved one prayed for at this Mass you MUST give their name to the Parish Office by Thursday of the relevant week.

  • These names will also be read out at the 10.00 am Mass on Friday mornings (exception when this 10.00 am Mass is cancelled).

LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS

Weekly Envelope Collection: £2385

Church Renovation Collection: £1520.

Many thanks to all who contributed.

BALLINASCREEN PARISH DRAW

November Draw will be held on Monday November 25. All returns to Parish Office please before 3.00 pm on Thursday 21.

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS

Fr Stephen Quinn OCD will lead a Holy Hour to pray for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Derry Diocese on Thursday 21 November at 7.30pm in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. All are welcome.

CHURCH CLEANERS

If you are willing to be included on a rota for cleaning in St Columba’s Church, Straw please leave your name and contact details in the Parish Office this week.

DERRY DIOCESAN YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJIE

Pilgrimage for young people aged 16-18 to Medjugorje for 7 nights from 28 July-4 August. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with peers from around the world in a faith context as part of the Medjugorje Youth Festival. Cost is £599 and there will be a budget plan to help with this.

Names and a deposit of £100 due by 1December. For more details or to book please phone 71264087 or email lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2020

  • Applications are now being sought for the 2020 Youth Pilgrimage, from those who will be age 17 at time of travel. Pilgrimage from 2 - 7 July. Forms may be requested through schools or directly from Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ, email; derrypilgrim@outlook.com.

  • Gift Vouchers for all pilgrims to the value of £25 and £50 may be ordered via these same contact details.

THORNHILL MINISTRIES

  • Annual Crib Festival from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December in Thornhill House, Culmore Road, Derry.

  • Holy Land Pilgrimage Retreat September 2020. For details, contact Thornhill Ministries (contact details below)

  • Flower Workshops: Create a beautiful seasonal arrangement. Expert one-to-one guidance. Dates: Tuesday 10 December (Christmas Door Wreath) and Thursday 19 December (Christmas Table Centrepiece), both in Thornhill House at 7.30 pm. Suggested offering: £30.00 per workshop (includes all materials for arrangement) To book please contact Thornhill Ministries by Monday 2 December at 71351233 or email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org. Website: www.thornhillministries.co.uk

I AM WORSHIP CONCERT

‘A Starry Night’. A sacred and intimate night of musical celebration on Sunday 1 and Sunday 8 December in Christ Church Infirmary Road, Derry. Tickets £15 from Veritas, Shipquay Street or online at ticketsource.co.uk/IAM

MID-ULSTER VOLUNTEER CENTRE

Luncheon Club Volunteers needed for Tuesdays 10.00 am-2.00 pm. Luncheon Club helps those aged over 55 socialise and connect with others in their community and so provides a community based source of support and friendship. Volunteers will assist with preparing, serving and clearing up. Phone 79301862 if interested.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE

Christmas Craft Fayre, with 30 stalls, in An Rath Dubh on Sunday 24 November from 12 noon to 3.00 pm, in aid of Cancer Research.

AA ~ PUBLIC MEETING

Do you or someone you know have a problem with alcohol? To mark 25 years of Plumbridge AA Group a Public Information Meeting in Glenelly House Plumbridge on Monday 25 November at 8.00 pm. Speakers from AA, Al-Anon and a medical expert will attend. All welcome.

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE 2020

Seven night Pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 10 - 17 June 2020. Spiritual Director will be Fr Seamus Kelly. Bed/breakfast and dinner. Price £670 (includes insurance). Offer of special price of £570 for early booking and payment before 6 December 2019. Money must be paid in full. Flight from Belfast.

Contact Martina for further information on 77741219 or 07715490880.

KNOCK ALL - NIGHT VIGIL

All Night Vigil from 10.00 pm on December 7. Main Celebrant at 4.00 am Mass on December 8 will be His Excellency Archbishop Okolo, Papal Nuncio. For further details phone Knock Shrine Office 0035394 9388100 or view knockshrine.ie

FAMILY PANTOMIME

‘Maroon and White’ family pantomime written and preformed by Aisteoiri Na Scríne (in English). Tickets for the 4.00 pm show on Sunday 8 December will be on sale in Naíscoil na Speiríní today, Sunday 17 November from 1.00 pm -1.30 pm. Tickets cost £5 each.

ST EOGHAN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL

  • Big Breakfast on today, Sunday 17 November 9.00 am - noon. All welcome.

  • Open Night on Thursday 21 November at 7.00 pm. Come along to see what the school offers and meet the teachers. Light refreshments served. Everyone welcome.

ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

  • Christingle Mass in St Columba's Church Straw on Monday 16 December at 7.00 pm. Everyone welcome

  • Open Night on Thursday 5 December from 6.00 pm -7.00 pm. If unable to attend the Open Night please make an appointment with the school. The Principal will be happy to show you around the school.

GAELSCOIL NA SPEIRÍNÍ & NAÍSCOIL NA SPEIRÍNÍ

Open Night on Wednesday 27 November at 6.30 pm. PEAGs and pre-pre places available. Everyone welcome! Phone 796 28445 or 79627797 for more details.

ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Open Night on Wednesday 27 November from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm. Meet all the staff and find out more about the school. Light refreshments served. Everyone is very welcome.

ST MARY’S HALL DESERTMARTIN

  • Craft Fair today, Sunday 17 November.

  • Tea Dance Friday 29 November, from 9.00 pm – midnight. Music by Ed Fox.

45 TURKEY DRIVE

Glenullin Camogie Club host a 45 Turkey Drive (Singles) on Thursday 28 November at 7.30 pm in Community Centre. Light supper served. Raffle prizes. Entry £10.

DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY

  • 1 to 1 sessions for people with any IT queries on Friday morning 22 November. Booking with library staff essential.

  • Free IT tutor led workshop on Pinterest and Instagram on Friday 22 November at 2.00 pm. No booking is necessary.

  • Free Rhythm and Rhyme sessions for babies and tots every Friday from 10.30 am to 11.00 am. New members welcome. No booking necessary.

ST COLM’S GAC

  • 400 Club Winners: £300 Brian McGuigan, £50 Patsy Murray, £50 Conor McWilliams.

POPE FRANCIS @PONTIFEX

We ask the Lord to increase our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in our hearts: He who assumed our human nature, who became Man in order to fight with our flesh and to conquer in our flesh.

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