top of page

BALLINASCREEN PARISH BULLETIN - 8 DECEMBER 2019

No. 1787 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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 Mary’s Coolcalm 10.00 am

St Patrick’s Sixtowns 11.00 am

St Columba’s Straw 12 noon

DAILY MASS TIMES FOR THIS WEEK

HOLY ROSARY CHURCH

Monday ~ 10.00 am and 7.30 pm

Tuesday – 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

PARISH WEBCAM

All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the parish website:

www.parishofballinascreen.com

FEASTS OF THE WEEK

Monday 9: As the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) is a Sunday it is moved to Monday 9 December and is not a holy day of obligation this year.

Friday 13: St Lucy, virgin and martyr.

Saturday 14: St John of the Cross.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 9 December, will commence after the 10.00 am Mass. Adoration will finish with 7.30pm Mass.

VISITATION OF SICK AND HOUSEBOUND

Due to the large number of sick and housebound in Ballinascreen Parish,

Fr Madden will make his Advent Visits on the following days:

Monday 9 December: Moneyneena Road, Drumderg, Mulnavoo, Bancran,

Tuesday 10 December:Fivemilestraight, Ranaghan, Disert, Sixtowns Road, Tonagh Straw, Cavanreagh,The Orchard, Strawmore,

Wednesday 11 December: Moykeeran, Cahore, Campbeltown, Slievegallion Drive,Cordarragh, Derrynoid Road,

Monday 16 December: Tobermore Road, Magherafelt Road, Slievegallion Park, Bradley Park, Glenshane Park, Drumard, Gortnaskea.

PARISH CAROL SERVICE

Annual Parish Christmas Carol Service will be held next Sunday 15 December in St Columba’s Church Straw at 6.00 pm.

The Carol Service will include the presentation of gifts for distribution by the St Vincent de Paul local conference.

Parishioners are invited to please bring a non-perishable food item as their gift for presentation during the Carol Service.

All welcome.

SPECIAL SVP COLLECTION

Annual Christmas Collection will be taken up following all Masses next weekend 14 and 15 December. Your support for the vital work of the Conference in our parish will be greatly appreciated, especially at this time of year which can be difficult for some families in our local community.

RECONCILIATION SERVICES

Reconciliation Services for Advent in

Holy Rosary Church on Wednesday December 18 at 7.30 pm and in

St Patrick’s Church Keenaught on Sunday December 22 at 5.00 pm.

Further details next week

HOLY ROSARY CHURCH

Many thanks to all who attended last Sunday's reopening of Holy Rosary Church, especially the Parish Choir who sang beautifully for the occasion.

MONTH’S MIND MASSES

Elizabeth Quinn Gortnaskea, on Sunday 8 December in St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns at 11.00 am.

Breige McGuigan, Drumard on Saturday 14 December in Holy Rosary at 6.00 pm.

DEATHS

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and friends of;

Brian McGuigan Cahore Terrace,

Christopher Trolan, Ballymoney.

ANNIVERSARIES

First Anniversary: Seamus McBride.

Neil Kennedy, James Mullin,

Baby Leonie Ellen Kidd, Sean Kelly.

DO THIS IN MEMORY MASS

Do This In Memory Mass will be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church next Saturday 14 December 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.

WEDDING

Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Mary Teresa Scullion and Declan McNicholl who were married recently in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY

Meeting in Holy Rosary Church Monday December 9 following the 7.30 pm Mass. Rosary to pray for vocations at 7.10 pm.

PARISH BAPTISMS

Baptisms at 3.00 pm in St Columba’s Church Straw on Sunday 22 December at 3.00 pm.

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

Please contact the Parish Office to book.

LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS

|Priests’ Monthly Collection: £2740

Church Renovation Collection: £1912.

Many thanks to all who contributed.

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).

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW 2019

Desertmartin Parish is having a Christmas Draw again this year. There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Sunday 5 January. Every ticket will be entered into all the draws, which means everyone has 33 chances to win. Total prize fund is £5,000. Tickets £20 each are now available from Ballinascreen Parish Office. This would make a nice Christmas gift to send to members of your family and friends.

ALIVE ~ FREE NEWSPAPER

The December edition of Alive is now available in all churches, free of charge.

Many interesting articles in this issue.

CHURCH OF IRELAND PARISH

St. Columba's Church of Ireland are delighted to welcome St Columba’s Choir, Straw to their Church for Christmas Carols today, Sunday 8 December 6.30 pm. A warm welcome is extended to all.

Seasonal refreshments will be served.

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS

Fr Pat O’Hagan, PP Moville will lead an Evening of Prayer and Intercession for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Diocese of Derry at St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Thursday 12 December beginning with Mass at 7.30 pm offered for vocations, followed by a Holy Hour at 8.00 pm. All welcome.

DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimage from 2 - 7 July 2020. The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, is open for general enquiries and for the supply of Gift Vouchers on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 11.00 am – 1.00 pm. Phone 028 - 71260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com

  • Applications are invited for the 2020 Youth Pilgrimage, from those who will be age 17 at time of travel. Forms may be requested through schools or from Pilgrimage Office, Derry.

NI CANCER PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

Pilgrimage from19 - 24 May 2020. Cost £695 (with price reduction for cancer patients). To enquire or for a booking form call 07933938981 or email mail@nicancerpilgrimage.org.uk

TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

The Diocese in conjunction with Youthlink NI are offering an exciting training opportunity for young people aged 16-18 interested in Youth Work and Leadership Training. The course will be an OCN Level 1 Award in Practical Youth Work/Ministry Skills and be on 3 days: Saturday 18 January, Sunday 2 February and Saturday 7 March in Maghera Pastoral Centre. If interested please contact Yvonne Rooney Diocesan Pastoral Youth Leader for more details or an application form. Phone 71264087 or email yvonne.rooney@derrydiocese.org

TRAINING FOR ADULTS

The Diocese is also offering a training course for adults interested in Parish Pastoral Ministry. This course will be a Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice and will run over 5 Saturdays and a few evenings beginning Wednesday 4 March 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm in Maghera Pastoral Centre. If interested, please contact Yvonne Rooney, Diocesan Pastoral Youth Leader for more details or an application form. Phone 71264087 or email yvonne.rooney@derrydiocese.org

DERRY DIOCESAN YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE

Young people aged 16-18 are invited to join this pilgrimage for 7 nights from 28 July- 4 August. This will be a unique experience to engage with young people from around the world in a faith context. Up to 50,000 young people attend the Medjugorje Youth Festival each year. Cost is £599 and there will be a budget plan to help. Names and deposit of £100 due by 20 December. For more details or to book please phone 71264087 or email lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE

Pilgrimage September 1 - 8. Please phone 81648357 or 07768395038 for details.

THORNHILL MINISTRIES

  • Advent: Wednesdays 11 and 18 December ~ Reflection Mornings (9.30 am to 12.00 noon) includes Mass and light lunch. Meditation (6.30pm to 7.00 pm).

  • Décor Workshops Tuesday 10 at 7.30 pm (Christmas Wreath) and Thursday 19 December at 7.30pm (Table Centrepiece). Donation £30. Includes all materials.

For details phone 71351233 or email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org or view www.thornhillministries.co.uk.

ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

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

All welcome.

ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL

  • The Christmas Story in Holy Rosary Church on Tuesday 17 December at 6.30 pm. All welcome.

  • If anyone was unable to attend the Open Night at St Mary's P.S. please feel free to contact the school and they would be happy to welcome you and show you around.

AN RÁTH DUBH

Children's Christmas Disco and Santa's Wonderland on Sunday 15 December, from 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm. Admission £5 per child (includes disco, present, visit to reindeers, and other festive activities including visit to life size Crib). Children must be accompanied by an adult. Kindly supported by Mid Ulster District Council.

BALLINASCREEN EARLY YEARS

Stay and Play open morning for children 2 years 10 months to 4 years on Tuesday 10 December from 10.00 am to 11.30 am. Registration information and free places available. Everyone welcome.

DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY

Free Christmas craft classes for children aged 4 - 9 on Tuesday 10 at 6.30 pm and Friday 13 at 3.30 pm. Booking essential.

SLIEVE GALLION A.R.A.

Meeting in Knocknagin Hall on Monday 9 December at 8.15 pm.

SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY

Can you join the cleaning rota for the Hall in 2020? If you can volunteer for one month please contact 07769289385.

ST MARY’S HALL DESERTMARTIN

  • Christmas Bingo 8.30 pm on Wednesday 11 December. 10 page book costs £7.00.

  • Tea Dance Friday 13 December.

ST COLM’S GAC

  • 400 Club Winners: £300~Sean Thayaparin, £50 Maíre Bradley, £50 Anne Bujwid.

  • Club Shop - Open Fridays 7 pm - 8 pm

  • U8/10 (P3 P4 P5 and P6) camogie training on Thursdays in Backrow from 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm.

  • U12 (P7 and Year 8) camogie training on Tuesdays from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm in Backrow. All new members welcome.

bottom of page