No. 1789 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary Draperstown 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 MASSES THIS WEEK
Holy Rosary Church
Monday & Tuesday ~ 10.00 am
Tuesday ~ 6.00 pm
Thursday & Friday ~ 11.00 am
St Columba’s Church Straw
Tuesday ~ 8.00 pm
Wednesday ~ 12 noon
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
St Eugene's Moneyneena
Tuesday ~ 7.30 pm
Wednesday ~ 9.00 am
St Patrick's Sixtowns
Tuesday ~ 8.00 pm
Wednesday ~ 11.00 am
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
The priests of the parish wish everyone a holy and peaceful Christmas
Beannachtaí na Nollag
MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS ~ FEAST OF THE NATIVITY
Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December
Holy Rosary Draperstown ~ 6.00 pm
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 7.30 pm
St Patrick’s Sixtowns ~ 8.00 pm
St Columba’s Straw ~ 8.00 pm
Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns ~ 11.00 am
St Columba’s Straw ~ 12 noon.
DAILY MASSES
Monday December 23
Holy Rosary ~ 10.00 am
Tuesday December 24
Holy Rosary ~ 10.00 am
Thursday December 26
Holy Rosary ~ 11.00 am
Friday December 27
Holy Rosary ~ 11.00 am
St Columba’s Straw ~ 7.30 pm.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
There will be no Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday December 23, Monday December 30 or Monday January 6.
Adoration will resume in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 13 January 2020.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 25: The Nativity of Our Lord
Thursday 26: St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Patron of deacons and bricklayers.
Friday 27: St John, apostle and evangelist.
Saturday 28: The Holy Innocents.Saturday
DESERTMARTIN PARISH - TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW
Last minute presents are always a nightmare! Ballinascreen Parish Office, 9 High Street, will be opened on Monday 23 December and Tuesday 24 December from 9.30 am to 12 noon so that Christmas Twelve Days of Christmas Draw Cards can be purchased. The cost is £20 and it gives the owner of each card a chance to win every day over the Christmas period. Every ticket will be entered into all 33 draws, which means everyone has 33 chances to win prizes. Total prize fund is £5,000. It’s a great gift to give to someone in the family, a neighbour or a friend and it also helps Desertmartin Parish enormously This is thier main fund-raising event in the year for Desertmartin Parish.
DERRY DIOCESAN SOCIETY
9.00 am Mass in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena on Sunday December 29 will be offered for the deceased members of the Derry Diocesan Society.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Alice Hughes, Moneyneena on Friday 27 December in St Columba’s Church Straw at 7.30 pm.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and friends of;
James Kelly Drumderg Road,
Helen Heron Fivemile Straight,
Francis McCann, Longfield.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary: Alice Hughes.
Bridget Kelly, Nellie McWilliams, Pat J Molloy,Susanna Groogan, Mary Gallagher, Carmel McCartan, Joe Conville,
John McEldowney.
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Weekly Envelope Collection: £2458
Church Renovation Collection: £1397.
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)
PARISH SAVINGS
On behalf of all who save throughout the year in the Parish Savings, a scheme made possible by the generosity of Ballinascreen Credit Union, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Danny Scullion and all the staff who have freely offered their services for the good of the parish. Thanks also to the many collectors, and all who go individually to Ballinascreen Credit Union. Not only is it a great help at the end of the year in the approach to Christmas, but this year the interest accrued and donated by Ballianscreen Credit Union to the parish amounted to £1531.41.
Thanks to all.
PARISH MEMORIES
Ballinascreen Historical Society’s new CD / DVD is now on sale in local shops.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE
Lourdes 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 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
ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY
St Joseph’s Young Priests Society acknowledges with sincere thanks several generous donations for the support and education of student priests at home and abroad. All benefactors share in the Masses and prayers of the society. Further donations gratefully accepted. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
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. 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. Phone 71264087 or email yvonne.rooney@derrydiocese.org
Holy Land Pilgrimage
THORNHILL MINISTRIES
Pilgrimage / Retreat from 24 September – 8 October 2020. Applications now welcome. For more information or to book, please contact Thornhill Ministries, at 71351233 or email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org. Website: www.thornhillministries.co.uk
CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE
Thanks to all who have already taken an Advent Box this year. Boxes are still available in all Church porches.Donations will help to provide lifesaving treatment for children in Ethiopia suffering from severe acute malnutrition. All donations will be collected in January.
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND
Catholic Marriage Encounter Ireland, offers married couples of all ages in a good relationship, private time to rekindle the joy of their love. Next residential weekend (Friday 8.00 pm to Sunday 4.30 pm) will be in Dromantine Centre, Newry, from 31 January - 2 February. For more details and to book phone 07702812321 view website www.marriageencounter.ie
MID ULSTER WOMEN’S AID
Collection in Centra Draperstown will continue until Christmas Eve.
ST MARY’S HALL DESERTMARTIN
Boxing Night Dance 26 December at 9.00 pm. Music by Micheal Mawhinney.
Crochet Classes on Thursdays, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm. Classes resume 16 January 2020
Sewing Classes Fridays, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm. Classes resume on 7 January.
Yoga on Mondays, 10.30 am -12 noon classes resume on 3 February.
To register please phone Olive 07887614094, Anne 79642711 or Philomena 07866381473.
ST COLM’S GAC
400 Club Winners: John Breen, Mark McCullagh, Eugene Molloy
Annual Charity Games on Friday 27 December; in memory of Paddy McGlone. Football at 6.30 pm, Hurling at 7.30 pm. Presentation at 8.30 pm followed by music by Cathair McLaughlin. Refreshments also provided. All welcome.
Christmas Disco on Monday 23 December from 8.30 pm until 11.00 pm for P7 to Year 11. Admission £5.
Happy Christmas to all members.
LAUDATO SI - ADVENT REFLECTION
A few years ago Pope Francis wrote:
‘When people become self-centred and self-enclosed, their greed increases. The emptier a person’s heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consume. It becomes almost impossible to accept the limits imposed by reality.’ (Laudato Si Encyclical)
May the child fill us with all that we need this Christmas.
