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No. 1805 ~ PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
MASSES FOR HOLY WEEK ~ VIA WEBCAM ONLY
(Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday ~ April 9, 10 and 11)
10.00 am: Monday and Wednesday, Holy Rosary Draperstown
3.00 pm Holy Hour: Monday, Holy Rosary
10.00 am: Tuesday, St Mary’s Coolcalm
EASTER TRIDUUM ~ VIA WEBCAM ONLY
HOLY THURSDAY ~ APRIL 9
10.00 am Mass of Chrism: St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry
At this Mass the oils that are used in the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and the Oil of the Sick are blessed and consecrated by the bishop of the diocese. Priests around the diocese will also follow the Mass online and renew the vows taken at their ordination. Everyone welcome to join via the Cathedral webcam. www.steugenescathedral.com
7.00 pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Holy Rosary Church
Fr Madden and Fr McGirr will concelebrate Mass on Thursday evening from Holy Rosary Church at 7.00 pm, maintaining social distance at the altar and each receiving the precious blood of Jesus from a different chalice.
GOOD FRIDAY ~ APRIL 10
10.00 am Morning Prayer: St Eugene’s Cathedral Derry via the Cathedral webcam
3.00 pm Solemn Passion of Jesus: St Mary's Coolcalm
7.30 pm Stations of the Cross: Holy Rosary Church.
Followed by payers for the first day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy which concludes on the second Sunday of Easter.
HOLY SATURDAY ~ APRIL 11
10.00 am Morning Prayer: St Eugene’s Cathedral Derry via the Cathedral webcam
12 Noon Divine Mercy Novena: Holy Rosary Church.
7.30 pm Easter Vigil Mass: Holy Rosary Church
10.00 pm Full Easter Vigil: St Eugene’s Cathedral Derry via the Cathedral webcam
EASTER SUNDAY ~ APRIL 12
10.00 am Mass: St Mary’s Coolcalm
12 noon Mass: Holy Rosary Draperstown
Other arrangements will be announced throughout the week at daily Mass.
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the parish webcam: www.parishofballinascreen.com
All Masses in St Mary’s Coolcalm are transmitted live via the parish/diocesan/mcnmedia link
PLENARY INDULGENCE
Because individual confession is not possible at this time Pope Francis has issued the following statement about the granting of a Plenary Indulgence. The Plenary Indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion, or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfil the usual conditions (Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer according to the Holy Father's intentions), as soon as possible.
WORDS ON CONFESSION
Lent seeks a change of heart that we may truly celebrate Easter. In preparation for this great feast many celebrate this "change of heart" in the Sacrament of Penance. Confession to a priest is an essential part of the Sacrament of Penance but what are we to do this year, when because of coronavirus, Church services are suspended and everyone is to stay at home? Pope Francis spoke about this situation recently and said that we should do what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says. The Catechism reminds us that the confessor is not the master of God's forgiveness, but its servant. Only God forgives sin and God, who is the Father of tenderness, always waits for the return of the Prodigal and always welcomes with a loving embrace - God's forgiveness is immediate! In our present uniquely difficult situation, when it is not possible to come to the Church for Confession, speak to God from your heart; acknowledge truthfully what you have done or failed to do, and with all your heart ask forgiveness with a sincere Act of Sorrow confident that God always forgives the contrite. Later, when coronavirus has released its grip, we can return to the Church and avail of Confession, and celebrate the forgiveness that has been so freely given.
FAST AND ABSTINENCE
Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence. Fasting means that the amount of food we eat is considerably reduced. This applies to those aged 18 to 60. Abstinence means that those aged over 14 abstain from eating meat.
FAMILY SUGGESTIONS FOR HOLY WEEK DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
1. On Palm Sunday put greenery in the front window (palms will be blessed during the Palm Sunday Masses)
2. Follow the Chrism Mass from the Cathedral on Holy Thursday at 10.00 am
3. Put a Cross in the front window on Good Friday
4. Ask God's blessing on water and have a Renewal of Baptismal Promises on Holy Saturday night or on Easter Sunday, each family having a bowl of water, a twig for a Blessing ceremony and follow the text of the Renewal of Baptismal Promises.
5. Come out at 9.00 pm on Holy Saturday and shine your mobile phone torch
HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY FR JOHN
On behalf of Fr Madden, Fr O'Neill, Fr McGirr and the people of the parish we extend our warm congratulations to Fr John Downey who celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday 4 April. A birthday Mass and celebration had long been planned for Friday 3 April in St Eugene's Church, Moneyneena and afterwards in An Ráth Dubh to show our appreciation to Fr John for his long and dedicated ministry to the people of this parish, following his retirement last year. Needless to say the Mass and celebration had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus Crisis. However, it doesn't lessen the respect and esteem in which he is held in Ballinascreen Parish and Moneyneena in particular. Fr John, many happy returns of the day. Keep safe and well and a very big Happy 80th Birthday!!!
ANNIVERSARIES
Margaret Trolan, Danny Mullan,
Peter O'Kane, Annie McSorley,
Brian McCloskey.
FAMILY ROSARY
We encourage families to pray the Family Rosary each evening.
Please click on the link 'Come Pray The Rosary' on the home page of Ballinascreen Parish Website.
BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
Please click the link on the parish webpage parishofballinascreen.com for information and numbers of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.
FUNERAL MASSES
In accordance with the most recent guidelines re Coronavirus issued by Bishop Donal McKeown all FUNERAL MASSES will be limited to FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS ONLY.
If parishioners so wish, funerals may be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church so that the Funeral Mass may be viewed live via Holy Rosary Webcam. It is very important over the next few weeks and months that we respect the scientific and medical advice not to shake hands.
TRÓCAIRE LENTEN CAMPAIGN
Obviously, with no church gatherings, parishioners will not be in a position to return Trócaire boxes to their church.
As some parishioners may wish to contribute to their Lenten Campaign, Trócaire have issued the following information for anyone who so wishes to donate:
Online banking, directly to Trócaire.
Bank details~ Sort Code 93.80.92
Account Number ~ 88227020
For people who do not use online banking, cheques may be posted to: Trócaire, 50-52 King Street, Belfast, BT1 6AD.
Freephone number ~ 08009121200. Trócaire have also asked that any parishioners who may wish to donate this year DO NOT make their donations via Parochial Houses or Parish Offices.
PARISH BAPTISMS
In accordance with the most recent Government statement and the latest guidelines issued by Bishop McKeown there will be no baptisms until further notice. Baptisms will resume as soon as possible, but we ask parents not to be anxious. It is customary nowadays for children to be baptised many weeks and months after they are born. Parents can bless their children with the Sign of the Cross morning and evening and recite the Guardian Angel Prayer for them often:
Angel of God My guardian dear To whom God’s love Commits me here Ever this day Be at my side To light and guard To rule and guide.
Amen.
WEDDINGS
Following the Government statement during the week, Bishop Donal McKeown, has also directed that all weddings be suspended until further notice. Couples who have booked weddings for the coming weeks can email the Parish Office should they wish to reserve a future date.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
If parishioners in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin wish to have their loved one prayed for at the 10.00 am Mass in Holy Rosary or the 7.30 pm Mass in Coolcam on a Friday, you MUST give their name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. You may contact the office by phone or email. These Masses from the Holy Rosary and St. Mary's Coolcalm may be viewed on the respective Parish webcam.
Please Note: As Friday 10 April is Good Friday the next Anniversary Masses will be on Friday 17 April.
FIRST COMMUNION 2020 & CONFIRMATION 2020
By direction of Bishop McKeown all celebrations of First Holy Communion and Confirmation in Derry Diocese have been postponed until further notice.
ST MARY’S HALL DESERTMARTIN
As all activities and functions are presently suspended. Advice NI Clinic will not be held this month. Any queries re Universal Credit or benefits please contact Advice NI on 08088020020.
DERRY DIOCESAN ONLINE YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAMME
The Diocesan Youth Ministry Team engage with young people in schools and parishes across the diocese in a range of ways including school retreats and parish programmes. Amidst this pandemic the team are now working from home and have moved all their initiatives online particularly to the social media platforms Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
There is now a weekly schedule for young people and their parish leaders to tune in to and get involved with. Every week under an overall theme such as #bethelight young people are invited to engage with the opportunity for daily prayer and reflection, tasks to keep them busy such as arts and crafts, going for walks, writing a letter, sharing their favourite scripture quote, writing in a journal, finding something specific in their home, doing a kind act for another and of course taking selfies and videos of all this to share and connect with each other.
Each day of the week there is a theme.
Log on to the Derry Youth Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to keep up-to-date with the latest programme details, themes, daily tasks and weekly videos.
PRAYERS FOR OUR PROTECTION
The Irish Catholic Bishops have asked for prayers for those affected by the Coronavirus. Placing all our trust in the Lord, and asking Our Lady to intercede for us, the bishops invite everyone to pray these prayers:
EXTRACT FROM SAINT PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer. Amen.
PARISH 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 Phone: (028)79628248
email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Please note that due to restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus Pandemic the Parish Office may only be contacted by email or phone (message may be left)
BULLETIN NOTICES
All notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday email ~ ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
During the current crisis Bulletins will only be available on the parish website ~ www.parishofballinascreen.com
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
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