No. 1698 ~ FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
An Rath Dubh: 7.30 pm
SUNDAY
An Rath Dubh: 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw: 11.00 am
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
DAILY MASS TIMES DURING LENT
Holy Rosary
Monday ~ 10.00 am and 7.30 pm
Tuesday ~ 7.00 am and 10.00 am
Wednesday ~ 7.00 am and 10.00 am
Thursday ~ 7.00 am and 10.00 am
Friday ~ 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
St Colm’s High School
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday ~ 8.40 am
CONFESSIONS
Before the Vigil Masses
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
40 Derrynoyd Road
Telephone: 79628376
Email:ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr John Downey CC
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Tel: 79628248
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
9.00 am – 3.00 pm
Friday 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
Wednesday ~ 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
No Stations of the Cross on today, Sunday 18 March.
FEAST OF THE WEEK
Monday 19: St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
VISITATION OF SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Fr Madden will attend the sick in his care on Monday 19, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 March.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary on Monday March 19 following the 10.00 am Mass, concluding with Mass at 7.30 pm.
PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Evening of Love and Forgiveness
On Wednesday, March 21 at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church, there will be a Penitential Service in place of Mass. All the priests of the parish will be present and with you, the People of God, we will reflect on our sinfulness and our need to say sorry to God and to each other.
Mindful that Pope Francis is encouraging us to say ‘Please’, ‘Thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry’ often, this unique celebration of the Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation will afford us the opportunity to say sorry for our sins. The priests will stand at the front of the altar and you will be invited to come forward, after we have recited together an Act of Sorrow, to say ‘I am sorry for my sins’, and if there is something in particular you wish to mention you may then do so. The priest will then give you absolution and you will return to your seat. This is not the occasion for in depth conversation about issues in your life that you may wish to talk about. Please come back on another occasion if you wish to have such a conversation. We hope that many people who have not been to confession for some time will see in this ‘Evening of Love and Forgiveness’ an opportunity to return to the sacramental life of the church and to celebrate the Paschal Mystery the following Holy Week with renewed vigour and faith.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of;
John Bradley, Sixtowns Road,
Anna McGuigan, Cahore,
Hugh Mulgrew, Dungannon,
Fr Dermot O’Connell, Kiltegan and Cork.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASSES
Patrick Conway, Glengomna Lane, Friday 23 March at 7.30 pm in St Columba’s Church, Straw.
Mary Kerr, Carnamoney, Saturday 24 March in An Rath Dubh at 7.30 pm.
ANNIVERSARIES
Colm Groogan, Margaret Trainor,
Brigid Donnelly, Marie Trolan,
Baby Freya Rose McSorley,
Mary Hegarty, John Trainor.
PARISH WEEKLY ENVELOPES
The new boxes of Envelopes, for use from Sunday 8 April, are now being delivered. If you do not have envelopes and wish to receive a box or if you have changed your address during the past year please advise the Parsh Office.
We ask that all wage earners contribute to the parish by having their own personal box of envelopes. We are also asking you to consider joining our Gift-Aid Scheme, if you have not already done so. If you pay tax, even a small amount, because we are a registered charity we are entitled to claim back from the Government the tax on the amount you pay to the Church. We therefore, ask you to consider completing the enclosed card in your box of envelopes and place it in with your first envelope on April 7 /8. It is vital that you use the envelope method or direct debit to pay the Church so we may claim Gift-Aid on your contributions, which have to be recorded. Many thanks for your support. If you have already signed up for Gift Aid there is no need to sign up again. Many thanks to all who are delivering the boxes of envelopes.
ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
Meeting on Monday March 19, following the 7.30 pm Mass in Holy Rosary Church. New members welcome. The Rosary will be recited before Mass at 7.10 pm.
BENEDICTINE MONKS
The Benedictine Monks, Rostrevor, invite men (18 – 40) to an Easter Triduum Retreat from Holy Thursday 29 March – Easter Sunday 1 April. ‘Prefer nothing to Christ, because he preferred nothing to you.’ (St Cyprian). Take time to reflect. Examine your life and consider your call. If interested, please contact: Br Thierry – benedictinemonks@btinternet.com
Telephone 028 41739979.
Facebook:BenedictineMonksRostrevor
Twitter: @rostrevormonks
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Weekly Envelope Collection: £2318
Church Revovation Fund: £1622
Many thanks to all who contributed.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Daire James McKenna, Tirruadh Square
Emma Louise McSorley, Derrynoid Road,
Imogen Therese Steele, Corrick Road
Conor Patrick O’Kane, Glengomna Lane.
PARISH BAPTISMS
First Sunday of the month:
Holy Rosary Church after 12 noon Mass
Second Saturday of the month:
St Eugene’s Moneyneena at 3.00 pm
Fourth Sunday of the month:
St Columba’s Straw at 3.00 pm
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: By arrangement.
A baptism card is to be completed when booking a baptism. Please contact the Parish Office to book a baptism
DO THIS IN MEMORY MASS
Do This In Memory Mass will be celebrated next Sunday, March 25, at 12 noon in Holy Rosary Church.
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2018
Bishop Donal McKeown will lead the diocesan pilgrimage from 1 – 6 July.
2018 marks the 160th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes. Fare £669, covers flights, full board hotel, insurance, airport taxes and coach transfers in Lourdes. Fare may be paid in instalements. Application forms available from Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop St Derry. Open 11.00 am –1.00 pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
Donation sessions in St Colm’s High School Tuesday 20 March from 2.30 pm – 4.15 pm and 5.30 pm – 8.00 pm.
BALLINASCREEN FOLD
Coffee Morning 10.30 am on Tuesday 20 March during which representatives from Neighbourhood Watch will discuss home security and scams.
March Quiz cancelled.
April Quiz on Friday 27 at 7.45 pm.
BIG BREAKFAST
Maghera Cancer Research Big Breakfast will now take place on Friday 23 March from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm in Walsh’s Hotel Maghera. All donations in aid of Cancer Research. Everyone welcome.
ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Draw Winners Week 3
£60 Eoighan McGuigan, Gortahurk Road,
£30 Kathleen Kelly, Drumard Road,
£20 Catherine McGuigan,Woodland Grove.
BALLINASCREEN CREDIT UNION
A table quiz, in April, is being organised as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Ballinascreen Credit Union. The Credit Union wish to invite entries from organisations within the parish – Community Groups, Sporting Organisations, Businesses, etc. Teams should consist of between four and six persons aged 16 years or over and have a direct connection with the organisation concerned. Entries accepted up to 25 March, either at the office, by phone 7962 8762, or by e-mail info@ballinascreencu
FRIENDS OF AFRICA
Ladies Night in St. Colm’s High School on Friday 23 March at 7.30 pm. Fashion show, music, stalls and refreshments served. All money will go directly to Friends of Africa. Admission £12, payable at door or tickets available by phoning 07761500975.
DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY
Easter Crafts on Tuesday 20 and 27 March at 6.00 pm. Booking essential.
Open Night on Wednesday 28 March at 6.30 pm for parents and young children.
BALLINASCREEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC GROUP
Singing Classes resume on Saturday 24 March in An Scioból 10.00 am - 11.00 am
Grand Variety Concert in St. Colm's High School on Saturday 24 featuring local talent. Doors open ~ 7.30 pm. Concert starts ~ 8.00 pm.
SPRING SALE
In An Rath Dubh, Moneyneena on Sunday 25 March from 12 noon -3.00 pm. Stalls of new and pre loved goods. Donations in aid of Cancer Research. Tables £10 each. Contact Danielle Sheridan 07788309209 or danielle.sheridan@cancer.org.uk or through Facebook.
OWENKILLEW PLAY ACTORS
Present, a humorous play ‘Thy Will be Done’ by Michael Carey in Sixtowns Community Hall on Sunday 25 March at 8.00 pm. Admission £7 pay at door.
ST COLM’S GAC
400 Club Winners
£300 - Sinead McGuigian,
£50 - Culla Bradley and Terence Glasgow
Club Shop is open every Friday from 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm.
Supper Night, in aid of youth funds on Friday 23 March. Music by Blue Folk. Tickets £15 on sale in Heron’s and Club.
Caint sa Chlubtheacht - Talk in the Club on Saturday 24 March at 8.00 pm by Kenny Bradley, looking back at turbulent events in our parish from1919 - 1923.
Official Family Prayer for World Meeting of Families
God, our Father, we are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,
One family, in the Spirit of your love.
Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind, gentle and generous, welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.
Protect all families with your loving care,
Especially those for whom we now pray:
Pause to remember family members and others
Increase our faith, strengthen our hope,
Keep us safe in your love,
Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share. This we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen
For more information view: www.worldmeeting2018.ie
CHOOSE LIFE 2018
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution upholds the right to life of both mother and baby. It is not about one life at the expense of another. It is about cherishing mother and baby equally. Occasionally medical interventions need to be carried out with the intention of saving the life of the mother, resulting in the unintended and unavoidable death of the unborn baby. This is not an abortion because it is not the direct and intentional ending of innocent human life. The greatest gift that each person has is the gift of life.’
Excerpt from the Pastoral Message from Bishop Francis Duffy of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
To access videos, testimonies and frequently asked questions visit www.chooselife2018.ie
We may not have a vote but we can pray!
