No. 1735 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
St Eugene’s Moneyneena 7.30 pm
SUNDAY
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw: 11.00 am
Holy Rosary: 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 Eugene’s Church Moneyneena
Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm
St Columba’s Church Straw
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
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
PARISH WEBCAM
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the parish website:
www.parishofballinascreen.com
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe. Patron of the Americas.
Thursday 13: St Lucy, virgin and martyr.
Friday 14: St John of the Cross. Lived 1542 – 1591. Doctor of the Church.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary on Monday 10 December. Starts after the 10.00 am Mass, continues until 7.25 pm. .
VISITATION OF SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Fr Downey will visit the sick in his care on Monday 10, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 December.
Fr Madden will visit the sick in his care during the week beginning Monday December 17 after morning Mass.
RECONCILIATION SERVICES
Service in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena on Tuesday December 18 at 7.30 pm
Service in St Patrick’s Church Keenaught on Wednesday December 19 at 7.30 pm. Further details next week.
IRISH CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER
As part of The Irish Catholic Evangelisation Initiative, the newspaper will be available each week for the next 9 weeks for £1. We encourage those who have never bought the paper before to consider buying it this week.
PARISH CAROL SERVICE
Annual Parish Christmas Carol Service will be held on Sunday 16 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 Masses next weekend 15 and 16 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 people and their families in our local community.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Seamus McBride, Campbelltown,
Donal Harkin, Dungiven.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary: Sean Kelly
Margaret Bradley, Hugh Watson,
Neil Kennedy, James Mullin,
Baby Leonie Ellen Kidd.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Sean Kelly (Brian) Straw in St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns Sunday 9 December at 10.00am.
PARISH BAPTISMS
First Sunday of the month:
Holy Rosary 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.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Alexander Jack Millar, Drumard Lane,
Dylon Adrian Turner, Cordarragh Heights,
Tiarnan Eugene McGuigan, Drumard Lane.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW
Desertmartin Parish is having a special Christmas Draw this year. There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Saturday 5 January 2019. Every ticket will be entered into all 33 draws, which means everyone has 33 chances to win prizes. Total prize fund is £5,000. Tickets £20 each, are available to buy in Ballinascreen Parish Office. This would make a nice Christmas gift
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Priests’ Monthly Collection: £2877.47
Church Renovation Collection: £1507.50
Many thanks to all who contributed.
ST MARY’S P.S.
Carol Service in Holy Rosary Church on Tuesday 11 December at 6.30 pm.
All welcome.
ST COLUMBA’S P.S.
Christmas Mass and Christingle Servicec on Friday 14 December in St Columba’s Church at 7.30 pm. All welcome.
ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY
The Society acknowledges with sincere thanks a generous donation 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.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
Friday Mass at 7.30 pm in St Columba’s 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 before Thursday of the relevant week.
to send to your family and friends!
TRÓCAIRE CHRISTMAS APPEAL
'Do not let the downtrodden retreat in confusion, give the poor and needy cause to praise your name.'
Psalm 74:21.
Millions of people have had to flee conflict in South Sudan and Yemen. In one area alone in northern Uganda, 33,000 people, mainly women and children from South Sudan, have taken refuge. They have witnessed and experienced the worst kind of violence and have arrived traumatised and broken. Trocaire's Christmas Appeal will help these people and many others rebuild their lives. Visit www.trocaire.org to find out more.
NEW MISSION TEAM IN DERRY DIOCESE
If you are interested in being part of a new Mission Team in the diocese to promote and foster mission awareness at home and overseas, please come along to a meeting this Tuesday, 11 December, at 7.00 pm, in Ardstraw House, 21A Buncrana Rd , Derry, BT48 8LA (next to St Columb's College). All are welcome. For further information please contact Fr David O’Kane on 028 71337727.
LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage 4 - 9 July 2019. Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, is now taking enquiries and initial expressions of interest. Christmas Vouchers (which may be given as a gift to someone wishing to participate in the pilgrimage) may be ordered. Pilgrimage Office opening hours: Thursday and Saturday 11.00 am–1.00 pm.
BALLINASCREEN EARLY YEARS
If your child will be 3 years on or before – 1July 2019 then you are entitled to apply for a free place. To register your child please, call or telephone the Early Years on: 79627303 or outside school hours ~ 07857168695.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP
To thank all the volunteers who so willingly help at Sixtowns Hall there will be a ‘Thank You Event’ in The Shepherds’ Rest on Friday 14 December at 8.30 pm. Buffet supper served and Big D will play from 10.00 pm. To finalise numbers for catering please RSVP before 10 December to either Emma 07769289385 or Francis 796 28357. Thanks to funding from Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI) which has enabled this
event.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
Wednesday 12 December 10.00 am make natural exfoliating body scrub.
Monday 17 December 10.00 am Christmas Crafts – all materials supplied.
Thursday 20 December 10.00 am – Flower Arranging for Christmas Table.
All welcome. Phone 79627826 to book
Gift Vouchers available to purchase for classes in 2019!
BALLINASCREEN FOLD
Music by Francis Faulkner (Ballerin) and Buffet in Fold on Thursday 13 December from 1.00 pm -3.30 pm. Price £6. Alternative Angles (supporting adults with learning disabilities) will have a Christmas stall selling candles, diffusers, soaps and cookie jars. Everyone welcome.
SG ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
Meeting on Monday 10 December at 8.00 pm in St Mary's Hall, Desertmartin.
Fundraising Concert and Irish Dance Night with music by Stuart Moyles in St. Mary's Hall, Saturday 15 December. Music 9.00 pm-1.00 am. Late Bar.
ST COLM’S HIGH SCHOOL
Draw Winners
Week 4
£30 Chris Hickson, £50 Amanda McCrory £100 Barney McLaron
Collector’s Prize: Ciarraí O’Kane.
Week 5
£30 Packie O’Neill, £50 Bryan Conway
£100 Annie McCullagh
Collector’s Prize: Leah Donnelly.
Week 6
£30 Kathleen Doherty
£50 Mickey McGlade
£100 Teresa McGuigan
Collector’s Prize: Daniel Diamond.
CHARITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Niamh Mc Glinchey and guest in concert on Wednesday 19 December at in St Patrick's College,Maghera. Proceeds in aid of School Aid Romania. Tickets £10
AN RATH DUBH
Primary School Children’s Disco on Sunday 16 December, 3.00pm – 5.00pm. Music by Big D. Santa will attend!
DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY
Free Christmas craft event for children aged 4-9 years on Tuesday 11 December at 6.00 pm. Booking essential.
MID-ULSTER TRUCKERS
Clothes and blankets are being collected for the homeless in local towns and cities. Clothes may be left at An Rath Dubh or phone Brigid Donnelly (McDaid) on 07595658380 to arrange a collection or see Facebook page ~ Help us help others.
ST MARY’S HALL DESERTMARTIN
Tea Dance on 14 December music by Micheal Mawhinney from 9.00 pm – 12. Admission £5 includes light supper
Crochet/Knitting with Mary Kelly every Thursday 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm.
Sewing classes with Rosemary every Friday 7.00 pm -9.00 pm.
Yoga classes on Mondays 10.30am – 12.
Please contact Olive on 07887614094 to register for any of the above classes.
Bingo on Wednesday 12 December at 8.00 pm. Money prizes for full line and house. 10 page book £7.
ST COLM’S GAC
400 Club winners:
£300 –Paddy McEldowney
£50 – James Murray, £50 John Scullion
Camogie AGM at the Club at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 19 December. All players from U16, coaches , committee members etc welcome.
Charity Games Friday 28 December, Hurling ~ 6.30 pm, Football ~ 7.30 pm.
Live music in club after.
Thanks to the crew and cast of Aisteoiri Ná Scríne for their outstanding show 'Extra Time' performed last weekend.
Club Shop open Friday 7 pm - 8 pm. Christmas orders now ready for collection.
POPE FRANCIS @PONTIFEX
This Advent, make yourself small, make yourself humble, make yourself a servant of others, and the Lord will give you the ability to understand how to make peace.
