No. 1736 ~ THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT ~ GAUDETE SUNDAY
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 Columba’s Church Straw
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
Please Note: No 7.30 pm Mass on Wednesday 19 December.
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
FEAST OF THE WEEK
Friday 21: St Peter Canisus. Lived 1521 -1597. Jesuit priest. He published a catechism in 1555.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday December 17. Adoration will start after the 10.00 am Mass and continue until 7.25 pm. Adoration concludes with celebration of Mass at 7.30 pm.
VISITATION OF SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Fr Madden will visit the sick in his care on Monday 17, Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 December.
PENITENTIAL SERVICES
Evenings of Love and Forgiveness
On Tuesday, December 18 at 7.30 pm in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena and on Wednesday December 19 at 7.30 pm in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught, there will be Penitential Services.
The priests, from both parishes, 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. However priests will be in Holy Rosary Church on
Saturday December 22 at 11.00 am and Sunday December 23 at 5.00 pm for confessions and such conversations.
We hope that many people who have not been to confession for some time will see in these ‘Evenings of Love and Forgiveness’ an opportunity to return to the sacramental life of the church and be ready then to celebrate Christmas with renewed faith.
Please Note: No 7.30 pm Mass in Ballinascreen on Wednesday 19 December.
PARISH CAROL SERVICE
Annual Parish Christmas Carol Service will be held today, 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 all Masses this weekend.
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.
ANNIVERSARIES
Susan Potter, Patrick Heron,
Baby Beth Bradley, Pat J Molloy,
Mary Gallagher, Michael McGuigan.
WEDDING
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to:
Sarah McAllister and Conor Kearns who were married recently in
St Columba’s Church, Straw.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Grace Bernadette Brunton, Mulnavoo Road.
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.
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 to send to your family and friends!
BALLINASCREEN PARISH DRAW
Parish Draw will be held on Monday December 17. Results will be printed in next week’s Bulletin.
IRISH CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER
As part of The Irish Catholic Evangelisation Initiative, the newspaper will be available each week for the next 8 weeks for £1. We encourage those who have never bought the paper before to consider buying it this week.
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £
Church Renovation Collection: £
Many thanks to all who contributed.
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.
TRÓCAIRE 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.
See www.trocaire.org for more details.
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.
VERITAS DERRY
Veritas, Shipquay Street, Derry, invite you to ‘A Leap of Faith’ book signing with Rev David Latimer on Monday 17 December from 12 noon - 2.00 pm. All royalties will be donated to North West Cancer Centre.
BALLINASCREEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC GROUP
Christmas session in An Scioból on Friday 21 December. Juniors 8.30pm - 9.30 pm followed by Open House. Special guest ‘Daidí na Nollag’. Grand Draw will be held at the session. Nollag shona daoibh.
CHARITY FOOD COLLECTION
Mid Ulster Women's Aid will be collecting gifts/food for families who are victims of Domestic Violence in Centra. All donations appreciated .
CHARITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Niamh Mc Glinchey and guest in concert Wednesday 19 December in St Patrick's College,Maghera. Proceeds in aid of School Aid Romania. Adm £10.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
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!
AN RÁTH DUBH
Children’s Disco on Sunday 16 December, 3.00pm – 5.00pm. Music by Big D.Santa will attend!
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 COLM’S GAC
400 Club Winners
£300 – Brenda McGillian,
£50 Liam Hutchinson,
£50 Eugene Murray.
£1000 will be paid out in prizes next Sunday 23 December. Tickets are now available from your local seller or in Heron’s Gift Shop. £1 per ticket.
Camogie AGM in Club at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 19 December. All players from U16, coaches, committee members etc welcome.
Charity Games on Friday 28 December, Hurling ~ 6.30 pm, Football ~ 7.30 pm.
Live music in Club after.
Club Shop now closed until mid January. Opening date will be announced on Club’s Facebook page.
POPE FRANCIS @PONTIFEX
Advent is a time to recognize the emptiness needs to be filled in our lives, a time to smooth the rough edges of pride, and to make room for Jesus who comes.
