No. 2048 ~ FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Michael McCaul CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
PARISH OFFICE
OPENING HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
9 High Street
Phone: (028)79628248
SAFEGUARDING
The Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Marie Gormley. To contact Marie Tel: 07596500793, or Email: mariegormley@derrydiocese.org
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Tel: 07543420639
BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
Please click the link https://www.parishofballinascreen.com/ballinascreen-community-support-gro for full details of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.
SUNDAY VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
St Patrick’s, Keenaught: 7.30 pm
SUNDAY MASSES
St Columba’s, Straw: 9.00 am
St Mary’s, Coolcalm: 10.00 am
St Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 11.00 am
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 12 noon
DAILY MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 2 December:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 3 December:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 4 December:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 5 December:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 6 December:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
CONFESSIONS
In Holy Rosary Church every Saturday at 5.30 pm before the Vigil Mass.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 3: St Francis Xavier, priest.
Friday 6: St Nicholas, bishop.
Saturday 7: St Ambrose.
SVP CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Annual SVP Church Door Christmas Collection will take place this weekend at all Masses. Ballinascreen SVP greatly appreciate your support at all times and especially at Christmas time. Your generous contributions are vital to ensure that they can continue their good work.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday December 2 from 12 noon until 7.25 pm.
PADRE PIO MASS
Monthly Mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated on Monday 2 December at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church. Novena prayers and Rosary will commence at 7.10 pm.
Please note: The collection at this Mass will be forwarded to the Capuchin Day Centre for the homeless in Dublin.
D.D.S. MASS
The 10.00 am Mass in Holy Rosary Church on Wednesday 4 December will be offered for the living members of the Derry Diocesan Society.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Mary Trainor, Tobermore Road, on Friday 6 December at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Patrick Tohill, Moneyneena;
Michael Kerlin, Craigbane.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Sean O'Neill;
Mary Trainor;
James McEldowney.
Anniversaries:
James Gerard McGuigan;
Catherine McKenna;
Kizysztof Wojenodzki;
Kevin McAuley;
Seamus McBride;
Brian McGuigan;
Peter McEldowney;
Brian McCloskey;
Carmel McKenna;
John Molloy;
Francis Donnelly.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Daithí Anthony Kelly, Glengomna Road;
Aoife Grace Trainor, Woodland Heights;
Luke Aaron Glasgow, Cahore Terrace;
Lorcán Michael Pio Hegarty, Cavanreagh;
Bonny Mary Murray, Cordarragh Heights.
PARISH CAROL SERVICE
Annual Parish Carol Service in Holy Rosary Church next Sunday 8 December at 6.00 pm. Please bring a non-perishable gift for SVP to distribute on your behalf.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £2482
Renovation Collection: £1190.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
RELICS OF VENERABLE MATT TALBOT
On Monday 2 December at 7.30 pm at the monthly Matt Talbot Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral there will be relics of Venerable Matt Talbot. The relics, from the church in Sean McDermott St Dublin, where his body lies are visiting the cathedral in preparation for the centenary of his death. Matt Talbot is a powerful intercessor for those suffering from addiction. This Mass is offered for all enrolled in the Matt Talbot Prayer Society, all those suffering or recovering from addiction and all those affected by addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drugs, or just wants to stop taking them, after Mass you will have the opportunity to sign up to commit to abstaining from them. You can do this for yourself or offer it for someone else. All welcome.
BAMBINELLI SUNDAY
At all Masses on the weekend 14 / 15 December parishioners are invited to bring the figure of the Child Jesus from their family Crib to Mass for a special blessing. If you don’t have a family crib, there is plenty of time to get one before Bambinelli Sunday. Christmas Cribs do not need to be elaborate or expensive. A home-made crib with figures bought cheaply online might be even more meaningful.
ADVENT SERVICES OF RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation Services will be held in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 16 December at 7.30 pm and in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught on Tuesday 17 December also at 7.30 pm. Visiting priests will be in attendance to hear confessions.
CAROL SERVICE
St. Columba's Church of Ireland is delighted to welcome the Ballinascreen Parish Choir to their Carol Service this evening Sunday 1 December at 6.30 pm. Bishop Forster will be present. All welcome, festive refreshments served.
THANK YOU
Fr Madden wishes to sincerely thank all those who organized and supported the recent fundraising event in The Shepherds’ Rest. Thanks also to all the entertainers especially Double Mac, the management and staff of The Shepherds’ Rest and to all who contributed items for the auction and the draw. £5314.95 was raised for the Moneyneena Church Renovation Fund. Thank you.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW
Desertmartin Parish Christmas Draw will have draws every day for the 12 days between Christmas Day and Sunday 5 January 2025. Total prize fund is £5,000, tickets costing £20 each are now on sale at Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Parish Offices, Heron’s Gift Shop, Moneyneena P.O. and Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Credit Unions. A ticket would make a nice Christmas gift to send to members of your family and friends this Christmas.
CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL
Sperrin Foodbank and St Vincent de Paul are working with local schools to provide Christmas hampers to people in need in Draperstown and surrounding areas. If you would like to donate to the Christmas Appeal, donation points can be found in all the local schools, Lynch's, Centra and Devlin's Moneyneena. Donations may also be left in The Workspace Group and at the Annual Carol Service in Holy Rosary Church on Sunday 8 December.
If you, or someone you know, would like to receive a hamper this year, please contact Sperrin Foodbank 07543420639 or St Vincent de Paul 07710838050 in complete confidence.
It doesn't matter if you are a single adult, single parent with children or a working family, they are willing and there to help you.
ST EOGHAN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Open Night on Monday 2 December at 7.30 pm. Everyone welcome.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024 & 2025
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 PM. Bookings to be made please via the Parish Office: Tel. 028 79628248 or Email ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
December 15 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
December 22 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Dates for Baptisms 2025
January 5 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
January 12 ~ St Columba’s Straw
January 26 ~ Holy Rosary Church
February 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
February16 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
February 23 ~ St Columba’s Straw
March 9 ~ Holy Rosary Church
March 23 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
March 30 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
April 6 ~ St Columba’s Straw
April 13 ~ Holy Rosary Church
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A talk entitled, ‘The Stairway of my Life’ by Martina Tierney (local author) will be held on Tuesday 3 December at 8.00 pm in Community Hub. Everyone welcome.
CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING
On Thursday 5 December from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm in Workspace Community Hub. Cost is £15 per person with all materials being provided. To book a place text or ring STEPS on 07821119367.
NOTE OF THANKS
The family of the late Bernie Kelly wish to thank all who attended the recent quiz, sponsored raffle prizes or made donations directly. This fundraiser in aid of the Foyle Hospice raised in excess of £4,000.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2025
Pilgrimage led by Bishop McKeown, from Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July, leaving from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required. The Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ will not be open for booking until Saturday 1 February 2025, 11.00 am to 1.00 pm (and each following Saturday and Thursday at the same time unless notified). However, Gift Vouchers are now available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Enquiries may also be made by emailing derrypilgrim@outlook.com
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAYS
In Workspace Community Hub on Wednesday 4 December from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Claire from Crafty Mammy Fabrics will demonstrate how to create a wooden Christmas decoration. She will also bring along her fabric and wool pop-up shop. Sessions are free and suitable for beginners. Everyone welcome.
SAVE THE DATE!
2025 Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will be on Sunday 15 June.
MARY'S MEALS
Amongst the many challenges in today’s world, your little acts of love can bring hope to desperately hungry children with a daily school meal with Mary’s Meals. At this time, all donations made to Mary’s Meals are being doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £900,000. There are many ways to give, including gift cards and online Christmas Trees of Hope. Find out more at freephone 0800 698 1212 or at marysmeals.org.uk.
ADVENT RETREAT
Emmanuel - He meets you where you are: This Advent season, step away from the busyness of life and enter a sacred space of quiet reflection and prayer. Join the Columba Community for their retreat on next Sunday 8 December at 11.00 am in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, Co Donegal, Eircode: F93NF76. Find stillness, experience guided prayer, with Adoration and Eucharist. Deepen your spiritual journey during this holy season as we prepare for Christ’s birth. Booking essential, phone (00353) 0749384866. Light lunch provided, suggested donation £20.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY AND MONTH’S MIND MASSES
If you wish to have a deceased loved one prayed for at any Anniversary Friday Mass, you MUST please email their name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by noon on Thursday of the relevant week. Notices for First Anniversary and Month's Mind Masses should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week so that, they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Monthly Tea Dance on Friday 13 December. Music by Peter McCloskey. Dancing 9.00 pm to midnight. Admission £7 - including light supper.
Boxing Night Dance on Thursday 26 December. Music by Chris Dallet.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am.
Irish dancing lessons: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm. To register contact Nicola on 07518207458
Irish language class: Mondays at 7.30 pm.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.
Acrobat Gymnastics: Saturdays at 9.00 am.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Arts care, here & now: Thursdays at 2.00 pm, a series of sessions with mindfulness and being in the present, conversation and fun, imaginative exercises into putting thoughts and ideas in writing. Open to anyone to come along
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band: 2025 calendars on sale, £7. Contact any band member.
Band practice on Thursdays at 7.30 pm. All members are asked to attend please in order to learn new tunes for the Christmas visit to Magherafelt Nursing Homes on Saturday 14 December.
