No. 1987 ~ TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ~ DAY FOR LIFE
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
PARISH OFFICE
OPENING HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
9 High Street
Phone: (028)79628248
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.
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.
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 MASS TIMES
Monday October 2:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
Tuesday October 3:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Wednesday October 4:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am
Thursday October 5:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Friday October 6:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 2: The Guardian Angels.
Wednesday 4: St Francis of Assisi.
Thursday 5: St Faustina.
Friday 6: St Bruno.
Saturday 7: Our Lady of the Rosary.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday October 2 from 12 noon to 7.25 pm.
PADRE PIO MASS
The monthly Mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated on Monday October 2 at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church. Novena prayers and Rosary will commence at 7.10 pm.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Maggie Higgins, Derrynoyd Lane;
Pat O’Neill, Bancran Road;
Felix McAllister, Cookstown;
Angela Trainor, Drumsamney;
Gerard Darragh, Lavey.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Susan Murray, Ranaghan Road on Friday 6 October at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
Edmund Hegarty;
Bridget Woods;
Eileen Devlin;
John McGorry;
Brian McGuigan;
Brendan McBride.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Cahan Barney McGillian, Bancran Road;
Johnny McNamee, Owenreagh.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1845
Renovation Collection: £2045.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Belated birthday greetings and congratulations to James Henry, Brooklands Private Nursing Home, formerly of 60 Fivemilestraight, who celebrated his 101st birthday last week.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A talk entitled ‘Early 18th Century Ulster’ by William Roulston on Tuesday October 3 at 8.00 pm in the Community Hub. All welcome.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY HALL
If interested in getting involved with the monthly dances / cleaning rota / maintenance / planning events etc please come to a volunteer meeting on Monday 2 October at 8.00 pm.
Saturday 7 October: Volunteers are meeting to clean up Hall grounds from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Extra help welcome.
Craft Fair: Sunday 19 November. To book a table phone 07769289385.
ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Pathways Programme (Now in its 18th Year ). Have you ever thought of taking time out, to reflect, to better understand your faith in all its richness, to explore how it might be integrated with your busy, daily life and to nurture in a focussed way your relationship with God? If the answer is “yes”, then Pathways may be for you. Course runs one Saturday per month from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, from October to June, either in-house at Drumalis or online via Zoom. Certificate in Christian Thought (Two-year, part-time course)
The Certificate aims to offer a space where adults can explore, reflect upon, discuss and study faith and how it relates to life in today’s world, both at a personal and community level. It is possible to do the course for validation by St Mary’s University College or for personal development only. The course is offered either in-house at Drumalis, or online via Zoom over 7 Saturdays from September to May.
For more details or to register on either of these courses, please contact Drumalis Monday -Friday 9.00am – 5.00 pm on 028 28276455/28272196 or email maura@drumalis.co.uk For more details view www.drumalis.co.uk
MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
The Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working with Saint Mary’s University Twickenham, offers this post graduate degree which is dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. There is still time to sign up for the Academic Year 2023/2024. For more details, please contact the Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
HAIL HOLY QUEEN CONFERENCE 2023
Live on Radio Maria Ireland from 2.00 pm on Saturday 7 October Speakers include Fr Sean Maguire, Fr Colum Power, Catherine McGowan, Fr Freddy Warner. Radio Maria Ireland can be listened to by downloading the Radio Maria Ireland APP, Saorview Channel 210 or listen live at (01)4373277
MARRIAGE COUNSELLING
If you feel your relationship is in crisis or you need a little guidance and help, either face to face or online, contact your ACCORD. Their counsellors are professionally trained in the specialism of couples and relationships counselling Every year Accord help thousands of couples rebuild and sustain healthy relationships. For support, call 028 9023 3002 or visit accordni.com
SVP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers needed to help with weekly collections after each Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses. If you can help please contact 07710 838050.
TRÓCAIRE
Trócaire seeks people to join its team of Christmas fundraisers to help respond to the urgent need of poor communities around the world, including the millions of families caught in conflict across Ethiopia, South Sudan and Ukraine. You can make a difference through a range of activities, including promoting Gifts of Change – training and support provided. To find how you can help now or over Advent and Christmas please email Mark McMahon on infoni@trocaire.org or call 90808030.
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Foodbank now operates from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. If you or someone you know requires assistance please call 07543 420639. No questions asked or criteria to meet. facebook page Sperrinfoodbank, email: foodbank@theworkspacegroup.org
FOYLE HOSPICE
October is Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning Month. You could host a Coffee Morning anywhere! All you need is a kettle and some company. A ‘Free Coffee Morning Pack’will be provided. For more details or to sign up to become a host, please call Ailbhe, Foyle Hospice, on 028 71359888 or email ailbhe@foylehospice.com
PARISH ANNIVERSARY AND MONTH’S MIND MASSES
If parishioners wish to have their 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 they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Hall Committee AGM: Tuesday 10 October at 7.30 pm. All welcome. It is important that the services and activities offered meet the communities’ needs, many volunteering opportunities for all ages, so come have your say or find something to get involved in.
SPRED Group Meeting: Monday 2 October at 7.00 pm.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10. 00 am followed by a short walk. Admission £4.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm. Bring your own project or you can help with knitting for local charities.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.
Bowling Club: Tuesday from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm.
Christmas Craft Fair: Sunday 12 November. Only 3 tables left, £20 each or 2 for £30.
Read Yourself Well: An initiative by Northern Health and Social Care Trust. A collection of books from wellness experts, doctors and bestselling authors available to borrow for free in the Hall, during any of the activities.
If interested in any of the above please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 79642711
Come along to any of the above actives and enjoy a fun way to exercise, keep fit and improve your health and wellbeing.
Sarsfield’s Band and Division 30 offer sympathy to the family of Angela Trainor.
Band Practice on Thursdays at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome.
SEASON OF CREATION
This year’s Season of Creation ends on Wednesday 4 October, Feast of St Francis of Assisi.
A PRAYER FOR OUR EARTH
God our Creator, maker and shaper of all that is, seen and unseen;
You are present in the breadth and depth of the whole of creation,
and in the processes that make life possible.
Yet, we are distracted by the gods of the marketplace.
Our lives have become fractured and fragmented.
In our brokenness we disturb the Earth’s capacity to hold us,
Call us back from the brink.
Help us to choose love and not fear,
to change ourselves and not the planet,
to act justly for the sake of the vulnerable, and to make a difference today for the life tomorrow.
We make this our prayer in your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.
(Martyn Goss, Diocese of Exeter)
NATIONAL SYNTHESIS OF THE SYNODAL PROCESS
The Irish Bishops' Conference has published the National Synthesis of the Synodal Process conducted across the Church in Ireland from Autumn 2021. The National Synthesis is the fruit of a wide-ranging process of listening and consultation and is based on the syntheses produced by the 26 dioceses in Ireland, as well as those submitted by religious congregations and other interested groups. The National Synthesis will be forwarded to Rome as part of the worldwide synodal process of listening and discernment launched by Pope Francis in October 2021 and which will culminate in the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2023.
To view this document click HERE
SYNODALITY
Synodality is about seeking together to discover God’s way forward in a new time and place.
This is not just a time of change but a change of time.
It is about learning to journey in hope from the great figures of the Advent liturgy: Isaiah, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph.
We are a pilgrim people, following the voice of God who calls us one step at a time.
We are moving beyond a Church where everything depends on ‘Father’.
Pope Francis has asked us to rediscover the Advent spirit of leaving our secure base and trusting that the Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace.
We aim to have a time of local listening to one another in January/February, building towards a diocesan submission to an Irish national response.
All national responses will be considered by the Vatican and a Working Document sent back for local reflection and comment in late 2022 – building towards the Synod of Bishops’ meeting in October 2023, and beyond.
This is the beginning of a new way of being Church. It is not just a passing initiative. It is facing the future together, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Advent is not just a season of the year. It is a permanent part of our identity as Church.
PRAYER FOR THE SYNOD
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
THE SYNOD PRAYER ~ IRISH TRANSLATION (Paidir an tSionaid)
Seasaimid i Do láthairse, a Spioraid Naoimh,
agus muid ag teacht le chéile i D’ainm
Agus Tusa amháin mar threoraí againn
socraigh Tú féin síos inár gcroíthe;
Múin dúinn an tslí a chaithfimid dul
agus conas is féidir linn leanúint di.
Táimid lag agus claonta chun peaca;
ná lig dúinn ainriail a chur chun cinn.
Ná lig don aineolas sinn a chur amú,
ná don chlaonpháirtíocht ár ngníomhartha a mhúnlú.
Lig dúinn teacht Ort inár n-aontacht
chun go dtriallfaimid le chéile chun na beatha síoraí
gan dul ar strae ó bhealach na fírinne ná ón cheart.
Iarraimid é seo uile Ort,
Tusa a bhíonn ag obair de shíor agus i ngach uile áit,
i gcomaoin an Athar agus an Mhic,
trí shaol na saol.
Amen.
To learn more about the Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland please visit:
To learn more about the worldwide Synod please visit: https://www.synod.va/en.html
Please say each day in your prayers the following prayer for the success of the Synodal Process which is both old and new.
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
