No.1906 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248
Open Monday and Tuesday from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Bulletins are presently only available:
Online at www.parishofballinascreen.com
On the noticeboard inside the front porch of Holy Rosary Church.
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
Please click the link https://www.parishofballinascreen.com/ballinascreen-community-support-gro for full details of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Thursday17: St Patrick, bishop, principal patron of Ireland. .
Friday 18: St Cyril of Jerusalem.
Saturday 19: St Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Vigil Masses
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 5.00 pm
Holy Rosary: 6.15 pm
St Patrick’s Keenaught: 7.30 pm
Sunday
St Columba’s Straw: 9.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm: 10.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: 11.00 am
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
DAILY MASS TIMES
MONDAY 14 MARCH - FRIDAY 18 MARCH ~ INCLUDING ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Due to the unavailability of Fr Madden this week, here are the times of Masses for the week ahead.
There will be NO 7.00 am early morning Mass this week.
Holy Rosary Church
Wednesday ~ 6.15 pm (Vigil Mass for St. Patrick's Day - NB This mass will be in Irish)
Thursday ~ 12 Noon (St. Patrick's Day)
Friday ~ 7.30 pm (Parish Anniversary Mass)
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm
Monday and Tuesday ~ 7.30 pm
Thursday ~ 10 am (St. Patrick's Day)
Friday ~ 11.00 am (Parish Anniversary Mass)
St. Eugene's, Moneyneena
Monday and Tuesday ~ 11.00 am
Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm (Vigil Mass for St. Patrick's Day)
St. Patrick's, Keenaught
Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm (Vigil Mass for St. Patrick's Day)
St Columba's, Straw
Thursday ~ 9.00 am (St. Patrick's Day)
St Patrick's, Sixtowns
Thursday ~ 11.00 am (St. Patrick's Day)
PADRE PIO MASS
A Mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 21 March at 7.30 pm.
TRÓCAIRE BOXES
Trócaire boxes are now available in all Church porches. Please take one home with you.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Margaret Quinn, Drumderg Cottages;
Baby Eden Bradley, Glengomna;
Mary McAleer, Strabane.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Noel McKenna, Moneyneena Road, on Friday 18 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Cassie Toner;
Noel McKenna.
Anniversaries
Alice Jo O'Neill;
Maura Kelly;
Peter Bradley;
John Bradley;
Anna McGuigan;
Peter McGuigan;
James Murray;
Eamon McGovern;
Patricia McKee.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Lily Rose Cwiek, Moykeeran Drive;
Ronan Lawrence McEldowney, Carnamoney Lane;
Grace Brigid Kearney, Cordarragh.
EASING OF RESTRICTIONS
All seats at church services are now available though we ask that overcrowding in any seat be avoided. We would also appreciate the continued use of face masks and hand sanitising as you enter and leave the church. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed at the end of Mass. As people become more confident more easing of restrictions will take place.
SYNOD ~ PARISH CONVERSATIONS
Listening Conversations for Ballinascreen Parish will be held in An Rath Dubh, Moneyneena on Wednesday 23 and Wednesday 30 March.
Adult parishioners are invited to come along to one of these events at which the following three questions will be discussed:
1. What is it like to be a catholic today and has your experience of being a catholic changed over your own life time?
2. What in the church has caused you pain or hurt, either for yourself or for others?
3. How has the church helped your faith in God to grow and how can we make the church a better place for everyone?
The GAA Clubs in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin have kindly agreed to facilitate a conversation for the young people of each parish. More details later.
PARISH VIDEO ON THE SYNOD
A short locally produced video explaining what Synod means and why we should all be part of it may be viewed below:
NATIONAL YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Are you between the age of 16 and 18?
You are invited to join the Pope John Paul II Award Youth Pilgrimage to Knock on Tuesday, 22 March. Join youth from all over Ireland in a day of prayer, talks and music. Guest speaker will be Fr Peter McVerry of the Peter McVerry Trust. Music by Elation Ministries. The pilgrimage will start at 11.00am and will conclude after 2.30pm Mass, celebrated by Award patron, Bishop Donal McKeown. For transport information contact your local secondary school or the Derry Youth Ministry office on 7126 4087 or email: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org.
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 emailtheir name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. e mail address is ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Friday Anniversary Mass.
At Bishop McKeown’s request, those attending any mass or service in our churches must wear a face mask.
Thank you for your cooperation on these important matters.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Sincere thanks to all who have returned parish envelopes, established standing orders, made online payments or used the ‘Donate’ button on Parish Website. Envelopes may be returned at any parish Mass, to Parish Office or any Parochial House.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Week One Draw Winners
1st: £60 ~ Danny Hegarty
Seller: Colleen Walls P6
2nd: £30 ~ Colm McKenna
Seller: Ruairi McKenna P7
3rd: £20 ~ Linda Rose McGuigan
Seller: Rosa-Mae McGuigan P3.
MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post-graduate degree 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. The Derry Centre to date has 42 graduates and 30 more students at different stages of the programme. Applications for the Autumn intake close 30 September 2022. If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2022
The pilgrimage will resume this year, from 3 - 8 July 2022. Cost: £689 per person sharing, with single room supplement £150. Price includes flights, transfers and full board. The pilgrimage will be suitable for pilgrims who do not require medical, nursing or personal assistance as, unfortunately, this cannot be provided this year. The intentions of the sick of the diocese can be taken to Lourdes. The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, will be open for enquires and application forms on Thursdays and Saturdays, 11.00 am – 1.00 pm, from 3 March. Tel: 028 71 260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Wednesday 16 March. “Teaster Session”. Now Covid restriction have eased you are welcome to come and join with Thomasina for a talk on ‘Good Food Improving Food’ and demonstrate how chair exercise, simple line dancing, connecting with people can help minimise loneliness and help improve our physical and mental wellbeing. Refreshments served. Free admission. Start sharp at 7.30 pm.
Friday 8 April: Flower Arranging with Mary. Admission. £5.00
Contact Kathleen: 07764277809: Anne: 02879642711: or Olive: 07887614094
Early registration would be appreciated.
CONFIRMATION DATE 2022
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Friday 1 April at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
COMMUNION DATES 2022
Proposed dates for First Holy Communion Masses in Ballinascreen Parish are:
St Mary’s P.S. on Saturday 7 May at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
St Eoghan’s P.S. on Saturday 14 May at 11.00 am in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Columba’s P.S. on Saturday 21 May at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speirini on Saturday 4 June at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
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
