No. 1963 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
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 Moneyneena
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 April 17: Holy Rosary Church ~ 11.00 am
Tuesday April 18: St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am
Wednesday April 19: Holy Rosary Church ~ 11.00 am
Thursday April 20: St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am
Friday April 21: St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am & Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
The Feast of Divine Mercy will be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church today, Sunday 16 April, at 3.00 pm.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Teresa McKenna, Strawmore;
Mary Connery, Motalee Road;
Patsy Scullion, Magherafelt;
Margaret Mary Feeney, Dungiven;
Monica Wolfe, Hillsborough;
David Kelly, Dungiven.
ANNIVERSARIES
Lorna Wilson;
Jane Duffy;
Sean Patrick O’Hagan;
Annie McGovern;
Andrew Church;
Lily McGurk;
John P Bradley;
Nuala O’Kane;
Helen Kelly;
Gary Manning.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Agnes Conway, Cavanreagh, on Friday April 21 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Aoibhi Rose Bradley, Cavanreagh Road;
Sean Peter Bradley, Cavanreagh Road;
Aoibh Mary Moran, Glenviggan Road.
WEDDINGS
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to:
Aine McAllister and Jack Barton who were married recently in St Columba’s Church, Straw also to
Tracey Kelly and Gerard Darragh who were married recently in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
TRÓCAIRE 2023
Thank you to all who have already contributed to this year’s Trócaire Lenten Appeal. If you wish to make a donation please do so at any of next weekend Masses or during the week at the Parish Office. Your generous donations will enable Trócaire to continue their vital work and we would like to soon forward to them our final parish donation. Thank you.
NEW WEEKLY ENVELOPES
If you did not receive envelopes and wish to receive a box please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible. Thank you.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1970
Renovation Collection: £1725.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PIONEERS
Anyone who is due a silver, gold or diamond pioneer pin is asked to email Ballinascreen Parish Office at ballinascreenparish@gmail.com by Sunday 16 April please. Pins have to be ordered and it takes time for them to arrive.
Anyone who wishes to become a pioneer please contact: Fr Madden 02879628376 or Fr McGirr 02879632196 in person.
A Mass will be celebrated after Easter during which all pins will be presented to new and existing pioneers.
VOCATIONS CONFERENCE
In life, many hear God’s call to priesthood. Is your heart open to the Lord? Have you ever considered taking the risk to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? If so, you are invited to the national seminary of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 25 April, to attend a special conference on evangelisation and vocations in Ireland today. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation, will be the keynote speaker. Please register directly on www.vocations.ie, or contact the National Vocations Director Fr Willie Purcell at willie.purcell@iecon.ie or Rev Eric Cooney secretary of the National Vocations Office at eric.cooney@iecon.ie
BALLINASCREEN CREDIT UNION
March Quarterly Cash Draw Winners:
1st Prize - £10,000 - Ms Maud Hall, Dergbrough Road, Plumbridge.
2nd Prize - £7,000 - Mrs Antoinette Downes, Tirruadh Square.
3rd Prize - £5,000 - Mrs Breda McDaid, Moneyneena Road.
4th Prize - £3,000 - Mrs Lisa McLaughlin, Moykeeran Drive.
Next Quarterly Cash Draw will be on Saturday 24 June 2023.
BAALINASCREEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC GROUP
Monthly session in An Scioból on Friday 21 April. Juniors from 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm followed by Open House Session. Everyone welcome.
WORKSPACE RECREATION CENTRE
Nuala’s Keep Fit Classes: A new block of keep fit circuit classes has started. They are £3.50 per class. Classes on Mondays at 7.15 pm and Thursdays at 6.45pm.
Beginner Exercise Classes: Tuesdays from 8.00 pm. Classes are £3.50. A great class for those starting or not sure where to start.
Call 028 7962 8113 to secure your place for any of the classes above. Any skill level is welcomed as you can go at your own pace.
BRACKAGH QUARRY WIND FARM COMMUNITY FUND
This fund, administered by The Workspace Group, is now open for applications for 2023 - 2024. The Fund offers grants of up to £2,000 to community and voluntary groups within a four-mile radius of the Brackagh Quarry Wind Farm site and encourages applications from community projects which benefit residents of this area. For more details or to request an application pack, please call 028 7962 8113 or email dolores.murtagh@theworkspacegroup.org. Closing date for applications is 5.00 pm on Tuesday 9 May.
STRESS CONTROL CLASSES
Next round of free, online classes will be available from Monday 8 May at https://ni.stresscontrol.org
For more details please email stress.control@northerntrust.hscni.net
MASTERS COURSE FOR SCHOOL LEADERS
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This post graduate degree 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 a Catholic School.
An information session via ZOOM will be held on Monday 8 May at 3.30 pm. For more details or to register for this information session, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
SPERRIN FOODBANK
If you require a food parcel, Sperrin Foodbank will be open on Fridays from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm for drop-ins. No appointment required. If you require assistance outside this time, please call 07543 420639 to arrange collection. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Other contact details are Facebook page Sperrinfoodbank or email
EAR MICROSUCTION CLINIC
O'Kanes Clinical Pharmacy are holding an Ear Micro Suction Clinic on Saturday 22 April. Consultations and wax removal will be available. For appointments please call 028 796 28680. Consultations: £10 Wax removal: £50.
NEW 2 U CLOTHES AND SHOES
Sell your new / pre worn clothes and shoes on Sunday 16 April from 12 noon to 3.00 pm in An Ráth Dubh, Moneyneena. Contact 07511528997 to book a table. Cost of table is £15
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
From 15 October 2023 for 9 nights. Flights direct from Dublin.
Part I: Galilee/Nazareth.
Part II: Bethlehem/Jerusalem.
Cost £1795 stg includes taxes, transfers, tips, half-board. For further details please contact Erin or Sr Perpetua at thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org.
LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE 2023
Pilgrimage from 3 to 7 July 2023. The Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ will be open to the public on Saturdays only from 11.00am until 1.00 pm commencing on Saturday 11 February. Intending pilgrims can also leave a message on 028 7126 0293 with their full postal address and the number of booking forms required, or email these details to derrypilgrim@outlook.com or write to the above address to request booking forms.
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 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. Email address is: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
SPRED Group meeting on Monday17 April.
Chair Exercises recommence on Tuesday 18 April at 10.00 am, followed by a short walk. Admission £4.00. All welcome.
Knit‘n Natter recommences Wednesday 19 April at 7.30 pm.
Line Dancing on Wednesday 19 April at 7.30 pm. Admission £4.
If interested in any of the above actives please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 02879 642711 to register.
Sarsfield’s Band & Div. 30 offers sincere sympathy to the families and relatives of: Sara Doyle, Moneyglass; Kathleen McFall, Maghera; Mary Connery, Motalee and Patsy Scullion, Longfield.
Winner of £50 in the monthly draw for April was Chris Higgins, Garvagh.
Band Practice recommences on Thursday 20 April at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome to come along. Roles for all ages and abilities, accordion players, drummers, flag bearers and majorettes.
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
