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BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 16 MARCH 2025

No. 2063 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

 

PARISH CONTACT DETAILS

Fr. Peter Madden PP VF

31 Sixtowns Road

Telephone: 79628376

Fr Michael McCaul 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


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


MASSES FOR THIS WEEK

Vigil Masses for St Patrick’s Day ~ Sunday 16 March

6.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church

7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s Keenaught.

Monday 17 March ~ St Patrick’s Day

9.00 am ~ St Columba’s Straw            

10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm          

11.00 am ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns        

12 noon ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena. This 12 noon Mass will be celebrated in Irish.

Tuesday 18 March:

7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church

10.00 am ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena

7.30 pm ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm

Wednesday 19 March:

7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church

8.40 am ~ St Colm’s High School

10.00 am ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena

7.30 pm ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm

Thursday 20 March:

7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church

8.40 am ~ St Colm’s High School

10.00 am ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena

7.30 pm ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm 

Friday 21 March:

10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm

7.30 pm  ~ Holy Rosary Church.


FEASTS OF THE WEEK

Monday 17: St Patrick, bishop, principal patron of Ireland.  Holyday of Obligation.

Masses for St Patrick’s Day listed below.

Tuesday 18:  St Cyril of Jeruslaem

Wednesday 19: St Joseph, husband of The Blessed Virgin Mary.


DEATH

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:

Kathleen O’Kane, Lavey.


ANNIVERSARIES

Peter McGuigan;

Francis Donnelly;           

Noel McKenna;

Oliver Gormley;

Patsy McGuigan;

Katie Sargent; 

Margaret Doherty.


MONTH’S MIND MASS

Ciaran Gallagher, Tirruadh Square on Friday 21 March in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.

Kathleen McWilliams, Drumderg, on Friday 21 March in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.


FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS

John Kennedy, Dunlogan on Friday 21 March in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.


BAPTISMS

We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:

John Alexander Brendan Lamb, Magherafelt Road;

Ellie Kate Donnelly, Iniscarn Road.


PARISH COLLECTIONS

Weekly Collection £2449

Renovation Collection £3018

Holy Places in Holy Land £837

Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated. 


PARISH WEEKLY ENVELOPES

Parish records for organising the distribution of the new boxes of weekly envelopes are being updated. If you do not have envelopes and wish to receive a box or if you have changed your address during the past year please advise the Parish Office. Thank you.


SSPX RESISTANCE IRELAND ~ NOTE FROM BISHOP McKEOWN

SSPX Resistance is a group holding Masses within the territory of the Diocese of Derry.  Given their presence here in the Diocese of Derry, I find it necessary to stress the following:

  • The priests associated with SSPX Resistance Ireland are not in full communion with the Catholic Church and they do not accept the full teaching authority of the Church.

  • The priests of SSPX Resistance Ireland administer sacraments, but do so illicitly - that is, without the necessary faculties and approval of the Church.

  • The Catholic Church has no supervision whatsoever of the priests or ministers of SSPX Resistance Ireland, who have no connection with the Diocese of Derry in terms of Safeguarding practices and policies and are not overseen by the Bishop of Derry.

Considering this information, I urge all the faithful to remain steadfast in communion with the Church, united with the Holy Father and the bishops who share in full communion with him.  Let us continue to pray for the unity of the Church and for those who have distanced themselves from full communion, that they may one day be reconciled.            Bishop Donal McKeown.


TRÓCAIRE 2025

Next weekend guest speakers from Trócaire will speak at all Masses in the parish.

Lenten Trócaire boxes are now available in all Church porches. We encourage each family to please take one home. Your contributions will help Trócaire to continue their vital work in developing countries. www.trocaire.org


PARISH MISSION

The Vincentian Fathers will conduct a Four Day Parish Mission from Thursday 29 May to Sunday 1 June. More details to follow. This is a new approach to Parish Missions and it is hoped that it will be a time of great blessing for both parishes and renewal for all who desire a stronger faith.

  

SHORT TERM PLEDGE

Pope Francis has invited us this Lent to, ‘journey in hope together’. For parishioners who wish to become a ‘pilgrim of hope’ for people who are living under the shadow of addiction a short-term pledge is available via 


EASTER CASH CALL

Cash Call in aid of St Eugene’s Church Renovation Funds on Easter Sunday 20 April.

1st Call ~ £2,000

2nd Call ~ £1,000

3rd Call ~ £500

£10 to enter or 3 entries for £20. To enter contact Patricia Flanagan 07761246061, Kitty Bradley 07706041022 or call to Parish Office, Heron’s Gift Shop or Devlin’s Shop Moneyneena.


FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Dawn Mass on Easter Sunday morning. More details later.


BLESSING OF GRAVES 2025

Blessing of Graves in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin over the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June. More details later.


DRAPERSTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

St Patrick’s Open Day from 11.00 am – to 3 pm.

Talk on St Patrick by Nelson McCausland at 12.30 pm, followed by panel discussion. Free Irish Stew and tea served all day.


THEOLOGY COURSE FOR LENT

Presented by Fr Brian Brady on the Tuesdays of Lent at 7.00 pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall. All welcome.


CHARITY CONCERT

Ballinascreen Parish Choir and Guests will present An Evening of Uplifting Music from Stage and Screen on Sunday 23 March in Holy Rosary Church at 7.00 pm. Funds in aid of Church Restoration Funds. Admission £10 and Under 12s donation at the door.


KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE

Folk singer, storyteller and song writer Colin Urwin brings his shows to Kilcronaghan as follows:

Thursday 27 March - Best Days of Your Life

Thursday 3 April - Home Sweet Home

Thursday 10 April - Hard Work Never Killed Anyone 

Thursday 24 April - Matters of the Heart.

All welcome to enjoy songs, stories and music alongside old household and rural artefacts to spark memories and chat. Come to one evening or to all 4! Free admission, supper served at 7.00 pm.


WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAY

March’s Warm Welcome Wednesday Monthly Luncheon Club will be on Wednesday 19 March in Workspace Community Hub.  Doors open at 11.00 am and lunch will be served until 12.15 pm.  

From 11.30 am STEP NI will provide general advice on accessing benefit entitlements. Places are limited so booking is essential.  To confirm your place, please contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 by 12 noon on Tuesday 18 March.


CORMAC Ó CEALLAIGH CCE (MUSIC GROUP)

The new Comhaltas branch has been named Cormac Ó Ceallaigh, in honour of Cormac, who was an ancient harp maker (1700s) from Ballinascreen. 

The March Seisiún will be a special celebration of Cormac Ó Ceallaigh in the Shepherds’ Rest on Friday 21 March. Junior Seisiún 7.30 pm - 8.30 pm,

Historical Harp presentation by Aoibheann and Deaglan Devlin including replica Downhill harp demonstration from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Ballinascreen harpers showcase.  Light refreshments followed by Advanced Seisiún. Admission: Voluntary donation at door. Everyone very welcome! Tá fáilte roimh chách


SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP

  • St Patrick’s Celebrations at Sixtowns Hall today, Sunday 16 March, from 12 noon until 2.00 pm featuring traditional music.  Irish stew will be served. Take away option also available. All welcome. Entry by donation.

  • Free event at Sixtowns Hall for over 50’s facilitated by Mid Ulster District Council on Tuesday 18 March from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm. Cookery demonstration including sampling of all dishes and tea / coffee. To book contact 07769289385.


DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2025 (Monday 30 June - Friday 4 July)

Fare £849 (+£144 Single Supplement)

Pilgrimage Office is open on Thursdays and Saturdays 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. in The Pastoral Centre 164 Bishop Street Derry BT48 6UJ. (028 71260293.) Application forms available from the office at these times or by emailing derrypilgrim@outlook.com

Payments are acceptable by online payment or cheque (cash payments not acceptable). Bank details are as follows:

Bank: AIB, Meadowbank, Derry

Sort Code: 93-80-25.

Account Number:16225-072

Account Name: Derry Diocesan Lourdes Account.


DROMANTINE LENTEN EVENTS

Saturday 29 March 

Lenten Retreat Day led by Rev Ruth Patterson. Cost (incl lunch) £38.

Wednesday 16 – Sunday 20 April

Holy Week Retreat led by the SMA Community. Cost £385. Please contact Leanne or Louisa phone 028 30821964 at admin@dromantineconference.com or for more details or view their website www.dromantineconference.com


PARISH BAPTISMS  2025

Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm. Bookings to be made please via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or by Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

March 23 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns

March 30 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena

April 6 ~ St Columba’s Straw

April 13 ~ Holy Rosary Church. 


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

  • Garden Programme commencing 3 April for 8 weeks, Thursdays at 1.30 pm numbers limited, so registration is necessary. Contact Olive: 07887614094, or Anne: 02879 642711. Partly funded by National Lottery Community Fund.

  • Céilí Dancing classes starting on Wednesday 26 March at 8.00 pm for 6 weeks, suitable for all ages and abilities.

  • No Irish language class on March 17, classes resume at 7.30 pm on March 24.

  • Chair Exercises: Tuesdays 10.00 am

  • Irish Dancing lessons on Tuesdays. 6.00 pm - extra class for new beginners at 5.30 pm to register contact Nicola on 07518207458.

  • Sarsfield’s Accordion Band

    • Concert of Traditional Irish Music and Dance at 8.00 pm on Saturday 15 March.

    • Monday 17 March St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 2.30 pm in Magherafelt.

    • Band Practice will recommence on Thursday 3 April at 7.30 pm.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

We ask God's blessing on those being called to serve as priests of the diocese of Derry, that they will have the faith and trust of Abraham and St Patrick, and that they will listen to Jesus, the Son of God, the Chosen One. 

 

​

Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

Ballinascreen Parish Office, 9 High Street, Draperstown

Tel: 028 79628248

©2018 BY BALLINASCREEN PARISH. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM

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