No. 2064 ~ THIRD 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
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
MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 24 March
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Tuesday 25 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.
Wednesday 26 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 27 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 28 March:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEAST OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 25: St The Annunciation of the Lord. Giving her consent to God’s word, Mary becomes the mother of Jesus.
TRÓCAIRE 2025
This weekend we welcome guest speakers from Trócaire who will speak at all Masses in the parish.
Lenten Trócaire boxes are available in all Church porches. We encourage each family to please take one home. Your contributions will help Trócaire to continue their vital work. www.trocaire.org
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Tony Crilly, Glenelly Villas.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Benny Kerr,
John Kennedy.
Anniversaries:
John Trolan;
Siobhan Lappin;
Brian Quinn;
Mary Kerr;
Maire Gormley;
Francis Deery;
Catherine Kelly;
Agnes Conway.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Benny Kerr, Cordarragh, on Friday March 28 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection £1605
Renovation Collection £2250
Clerical Education Collection £1174
Holy Places - a further £150.
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.
ALL KINDS OF EVERYTHING - PARISH CHARITY CONCERT
Ballinascreen Parish Choir and Guests will present An Evening of Uplifting Music from Stage and Screen tonight, Sunday 23 March in Holy Rosary Church at 7.00 pm.
All funds are in aid of Church Restoration Funds. Admission £10 and Under 12s donation at the door.
EASTER CASH CALL
Cash Call in aid of St Eugene’s Church Renovation Funds will be held on Easter Sunday 20 April.
1st Call ~ £2,000.
2nd Call ~ £1,000.
3rd Call ~ £500.
Winning calls will be made on Easter Sunday between 1.00pm and 1.30 pm. A random number generator will select the winning numbers. Entries close at 3.00 pm on Saturday 19 April. Only £10 to enter or 3 entries for £20. To enter please contact Patricia Flanagan 07761246061, Kitty Bradley 07706041022 or call to Parish Office, Heron’s Gift Shop, Devlin’s Shop Moneyneena or Ballinascreen Credit Union.
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
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.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025
Ballinascreen Parish:
St Mary’s P.S., Draperstown on Saturday 10 May in Holy Rosary Church.
St Columba's P.S., Straw on Saturday 17 May in St Columba's Church.
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Saturday 7 June in Holy Rosary Church.
St Eoghan's P. S., Moneyneena on Saturday 7 June in St Eugene's Church.
Desertmartin Parish:
Cullion P.S., on Saturday 10 May 10 in St Patrick's Church, Keenaught.
Knocknagin P.S. on Saturday 17 May in St Mary's Church, Coolcalm.
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 artefacts to spark memories and chat. Come to 1 evening or to all 4! Free admission. Supper will be served at 7.00 pm.
SLIEVE GALLION ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
Crochet classes in Knocknagin Hall begin on Tuesday 25 March at 7.30 pm. Limited places available. Please contact any Committee member if interested in joining.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Monthly Social Dance on Friday 28 March at 9.30 pm. Music by Kieran McAree. Everyone welcome.
DEAFBLIND UK EVENT
Support for sight and hearing loss event on Wednesday 26 March in Magherafelt Library from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. No need to book just turn up and say hello! For more details log onto deafblind.org.uk or phone Helpline 0800132320.
ACCORD NI
Accord NI is recruiting experienced practitioners for the Derry and Enniskillen centres, to train in the specialism of couple counselling. Successful applicants will follow an 18-day (9 weekends) in-person Certificate programme, (144 hours class contact), which will provide the clinical skills essential for safe and ethical couples work. Course fees paid and placement provided by Accord NI. For more details and for an application form please email info@accord.ie. Closing date for receipt of applications is 30/4/25. Programme commences Sept 2025.
THEOLOGY COURSE FOR LENT
Presented by Fr Brian Brady on the Tuesdays of Lent, 7.00 pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, Derry.
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 Tel.: 028 30821964 or Email: admin@dromantineconference.com or for more details view their website www.dromantineconference.com
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm. Bookings to be made please via the Parish Office: Tel.: 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
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 at 1.30 pm on Thursday 1 May for 8 weeks. Please note this is a new start date. Numbers limited, so registration necessary. To register contact Olive: 07887614094 or Anne: 028 79 642711 This programme is partly funded by National Lottery Community Fund.
Céilí Dancing classes for all ages and abilities start at 8.00 pm on Wednesday 26 March for 6 weeks.
Irish language class at 7.30 pm on Monday March 24.
Chair Exercises on Tuesdays at 10.00 am.
Irish Dancing lessons on Tuesdays at 6.00 pm. Extra class for new beginners at 5.30 pm. To register contact Nicola on 07518207458.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
Band Practice will recommence on Thursday 3 April at 7.30 pm.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS In our first reading this weekend God calls Moses to lead His people from exile into the Promised Land. We pray for those being called by God today to lead His people in the ways of faith as priests of the diocese of Derry. |
