No. 2046 ~ THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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
DAILY MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 18 November:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 19 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 20 November:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 21 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 22 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church. (Please note the earlier time for this Mass.)
CONFESSIONS
In Holy Rosary Church every Saturday at 5.30 pm before the Vigil Mass.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Thursday 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Friday 22: St Cecilia, virgin and martyr.
Saturday 23: St Columban, missionary.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
Please Note that on Friday 22 November the Parish Anniversary Mass in Holy Rosary Church will be at 7.00 pm (instead of 7.30 pm). This one off time change is to facilitate the Community Christmas event being held that evening in the town.
VISITATION OF SICK
Fr Madden will continue to visit the sick and housebound during the coming week.
BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE
During November, a Book of Remembrance remains in each of the churches for parishioners to enrol the names of their deceased loved ones.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Margie McBride, Campbelltown;
Mary Logue, Loughmacrory;
Mary Ellen McMurray, Belfast;
Martina McHarg, Manchester.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Jim McGuigan;
Jim Costello.
Anniversaries:
Seamus McKenna;
Brendan Brunton;
John McDaid;
Mary Theresa Lanigan.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Margaret Devlin, Slievegallion Park, on Friday 22 November at 7.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Mary McAuley, The Square, on Friday 22 November at 7.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Jim McGuigan, St Patrick’s Street, on Friday 22 November at 7.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Marie Mullan, Glenshane Park, on Friday 22 November at 7.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
PARISH CAROL SERVICE
Annual Carol Service in Holy Rosary Church on Sunday 8 December at 6.00 pm. Please bring a non-perishable gift for SVP to distribute on your behalf.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Sean Kevin Kelly, Derrynoid Lane;
Shay Daniel McWilliams, Tirruadh Mews;
Meabha Cait Kennedy, Moneyneena Rd;
Cal Anthony Conway, Mulinderg;
Maeva Grace Maguire, Cloane Road;
Alice Laurie Cullen Derrynoid Road.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £2030
Renovation Collection: £2000
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
CHURCH OF IRELAND CAROL SERVICE
St. Columba's Church of Ireland is delighted to welcome the Ballinascreen Parish Choir to their Carol Service on Sunday, 1 December at 6.30 pm. Bishop Andrew Forster will be present. All are welcome, festive refreshments served.
SVP CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Annual SVP Church Door Christmas Collection will take place weekend of Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW
Tickets on sale at both Desertmartin and Ballinascreen Parish Offices, Herons Gift Shop, Moneyneena P.O. and Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Credit Unions.
CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL
Sperrin Foodbank and St Vincent de Paul are working with local schools to provide Christmas hampers to people in need in Draperstown and surrounding areas. If you would like to donate to the Christmas Appeal, donation points can be found in all the local schools, Lynch's, Centra and Devlin's Moneyneena. Donations may also be left in The Workspace Group and at the Annual Carol Service in Holy Rosary Church on Sunday 8 December.
If you, or someone you know, would like to receive a hamper this year, please contact Sperrin Foodbank 07543420639 or St Vincent de Paul 07710838050 in complete confidence. It doesn't matter if you are a single adult, single parent with children or a working family, they are willing and there to help you.
ST COLM’S HIGH SCHOOL
The staff and pupils of St. Colm’s High School are staging the Musical, The Beauty and The Beast, from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 November. Tickets now on sale in the school: £15 per adult and £10 per child. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
CHARITY QUIZ
A Charity Quiz, in memory of Bernie Kelly, and in support of The Foyle Hospice, in The Market Inn on Friday 22 November at 8.00 pm. All support welcome. Contact 07765841203.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON
Friday 22 November from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Includes live music from ‘Kick the Dust’, amusements, face painting, street entertainment, Christmas craft fair in Workspace Community Hub and Santa’s Grotto in Backrow Recreation Centre. Santa arrives at 7.20 pm escorted by a special convoy, Christmas tree lights switch-on at 7.30 pm.
Please note that a section of High Street, from the roundabout up to the front of the Maxol Station, and the Back Row, will be closed to traffic from 5.30 pm to 9.15 pm.
An ASD-friendly session in Santa’s Grotto on Friday 22 November from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. To book for this please contact Workspace on 028 79628113 by 5.00 pm on Wednesday 20 November.
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAY
November’s Warm Welcome Wednesday Monthly Luncheon Club on Wednesday 20 November in Workspace Community Hub. Age NI will be there from 11.30 am to present their ‘Move More Live More’ programme, which is aimed at supporting people aged 65+ to live well for longer. This session will consider the importance of sleep, nutrition, and mental health. Lunch served at 12.15 pm. Places limited, so booking is essential. To book a place, please phone Workspace Tel: 028 79628113 by 12 noon on Monday 18 November.
SPARK WEEKEND
Spark is a weekend experience of fun, faith and friendship for 12-16 year olds. It follows core themes from YouCat as well as stories of role models such as Blessed Carlo Acutis and Sr. Clare Crockett. Next
Spark Weekend from November 22 – 24 in Termonbacca Carmelite Centre, Derry. To book or for more details please text or WhatsApp Brendan on +353 86 8043065. Cost, to cover food and board, is £70. Places are limited. SPARK is endorsed by Bishop McKeown. Adult volunteers are vetted, safeguarding is taken seriously.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Glór na Speiríní’s annual indoor Christmas Market on Sunday 24 November from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm. Proceeds to Naíscoil and Gaelscoil na Speiríní.
LOST RING
Gold eternity ring lost recently possibly around Straw Church, if you found it please contact the Parish Office.
ST MARY’S P.S. DRAPERSTOWN
Open Night in St Mary’s P.S. on Thursday 28 November from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm. Come and see Santa and meet the school staff. Everyone is welcome.
SIXTOWNS FESTIVE CRAFT FAIR
Everyone welcome at Sixtowns Hall for their Festive Craft Fair on today, Sunday 17 November, from 12 noon to 3.00 pm, featuring live music, refreshments, face painting, balloon modelling and Santa. Free entry
NAISCOIL & GAELSCOIL NA SPEIRÍNÍ
Open Night in Gaelscoil and Naíscoil na Speiríní, Straw on Wednesday 20 November at 6.30 pm. Parents and children who are ready for Nursery or Primary 1 in September 2025 are welcome to visit the school and meet with staff and pupils. Santa will be present.
PRE-PRE SCHOOL PLAY SESSIONS AT NAÍSCOIL AND GAELSCOIL
Pre-pre School Play Sessions will begin on Thursday 21 November from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm at Naíscoil and Gaelscoil na Speirini. If you would like a place for your child please email, before Monday 18 November, skelly745@c2kni.net
Naiscoil na Speiríní is pleased to announce that it is in the process of standardisation by the Department of Education. This means that they will have a fully funded full time Nursery School from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm in place for September 2025.
LITTLE WOMBLES PLAYGROUP
Little Wombles Cross Community Playgroup, invites parents of children applying to pre-school starting in September 2025 and September 2026 to attend their Open Evening on Thursday 21 November from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm at their new premises, 84 Sixtowns Road.
COMMUNITY FUND GRANTS
Workspace Community Fund is now accepting applications for 2025. Open to community and voluntary groups in the Ballinascreen, Kilcronaghan and Desertmartin areas. The Fund welcomes applications for grants between £500-£2,000. To request an application pack, please contact Workspace Tel: 028 79628113 or Email: info@theworkspacegroup.org
Closing date for applications is 4.00 pm on Monday 25 November.
PRAYER MEETING FOR FATHERS
In St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Derry on Saturday 23 November from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Three hours of Adoration, talk on Christ the King and the father’s role in the family. Ends with Vigil Mass at 7.15 pm. Confessions. St Pio Relic available.
GLENSHANE HOUSE
Free 4 week Mindfulness course starts Wednesday 20 November from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm. To register phone 02877742494 or 07399023003 or come along on the night!
FREE ONLINE ADVENT RETREAT
The Priory Institute offers a free online Advent retreat led by Stephen Cummins OP based on the four Advent Sunday gospel readings. For more details or to register Email enquiries@prioryinstitute.com
RADIO MARIA IRELAND
Christmas Fundraiser on Thursday 28 November in Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny. Doors open at 6.00 pm, four course meal, live music, information about how Radio Maria can help support the faithful in Ireland. To book a ticket (£60 each) or for more details visit Eventbrite.ie or view www.radiomaria.ie
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
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024
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
November 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw
December 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
December 15 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
December 22 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Many thanks to all the crafters and all who supported the Craft Fair last Sunday.
Irish Language Class: Monday at 7.30 pm.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am.
Irish dancing lessons: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm. To register contact Nicola Tel: 07518207458
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.
Acrobat Gymnastics: Saturdays at 9.00am.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Arts Care Here & Now: Waiting on confirmation of a starting date. If interested please contact Olive on 07887614094. ASAP.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band:
November monthly draw winner No.3 Johnny McCloskey. Maghera.
Band practice Thursdays at 7.30 pm. Please attend in order to learn new tunes for the Christmas visit to Nursing Homes on Saturday 14 December.
