No. 1994 ~ THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Dermot McGirr 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
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
MASS TIMES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday November 20:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am
Tuesday November 21:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Wednesday November 22:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am
Thursday November 23:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Friday November 24:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Thursday 23: St Columban, abbot and missionary.
Friday 24: Saints Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, and Companions, martyrs.
HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE
Bishop McKeown will lead a Holy Hour for Peace in the World from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm on Monday 20 November in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. Everyone welcome. You can also join in this time prayer for peace via the St Eugene’s Cathedral webcam.
PARISH BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE
A Book of Remembrance has been placed in each of the churches in the parish for parishioners to enrol the names of their deceased loved ones. These books will remain in place for the month of November.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Norah O’Hagan, Tobermore Road on Friday November 24 at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Martina Thayaparan, Mallon Villas on Friday November 24 at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Marie Mullen, Glenshane Park.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
MartinaTharaparan.
Anniversaries:
Patsy Heron;
Mamie O'Hagan;
Seamus McKenna;
Brendan Brunton;
John McDaid;
Katie Donnelly.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Yusuf Coffey, Scutcher's Lane;
Aisha Coffey, Scutcher's Lane;
Gabreal Coffey, Scutcher's Lane;
Farrah Coffey, Scutcher's Lane;
Noah John Friel, Dunmurry Road.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1732.50
Renovation Collection: £895.50
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
DATES FOR BAPTISMS 2024
Please take note of the following new arrangements for the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism in the Parish of Ballinascreen effective from 1 January 2024. All baptisms will take place on Sundays at 3.00 pm and bookings are to be made via the Parish Office by phone 028 79628248 or by email ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
If you email a request please leave a telephone number for contact.
Baptisms will be celebrated on the following dates:
January 7 ~ Holy Rosary Church
January 21 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
February 4 ~ St Columba’s Straw
February 18 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
March 3 ~ Holy Rosary Church
March 10 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
March 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw
April 7 ~ St Columba’s Straw.
April 14 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
April 21 ~ Holy Rosary Church
May 5 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena.
May 19 ~ St Columba’s Straw.
June 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
SYNOD REPORT 2023
Synthesis Report from the First Session (4-29 October 2023) of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is now available online. Link is on Parish Facebook and at the bottom of this bulletin..
100TH BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Congratulations and best wishes to Mickey McSorley (McSorley's Garage) who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday 23 November.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2023 DRAW
Desertmartin Parish is having a Christmas Draw again this year. There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Friday 5 January 2024. Everyone’s ticket will be in for all the draws, which means you have 33 chances to win prizes. Total prize fund is £5,000. Tickets £20 each, available from:
Holy Rosary, Coolcalm and Keenaught Churches before and after Mass;
Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Parish Offices;
Fr. McGirr at the Parochial House, 50 Tobermore Road;
Heron’s Gift Shop;
Moneyneena Post Office.
A ticket would make a nice Christmas gift to send inside your Christmas cards to members of your family and friends this Christmastime.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
If you, or anyone you know, needs assistance leading up to Christmas, please contact us on our help line.
DIARY DATES
Sunday December 3 ~ St Patrick's Church Keenaught Mass at 12 noon to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Opening of the Church.
Saturday December 16 ~ Do This In Memory Mass in Holy Rosary Church.
Sunday December 17 ~ Annual Parish Christmas Carol Service in Holy Rosary Church at 6.00 pm.
Saturday December 30 ~ Live Crib
ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, KEENAUGHT (1973-2023)
The first weekend in December will be the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught. Does anyone in Ballinascreen, Desertmartin or across the community have any photographs of the construction of the church building or of the Official Opening of the church in December 1973 or have any taken during the first weeks or months of St. Patrick’s being open to parishioners? Fr. McGirr would like to put together a display of the images to put up in the church for people to view. If you would like to help, please contact Fr. McGirr on 79632196 and then bring any photographs to the Parochial House, 50 Tobermore Road, he will then scan them and give them back to you. All help with this project would be appreciated. Thank you.
ROSARY ON THE COAST
Today Sunday 19 November at 3.00 pm on Benone Strand. All welcome.
AONACH NA NOLLAG CHRISTMAS MARKET
Glór na Speiríní’s annual indoor Christmas Market will be on Sunday 26 November from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm in Straw. Come and lend your support to the growth of the Irish language in Ballinascreen, all proceeds will go to Naíscoil and Gaelscoil na Speiríní.
COFFEE MORNING
Coffee Morning today, Sunday 19 November, in An Rath Dubh from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. All money raised will go towards Year 13 St Colm’s High School students who will be doing the Camino Walk in Spain in June 2024.
SIXTOWNS CRAFT FAIR
Christmas Craft Fair and Coffee Morning on today, Sunday 19 November in Sixtowns Hall, 12 noon to 3.00 pm. Live music by James Bradley. Santa will be present. All welcome.
ST EOGHAN’S PS
Open Night on Thursday 30 November at 7.00 pm. Everyone welcome.
WORKSPACE COMMUNITY NOTICES
Draperstown Health Matters Project: Áine from O’Kane’s Pharmacy will be holding an information session on Skin Care on Wednesday 22 November at 12 noon in Workspace Community Hub. The event is free and open to all. No need to book, just drop-in.
Draperstown Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On, Friday 24 November from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Includes live music, amusements, face painting, street entertainment, craft fair and Santa’s Grotto. Santa arrives at 7.15 pm and Christmas tree lights switch-on at 7.30 pm. Please note that a section of High Street, from the roundabout to the front of McAuley’s Maxol Station, will be closed to traffic from 5.30 pm to 9.15 pm.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Christmas Porcelain Tree Decorations workshop on Monday 27 November from 10 am to 1 pm. Admission £6, which includes all materials.
Christmas Cookery Demonstrations & Tasting from 10.00 am to 12 noon. £7 weekly or £20 for all 3 weeks. On Tuesdays 5, 12 and 19 December.
Christmas gift wrapping demonstration followed by a design and print your own wrapping paper or Christmas cards workshop. Monday 4 December from 10.00 am to 12 noon.
Christmas Door / Grave Wreath workshop on Monday 11 December, choose either 10.00 am or 11.30 am. Bring own oasis ring. All greenery & materials supplied.
Christmas Faux Table Arrangement on Friday 15 December at 11.00 am All materials supplied.
Places per class are limited and must be booked. Festive refreshments will be served. To book Text/WhatsApp/ring 07821963749
Kilcronaghan Gift vouchers also available to any value and can be used for classes in 2024
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Foodbank operates from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. If you or someone you know requires assistance please call 07543420639. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Facebook page is Sperrinfoodbank, email: foodbank@theworkspacegroup.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 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 they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
SPRED Group: Monday 20 and 27 November. Exercise with Kathleen, supported by Public Health Agency.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am followed by a short walk. Adm £4.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm. Bring your own project or you can help with knitting for local charities.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm. Admission £4.00.
Flower arrangement on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 December, with Mary, supported, by Public Health Agency (registration necessary).
Yoga Classes start Monday 8 January at 10.00 am. Numbers limited so registration is necessary.
Come to any of the above actives and enjoy a fun way to exercise and improve your wellbeing. To register phone Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 79 642711.
Sarsfield’s Band 2024 Calendar on sale, £7. November Draw winner: Vickey McKinley, Magherafelt.
Band practice every Thursday at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome.
SYNTHESIS REPORT FROM FIRST SESSION OF THE XVI ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
The Participants in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God. The text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse.
It is not a final document, but an “instrument at the service of ongoing discernment“.
The Synthesis Report is structured in three parts:
The first outlines “the face of the synodal Church”, presenting the practice and understanding of synodality and its theological underpinning.
The second part, entitled “All disciples, all missionaries”, deals with all those involved in the life and mission of the Church and their relationships with one another.
The third part bears the title “Weaving bonds, building community”.
Episcopal Conferences are now called to focus on the questions and proposals that are considered most urgent, all this sustained by a climate of mutual listening and sincere dialogue.
To read the report, please click link below:
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
