No. 2061 ~ EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ~ DAY OF PRAYER FOR TEMPERANCE
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 3 March:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Tuesday 4 March:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 5 March:
Masses for Ash Wednesday
7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary
7.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
10.00 am ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
10.00 am ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
7.30 pm ~ St Columba’s Straw
7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s Keenaught
The priests of the parish will also distribute Ashes in all schools.
Thursday 6 March:
7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 7 March:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 4: St Casimir.
Wednesday 5: Ash Wednesday - This is a day of Fast and Abstinence. See above for details of Mass times.
Friday 7: St Perpetua and St Felicity.
Saturday 8: St John of God, religious.
CONFIRMATION 2025
We welcome Bishop McKeown to our parish today, Sunday, when he will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on children from St Columba’s P.S., St Eoghan’s P.S. and St Mary’s P.S. in Holy Rosary Church at 2.00 pm.
Candidates, sponsors and family members should be seated no later than 1. 45 pm please.
Following the ceremony, families are invited to meet Bishop McKeown for photographs in Ballinascreen. GAC Hall. Refreshments will be served.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 3 March from 12 noon until 7.25 pm.
PADRE PIO MASS
Monthly Mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated on Monday 3 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church. Novena prayers and rosary at 7.10 pm.
HOLY PLACES IN HOLY LAND
This annual collection will be taken up at all Masses on Ash Wednesday.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Bernie Glasgow, Mallon Villas;
Ciaran Gallagher, Tirruadh Square;
Kieran Murray, Moneymore.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Susan McEldowney, Magherafelt Road, on Friday 7 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Mary Kelly, Strawmore Lane, on Friday 7 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Bernie Kelly, Glenelly Heights, on Friday 7 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Rose Lagan, Sixtowns Road, on Friday 7 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Bernie Kelly;
Rose Lagan.
Anniversaries:
Pat Joe Bradley;
Seamus McGuigan;
Annie McGuigan,;
Danny Kelly;
Joseph Sargent;
Joe Conway;
Maureen McWilliams.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Darcy Mae Ellen Kelly, Drumard Road;
Lucas Rafael Mieles, Glenelly Villas;
Andrew Bear Clarkin, Sixtowns Road.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1206
Renovation Collection £1805
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
NEW 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 as soon as possible. Thank you.
TRÓCAIRE 2025
Trócaire boxes will be available in all Church porches during Lent. 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
SHORT TERM PLEDGE
Pope Francis has invited us this Lent to, “Journey in hope together”.
A short-term pledge is available via www.pioneerassociation.org for parishioners who wish to become a “pilgrim of hope” for people who are living under the shadow of addiction.
BALLINASCREEN PARISH - EASTER CASH CALL
Coming soon! More details next week!
THEOLOGY COURSE FOR LENT
An exploration into Theology - Reading the signs of the times: a theology course presented by Fr Brian Brady on the Tuesdays of Lent, at 7.00 pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, which is just a few yards outside the cathedral grounds. The first evening will take place on Tuesday 11 March. All are welcome.
ALL KINDS OF EVERYTHING CHARITY CONCERT
Ballinascreen Parish Choir are holding a fundraising concert for Church Restoration Funds, in Holy Rosary Church on Sunday 23 March at 7.00 pm. Tickets - Adults £10, donation at door for children. Tickets on sale at Ballinascreen Parish Office, Heron’s Gift Shop, Diamond Service Station, Straw Service Station, Devlin’s Moneyneena, and Sisters’ Hairdressers. Come and enjoy an evening of uplifting music with special guests showcasing local musical talent.
DONATE BUTTON
Due to significant rise in bank charges the Donate button facility is no longer available to use on the parish website.
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 in St Patrick's Church Keenaught;
Knocknagin P.S., on Saturday 17 May in St Mary's Church, Coolcalm.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING FAIR
S.T.E.P.S, in conjunction with Ballinascreen Community Forum, are holding a Health and Wellbeing Fair (free event) with over 20 information stands. Fair on Friday 7 March from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm, in Workspace Community Hub, Draperstown. All welcome.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A talk by David Hume entitled, ‘Scary Stories, Superstitions and Belief,’ on Tuesday 4 March at 8.00 pm in Community Hub. All welcome.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY
4 week block of Pilates starts Monday 10 March in Sixtowns Hall from 7 pm to 8.pm. To book please 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 are 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 8 March:
Workshop led by Fr Hugh Lagan, SMA – A Radical Welcome: Intercultural living and the future of religious life.
Cost (incl. lunch) £43
Saturday 15 March:
Lenten Retreat Day led by Fr Paddy O’Rourke SMA - Remain in my love.
Cost (incl. lunch) £38
Sunday 16– Saturday 22 March
Silent Directed Retreat. Cost £610.
Sunday 16– Saturday 22 March
Silent Preached Retreat led by Mr Philip McParland - Lent: Season of Wellbeing. Cost £610.
Saturday 29 March
Lenten Retreat Day led by Rev Ruth Patterson – Treasures of the Wilderness.
Cost (incl lunch) £38.
Wednesday 16 – Sunday 20 April
Holy Week Retreat led by the SMA Community. Cost £385.
Please contact Leanne or Louisa at admin@dromantineconference.com or phone 028 30821964 for more details or view their website www.dromantineconference.com
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE
Free Prize draw on 1 April. Prize for one person includes 7 nights B&B, return airport transfer and flights up to €300. To enter go to prize draw page on www.med-irishcentre.com or phone 020 32398662 or Email: reservations@medirishcentre.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 9 ~ Holy Rosary Church
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
Irish language class - Monday at 7.30 pm.
Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week): To celebrate Irish language and culture, there will be a night of traditional music, song, language and light refreshments in Parish Hall on Friday 7 March at 7.30 pm. All welcome. Partially funded by Ballinascreen Credit Union.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays 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.
Jiving Classes: Wednesdays 8.00 pm - 3 weeks left.
Read Yourself Well: A collection of books from wellness experts etc are available to borrow for free. If borrowing a book it is necessary to record your name and a contact number. Please return any overdue books or if you require it for a longer period then contact any committee member.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
Traditional Irish Concert on Friday 15 March at 8.00 pm to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Band practice Thursdays at 7.30 pm. All members are asked to attend in preparation for St. Patricks Day which will be in Magherafelt. New and past members welcome.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS With encouraging words for those contemplating a vocation to the diocesan priesthood, St Paul says in our second reading this weekend, "... keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain." We pray in particular for those attending the Vocations Weekend in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, this coming weekend. |
