No. 2047 ~ OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE.
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 25 November:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Tuesday 26 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Wednesday 27 November:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Thursday 28 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Friday 29 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
CONFESSIONS
In Holy Rosary Church every Saturday at 5.30 pm before the Vigil Mass.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 25: St Catherine of Alexandria.
Wednesday 27: St Fergal
Saturday 30: St Andrew, apostle.
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.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Sean O’Neill Tobermore Road, on Friday 29 November at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Noel O’Neill, Portadown.
ANNIVERSARIES
Mamie O'Hagan,
Rose Conville,
Katie Donnelly,
Robert Crossett,
Peter McAllister,
Martina Tharaparan.
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Patrick Henry Murphy, Drumard Road.
PARISH CAROL SERVICE
Annual Parish Carol Service will be 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.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1721
Renovation Collection: £2060.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
SVP CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Annual SVP Church Door Christmas Collection will take place next weekend at all Masses on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December. Ballinascreen SVP greatly appreciate your support at all times and especially at Christmas time. Your contributions enable them to bring joy to many through their distribution of food parcels and food vouchers for Christmas, they also support many families all year round with oil, education assistance, and much more. Your generous contributions are vital to ensure that they can continue their good work.
BAMBINELLI SUNDAY
At all Masses on the weekend 14 / 15 December parishioners are invited to bring the figure of the Child Jesus from their family Crib to Mass for a special blessing. If you don’t have a family crib, there is plenty of time to get one before Bambinelli Sunday. Christmas Cribs do not need to be elaborate or expensive. A home-made crib with figures bought cheaply online might be even more meaningful.
ADVENT SERVICES OF RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation Services will be held in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 16 December at 7.30 pm and in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught on Tuesday 17 December also at 7.30 pm.
Visiting priests will be in attendance to hear confessions.
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.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW
Desertmartin Parish Christmas Draw will have draws every day for the 12 days between Christmas Day and Sunday 5 January 2025. Total prize fund is £5,000, tickets costing £20 each are now on sale at both Desertmartin and Ballinascreen Parish Offices, Heron’s Gift Shop, Moneyneena P.O. and Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Credit Unions. A ticket would make a nice Christmas gift to send to members of your family and friends this Christmas.
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.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024 & 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
December 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
December 15 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
December 22 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Dates for Baptisms 2025
January 5 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
January 12 ~ St Columba’s Straw
January 26 ~ Holy Rosary Church
February 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
February16 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
February 23 ~ St Columba’s Straw
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
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2025
Pilgrimage led by Bishop McKeown, from Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July, leaving from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required. The Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ will not be open for booking until Saturday 1 February 2025, 11.00 am to 1.00 pm (and each following Saturday and Thursday at the same time unless notified). However, Gift Vouchers are now available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Also, enquiries can be made by emailing;
SAVE THE DATE!
2025 Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will be on Sunday 15 June.
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 adult £10 child. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
ADVENT COURSE FOR YOUTH
The Youth Department of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, in conjunction with Youth link NI, will be delivering a four-week course for Advent in the Pastoral Centre Maghera. This course is for young people, including those doing the JPII Award this year.
Course will be held on the following dates; Thursday 28 November, Thursday 5, 12 and 19 December, from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm. For more details or to register for the course please email lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org.
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday 27 November there will be an air fryer demo with Joanna from Wysebites. With the rising popularity of air fryers this session will provide tips and ideas on how to create simple snacks and meals. Places are strictly limited. To confirm your place, please contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 by 12 noon on Monday 25 November.
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 028 79628113 or Email: info@theworkspacegroup.org
Closing date for applications is 4.00 pm tomorrow, Monday 25 November.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Glór na Speiríní’s annual indoor Christmas Market on today, Sunday 24 November, in the Gaelscoil from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm. Proceeds to Naíscoil and Gaelscoil na Speiríní. Beautiful food, Christmas gifts, skincare, perfume, GAA gear and more! Everyone welcome!
GAELSCOIL & NAÍSCOIL NA SPEIRÍNÍ
Due to the snow, Open Night in Gaelscoil and Naíscoil na Speiríní, Straw has been rescheduled to Monday 25 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 with gifts for all!
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 CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Monthly Social Dance on Friday 29 November at 9.30 pm. Music by Liam McLaughlin and Bríd Gallagher. Light supper served. Everyone welcome.
ADVENT RETREAT
Emmanuel - He meets you where you are: This Advent season, step away from the busyness of life and enter a sacred space of quiet reflection and prayer. Join the Columba Community for their retreat on Sunday 8 December at 11.00 am in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, Co Donegal, Eircode: F93NF76. Find stillness, experience guided prayer, with Adoration and Eucharist. Deepen your spiritual journey during this holy season as we prepare for Christ’s birth. Booking essential, phone (00353) 0749384866. Light lunch provided, suggested donation £20.
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
THE NET
Monthly Diocesan newspaper is available online at derrydiocese.org and printed copies are in Holy Rosary porch. Coverage in November edition includes:
Visit of St Bernadette relics.
Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese.
Opening of Bellaghy Adoration Chapel.
Children’s Catechism Club.
Sr Clare Crockett Beatification cause.
Blessed Carlo Acutis - inspiring youth.
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
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am.
Irish dancing lessons: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.
Acrobat Gymnastics: Saturdays at 9.00 am.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band: 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.
POPE FRANCIS@PONTIFEX
Prayer opens our hearts to the Lord, and the Holy Spirit changes our lives when He enters. We should therefore pray, so that our hearts are opened to make space for the Spirit.
