No. 1986 ~ TWENTY- FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ~ WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
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.
FR JOHN B. DOWNEY
AN APPRECIATION BY FR PETER MADDEN
No one can remember the last time a priest, resident in Moneyneena, died and was waked and buried from St Eugene’s Church. Over the years, most curates in Moneyneena got to stay 7 or 8 years and then were appointed to another parish. But when Fr John Downey arrived in August 2004, there was from the outset a feeling that he was here to stay. From the very beginning Fr John put down roots in Moneyneena and began the 19 years of priestly ministry and service to the people of God in the Parish of Ballinascreen. I could fill multiple newsletters detailing all the ways John became so loved by the people of the parish and Moneyneena especially. His dedication to the sick and the housebound, his commitment to St Eoghan’s and Altayeskey Primary Schools, his constant presence and ability to meet and greet everyone warmly, whether it be at his home or in Moneyneena Post Office or Eurospar in the town. He had a word for everyone. But that has all been said and the tributes the parishioners paid over the days of his wake and funeral with their attendance in such great numbers spoke more eloquently than words. My abiding memory of Fr John will be his witness to Christ in the Eucharist and his attendance at daily Mass over the last months of his life when he was clearly unwell. As his life drew to a close, his progression to the altar each day slowed down. He would walk ahead of me, and I was so conscious of how long it would take him to reach his place at the foot of the altar. Every day, it seemed to take that bit more energy. But he never wavered in his attendance, no matter how tired he might be. Of all the lessons in the Christian life that John gave us over the 39 years of his priestly ministry, this last one is for me the most important. If you want to remember Fr John B Downey, remember him at Mass on a Saturday evening or a Sunday. May we all follow his lead and not find excuses to be somewhere else. May we come to love Christ in the Eucharist as much as he did. Above all, that is what he would want for all of us. To know Christ and that we are loved totally by God.
May he rest in peace.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for him.
St John Bosco, pray for him.
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 MASS TIMES
Monday September 25:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am
Tuesday September 26:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Wednesday September 27:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 10.00 am
Thursday September 28:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Friday September 29:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 26: Ss Cosmos and Damian
Wednesday 27: St Vincent de Paul.
Thursday 28: St Wenceslaus, martyr.
Friday 29: St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael, archangels.
Saturday 30: St Jerome.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Felix McAllister, Cookstown;
Maggie Higgins, Derrynoyd Lane;
Angela Trainor, Drumsamney Road,
Gerard Darragh Lavey;
+ Fr. John B Downey, Ballinascreen.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Brendan McPeake, Cahore Terrace on Friday 29 September at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Bernie Murray, Campbelltown on Friday 29 September at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Bernie Murray.
Anniversaries:
Joe Brunton;
Baby Patrick and Baby James McKernan;
Gavin Bradley;
Eileen Kelly;
Rosaleen Leyden;
Margaret McCloskey;
Patrick McGlone;
Rose McKenna;
Patrick Anthony Toner;
Harry McPeake.
WEDDING
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Kirsty Gordon and Jason McKenna who were married recently in St Patrick’s Church, Sixtowns.
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism James Martin Convery, Woodland Grove.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1620
Renovation Collection: £1575.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
90th ANNIVERSARY ~ BALLINASCREEN GAC
The Club’s 90th Anniversary Magazine will be published in November. Stories, memories, photographs are still very welcome from any Club member past or present. Please email stories or photos on or before Saturday September 30 to screengac90@gmail.com .
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY HALL
If interested in getting involved with the monthly dances / cleaning rota / maintenance / planning events etc please come to a volunteer meeting on Monday 2 October at 8.00 pm.
Saturday 7 October volunteers are meeting to clean up Hall grounds from 11.00 am - 1 pm, extra help welcome.
Craft Fair on Sunday 19 November to book a table phone 07769289385.
ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Pathways Programme (Now in our 18th Year.) Have you ever thought of taking time out, to reflect, to better understand your faith in all its richness, to explore how it might be integrated with your busy, daily life and to nurture in a focussed way your relationship with God? If the answer is “yes”, then Pathways may be for you. Course runs one Saturday per month10.00 am – 4.00 pm, from October to June, either in-house at Drumalis or online via Zoom.
Certificate in Christian Thought (Two-year, part-time course.) The Certificate aims to offer a space where adults can explore, reflect upon, discuss and study faith and how it relates to life in today’s world, both at a personal and community level. It is possible to do the course for validation by St Mary’s University College or for personal development only. The course is offered either in-house at Drumalis, or online via Zoom over 7 Saturdays from September to May. For more details or to register on either of these courses, please contact Drumalis Monday -Friday 9.00am – 5.00 pm on 028 28276455/28272196 or email maura@drumalis.co.uk For more details view www.drumalis.co.uk
MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
The Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working with Saint Mary’s Universsity Twickenham, offers this post graduate degree which is dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. There is still time to sign up for the Academic Year 2023/2024. For more details, please contact the Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
MARRIAGE COUNSELLING
If you feel your relationship is in crisis or you need a little guidance and help, either face to face or online, contact your ACCORD. Their counsellors are professionally trained in the specialism of couples and relationships counselling Every year Accord help thousands of couples rebuild and sustain healthy relationships. For support, call 028 9023 3002 or visit accordni.com
GLENSHANE HOUSE
OCN L2 Award in Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children starting soon. Few spaces available. Tel 028 777 42494
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Yoga: Thursday 28 September for 5 weeks from10.30 am to 12 noon.
Chair based exercises: Friday 29 September from 10.00 am to 11.00 am, for 10 weeks.
George Gourley Watercolours painting: Monday 9 October from 10.00 am to 12 noon, for 4 weeks.
Text/WhatsApp 07821963749 for more details and to book a place on any class. Everyone welcome.
SVP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers needed to help with weekly collections after each Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses. If you can help please contact 07710 838050.
SMA NOVENA
Novena in honour of St. Thérèse Of the Child Jesus from Friday 23 September to Saturday 1 October. Daily Mass and Novena Prayers at 10.00 am and 7.30 pm in SMA Chapel, Dromantine. All welcome. Also on webcam www.sma.ie
TRÓCAIRE
Seeks people to join its team of Christmas fundraisers to help respond to the urgent need of poor communities around the world, including the millions of families caught in conflict across Ethiopia, South Sudan and Ukraine. You can make a difference through a range of activities, including promoting Gifts of Change – training and support provided. To find how you can help now or over Advent and Christmas please email Mark McMahon on infoni@trocaire.org or call 90808030.
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Foodbank now operates Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. If you or someone you know requires assistance please call 07543 420639. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Facebook page: Sperrinfoodbank, email: foodbank@theworkspacegroup.org
FOYLE HOSPICE
October is Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning Month. You could host a Coffee Morning anywhere! All you need is a kettle and some company. A ‘Free Coffee Morning Pack’will be provided. For more details or to sign up to become a host, please call Ailbhe, Foyle Hospice, on 028 71359888 or email ailbhe@foylehospice.com
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
Hall Committee AGM on Tuesday 10 October at 7.30 pm, all welcome. It is important that the services and activities offered meet the communities’ needs, many volunteering opportunities for all ages, so come have your say or find something to get involved in.
SPRED Group Meeting: Monday 25 September at 7.00 pm.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am followed by a short walk. Admission £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.
Bowling Club: Tuesday from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm.
Christmas Craft Fair: Sunday 12 November. Tables £20 each or 2 for £30.
If interested in any of the above please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 79 642711
Sarsfield’s Band Practice Thursdays 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome. Band photographs for 2024 calendar welcome please. Photos will be returned once scanned.
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
