No. 2034 ~ TWENTY-FIRST 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
DAILY MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 26 August:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 27 August:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 28 August:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 29 August
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 30 August:
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
Tuesday 27 : St Monica. Her prayers and tears brought her son, St Augustine to Christianity and a moral life.
Patron saint of mothers.
Wednesday 28: St Augustine. Bishop and doctor of the Church.
Thursday 29: The Passion of St John the Baptist.
FR DERMOT McGIRR
This being Fr Dermot's last weekend in Desertmartin and Ballinascreen, it is appropriate to record our thanks for all he has done in both parishes and in our schools over the past 8 years. His priestly service to the people of God has been unswerving. His attention to detail, when arranging family funerals or weddings, and the caring and compassionate manner in which he visited the sick and attended to their spiritual needs in Desertmartin Parish and in Ballinascreen Fold will long be remembered.
To me personally, he has been a great support and made the administration of our two parishes so much more manageable.
On behalf of us all, I wish him every blessing in his new appointment as Parish Priest of Banagher.
Fr Peter Madden P.P.
VISITATION OF SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Fr Madden will continue to visit the sick and housebound of the parish over the next week. Where possible he will make contact the day before to arrange a suitable time.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Cassie-Jo Mairin McFadden, Glenelly Villas;
Grace Anne Hassen, Woodland Grove;
Riven Marcus Myles Bradley, Moykeeran Crescent;
Lochlyn Patrick McCullagh, Drumard Lane;
Daire Conall O'Kane, Tirruadh Square.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and friends of:
Kathleen Breen, Desertmartin;
Tony Faulkner, Gortnaghey.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Susan McAuley, Strawmore on Friday August 30 at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Brendan McPeake
Anniversaries:
Baby Olivia and Baby Patrick Bradley.
SUMMER DRAW 2024
Thank you to all who have supported this year’s Summer Draw.
NOTE OF THANKS
Fr Madden wishes to sincerely thank all who supported the recent fundraising event held in The Hogan Stand Bar, which raised £1730 for St Eugene’s Church Renovation Fund. Special thanks to the management and staff of The Hogan Stand and to the stars who performed on the night ~ Double Mac (aka Fr Sean McGuigan and Gerry McGuigan).
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS
Vocations Day, for those considering diocesan priesthood, in Buncrana on Sunday 8 September, from 12 noon to 6.00 pm. Anyone interested should please contact the diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O'Hagan by email: pgoh2111@gmail.com
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1525
Renovation Collection: £1820.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS
A relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis will be brought to St Mary's Church, Bellaghy, on Friday 30 August for veneration from 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
An exhibition on the devotions and writings of Blessed Carlo is currently on display in the Church.
Blessed Carlo Acutis is due to be canonised next year. He will be the first Saint of the 21st century. His faith and goodness as a teenager of the early years of the present millennium, and as someone who used the internet and digital communication for the good of others and the spreading of devotion to the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist should be an inspiration to us all and especially to the young people of our own day.
SVP ~ SCHOOL UNIFORMS
SVP presently have an abundance of uniform items for St. Mary's Primary School and St. Colm’s High School. These items are all in wonderful condition and the majority of them have been dry cleaned. If interested in acquiring any of these items please contact SVP on 07710838050.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm. Bookings to be made please via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
September 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
September 22 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
September 29 ~ Holy Rosary Church
October 13 ~ St Columba’s Straw
October 20 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
November 3 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
November 10 ~ Holy Rosary Church
November 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw
December 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
December 15 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
December 22 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
PADRE PIO ~ KNOCK PILGRIMAGE
National pilgrimage in honour of St Pio takes place on Sunday 22 September at Knock Shrine. A coach will leave from the Holy Rosary Church at 7.00 am, with pickup at St Mary's Coolcam (7.10 am) returning at 10.00 pm approx. Fare (including breakfast) is £30 payable at time of booking. All welcome. To book please phone: 07836366949 or 07732125316 or 028 79628920.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Bishop McKeown will lead the Diocesan Pilgrimage on Saturday 28 September.
SIXTOWNS DANCE
Monthly Dance in Sixtowns Cross Community Centre on Friday 30 August at 9.30 pm. Music by Kieran McAree. Everyone welcome
BALLINASCREEN CREDIT UNION
June Quarterly Cash Draw Winners
1st Prize - £10,000 Angela McGuigan, Strathfoyle, Derry,
2nd Prize - £7,000 Desmond Griffin, Corramore Road, Cranagh,
3rd Prize - £5,000 Neil McLarnon, Dromdallagan,
4th Prize - £3,000 Sean McCullagh, Bradley Park.
Next Quarterly Cash Draw will be on Saturday 28 September 2024.
GLENSHANE HOUSE DUNGIVEN
Names being taken for a First Aid & Defib training course and for a C&G L2 Food Safety in Catering course. To register please phone 028 77742494
FUNTASTIC GYMNASTICS
Funtastic Gymnastics are coming to the Workspace Recreation Centre in September. Boys and girls from P1 to secondary age welcome. For more details or to book your child’s space check out Funtastic Gymnastics Facebook page.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Crochet class for beginners and improvers starts Monday 23 September for 6 weeks from 10.00 am to 12 noon.
Painting classes resume Wednesday 11 September: 10.00 am and 7.00 pm.
NEW Beginners painting class will commence in October if there is enough interest – so register now if interested.
Creative Writing on Tuesday 8 October from 10.30 am to 12 noon.
Watercolours painting with George Gourley: Monday 4 November at 10.00 am for 4 weeks.
Annual Vintage Rally, Craft Fair and Family Fun Day: Saturday 28 September from 11.00 am.
New free attraction – Mobile Petting Farm.
Family Health Van will take health check appointments on the day from 11.00 am.
· For more details or to book on any class message 07821963749 or phone 028 79627826 or Email: manager@kilcronaghan.co.uk
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.
RETREAT FOR SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS OF SMA
From Friday 27 September (4.30 pm) to Sunday 29 September at 2.00 pm. The SMA community welcomes their supporters and friends to this Weekend Retreat and Reflection, which will be an opportunity to take time aside in the relaxed setting of Dromantine. Mass celebrated each day at the Novena in honour of St. Thérése. Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated during the weekend.
THE NET - JULY/AUGUST
Sharing the fruits of the faith in our diocese, the latest edition is available in print in Holy Rosary porch as well as on the Diocesan website. For coverage of faith related stories please email editorthenet15@gmail.com. Coverage in this edition includes:
Anam Óg summer scheme
Young Derry pilgrims at Medjugorje
Young Writers share thoughts on… Walking the Camino and Diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage
Clerical Changes
Children’s Catechism Club
Sr Clare Crockett retreat
Diamond Jubilarian Fr Liam Donnelly
Fr Pat O’Hagan’s 40th Jubilee
Diocesan Eucharistic Adoration
Parish Post-its & Diocesan Diary
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND
Hosted by Catholic Marriage Encounter Ireland, from 8 to 10 November, at Focolare Centre, Prosperous, Co Kildare. Limited places, booking is online only at www.marriageencounter.ie
MARY'S MEALS FILM
On Thursday 5 September at 7.00 pm in Glenavon Hotel Cokstown Mary’s Meals will screen Zero Hunger, their new documentary, about the devastating and escalating hunger crisis in Ethiopia. This documentary highlights the many challenges faced by the people of Tigray due to war, poverty and drought but also their hope and determination to rise up against the odds. Please note this film is NOT suitable for children and has a rating of 12A. To reserve a free ticket please visit bit.ly/zhcookstown or contact Caoimhe McCann on 07394564065. After the screening refreshments will be served and there will be an opportunity to chat to local volunteers about Mary’s Meals
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Charity Tea Dance in aid of Laurel House Antrim, on Friday 30 August. Music by Liam McLaughlin. Dancing from 8.30 pm to midnight. Admission £7.
Irish Language classes for 8 weeks start Monday 9 September from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm. £3 per night or £15 for 8 weeks.
Irish dancing lessons: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm. To register contact Nicola 07518207458.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10 am.
Craft Fair, Sunday 10 November, now taking bookings - £20 a table or two for £30. To register contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 02879 642711.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
August Monthly Draw winner: Tony Johnston, Toome.
Special thanks to all the parents for ensuring that the band members were looking so well for the recent Feast of the Assumption celebrations.
No band practice until Thursday 12 September.
