No. 1947 ~ THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248
PLEASE NOTE: The Parish Office WILL BE CLOSED next week.
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.
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.
CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASSES
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 5.00 pm
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
St Patrick’s, Keenaught: 7.00 pm
St Columba’s, Straw: 8.00 pm
St Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 8.00 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES
St Columba’s, Straw: 9.00 am
St Mary’s, Coolcalm: 10.00 am
St Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 11.00 am
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 26: St Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Tuesday 27: St John, apostle and evangelist.
Wednesday 28: The Holy Innocents, martyrs.
Thursday 29: St Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr.
Friday 30: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 26: 11.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 27: 11.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Wednesday 28: 11.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 29: 11.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 30: Parish Anniversary Masses
11.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church
Saturday 31: Vigil Masses
6.00 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church
7.30 pm ~ St Patrick’s Coolcalm
Sunday 1 January Masses
9.00 am ~ St Columba’s Straw
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
11.00 am ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
12 noon ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
SVP NOTE OF THANKS
Ballinascreen Branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society wish to thank all who kindly donated non perishable food items at the Parish Carol Service held last Sunday.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Frank Donnelly, Bancran Road on Friday December 30 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASSES
Alice Conville (nee McNamee), Philadelphia and Sixtowns on Friday December 30 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Rose Slevin, Slievegallion Park on Friday December 30 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
Michael Kelly, Moneyneena on Friday December 30 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Michael Kelly
Rose Slevin.
Anniversaries:
Bridget Duggan;
Carmel McCartan;
Joe Conville;
Gerard McAllister;
John McEldowney;
Alice Hughes;
Gerard McEldowney;
Pascal Kelly.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the families and relatives of:
Bridget Loughran, Davagh Road;
Annabelle McNabb, Desertmartin.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Ted Conall Smith, Spring Farm, NSW, Australia;
Huey Francis Smith, Spring Farm, NSW, Australia.
WEDDINGS
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to the following couples:
Ashelene Groogan and Patrick Flanagan who were married recently in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena.
Lorraine Trainor and Michael Mallon who were married recently in St Columba’s Church Straw.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1805
Renovation Collection £501.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
CHRISTMAS PRAYER RESOURCE
At Christmas we celebrate the gift of Jesus, our hope and peace, Jesus, the light of the world. We pray this Christmas that each of us will rediscover the meaning of Our Lord's Nativity and the great hope that it proclaims for the world. You are invited to spend time with scripture, reflection and prayer. A Christmas prayer resource is available to download on the Diocese of Derry website for private prayer at the church or home, to share with a neighbour who may have no online access or for a time to gather each day with your family. The booklet can be downloaded at: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/12-days-of-christmas-2022
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Sperrin Foodbank has been established by the community for the community. Please use this facility if you require help either short or long term. It is a facility for all. There is a dedicated mobile number 07543420639 you can ring and someone will meet you at the site at an agreed time.
Alternatively you can ring Workspace 79628113 and ask for Dolores. Another option is to ring the SVP’s mobile number: 07710838050. If in any doubt please phone O’Kane’s Chemist, High Street, 79628680 beside Sperrin Food Bank and they will arrange for someone to call you back. If you wish to donate food to the foodbank you may leave your non- perishable food donations in any of the local schools or in Lynch’s Eurospar. Thanks to all who have donated so far.
ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY
The Society acknowledges with sincere gratitude several generous donations for the support and education of student priests at home and abroad. All benefactors share in the Masses and prayers of the Society. Further donations gratefully accepted. Please continue to pray for vocations
SIXTOWNS DANCE
A dance will be held in Sixtowns Cross Community Centre, Draperstown on Friday 30 December at 9.30 pm. Music by Larry & Co. Everyone welcome.
PIONEER CALENDAR
2023 calendars are now available to purchase, for £5, from Madonna Devlin (07788501610) or Kathleen Walls (02879631094). Please phone to order.
LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE 2023
The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage, led by Bishop Donal McKeown, will go direct from City of Derry Airport from 3 to 7 July, four nights full board in the Hotel Agena: £745 sharing, £35 single supplement. Travel insurance for those aged up to age 79 is £39 and for those aged 80 to 94 it is £78. (Pilgrims may wish to use their own insurance.) Further details and payment arrangements will be available in the new year via the Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry derrypilgrim@outlook.com or phone 02871 260 293
PILGRIMAGE TO SAN GIOVANNI AND ROME
As part of St Eugene’s Cathedral 150th Anniversary Celebrations, Bishop Donal McKeown will lead a pilgrimage to San Giovanni and Rome from 25th – 30th September 2023. Visiting the birthplace of Padre Pio, Shrine of St Michael Archangel, St Peter’s Basilica and other important sites.
Cost is £879 p.p.s. (Single room supplement is £150.)
For more details email info@marian.ie or call Belfast on (028) 956 80005 or Dublin on (01) 878 8159.
GUIDE TO THE HOLY LAND
"An Irish Pilgrimage Guide to the Holy Land" is a new book by Michael Kelly, Editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper which explores the places associated with the life of Christ. Michael hopes that the book can also act as an ‘armchair retreat’ for people unable to travel to the Holy Land bringing the Gospel to life for them. Available on www.columbabooks.com price £14.99.
THE NET
The current edition of The Net is now freely available on the Derry diocesan website. This online paper has many interesting faith stories and news clips from around our diocese. Included in this month’s edition are photographs taken at the recent Ballinascreen Parish Cake Sale and Coffee Morning.
MARY’S MEALS
Their Double the Love Campaign means that all donations made to Mary’s Meals until 31 January 2023 will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.5 million. View www.marysmeals.org.uk or or phone 07394564065 for more details.
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 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. Email address is: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Knocknagin Hall Committee wish to thank all their volunteers and those who supported their activities throughout the year. A merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year is wished to all.
Boxing Night Dance: Music by Francis Faulkner, from 9.00 pm to 12 midnight. Adm £7, includes light supper.
SPRED: Group will resume on Monday 16 January.
Chair Exercises: Resumes on Tuesday 10 January at 10.00 am followed by a short walk. Admission £4. All welcome.
Knit & Natter: Classes resume on Tuesday 10 January at 7.30 pm.
Line Dancing: Resumes on Wednesday 11 January at 7.30 pm. Admission £4.
Here and Now ~ Older People and Well-Being: Resumes on Friday 20 January at 7.00 pm.
To register for any of the above please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 79642711.
BLESSING FOR A CHRISTMAS CRIB
O God, out of your love for us you sent your dearly beloved Son to become human.
You willed that he be born in a humble stable in order to give us an example of humility.
We pray you now to bless this crib, a representation of the scene of his birth; may it draw us closer to him.
By imitating his humility may we become a worthy dwelling place for his rebirth, Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord. Amen
WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE - LISBON 2023
The Diocese of Derry is inviting any young person who is over 18 or will be 18 by July 2023 to join their Pilgrimage to Lisbon for World Youth Day. World Youth Day (WYD) is the gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It is also a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth, an expression of the universal Church and an intense moment of evangelization for the youth world. This pilgrimage will take place in August 2023. For now, they are taking expression of interest until they have more information on dates, times and prices. Spaces are limited so signing up now is essential. You can register your interest on the derrydiocese.org website or on the @derryyouth Facebook page Any questions regarding this pilgrimage, may be emailed please to Lizzie Rea, Youth Coordinator at: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org
IOSAS CENTRE MUFF
Iosas Centre Café Muff: Sunday Carvery from 12.30 until 3.00 pm. Delicious starters, mains and desserts, using their own organic vegetables. Booking recommended and take away is available. Phone 00353 749384866
(1 course €12.50 ~ 2 courses €15.50 ~ 3 courses €19.50)
Finish your afternoon with a walk in the beautiful Celtic Prayer Garden.
PARKRUN AND PARKWALK
Parkrun and Parkwalk at Derrynoid Forest every Saturday at 9.30 am.
Come along and walk, jog or run on Saturday mornings at Parkrun Derrynoyd Forest, Derrynoyd Road.
Suited to walkers and runners of all abilities, to boost fitness for free. Children and dogs on leads welcome. Parkrun is a free community event and is a timed 5km walk or run. Walkers, runners and new volunteers all welcome. To join register online: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/
For more details see: www.parkrun.org.uk/derrynoidforest/
Follow on Facebook: Derrynoid Forest Parkrun
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
