No. 2008 ~ SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
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 MASS TIMES
Monday February 26:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
Tuesday February 27:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.00 am
St Colm’s High School ~ 8.40 am
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 10.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 7.30 pm
Wednesday February 28:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.00 am
St Colm’s High School ~ 8.40 am
St Eugene’s Moneyneena~ 10.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 7.30 pm
Thursday February 29:
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.00 am
St Colm’s High School ~ 8.40 am
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 10.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 7.30 pm
Friday March 1:
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 10.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm.
FEAST OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 27: St Gregory of Narek, abbot and doctor of the Church.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Kathleen Donnelly, Bancran on Friday 1 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Anne Doyle, on Friday 1 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Siobhan Bradley.
Anniversaries:
Patsy McEldowney;
Mary Bradley;
Paul Carlin.
PARISH DANCE
Parish Dance on next Friday (1 March) in An Ráth Dubh. Music by Bleed’N Cowboys. Dancing from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Admission £10. Proceeds in aid of restoration work on St Eugene’s Church. Light refreshments served. All welcome.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1575
Renovation Collection: £547
Lourdes Hospialite Collection: £2175
Holy Places in Holy Land: £855
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
MONEYNEENA CHURCH RESTORATION
The repointing of the exterior of St Eugene’s Church Monyneena will begin this week and will last for approximately 22 weeks.
Ballinascreen Parish is unique. It is comprised of four different areas, each served by its own church. Together they make up the parish. No one area of the parish is Ballinascreen. Equally no one church or area can be left to fend for itself when it comes to maintenance and upkeep. It is imperative that everyone in the parish realise that the fundraising initiatives that will take place over the next few months are essential and involve us all and not just the residents of Moneyneena. Moneyneena Church is widely used, especially for family weddings, whether you live in Moneyneena or not. Constantly maintaining our churches is important.
In 2003, the emphasis was on the work in St. Columba’s Straw, updating the sanctuary, repairing the bell tower and uncovering the tiled floor, laid in 1853.
In 2005, it was St. Patrick’s Sixtowns built in 1854 that needed attention, restoring it to its former glory.
Towards the end of 2019, just before the onset of Covid, Holy Rosary Church received a new roof and a new sanctuary. The work was timely indeed. We couldn’t have predicted that during Covid, this church would be the centre for all our worship on-line, as it still is today for many of the housebound of the parish.
Over the past number of years St Eugene’s Moneyneena has received a new sanctuary floor and the interior was repainted. But some issues aren’t just about regular maintenance and refreshing the paintwork.
It has been obvious to all that the recurring damage to the plaster above the sanctuary in St Eugene’s will not be fixed until the underlying problems of the external stone work are finally resolved. The cost of this work will be £262,548 plus VAT which can be reclaimed. The contractor as noted previously in the parish bulletin is McConnell & Sons.
If you would like to contribute to Ballinascreen Church Renovation Fund accounnt, you may do so by using the bank account details below. You may also use the Donate button on our Parish website. If using this button please select the ‘Restoration Fund’ option. Ballinascreen Credit Union will also receive and deposit any contribution you may wish to make. Donations may also be given to Fr Madden directly. Also please send the account details or information about the Donate button on our website to members of your family who live elsewhere in the world and invite them to please support Ballinascreen Parish and in particular at this time Moneyneena Restoration, especially if they were married there. What we do now in Moneyneena will be needed to be done in St Columba’s Straw in a few years time, when the roof needs to be replaced and the stonework repointed. We will deal with that then. Now is the opportunity to ensure that St Eugene’s, Moneyneena is fit for purpose for the next 50 plus years, building on the rich legacy bequeathed us.
Account Details:
Ballinascreen Parish Premium Business Reserve account number: 10585922
Sort code: 98-05-50
PADRE PIO STATUE
Over recent times it has become apparent that some people are leaving small statues and other religious articles at the outside Shrine of St Pio of Pietrelcina. This also includes hanging rosaries etc. from the rose trees, which have been damaged as a result. All such material will be immediately removed and we ask that the integrity of the shrine be maintained by all.
FIRST CONFESSION AND CONFIRMATIONS
Please remember in your prayers the children of the parish who will celebrate First Penance and Confirmation over the next two weeks. Confirmation for those attending Gaelscoil Na Speiríní will take place next Saturday, 2 March, in Holy Rosary Church at 12 noon and on Saturday 9 March in Holy Rosary at 12 noon for pupils attending all other schools in the parish.
Over the next fortnight P4 pupils preparing for First Holy Communion will prepare for and make their First Confession. An opportune time for us all to reflect on our own need at times to say sorry and ask for the grace of God to help us do so.
DIARY DATES
Vintage Vehicle Show in Moneyneena on Sunday 7 April. Proceeds in aid of necessary repair work on St Eugene’s Church. More details later.
Dawn Mass in Moneyneena on Easter Sunday. More details later.
TRÓCAIRE 2024
Trócaire boxes are available in all Church porches. We encourage each family to please take one home. Your contributions will help Trócaire to continue their vital work in developing countries.
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2024
From Monday 1 to Friday 5 July, ex City of Derry Airport. Led by Bishop Donal McKeown. Full board £799, single room supplement £150. Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry, will open to the public 11.00 am to 1.00 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Phone 028 71260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS
Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group invite you to seminars on Thursdays in conjunction with 7.30 pm Mass in Christ the King Church, Strathroy. Speaker on Thursday 29 February will be Martina Purdy. Seminars may also be followed online at: www.churchservices.tv/strathroy
BALLINASCREEN MEN'S SHED
Men and women welcome, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm. Come in have a cuppa and a chat. For more details contact Francis on 07808736891.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY WELLNESS WEEK
Monday 26: Pilates fully booked.
Tuesday 27: Waltz & Line Dancing classes with Christopher Bradley from 8.30 pm to 10.00 pm, no booking required.
Wednesday 28: Healthy Eating cookery class fully booked.
Thursday 29: First Aid Class with Hibernian Medical Service Ltd from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, no booking required.
Friday 1: Mindfulness Class from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm, no booking required.
Saturday 2: Crochet & Chat, from 11.00 am to 12 noon, no booking needed.
Sunday 3 : Breezy Kids Workshops, for 1-4 year olds with a parent/carer from 12 noon to 1.00 pm, for 5-11 year olds from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm. Contact Karen on 07546 115167 to find out more.
Sunday 3: Exhibition in main hall from 12 noon to 2.00 pm with stalls focusing on health and wellness. Drop in for a cuppa and a chat. All welcome.
Save the date: Celebrate St Patrick's Day at Sixtowns Hall, 17 March, from 12 noon to 2.00 pm. Irish Stew served, traditional music will be played. Entry by donation, proceeds for essential hall roof repairs.
PILATES
Pilates classes in Sixtowns Hall each Monday in March: 4, 11, 18 and 25 with AMG Pilates. Suitable for age 16+. Men and women welcome. Exercises will be modified to suit all abilities. £25 for the 4 week block. To book your space contact Emma on 07769289385.
WORKSPACE COMMUNITY HUB
Health Matters Session, Wednesday 28 February fom 11.00 am to 1.00 pm.
Managing Your Medicines session with Aine, O’Kane’s Pharmacy at 12 noon.
GLENSHANE HOUSE
OCN L2 Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children course starts Tuesday 27 February from 6.30 to 9.30 pm (4 weeks). Registration fee: £30 and Certificate / Accrediation Fee: £29 (payable on first night). Course is free to people in receipt of certain benefits or not in full time work. Phone 028 77742494
ART COMPETITION
Glór na Speiríní are delighted to announce their primary school art competition is now opened for all páistí in Ballinascreen. The theme is St Patrick or St Patrick's Day. All entries will be collected from all the schools on Wednesday February 28. Winners will be announced at their Lá Gaelach in St Colm's GAA Clubhouse on Sunday 3 March from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024
All baptisms will take place on Sundays at 3.00 pm and bookings are to be made via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
March 3 ~ Holy Rosary Church
Mar 10 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
March 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw
April 7 ~ St Columba’s Straw
April 14 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
April 21 ~ Holy Rosary Church
May 5 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
May 19 ~ St Columba’s Straw
June 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
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.
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Foodbank operates Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. If you or someone you know requires assistance please call 07543420639. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Facebook page is Sperrinfoodbank, Email:
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Grand Country Concert: Tuesday 12 March at 8.00 pm, featuring Yodelling Kenny Archer, Caillin Joe and many more artists. Proceeds for Macmillan Cancer and other charities. Tickets £15 or pay at the door. Contact Fiona on 07746895968
Yoga: Mondays at 10.00 am, numbers limited, registration necessary. Contact Olive 07887614094, Angela 07746895949 or Anne 79642711.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays 10.00 am followed by a short walk. Adm £4.00
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays 7:30 pm, Admission £4.00.
SYNTHESIS REPORT FROM FIRST SESSION OF THE XVI ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
The Participants in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God. The text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse.
It is not a final document, but an “instrument at the service of ongoing discernment“.
The Synthesis Report is structured in three parts:
The first outlines “the face of the synodal Church”, presenting the practice and understanding of synodality and its theological underpinning.
The second part, entitled “All disciples, all missionaries”, deals with all those involved in the life and mission of the Church and their relationships with one another.
The third part bears the title “Weaving bonds, building community”.
Episcopal Conferences are now called to focus on the questions and proposals that are considered most urgent, all this sustained by a climate of mutual listening and sincere dialogue.
To read the report, please click link below:
