No.1904 ~ EIGHTH 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
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248
Open Monday and Tuesday from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Bulletins are presently only available:
Online at www.parishofballinascreen.com
On the noticeboard inside the front porch of Holy Rosary Church.
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
Please click the link https://www.parishofballinascreen.com/ballinascreen-community-support-gro for full details of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 1: St David, bishop.
Wednesday 2: Ash Wednesday ~ Day of Fast and Abstinence.
Friday 4: St Casmir.
Saturday 5: St Kieran bishop.
MASS TIMES FOR WEEK AHEAD
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Vigil Masses
St Eugene’s Moneyneena: 5.00 pm
Holy Rosary: 6.15 pm
St Patrick’s Keenaught: 7.30 pm
Sunday
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
ASH WEDNESDAY & DAILY MASS TIMES (MONDAY 28 FEBRUARY - FRIDAY 4 MARCH)
Holy Rosary Church
Monday ~ 11.00 am
Ash Wednesday ~ 7.00 am
Thursday ~ 7.00am
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
St Mary’s Coolcalm
Tuesday & Ash Wednesday ~ 11.00 am
Thursday ~ 7.30 pm
Friday ~ 11.00 am
St Eugene's, Moneyneena
Ash Wednesday ~ 11.00 am
Thursday ~ 11.00 am
St Patrick's, Sixtowns
Ash Wednesday~ 10.00 am
St Columba's, Straw
Ash Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm
St Patrick's, Keenaught
Ash Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the Ballinascreen parish webcam:
All Masses in St Mary’s Coolcalm are transmitted live on the Desertmartin parish webcam:
LENTEN WEEKDAY MASSES
Monday to Thursday - Starting Thursday 3 March:
Holy Rosary~ 7.00 am
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 11.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 7.30 pm
Friday Anniversary Masses
St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am
Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm
EASING OF RESTRICTIONS
All seats at church services are now available though we ask that overcrowding in any seat be avoided. We would also appreciate the continued use of face masks and hand sanitising as you enter and leave the church. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed at the end of Mass. As people become more confident more easing of restrictions will take place.
DAY OF FASTING FOR PEACE
This year Pope Francis has invited everyone to make Ash Wednesday, March 2, a Day of Fasting for Peace.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Vera McGuigan, Drumard;
Eric Irwin, Derry;
Brian Starrs, Fintona.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Joe Crilly, Sixtowns Road on Friday 4 March at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Paul Carlin Drumderg.
Anniversaries:
Mary Gordon,
Mary Hegarty,
Seamus McGuigan,
Annie McGuigan,
Joseph Sargent,
Joe Conway.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Miley Murray, Rannakeeran;
Cadhla Aisling McKeown, Carhill Road, Garvagh;
Senan Michael McCullagh, Mulinderg.
SYNOD ~ A CHANGE OF TIME
In the February edition of The Net there is an informative article written by Fr Madden on the background to the Synod which Pope Francis wishes us all to be part of. The full article can be downloaded by clicking on this link:
SYNOD ~ PARISH CONVERSATIONS
Listening Conversations for Ballinascreen Parish will be held in An Rath Dubh, Moneyneena on Wednesday 9, Wednesday 23 and Wednesday 30 March.
Adult parishioners are invited to come along to one of these events at which the following three questions will be discussed:
1. What is it like to be a catholic today and has your experience of being a catholic changed over your own life time?
2. What in the church has caused you pain or hurt, either for yourself or for others?
3. How has the church helped your faith in God to grow and how can we make the church a better place for everyone?
The GAA Clubs in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin have kindly agreed to facilitate a conversation for the young people of each parish. More details later.
NOVENA OF HOPE 2022 ~ THE GRAAN WEBCAM
The Novena begins Saturday 5 March. All Novena services will be broadcast on their webcam. The Novena continues until Monday 14 March. Everyone is welcome to join in. Visit the website www.thegraan.com for full details of times and speakers for each day of the Novena.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The pilgrimage will resume this year, from 3 - 8 July 2022. Cost: £689 per person sharing, with single room supplement £150. Price includes flights, transfers and full board. The pilgrimage will be suitable for pilgrims who do not require medical, nursing or personal assistance as, unfortunately, this cannot be provided this year. The intentions of the sick of the diocese can be taken to Lourdes. The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, will be open for enquires and application forms on Thursdays and Saturdays, 11.00 am – 1.00 pm, from 3 March. Tel: 028 71 260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
EXPLORING PRIESTHOOD
On Tuesday 1 March at 8.00 pm there will be an opportunity for men to join in on a Zoom to find out more about priesthood and to hear directly from a priest and from two young men who are studying for the priesthood in the National Seminary in Maynooth. The event is being run by the National Vocations Office. For more details and to register please email info@vocations.ie or visit vocations.ie/zoom
The Zoom session should end by 9.30 pm. There will be a short time spent watching YouTube videos on priesthood and vocation, and a Questions & Answers session with the seminarians and the panel.
DROMANTINE RETREAT CENTRE
Lenten Day of Reflection: Sunday 6 March from 9.30 am until 5.30 pm. Provides time and space to reflect and pray on Lenten themes in preparation for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Led by Fr Damian Bresnahan SMA. Cost, including full lunch, £35.
The Wonder of Creation – the Miracle of Life: Friday 11 March, 5.00 pm – Sunday 13 March, 2.00 pm. In contemplating the wonder of our common home and current threats to its integrity, we will explore an ecological vision in responding to the cry of the poor at this time of unprecedented planetary change. Led by Sr Nellie McLaughlin RSM. Cost, including full board, £220.
For further information or to enrol, please phone 028 30821964 or email admin@dromantineconference.com
NO GREATER LOVE
Five-week Zoom programme, each session lasting one hour, with a time for prayer, sharing and reflection. This programme is considered a great way to prepare our hearts and minds for the holiest of seasons in the Church calendar. In a series of short films shot on location in the Holy land, No Greater Love is a biblical pilgrimage, taking us through the key events of Christ’s passion and revealing His amazing love for us. Best-selling author, Edward Sri, will guide us through the final hours of Christ’s life. You will walk step by step with Jesus through the Scriptures from the Garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary. Hosted by the Living Church Office in Down & Connor Diocese, there are six ‘starting’ options to choose from:
Tuesday 8 March at 7:.30 pm,
Wednesday 9 March at 7:30 pm,
Thursday 10 March at 11 am or 7.00 pm,
Monday 14 March at 11 am or 7.00 pm.
Please consider participating!
To book your place please click on the link: https://forms.office.com/r/TZkWYFSAHR
THE KISS OF CHRIST
Fr Séamus O’Connell, St Patrick’s University, Maynooth will resource and guide this course which will introduce the way of Lecito Divina and support those who wish to practice it during Lent 2022. For more information and to register your interest (10 euro per person) visit www.aspal.ie or email info@aspal.ie
Mindfulness course
L2 course in Mindfulness starts on Tuesday 1 March in Glenshane House, Dungiven, from 6.30-9.30 pm (4 weeks). This is a free course with accredited certification on completion.
CONFIRMATION DATES 2022
Proposed dates for Confirmation Ceremonies in Ballinascreen Parish are:
St Eoghan’s P.S. on Friday 4 March at 5.00 pm in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Mary’s P.S. on Friday 11 March at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Friday 1 April at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
COMMUNION DATES 2022
Proposed dates for First Holy Communion Masses in Ballinascreen Parish are:
St Mary’s P.S. on Saturday 7 May at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
St Eoghan’s P.S. on Saturday 14 May at 11.00 am in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
St Columba’s P.S. on Saturday 21 May at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
Gaelscoil na Speirini on Saturday 4 June at 11.00 am in Holy Rosary Church.
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 emailtheir name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. e mail address is ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Friday Anniversary Mass.
At Bishop McKeown’s request, those attending any mass or service in our churches must wear a face mask.
Thank you for your cooperation on these important matters.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Sincere thanks to all who have returned parish envelopes, established standing orders, made online payments or used the ‘Donate’ button on Parish Website. Envelopes may be returned at any parish Mass, to Parish Office or any Parochial House.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE ~ CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER
A Marriage Preparation course is planned for 9/10 April 2022 in The Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly, Co. Derry.
This 2-day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship.
For more details and to book please email marriageencounter.ie or phone 028 27638512.
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
