No. 2017 ~ FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
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 a
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 12 noon
DAILY MASSES
Monday 29 April :
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 30 April :
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 1 May:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 2 May:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 3 May:
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
Monday 29: St Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church, Patron of Europe.
Thursday 2: St Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church.
Friday 3: St Philip and St James, apostles.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Mary Cushenan, Oak Park;
Gerard McAllister, Magherafelt;
Baby Bella-Rosé Moran, Pomeroy;
Ernie Guy, Dungiven;
Eva McKee, Lavey.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries:
Mary Rogers,
Mary Lynn.
Anniversaries:
Kathleen Trainor;
John Trainor;
Baby Dara Jude Kennedy;
Charlie Kearney;
Monica Kelly;
Ellen Doyle;
Conor Donnelly;
Mary Frances McWilliams;
Hugh Mills;
Kathleen Burns;
Baby Lucia Crossett.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Bernie O'Neill, Dysart Road on Friday 3 May in Holy Rosary at 7.30 pm.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Aidan Clarkin, Straw on Friday 3 May in Holy Rosary Church 7.30 pm.
ROME CONFERENCE
Fr Madden is attending the International Meeting of Parish Priests in Rome. The conference will end on Thursday next with an audience and Mass with His Holiness Pope Francis. Fr Madden will remember the intentions of everyone at this Mass.
COFFEE MORNING ~ THANKS
Fr Madden wishes to sincerely thank Ballinascreen GAC for organizing the Coffee Morning last Sunday and all those who supported it. He gratefully accepted a cheque for £5,000, the proceeds of this event, which will go towards the essential repair work being carried out on St Eugene’s Church.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1270
Renovation Collection: £1385.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
ST EUGENE’S CHURCH
Fr Madden is grateful for the donations already received towards the renovation work on St Eugene’s Church. Further donations gratefully accepted. Donations may be given directly to Fr Madden or left in the Parish Office or made online via the Donate Button on our Parish website. If using this button please select the ‘Restoration Fund’. You may also contribute directly to Ballinascreen Church Renovation Fund account, using these bank account details:
Ballinascreen Parish Premium Business Reserve account number: 10585922. Sort code: 98-05-50
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and for your support of the various fund-raising events.
BLESSING OF GRAVES 2024
Blessing of Graves in the parishes of Ballinascreen and Desertmartin will take place on the following dates:
Saturday June 8:
6.30 pm ~ Mass in St Patrick’s Keenaught followed by Blessing of graves. Please note earlier Mass time.
Sunday June 9:
11.00 am ~ Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Sixtowns followed by Blessing of graves.
12 noon ~ Mass in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena followed by Blessing of graves.
2.00 pm ~ Blessing of graves at St Columba’s Straw.
3.00 pm ~ Blessing of graves at St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
4.30 pm ~ Blessing of graves at Old Keenaught Church.
The annual gate collection will be taken up, at the end of each ceremony to help with the upkeep of the graveyards.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024
Baptisms on Sundays at 3.00 pm. Bookings are to be made via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or email ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
May 5 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
May 19 ~ St Columba’s Straw
June 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns.
June 30 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
July 7 ~ Holy Rosary Church
July 14 ~ St Columba’s Straw
July 28 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
August 4 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
August 18 ~ Holy Rosary Church
August 25 ~ St Columba’s Straw
September 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns Sept 22 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
September 29 ~ Holy Rosary
October 13 ~ St Columba’s Straw
October 20 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
Nov 3 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
November 10 ~ Holy Rosary Church
November 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw December 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns Dec 15 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
December 22 ~ Holy Rosary Church
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2024
First Holy Communion will continue to be celebrated on these dates:
Saturday 11 May at 11.00 am for children attending St Mary’s P.S.
Saturday 18 May at 11.00 am for children attending St Columba's P.S.
YOUTH OF ACUTIS
A group of young people, aged 16-21, are seeking to explore and develop their faith with other like-minded people, while also making a positive impact on their community. They have chosen the name ‘Youth of Acutis’. The group will be launched in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, following 7.30 pm Mass on Friday 3 May, the birthday of Blessed Carlo Acutis. All interested young people in the 16-21 age-bracket are welcome to attend!
FREE HOUSE INSULATION
Homeseal have secured funding for free insulation for households with income less then £40,000 per annum. All works completed under the scheme are completely free this includes loft / cavity wall insulation. For more information please contact Homeseal 028 79627474.
SILENT RETREAT
Theme: ‘If you but knew the gift of God..’ Preached by: Fr. Kilian Byrne, Foyer of Charity in Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry from June 3 to June 9. Cost is £350 full board.
To book please contact: Helen 028 86 1678027 or Email: hellywilliams@gmail.com
See website www.foyerofcharity.ie
A privileged time to come away from noise and distractions, and listen to the Spirit of God who is Love, experience silence, prayer, teachings and liturgy of the Church.
BALLINASCREEN GAC
Ballinascreen GAC wish to thank Sperrin Bakery and all the local home bakers who provided the bakes for their Coffee Morning last Sunday. They also wish to thank the local businesses who sponsored the prizes and all who attended it and the Club members who helped in any way with this successful fundraising event.
LOUGH DERG
One Day Retreats in May. These guided days of prayer and reflection will take place on Sunday 5, Monday 6, Sunday 12, Tuesday14, Saturday 18, Saturday 25 and Monday 27. More details at www.loughderg.ie. Cost €45 per person, booking essential.
Three Day Pilgrimages begin Friday May 31 and continue until August 15.
REFLECTION DAY
At SMA Retreat Centre Dromantine on Saturday 4 May from 9.30 am to5 pm: ‘Forgiveness: the journey from hurt to healing, freedom, peace and happiness.’ Cost (incl. lunch) £38. To book please phone 30821964 or
HUMAN LIFE INTERNATIONAL
‘Following Christ as a Catholic in Ireland today’ Conference and Gala dinner in Guildhall, Derry on Saturday 11 May with Dana, Mickey Harte, John Pridmore (former East London gangster), Patrick McCrystal and others. Bishop Donal McKeown will lead grace at the Gala dinner. Book at www.humanlife.ie or call Human Life Ireland 00353 949375993. Don't miss out! Book by 6 May which is the deadline for dinner bookings.
ALL IRELAND ROSARY RALLY
Rally on Saturday June 1 in Knock starting at 9.30 am. For more details visit www.AllIrelandRosaryRally.com
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
Convery School of Irish Dancing will hold beginner classes for boys and girls aged 3 and over on Tuesdays at 6.00pm. To register or for more information please contact Nicola on 07518204758.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm. £24 for 6 weeks to be paid on registration.
Yoga classes: Mondays at 10.00 am.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10 am followed by a short walk. Adm £4.00.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm. Bring your own project or you can help with knitting for local charities.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band & Div 30 extend sympathy to the Loane family on the death of Joe Loane brother of band member Harry Loane.
Band practice on Thursdays 7.30 pm new and old members welcome.
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:
