No.1909 ~ FIFTH 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
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
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.
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
DAILY MASS TIMES
MONDAY4 APRIL - FRIDAY 8 APRIL
7.00 am Early morning Mass in Holy Rosary Church, Monday to Thursday.
11.00 am Mass in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena Monday to Thursday.
7.30 pm Mass in St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm Monday to Thursday.
Friday Anniversary Masses
11.00 am in St Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.
7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Evenings of Love and Forgiveness will be held today, Sunday April 3 at 5.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church and next Sunday April 10 at 5.00 pm in St Patrick’s Church Keenaught.
All present will reflect on our sinfulness and our need to say sorry to God and to each other. During this special Evening of Forgiveness, after we have recited together an Act of Sorrow, you will be invited to come forward to say to a priest, ‘I am sorry for my sins’.
The priest will give you absolution and you will return to your seat for the rest of the Penitential Service.
We hope that many people will see in this ‘Evening of Love and Forgiveness’ an opportunity to participate in the sacramental life of the church and help us all to prepare for Holy Week and Easter with renewed vigour and faith.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Mary O’Hagan, Desertmartin.
ANNIVERSARIES
Danny Mullan;
Annie McSorley;
Peter O’Kane;
Tony McCormack.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Margaret Quinn, Drumderg Cottages on Friday April 8 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Fionnbarr Francis McEldowney, Drumard Road;
Conan Vincent Hegarty, Rannakeeran.
NEW PARISH ENVELOPES
Parish records for organising the distribution of the new boxes of weekly envelopes are being updated. If you do not have envelopes and wish to receive a box or if you have changed your address during the past year please contact the Parish Office.
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 the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
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.
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.
EASTER ADORATION ~ ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, MAGHERA
St. Patrick’s College Choir invite you to our Easter Adoration on Thursday 7 April at 7.00 pm in St. Mary’s Chapel, Maghera. Key note speaker, Meabh Carlin will share her testimony before adoration begins.
HEALING SUNDAY
Healing Sunday Service today Sunday April 3 at Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh and on the first Sunday of every month, going forward.
Rosary at 2.45 pm followed by Mass / Healing Service at 3.00 pm. Confessions 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm. Everyone welcome.
EASTER RETREAT ~ SMA DROMANTINE CENTRE
Retreat from Wednesday 13 April (5.00 pm) – Easter Sunday 17 April (9.00am)
This will be an opportunity for quiet reflection during which the ceremonies of the Easter Triduum will be celebrated. It begins with the Seder Meal on the Wednesday and ends with Dawn Mass and Easter breakfast. Cost (including accommodation and meals) £340. To book or for more details please phone 30821964 or email
DROMANTINE CENTRE ~ NEW WORKSHOPS
Bookings now open for these workshops:
HELLO YOU ~ Finding the joy, purpose and happiness you deserve. Saturday 9 April 9.30am - 4.30 pm.
NO VISIBLE SCAR ~ Comfort for those bereaved during the pandemic. Friday 20 May 5.00 pm – Sunday 22 May 2.00 pm.
ALONE TOGETHER ~ Finding our way back to connection. Saturday 18 June 9.30 am - 4.30 pm.
THE LONG GOODBYE ~ Practical advice for caregivers of people living with dementia. Friday 19 August 5.00 pm - Sunday 21 August 2.00 pm.
WHEN IT IS DARKEST ~ Understanding suicide. Saturday 24 September 9.30 am - 4.30 pm.
CHURCH ABUSE: A UNIQUE BETRAYAL ~ A call to listen, a call to action, a call to change. Friday 4 November 5.00 pm - Sunday 6 November 2.00 pm.
Workshop Facilitator is Fr Hugh Lagan SMA, priest and chartered clinical psychologist who has led retreats, workshops and trainings internationally on psychological and spiritual well-being, positive change, trauma, mental health and resilience.
Please contact Jacinta or Louisa to reserve your place: Phone 3082 1964 or Email: admin@dromantineconference.com
BALLINASCREEN CREDIT UNIT
March Quarterly Cash Draw Winners:
1st Prize ~ £10,000 ~ Miss Leanne Grant, Tirruadh Heights;
2nd Prize ~ £7,000 ~ Mrs Donna Kelly, Kirley Road;
3rd Prize ~ £5,000 ~ Mrs Margaret R Shaw, Glenelly Villas;
4th Prize ~ £3,000 ~ Mr Michael P Toner, Sixtowns Road.
Next Quarterly Cash Draw will be on Saturday 25 June 2022.
FOSTER CARERS NEEDED
HSC NI Foster Care is urgently appealing for more foster carers and supported lodgings hosts who can provide homes to young refugees who arrive in Northern Ireland without a parent or carer. For more information on becoming a foster carer or supported lodgings host, contact HSC NI Foster Care on 0800 0720 137 or visit adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net/young-refugees/
KILCRONAGHAN ACTIVITY CENTRE
Watercolour Painting Masterclass with George Gourley. 4 week set of classes commencing Monday 9 May from 10.00 am until 12 noon. Suitable for all abilities, all materials supplied. Numbers restricted so must be pre-booked.
Energy Efficiency in the Home (NEA NI). Monday 4 April from 11.00 am until 12.30 pm. This informative talk will include low cost/no cost top tips, advice and support and how some simple changes to day to day activities in your home could make a big difference to household bills. This is a free event but places must be booked in advance as numbers are limited.
All enquiries and to book your place at either event text: 07821963749 or email manager@kilcronaghan.co.uk
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2022
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
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.
THE NET ~ MARCH 2022
Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the March edition is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/publications/the-net/the-net-march-2022.pdf
For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Coverage in this edition includes:
Lenten message from Bishop Donal.
Synodal sessions underway in parishes across Diocese.
Bellaghy Open Door Cafe & Synodal Journey building community again.
15th Pope John Paul II Awards.
Children’s Catechism Club – C3.
Diocesan Year of Vocations.
Rosary Campaign for peace in the world.
Greenlough Centenarian stays true to the Rosary.
Holy Week – A day retreat.
Keep human dignity to the fore when taking difficult bioethical decisions.
Young writers share thoughts on...
Lenten promises.
Forgiveness overcoming hatred.
Pope Francis’ reflection on The Beatitudes.
Inspiring example of female saints.
Christian Unit
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
