No. 2044 ~ THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Michael McCaul CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
PARISH OFFICE
OPENING HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
9 High Street
Phone: (028)79628248
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.
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.
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 MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 4 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 5 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 6 November:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 7 November:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 8 November
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 4: St Charles Borromeo, bishop.
Tuesday 5: St Martin de Porres, religious.
Wednesday 6: All The Saints of Ireland.
Saturday 9: The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.
ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED PARISHIONERS
Annual Parish Mass for Deceased Parishioners on Monday 11 November at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church. The names of all who died or were buried in our parish since last year’s Parish Mass of Remembrance will be read out at this Mass. After all these names have been read out an adult member, of each of these bereaved families, will be invited to carry a lit candle to the altar. Each family should ensure that an adult member has been selected to represent them. All candles will be provided at the back of the church during this Mass.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 4 November from 12 noon until 7.25 pm.
PADRE PIO MASS
Monthly Mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated on Monday November 4 at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church. Novena prayers and Rosary at 7.10 pm. All welcome.
PIONEER PLEDGE FOR NOVEMBER
A short-term pledge for the month of the Holy Souls gives spiritual support and encouragement to people and their families who are living under a shadow of addiction. Contact the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association on 00353 1 805 4226 or online at www.pioneers.ie/pray
DECEASED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S MASS
Annual Mass for deceased children and young people will be in St Eugene’s Cathedral, next Sunday 10 November at 7.00 pm. There will be an opportunity to write down the name of your deceased loved one before Mass. All welcome to attend or view live live on St Eugene’s webcam. If unable to attend this Mass but would like to have a child or young person remembered at it, please email the name, by Friday November 8 to lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Patsy McEldowney.
Anniversaries:
Michael Gordon;
James McGlade;
Patrick Kelly;
Elizabeth Quinn;
Patsy Cassidy;
Rose McWilliams;
Kathleen Toner.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Gerry Kelly, Sixtowns on Friday 8 November at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and friends of:
Fr Liam Donnelly Lavey.
BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE
During November, a Book of Remembrance will be placed in each of the churches for parishioners to enrol the names of their deceased loved ones.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1470
Renovation Collection: £1610
Mission Collection a further: £200
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
VOCATIONS SOCIETY OF ST JOSEPH
The Society acknowledges with sincere thanks a generous donation, received recently, for the support and education of student priests at home and abroad. All benefactors share in the Masses and prayers of the society. Please continue to pray for vocations.
CONFIRMATION 2025
Gaelscoil na Speiríní: Saturday March 1 in Holy Rosary Church at 12 noon.
Desertmartin Parish Primary Schools: Sunday March 2 in St Patrick’s Church Keenaught at 10.00 am.
Ballinascreen Parish Primary Schools: Sunday March 2 in Holy Rosary 2.00 pm.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025
Ballinascreen Parish:
St Mary’s P.S. Draperstown on Saturday 10 May in Holy Rosary Church.
St Columba's P.S. Straw on Saturday 17 May in St Columba's Church.
Gaelscoil na Speiríní on Saturday 7 June in Holy Rosary Church.
St Eoghan's P. S., Moneyneena on Saturday 7 June in St Eugene's Church.
Desertmartin Parish:
Cullion P.S. on Saturday 10 May 10 in St Patrick's Church Keenaught.
Knocknagin P.S. on Saturday 17 May St Mary's Church Coolcalm.
SYCAMORE ~ FAITH DISCOVERY PROGRAMME
Sycamore is an informal course about our Catholic faith and its relevance for life today. It gives you space to meet other people, share ideas, explore your beliefs, and think about questions that really matter. In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025 the focus will be on the gift of prayer. Each session involves a short film quiet reflection time and a discussion. The course will be run by Fr Peter O’Kane, Diocesan Adult Faith Formator on the following Tuesdays: 5, 12, 19, 26 November and Monday 2 December, in Dungiven from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Please register at derrydiocese.org/ sycamore. to facilitate venue. Refreshments served. Everyone welcome.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Boyd Gray from West Ulster Genealogy Services will give a talk entitled "Local Genealogy and online databases" on Tuesday 5 November at 8.00 pm in the Community Hub. Everyone welcome.
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday 6 November from11.00 am to 1.00 pm in Workspace Community Hub. As part of Ballinascreen Community Forum’s BALGLEN project, Breezy from the ‘Bake Bread for Peace’ initiative in Glenties will be present, and will bake and share bread to mark the recent International Bake Bread for Peace Day. It’s also an opportunity to learn and share different baking techniques. No need to book, just drop-in, all welcome refreshments served.
FREE BUS TRIP TO GLENTIES
Ballinascreen Community forum as part of the BALGLEN project have a arranged a free bus to attend the re-opening of the Edeninfagh Hall, Glenties on Friday 15 November. Bus leaves Draperstown at 3.30 pm and will return at midnight approx.
An evening of entertainment and refreshments with music dance and poetry exploring our shared culture. For more details and to book a place on the bus please contact Rosemary Hunter on 07748 645007 or email info@cfballinascreen.org
SIXTOWNS DANCE CLASSES
Beginners Social Dance classes begin on Tuesday 5 November at 8.30 pm in Sixtowns Cross Community Hall. Everyone welcome.
NETBALL TRAINING
Every Wednesday in Backrow Hall from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Over 18s only. No skills needed. Just come for a laugh and a bit of exercise. Contact Martina on 07795165999 or just turn up on the night.
GLENSHANE HOUSE DUNGIVEN
ONC L3 Special Needs course. Few spaces remain. 10 weeks x 3 hours. To register please phone 028 777 42494.
TRÓCAIRE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Are you a retired teacher or someone who has experience presenting to groups of school children? Do you have a passion for making this world a better place, especially for the most vulnerable? Trócaire seeks volunteers to support their 2025 Lenten Appeal in Derry Diocese. If you think you have the right skills and experience and will be available to help during school hours over Lent, then Trócaire would love to hear from you. Full training and ongoing support will be provided. For more details please call Naomi Purnell on 028 90808033 or email naomi.purnell@trocaire.org
ARDS RETREATS
What is God’s Dream for your Life’: Wednesday 6 November from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm. Additional dates 11 December; 22 January and 19 February 2025. This day will be welcoming for everyone, wherever they may be on life’s journey, and useful for individuals and teams who want to take time away and discover or rediscover a sense of purpose in their lives. Facilitator Jim Deeds. Cost 65 Euro (includes light refreshments & lunch). For enquiries and to book Tel.: Ards 00353 74 9138909 or Email: info@ardsfriary.ie
Advent Reflection Retreat - Preparing for the Birth of the Christ Child: Sunday 10 November from 1.00 pm to 6.00 pm. A day of Scripture, song and silence that will equip you go into Advent. Resources to aid your personal prayer and to lead others in prayer in your parish and community will be provided. Facilitated by Jim Deeds. Cost 65 Euro (includes light refreshments & lunch). For enquiries and to book phone or email Ards Friary.
Walking with the Franciscan Mystics: From Friday 22 November to Sunday 24 November. Encounter some of the great Franciscan Mystics and find ways to share in their wisdom and vision for a world renewed by the light of Christ and communion with creation. Facilitator Br Richard Hendrick. Cost 240 Euro. For more details Email: info@ardsfriary.ie or visit their website www.ardsfriary.ie
FATIMA PILGRIMAGE 2025
Fully escorted Group Pilgrimage accompanied by Spiritual Director for 7 nights from 28 May to 3 June. Staying in 4* Hotel Styler, full board. Cost £925. £100 off if paid in full by 15 November 2024.Single room supplement £280. Direct flights with Aer Lingus from Dublin to Lisbon. For more details please contact Christina Lagan 07803192621.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP
Free Chair Exercises in Hall for 6 weeks from Monday 4 November from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. Suitable for all ages and mobility levels. Tea & coffee served.
Painting classes in Hall with Regina McSorley for 4 weeks, from Tuesday 5 November from 10.00 am to 12 noon. All materials provided. Thanks to funding from Workspace these classes cost only £25 per person. To book please phone Emma on 07769289385.
Christmas Craft Fair: Sunday 17 Nov
BABY MASSAGE CLASSES
Rosie’s Baby Massage and Reflexology Classes start Friday 15 November. WhatsApp 07749121208 for details.
STRESS CONTROL CLASSES
Free online classes commence Monday 11 November at 9.00 am. For full details please view: https://ni.stresscontrol.org/
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
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm and bookings to be made please via the Parish Office, Tel.: 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
November 10 ~ Holy Rosary Church
November 24 ~ St Columba’s Straw
December 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
December 15 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
December 22 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Bowling: Tuesdays from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm,
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.
Irish dancing lessons: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm
Acrobat Gymnastics: Saturdays at 9.00am.
Knit & Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays at 10.00 am.
Craft Fair: Sunday 10 November.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band: Band practice on Thursdays at 7.30 pm. New and past members very welcome.
