No. 2065 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
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
MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 31 March
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
Tuesday 1 April:
7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
8.40 am ~ St Colm’s High School.
10.00 am ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
7.30 pm ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Wednesday 2 April:
7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
8.40 am ~ St Colm’s High School.
10.00 am ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
7.30 pm ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Thursday 3 April:
7.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church.
8.40 am ~ St Colm’s High School.
10.00 am ~ St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.
7.30 pm ~ St Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Friday 4 April:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm.
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 1: St Celsus, bishop.
Wednesday 2: St Francis of Paola, hermit.
Friday 4: St Isidore, bishop and doctor of the Church.
Saturday 5: St Vincent Ferrer.
TRÓCAIRE 2025
Lenten Trócaire boxes are still available in all Church porches. We encourage each family to please take one home. Your contributions will help them to continue their vital work. Visit www.trocaire.org to learn more about Trócaire’s work.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Charlie Kelly, Brackaghlislea;
Brigid Hughes, Coalisland.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Bernadette O'Neill.
Anniversaries:
Eileen McDermott;
Patrick Conway;
Ellen Eames;
Patrick Bradley;
Michael Connolly;
Sean Gormley.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1510,
Renovation Collection: £2017,
Clerical Education: A further £448.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
NEW PARISH ENVELOPES
Sincere thanks to all those parishioners who are presently assisting with the distribution of the new boxes of envelopes. The new envelopes will be used from the weekend 5/6 April.
If you did not receive envelopes and wish to receive a box please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible.
If you have signed up for Gift Aid in the past you do not need to sign up again, you only need to do this once and your participation in this scheme automatically continues each year. Thank you.
EASTER CASH CALL
Cash Call in aid of St Eugene’s Church Renovation Funds will be held on Easter Sunday 20 April.
1st Call ~ £2,000.
2nd Call ~ £1,000.
3rd Call ~ £500.
Winning calls will be made on Easter Sunday between 1.00 pm and 1.30 pm. A random number generator will select the winning numbers. Entries close at 3.00 pm on Saturday 19 April. Only £10 to enter or 3 entries for £20. To enter please contact Patricia Flanagan 07761246061, Kitty Bradley 07706041022 or call to Parish Office, Heron’s Gift Shop, Devlin’s Shop Moneyneena or Credit Union.
MESSAGE OF THANKS
Many thanks to Ballinascreen Parish Choir and their special guests for the wonderful evening of sacred and popular music that was presented in Holy Rosary Church last Sunday evening. It was a wonderful celebration of the God-given musical talent of so many in the parish. The Concert raised £4318 towards the Church Restoration Fund.
PARISH MISSION
The Vincentian Fathers will conduct a Four Day Parish Mission from Thursday 29 May to Sunday 1 June. More detail to follow. This is a new approach to Parish Missions and it is hoped that it will be a time of great blessing for both parishes and renewal for all who desire a stronger faith.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIAMGE TO KNOCK
The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 15 June. Further details in the coming weeks.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Calling all Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament in Derry Diocese to the National Eucharistic Adoration Knock Pilgrimage on Sunday 6 April. Ring to enquire or book a seat: 077 09125696 or 07738873492 Full bus details on www.eucharisticadoration.ie
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms on Sundays at 3.00 pm and all bookings to be made please via the Parish Office. Tel.: 028 79628248 or by Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
April 6 ~ St Columba’s Church Straw
April 13 ~ Holy Rosary Church
April 27~ St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns
May 4 ~ St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena
May 11 ~ St Columba’s Church Straw
May 25 ~ Holy Rosary Church
June 15 ~ St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns
June 22 ~ St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena
June 29 ~ St Columba’s Church Straw
July 6 ~ Holy Rosary Church
July 13 ~ St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns
July 20 ~ St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena
July 27 ~ St Columba’s Church Straw
August 3 ~ Holy Rosary Church
August 10 ~ St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns
Aug 17 ~ St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena
August 24 ~ St Columba’s Church Straw
August 31 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
SHORT TERM PLEDGE
Pope Francis has invited us this Lent to, ‘journey in hope together’. For parishioners who wish to become a ‘pilgrim of hope’ for people who are living under the shadow of addiction a short-term pledge is available via
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Dawn Mass on Easter Sunday morning. More details later.
BLESSING OF GRAVES 2025
Blessing of Graves in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June. More details later.
ANNUAL SISTER CLARE CROCKETT RETREAT
In St Columba’s Church, Long Tower from Monday 31 March – Sunday 6 April. The theme of this retreat is ‘Reflecting on the Eucharist with Sr Clare’. Mass at 7.00 am and 10.00 am (Monday to Friday). Evening Prayer Service with Benediction and guest speaker at 7.00 pm (Monday-Friday). Healing Service with anointing of the sick on Thursday 3 April at 7.00 pm. Service with Benediction led by Archbishop Eamon Martin at 3.00 pm on Saturday 5th. Retreat will conclude on Sunday 6th at 3.00 pm with Mass celebrated by Bishop McKeown. All welcome to attend or to view all services online at www.longtowerchurch.org.
Parking available at Lumen Christi College, Bishop Street from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm with access to Long Tower Church via side gate on to Cook Street.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Folk singer, storyteller and song writer Colin Urwin brings his shows to Kilcronaghan as follows: 3 April - Home Sweet Home. 10 April - Hard Work Never Killed Anyone. 24 April - Matters of the Heart. All welcome. Free admission, supper served at 7.00 pm.
WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAYS
In Workspace Community Hub, on Wednesday 2 April 11.00 am –1.00 pm. Rosemary from Ballinascreen Community Forum will be present for a Spring Crafts Workshop. This session is free and suitable for beginners. All welcome.
COFFEE MORNING
St Colm’s High School pupils are holding a Coffee Morning in An Rath Dubh, Moneyneena on Saturday 19 April, to raise money for their Lourdes Pilgrimage. It will take place from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. All welcome to enjoy hot drinks and delicious baked goods!
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
An evening with a panel of speakers will give an insight into Workspace Over 40 Years on Tuesday April 1 at 8.00 pm in the Community Hub. Everyone welcome.
INDEPENDENT MONITORING BOARD
Fr Stephen McBrearty, lead Catholic Chaplain for the Prison Service, seeks volunteers. IMB members are unpaid public appointees, appointed by ministers to provide independent oversight of what happens in places of detention. It is a varied and rewarding role. You could be talking to a prisoner or detained person who is worried or vulnerable, who isn’t able to access the support they need, or who needs help to sort out some practical problems. You will get to see and report on everything that happens behind the walls: what day-to-day life is like, whether there is enough education and training to help with rehabilitation, what support there is for the most vulnerable, how physical and mental health needs are met. If interested please visit: https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk /news /board-opportunity-independent-monitoring-board-seeking-members
DERRY DIOCESAN YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA
Young people aged 16 + are invited to join on a pilgrimage to Fatima for 4 nights from 14 July - 18 July. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with their peers from around the world in a faith context. Cost is £700 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible to secure a place. For more information or to book in please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or phone 02871264087.
DERRY DIOCESAN TRUST
Diocesan Pastoral Centre is recruiting a Marriage Tribunal Official, 30-35 hours per week (permanent post). For application packs please Email recruitment@derrydiocese.org or contact Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis St. Derry, BT48 9AP or phone 028 7126 2302. Completed applications must be returned by 12 noon on Thursday 10 April. Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
ACCORD NI
Accord NI is recruiting experienced practitioners to train in the specialism of couple counselling. Successful applicants will follow an 18-day (9 weekends) in-person Certificate programme, (144 hours class contact), which will provide the clinical skills essential for safe and ethical couples work. Course fees paid and placement provided by Accord NI. For more details and for an application form please email info@accord.ie. Closing date for receipt of applications is 30/4/25. Programme commences September 2025.
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
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Garden Programme starts on Thursday 1 May at 1.30 pm for 8 weeks. Only 3 places left. Registration necessary. To register contact Olive: 07887614094 or Anne: 02879642711. This is partly funded by National Lottery Community Fund.
Irish language classes: 7.30 pm on Mondays. The committee appreciates funding from Desertmartin Credit Union.
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays 10.00 am.
Irish Dancing lessons: Tuesdays 6.00 pm - extra class for new beginners at 5.30 pm. To register contact Nicola 07518207458.
Crochet classes: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Céilí Dancing classes for all ages and abilities: Wednesdays at 8.00 pm
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
Band Practice Thursday 3 April 7.30 pm.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS In our first reading today the Lord chooses David out of all the sons of Jesse. As David is anointed he is ‘seized’ by the spirit of the Lord who stays with him from that day on. We pray for those chosen by the Lord to be priests of the Diocese of Derry, that they will know and be faithful to the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and ministry among God's people. |
