No. 2031 ~ EIGHTEENTH 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
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 am
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 12 noon
DAILY MASSES
Monday 5 August :
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 6 August:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 7 August:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 8 August:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 9 August:
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 5: The Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major.
The basilica was built by Pope Sixtus III after the Council of Ephesus in 431. It is the first church in the West named in honour of the Mother of God.
Tuesday 6: The Transfiguration of the Lord. The Cross requires the exodus of Jesus, his death, resurrection and glorification. The disciples have to realise that he must depart, just as they are now prepared for his going up to Jerusalem to die.
Thursday 8: St Dominic, priest. Lived from 1170 until 1221, a Spaniard priest who founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).
Friday 9: St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
She was born in 1891 in Poland, the youngest of seven children in a Jewish family. She became a Catholic in 1922 and a Carmelite nun. She died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz on 9 August 1942.
Saturday 10: St Lawrence, deacon and martyr. He is a patron saint of the poor and of cooks.
DIOCESAN CLERICAL CHANGES
As mentioned at Mass last weekend, Bishop Donal McKeown has announced clerical changes that will take place in the Diocese of Derry over the next few weeks.
Fr Dermot McGirr has been appointed the new parish priest of Banagher and will take up his new role from 31 August 2024. Although there is sadness in Desertmartin and Ballinascreen at his departure after 8 years of faithful ministry, we offer him our congratulations as he takes up his new responsibilities.
Fr Michael McCaul, presently curate in Drumagh Parish (Omagh ) will replace Fr Dermot as curate in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin, residing in Desertmartin.
We offer him a warm welcome and look forward to his coming to live among us and share his own faith journey with us in the months and years ahead.
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Ayda Kate Cleary, Tullybrick Road.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Susan McAuley, Strawmore;
Baby Joseph Patrick Loughran, Dunamore.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary:
Jennifer Walsh.
Anniversaries:
Elizabeth McCullagh;
Mary McKernan;
Anna McEldowney;
Margaret Leyden.
GLENSHANE FOREST MASS ROCK
Mass will be celebrated at the Mass Rock in Glenshane Forest today, Sunday 4 August at 3.00 pm. All are welcome.
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS
Vocations Day, for those considering diocesan priesthood, in Buncrana on Sunday 8 September, from 12 noon to 6.00 pm. Anyone interested should please contact the diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O'Hagan by email: pgoh2111@gmail.com
DOUBLE MAC ARE BACK !!!
Double Mac (aka Fr Sean McGuigan and Gerry McGuigan ) will appear in The Hogan Stand Bar on Saturday 17 August.
Proceeds in aid of Moneyneena Church Restoration Fund.
More details to follow.
SUMMER DRAW 2024
Thank you to all have supported this year’s Summer Draw. Your support is greatly appreciated. The second draw took place after the 6.00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass in Holy Rosary (3 August):
You may still purchase a ticket to be entered in the draw for the three remaining weeks.
Week 3: 1st Prize £1,000, 2nd Prize £200, 3rd Prize £100.
Week 4: 1st Prize £1,000, 2nd Prize £200, 3rd Prize £100.
Week 5: 1st Prize £1,000, 2nd Prize £200, 3rd Prize £100.
Tickets only £20 each are still available to buy from:
Parish Draw Promoters
Heron’s Gift Shop
Moneyneena Post Office
Fr Madden’s and Fr McGirr’s Parochial Houses
Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Parish Offices
Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Credit Union Offices
Tickets may also be purchased online by scanning this QR Code:
or by clicking on this link: https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Ballinascreen_Parish/TicketSales
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1355
Renovation Collection: £1845
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2024
Baptisms Sundays at 3.00 pm and bookings to be made please via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or email ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
August 18 ~ Holy Rosary Church
August 25 ~ St Columba’s Straw
September 1 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
September 22 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
September 29 ~ Holy Rosary Church
October 13 ~ St Columba’s Straw
October 20 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
November 3 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
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.
GROUP PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE
From 4 to 11 September. Cost €835 - includes daily breakfast, evening meal and full religious programme. Operated by Marian Pilgrimages. For more details please contact Group Leader Luke McCann on 07955386288. To book contact Marian Pilgrimages on 028 95680005
WORKSPACE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
Childcare Vacancy:
The Club is currently recruiting a staff member to assist with the supervision of children and the provision of a safe and fun environment for all.
Five afternoons per week
To find out more, please contact Workspace by phone on 028 79628113 or
Email: ann@theworkspacegroup.org
HORTICULTURE CLASSES
Classes in the polytunnel on Back Road, behind the Soup Kitchen, on Thursdays, 6.30 pm -8.30 pm. Everyone welcome, for more details please ring STEPS on 07821119367.
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
Social Tea Dance: Friday 9 August at 9.00 pm. Music by Liam McLaughlin.
Charity Dance: Friday 30 August. In aid of Laurel House Antrim. Music by Liam McLaughlin Dancing from 8.30pm to midnight. Admission £7.
Irish Language Classes: Commence on Monday 9 September from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm.
Irish dancing lessons: Continue on Tuesdays at 6.00 pm. To register Contact Nicola on 07518207458.
Chair Exercises: Resume on Tuesday 13 August at 10.00 am.
Craft Fair: Sunday 10 November. Now taking bookings - £20 a table or two for £30.
Come along to any of the above actives and enjoy a fun way to exercise, keep fit and improve your health and wellbeing.
To register Contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 02879 642711.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
All members are asked to make a special effort to attend band practice on Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm and check their uniforms. Only 2 practice nights left in preparation for Feast of the Assumption celebrations which will be held in Donegal Town on Sunday 18 August at 3.00 pm.
BBQ & Dance on Saturday 24 August in Tirgan Hall. Music by Silver Ado. Bouncy Castle / Face Painting from 5.00 pm. Food served between 8.00 pm and 8.30 pm. Please contact any band members for tickets.
