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BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 5 May 2024

No. 2018 ~ SIXTH 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 6 May :

10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church

Tuesday 7 May :

10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm  

Wednesday 8 May:

10.00  am ~ Holy Rosary Church

Thursday 9 May:

10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm

Friday 10 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

Wednesday 8: Blessed John Sullivan, priest.  

Friday 10: St John of Avila, priest and doctor of the Church.


PRIESTS’ CONFERENCE

Bishop Donal McKeown and the priests of the diocese of Derry are meeting in conference this week in Dromantine, Newry, from Monday to Wednesday.

Fr Madden and Fr McGirr are very grateful to Fr Sean McGuigan for his help at this time. This is the second diocesan meeting of the priests of the diocese in ongoing Synodality Formation.


DEATHS

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:

John McWilliams, Ballinascreen Fold;

Colette Murphy, Dunmurry;

John Heaney, Maghera.


ANNIVERSARIES

First Anniversaries:  

Aidan Clarkin                   

John Connolly                  

Anniversaries:

James McNamee,

Elizabeth Henry;

Pat Armour;

Peggy McGlade;            

Seamus Kelly;

Michael Conway;

Joe Rogers;

Eileen O'Kane.   


FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS

John Connolly, Moyard on Friday 10 May in Holy Rosary Church 7.30 pm.


THE LITTLE WAY NOVENA

In St Eugene’s Cathedral from 11 May to 19 May:    The theme is ‘I choose your will only”. The Novena will begin at the 7.30 pm Mass with the Sacrament of the Sick on Saturday 11 May. Devotions and talk on Sunday, 12 May at 6.00 pm. Monday to Friday (13 to 17 May) Novena Masses at 6.30 am and 10 am each morning and an evening service with a guest speaker at 7.30 pm. Saturday 18 May 10.00 am Mass for those who have died. The Novena will close on Sunday 19 May at 3.00 pm. All welcome to St Eugene’s Cathedral for this time of prayer and petition.


PARISH COLLECTIONS

Priests’ Collection: £2418

Renovation Collection: £1380.

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 on-line 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 and bookings are to be made via the Parish Office, by phone 028 79628248 or email ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

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 

September 22 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena 

September 29 ~ Holy Rosary

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


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.


FREE BUS EXCURSIONS FOR OVER 60S.

Workspace are organising the following free excursions to 30 members of the local community, thanks to funding received from The Older People's Fund (Previously Turkington Fund) / Community Foundation:

  • Wednesday 8 May – Mayor’s Tea Dance at the Guildhall, Derry. Includes transport, tour of the Guildhall and refreshments on arrival. Departs Draperstown at 11.30 am, returns 5.00 pm.  To book your place, please contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 by 10.00 am on Tuesday 7 May.

  • Wednesday 5 June – Hillsborough Castle & Gardens.  Includes entrance fee to Castle & Gardens, tour and refreshments. Contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 for more details.

  • Friday 14 June – Garden Show Ireland at Antrim Castle Gardens. Includes transport, entrance fee and refreshments. Contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 for more details.


SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP

  • Yoga classes with Sperrin Wellbeing and Yoga  in Sixtowns Hall from Wednesday 8 May for a 4 week block from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

  • Pilates classes with AMG Pilates will run from Monday 13 May for a 4 week block from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm. To book contact Emma on 07769289385.


BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Society are pleased to announce that the special guest for their next meeting is Colin Urwin. Colin is a professional folksinger, songwriter and storyteller from the Glens of Antrim.

The meeting will be on Tuesday 7 May at 8.00 pm in the Shepherd's Rest. Admission £5. Everyone welcome.


GLENSHANE HOUSE

 L2 Autism course on Tuesday, 7 May from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm (4 weeks).

First Aid & Defib training starts on Wednesday 15 May from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm (4 weeks). To register phone 028 77742494.


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 

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.


LOUGH DERG

  • One Day Retreats in May. These guided days of prayer and reflection will take place on 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.


MARY’S MEALS - PRAY IN MAY

Mary’s Meals, provides school meals to over 2.4 million children every day. During May, which is dedicated to Our Lady, they invite you to join them in praying for the hungry children who rely on their life-changing school meals, and for all the children and families who live in poverty, particularly praying for families facing extreme hunger in Ethiopia. Further details on their Ethiopia appeal and prayer resources for adults and children at 


ALL IRELAND ROSARY RALLY

Rally on Saturday June 1 in Knock, starting at 9.30am. For 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

  • Dance on Friday 10 May at 9.00 pm. Music by Colin Harney.

  • SPRED Meeting: Monday 13 May at 7.30 pm.

  • Convery School of Irish Dancing: Classes for boys and girls aged 3 and over on Tuesdays at 6.00 pm, to register please contact Nicola on 07518204758.

  • Line Dancing: Wednesdays 7.30 pm.

  • 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 hold band practice on Thursdays 7.30 pm new and old members welcome.

  • Come along to any of the above activities and enjoy a fun way to improve your health and wellbeing. Contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 02879 642711 to register. 

 

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:

 

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