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BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 6 JUNE 2021

No.1866 ~ THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST


 

​​SUNDAY MASSES

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 (NB Townland Rota still applies)

St Patrick’s Sixtowns 11.00 am (NB Townland Rota still applies)

Holy Rosary: 12 noon


DAILY MASS TIMES

Holy Rosary Church

Monday and Wednesday ~ 11.00 am

Friday ~ 7.30 pm

St Mary’s Coolcalm

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 11.00 am


All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the Ballinascreen parish webcam:

All Masses in St Mary’s Coolcalm are transmitted live on the Desertmartin parish webcam:

 

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

PARISH OFFICE

9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248

Parish Office now open to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm

Please note Parish Office my be contacted by email or phone (message may be left).


NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN

Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

Bulletins are presently only available:

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.

 

FEASTS OF THE WEEK

Wednesday 9: St Columba (Colum Cille). Abbot and missionary, secondary patron of Ireland.

Friday 11: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. World Day of Prayer for Priests.

Saturday 12: The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


BALLINASCREEN PARISH ~ NEW SUMMER PARISH DRAW

One of the fall outs of the pandemic on parish life has been the end of the Monthly Parish Draw, which had been a staple fund raising event for many years. When it ended in May 2020, it wasn’t possible to take it up again. Apart from the loss to parish revenue, (it made usually in the region of £28,000 annually), there was always great excitement to see who had won and was ‘my name in the bulletin this month!’ It is still not possible to plan a yearlong Parish Draw as we cannot be certain that lockdowns won’t happen in the future. Therefore, we are taking advantage of the summer months of July and August to launch a Five Week Summer Parish Draw, which it is hoped will create as much excitement if not more than the previous monthly draws and also help to replenish parish funds which have been depleted since last March 2020, as the figures below show.

  • In 2019 the average amount donated each week to both collections was £3934.

  • In 2020, the average amount donated each week to both collections was £2707.

  • Up until May 31 2021, the average amount donated each week to both collections was £1972.

Thank you to all who have contributed throughout the lockdowns each week to the parish. The generosity of Ballinascreen parishioners has always been second to none. The late Fr Michael Collins, the centenary of whose ordination to the priesthood we remember this weekend, would have been the first to say so and did many times. His legacy in Ballinascreen is every bit the legacy of the people he ministered to, many of them gone to their eternal reward as well. It is now our responsibility to keep the fabric of our parish churches in good condition and to create the funds necessary for the development and training of lay catholic leaders (male and female, young and old). In many ways, the latter is much more challenging and necessary, for it’s no use having churches in mint condition if they are not places of faith and prayer for their communities.

The reality in our diocese and every diocese in Ireland is that we are entering a new phase of church life, where the leadership and witness of lay Catholics is vital to the passing on of faith in Jesus Christ to the generations that come next. As priests retire from their leadership roles, Ballinascreen Parish also needs to plan with confidence for this new phase of church life.

That said, there are outstanding bills from the renovation of Holy Rosary Church and forthcoming maintenance work in St Columba’s Church Straw (a new roof and repointing of stone work) and St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena (the outside stone work at the back of the sanctuary needs immediate attention as is apparent on the inside), that makes this draw and your weekly contributions so vitally important.

The details of this new Parish Summer Draw are available on posters around the parish and in the churches and in this bulletin.

We encourage as many as possible to please actively promote this draw around your family and friends who live outside the parish. The first draw takes place on Saturday July 17 at the end of the 6.15 pm Vigil Mass in Holy Rosary Church.

A special gathering of all existing Ballinascreen Parish Draw Promoters will take place in Holy Rosary Church on Monday June 7 at 8.30 pm.

Anyone interested in becoming a promoter for their area or corner of the parish is most welcome to also come along. Thank you.


JUBILEE MASS

Fr. Michael Collins was ordained a priest for Derry Diocese on Sunday 5 June 1921. He came to Ballinascreen in 1939 and served here for the next 40 years, until his death on 6 February 1979 aged 81. His commitment to the church, to the parish and its people over all these years was second to none. He loved the people of Ballinascreen and is still fondly remembered here.

On the occasion of his Golden Jubilee, his nephew, Monsignor Andy Dolan, PP Bellaghy, was ordained a priest in his home parish of Aghyarn, on June 5, 1971. One of Monsignor Dolan’s classmates ordained two weeks later on 20 June 1971, was Fr Colum Clerkin, former Parish Priest of Ballinascreen.

Today, Sunday June 6, the parish proudly welcomes Monsignor Dolan, Fr Clerkin and Fr Collins Pastor Emeritus (another nephew) to concelebrate Mass in Holy Rosary at 12 noon to remember the centenary of Fr Collins’s ordination.

All are welcome to attend or to follow this Mass on the parish webcam.

Social distancing and limited numbers will be in place.


FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2021

First Holy Communion Masses will take place on the following dates in Holy Rosary Church at 3.00 pm:

June 12: St Columba's P.S., Straw,

June 19: St Eoghan's, Moneyneena,

June 26: St Mary's P.S., Draperstown.


CONFIRMATION 2021

St Mary's P.S. Thursday June 10 at 6.00 pm, in Holy Rosary Church.

Gaeil Scoil na Speirini Friday June 11 at 5.00 pm, in Holy Rosary Church

St Columba's P. S. Thursday June 17 at 6.00 pm in Holy Rosary Church.

St Eoghan' s P. S. Friday June 25 at 5.00 pm in St Eugene’s, Moneyneena.


MONTH’S MIND

Bridget McKenna, Carnamoney Lane, on Friday 11 June in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm.


BAPTISMS

We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Oisin Anthony Hegarty Moyard Road,

Sky McCloskey Drumderg Road,

Rory Seamus Lawlor St Albans, England.


PRIVATE PRAYER

Churches open for Private Prayer, however we ask you to please observe the following advice when visiting any of our Churches.

  • Please sanitise your hands on arrival

  • Prior to leaving the Church please use the materials provided to sanitise the seat where you sat. Thank you


ANNIVERSARIES

Sophia McKernan,

Alice Clerkin,

Angela Conville,

Rosie McGuigan,

Oliver Sargent,

Rosemary Church,

Irene Magee.


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.


SVP DONATIONS

Many thanks for many generous donations. To make a donation please place it in an envelope and mark it SVP. All donations appreciated


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. e mail address is ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

  • We ask that only members of a family, whose loved one is being prayed for, attend the Friday Anniversary Mass in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm. This should ensure that there is sufficient space for those who are remembering a Month’s Mind or any other anniversary, as seating is limited and cannot be exceeded. The Anniversary Mass will be available on the parish webcam. Holy Communion will be distributed at the door of the Church once the congregation has left. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.


LOUGH DERG 2021

Lough Derg regrets that it will not be possible in 2021 to reopen Station Island for the Traditional Three Day Pilgrimage or even for the autumn programme of Day Retreats.

Lough Derg will again offer the opportunity to “Do Lough Derg from wherever you are’ on 3 - 5 July.

The outdoor Pilgrimage on the Lough Shore Pilgrim Path will also be on during the summer. More details from Lough Derg Office on 00353 71 9861518 or view www.loughderg.org


ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY

The Society acknowledges a donation for the support and education of student priests at home and abroad. All benefactors share in the Masses and prayers of the Society. Further donations gratefully accepted. Please continue to pray for vocations.


PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE?

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER

A 'Zoom' online Marriage Preparation course is planned for 11-12 September 2021. This 2-day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship. For more information and to book please email


YEAR OF ST JOSEPH

We invite you to come to the Shrine of St Joseph in Holy Rosary Church and to place written petitions to St Joseph in the box provided. Please do not put money in your petition envelopes as all petitions will be burned unopened.


MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

St Angela’s College, Sligo, is offering this online part-time MA, starting September 2021. Closing date for applications is 16 June. More details at www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie or contact Mary Kearns on 0035371 9195550 or Email: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie


MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, in partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This post graduate degree is dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. The next intake will be Autumn 2021. An information session via ZOOM will be held on Monday 7 June at 3.30 pm. If interested in attending this session or require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org


REGULATIONS FOR ATTENDANCE AT RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Since Monday 12 April, regulations on the number of people attending weddings, funerals and baptisms have been relaxed, so the following arrangements are now in place in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin parishes. All churches have been risked assessed and the number of places determined for each church is as follows:


Holy Rosary: 100

St Columbna’s, Straw: 100

St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 100

St Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 50

St Mary’s, Coolcalm: 60

St Patrick’s, Keenaught: 100

These numbers do not include priests, sacristans, or musicians as they have already designated places.


While extra places are now available, we ask that families be mindful of those who are vulnerable, even if they have been vaccinated. Social distancing and hand sanitising are necessary requirements inside the church but a lack of social distancing outside the church and elsewhere is a potential danger that should not be lightly ignored. Many outbreaks of Covid 19 have occurred when large numbers have gathered in homes and other places where the protocols have not been followed.

Track and trace is obligatory at all weddings, funerals and baptisms. Families will be provided with a template on which all names and contact details of those attending a wedding, funeral or baptism must be recorded and once completed returned to the relevant Parish Office.


WEDDINGS

As well as providing a Track and Trace contact sheet, couples will receive a plan of the church where their wedding will take place so that they can prepare their own church seating plan. This plan will then assist the church stewards to direct guests to their designated seats as they arrive. The plan must be received by the Parish Office three days before the date of the wedding. For the distribution of Holy Communion, guests will be asked to stand in their place and the priest or Eucharistic Minister will distribute Holy Communion to them. Masks must be worn by all attending the wedding. The bridal party, with the exception of the bride and groom, must wear masks when they are in their place.


FUNERALS

Unlike a wedding where there is plenty of time to prepare a church seating plan, families will receive specially printed admittance cards and families may distribute these cards as they wish. These cards MUST be shown at the door of the church to one of the stewards. Please do not ask to be admitted into the church if you have not been given one of these cards. Families are requested to adhere to social distancing inside the church, and so sit in their ‘bubbles’ of two, three or more. Occasionally, stewards may have to respectfully request mourners to move to another seat to ensure proper social distancing is maintained. For the distribution of Holy Communion, mourners will be asked to stand in their place and the priest or Eucharistic Minister will distribute Holy Communion to them.

Face masks must be worn by everyone. A track and trace contact sheet must be completed the day before the funeral.

 

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

 

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