No. 1966 ~ FIFTH 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
Fr John Downey Priest In Residence Moneyneena
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 MASS TIMES
Monday May 8: Holy Rosary Church ~ 11.00 am
Tuesday May 9: St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am
Wednesday May 10: Holy Rosary Church ~ 11.00 am
Thursday May 11: St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am
Friday May 12: St Mary’s Coolcalm ~ 11.00 am & Holy Rosary Church ~ 7.30 pm.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 8: Blessed John Sullivan.
Wednesday 10: St John of Avila, priest and doctor of the Church.
Saturday 13: Our Lady of Fatima. The first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to the three children was on May 13 1917.
MEDITATING WITH MARY IN THE MONTH OF MAY
Since the 13th century, the month of May has traditionally been dedicated to Mary, our Blessed Mother.
The beauty of the season itself, in which spring reaches its peak, reminds us of the Easter message of hope and joy, renewal and growth, as we observe the beauty of creation around us.
As we look forward to the brighter days ahead, and continue on our journey through the Easter season to Pentecost, we are reminded of the joy of the Resurrection and the newness of life offered by the saving events of Christ's life.
Meditating with Mary in the month of May, will help us to rediscover the beauty of God's message of hope and love as we contemplate the wonders God worked in Mary’s life.
A three part programme will take place on Friday 12, 19 and 26 May at 8.15 pm. in the Community Hub. All welcome.
BLESSING OF GRAVES 2023
Blessing of Graves in the parishes of Ballinascreen and Desermartin will take place on the following dates:
Saturday June 10:
6.30 pm ~ Mass in St Patrick’s Keenaught followed by Blessing of Graves. Please note the earlier Mass time.
Sunday June 11:
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.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Mary Rogers, Brackaghdysart;
Mary Lynn, Cordarragh.
ANNIVERSARIES
Francis McGurk;
Elizabeth Henry;
Pat Armour;
Peggy McGlade;
Seamus Kelly;
John Joe Doherty;
Joe Rogers.
SVP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers needed to help with weekly collections after each Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses. If you can help please contact 07710 838050.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023
Parish celebrations of this Sacrament will continue on the following dates:
May 13 ~ St Eoghan’s P.S. pupils in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena at 11.00 am
May 20 ~ St Columba’s P.S. pupils in St Columba’s Church, Straw at 11.00 am.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £1360
Renovation Collection: £1617
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
LITTLE WAY NOVENA
Novena in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux this week in St Eugene’s Cathedral. Opening Ceremony at
6.00 pm on today, Sunday 7 May with Bishop McKeown.
On Monday at 7.30 pm Marion Carroll, who was cured from Multiple Sclerosis in Knock in 1989, will speak at the evening devotions.
On Tuesday at 7.30 pm Tim Shriver will speak. Tim is chairman of Special Olympics since 1996 and is the founder of Unite.
On Wednesday at 7.30 pm the speaker will be Eunan McMullan who was a barrister in Belfast and is now a Friar in Assisi.
On Thursday at 7.30 pm the speaker will be Alexander McLean, founder of Justice Defenders which is based in Uganda and seeks to improve the lives of people imprisoned in Africa.
On Friday at 7.30 pm the speaker will be Brendan McGinn, Principal, St Mary’s College, Derry.
Mass will be celebrated each morning Monday – Friday at 6.30 am and at 10.00 am.
Mass for the Dead on Saturday 13 May at 10.00 am.
Novena closes with Devotions and Blessing of Roses at 3.00 pm on Sunday 14 May.
Everyone welcome to attend any of the Novena Masses or evening devotions. Novena will be broadcast on the Cathedral webcam.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP
Volunteers needed to join the cleaning rota for Sixtowns Hall. You can choose a month that suits you best. 2 - 4 hours commitment. If you can help please contact Emma 07769289385
MARY’S MEALS PRAY IN MAY
During May, the month dedicated to Our Lady, Mary’s Meals invites you to pray for its life-changing work, carried out in her name. They currently provide nutritious daily school meals to 2.4 million children in 18 of the world’s poorest countries. These meals bring children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and hope of a better future. Could you commit to praying each day of May for the children receiving Mary’s Meals, the volunteers and all who support this work and those children still waiting? For more information and prayer resources see www.marymeals.org.uk/prayinmay
ACCORD
ACCORD Central Office is recruiting for the Certificate in Counselling (Marriage and Relationship) training programme commencing September 2023. Training will take place in Maynooth and the course is validated by the Pontifical University, Maynooth. Accord CLG pays the fees and provides placement. Successful applicants will follow a 16 day Certificate programme. If you hold a:
Level 5 (UK ) qualification in Counselling/Psychotherapy;
Substantial experience of working in the Person-Centred style;
100 client counselling hours post-graduation; and,
A current supervised caseload.
and would like more information about this unique opportunity, please email: info@accord.ie. Final date for receipt of applications is 19 May and should be submitted to Breda Landy Horgan bhorgan@accord.ie.
STRESS CONTROL CLASSES
Free Stress Control online classes will commence on Monday 8 May, with session two on the Thursday 11 May.
For all details and to book please log onto https://ni.stresscontrol.org
BABY REFLEXOLOGY
New Baby Massage and Reflexology Class coming to Community Hub starting Friday 26 May. For more details contact 07749121208 by Whatsapp or email rosiesbabymassage@hotmail.com
SPERRIN FOODBANK
If you require a food parcel, Sperrin Foodbank will be open on Fridays from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm for drop-ins. No appointment required. If you require assistance outside this time, please call 07543 420639 to arrange collection. No questions asked or criteria to meet. Other contact details are Facebook page Sperrinfoodbank or email
ROSARY ON THE COAST
Rosary on the Coast at Benone Strand on Sunday 21 May at 3.00 pm. All welcome to come along and pray for peace, Ireland and unborn children. More details on (0044) 0 7730330028.
CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE TERMONBACCA
Holy Souls’ Retreat: On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May Fr Paul Denizot and Fr Alex de Perthuis, Fraternity of Our Lady of Montligeon France, will lead a time of prayer and retreat for Holy Souls in Purgatory. Saturday from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm and Sunday from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. A free (donation only) event. Those attending should bring a packed lunch.
Carmelite Pilgrimage to Lourdes: From 29 August, for 6 nights. Cost €899 per person. For all bookings, please contact Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca. Phone: 71262512.
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
From 15 October 2023 for 9 nights. Flights direct from Dublin.
Part I: Galilee/Nazareth.
Part II: Bethlehem/Jerusalem.
Cost £1795 stg includes taxes, transfers, tips, half-board. For further details please contact Erin or Sr Perpetua at thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org.
QUB HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast will lead a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land for alumni and friends, from 9 February 2024 for 8 nights . Half-board accommodation in 4 star hotels in Jerusalem and Nazareth. Spiritual Director Fr Dominic McGrattan, with music and song provided by Marcella Walsh. In addition to visits to the principal sacred sites, there will also be a visit the Holy Family Maternity Hospital in Bethlehem and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. For more details including price and how to book, please email Shannon Campbell at at catholicchaplaincy@qub.ac.uk
LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE 2023
Pilgrimage from 3 to 7 July 2023. The Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ will be open to the public on Saturdays only from 11.00am until 1.00 pm commencing on Saturday 11 February. Intending pilgrims can also leave a message on 028 7126 0293 with their full postal address and the number of booking forms required, or email these details to derrypilgrim@outlook.com or write to the above address to request booking forms.
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. Email address is: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: First Anniversary and Month's Mind notices should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week in order for them to be placed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Social Dance: Friday 12 May - music by Francis Faulkner. Dancing from 9.00 pm to 12 midnight. Admission £7, includes light supper.
SPRED: Group meeting on Monday 15 May.
Chair Exercises with Thomasina: Tuesdays at 10.00 am followed by a short walk. Admission £4. All welcome.
Knit &Natter: Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.
Line Dancing: Wednesdays at 7.30 pm. Admission £4.00
If interested in any of the above please contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 79642711 to register.
Band Practice: Thursdays at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome. Roles for all ages and abilities, accordion players, drummers, flag bearers and majorettes.
NATIONAL SYNTHESIS OF THE SYNODAL PROCESS
The Irish Bishops' Conference has published the National Synthesis of the Synodal Process conducted across the Church in Ireland from Autumn 2021. The National Synthesis is the fruit of a wide-ranging process of listening and consultation and is based on the syntheses produced by the 26 dioceses in Ireland, as well as those submitted by religious congregations and other interested groups. The National Synthesis will be forwarded to Rome as part of the worldwide synodal process of listening and discernment launched by Pope Francis in October 2021 and which will culminate in the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2023.
To view this document click HERE
SYNODALITY
Synodality is about seeking together to discover God’s way forward in a new time and place.
This is not just a time of change but a change of time.
It is about learning to journey in hope from the great figures of the Advent liturgy: Isaiah, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph.
We are a pilgrim people, following the voice of God who calls us one step at a time.
We are moving beyond a Church where everything depends on ‘Father’.
Pope Francis has asked us to rediscover the Advent spirit of leaving our secure base and trusting that the Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace.
We aim to have a time of local listening to one another in January/February, building towards a diocesan submission to an Irish national response.
All national responses will be considered by the Vatican and a Working Document sent back for local reflection and comment in late 2022 – building towards the Synod of Bishops’ meeting in October 2023, and beyond.
This is the beginning of a new way of being Church. It is not just a passing initiative. It is facing the future together, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Advent is not just a season of the year. It is a permanent part of our identity as Church.
PRAYER FOR THE SYNOD
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
THE SYNOD PRAYER ~ IRISH TRANSLATION (Paidir an tSionaid)
Seasaimid i Do láthairse, a Spioraid Naoimh,
agus muid ag teacht le chéile i D’ainm
Agus Tusa amháin mar threoraí againn
socraigh Tú féin síos inár gcroíthe;
Múin dúinn an tslí a chaithfimid dul
agus conas is féidir linn leanúint di.
Táimid lag agus claonta chun peaca;
ná lig dúinn ainriail a chur chun cinn.
Ná lig don aineolas sinn a chur amú,
ná don chlaonpháirtíocht ár ngníomhartha a mhúnlú.
Lig dúinn teacht Ort inár n-aontacht
chun go dtriallfaimid le chéile chun na beatha síoraí
gan dul ar strae ó bhealach na fírinne ná ón cheart.
Iarraimid é seo uile Ort,
Tusa a bhíonn ag obair de shíor agus i ngach uile áit,
i gcomaoin an Athar agus an Mhic,
trí shaol na saol.
Amen.
To learn more about the Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland please visit:
To learn more about the worldwide Synod please visit: https://www.synod.va/en.html
Please say each day in your prayers the following prayer for the success of the Synodal Process which is both old and new.
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
