No. 1702 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
An Rath Dubh Moneyneena: 7.30 pm
SUNDAY
An Rath Dubh Moneyneena: 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw: 11.00 am
Holy Rosary: 12 noon
DAILY MASS TIMES
Holy Rosary
Monday ~ 10.00 am
Tuesday ~ 10.00 am
Wednesday ~ 10.00 am
Thursday ~ 10.00 am
Friday ~ 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw
Wednesday and Friday ~ 7.30 pm
CONFESSIONS
Before the Vigil Masses
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
40 Derrynoyd Road
Telephone: 79628376
Email:ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr John Downey CC
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Tel: 79628248
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
9.00 am – 3.00 pm
Friday 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
Wednesday ~ Closed
BULLETIN NOTICES
All notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday. ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
FEAST OF THE WEEK
Wednesday 25: St Mark, Evangelist. His Gospel was probably written at Rome when he was with Paul, and is traditionally viewed as representing St Peter’s approach to the teaching of the good news. His symbol is a winged lion.
PRAYER FOR LIFE
As voters in the South prepare for the forthcoming referendum on abortion, we will continue to assist them with our prayers.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday evening in St Columba’s Church Straw from 6.00 pm - 7.25 pm.
Please join in this Prayer for Life to protect the unborn and to support their mothers and fathers in choosing to continue with their pregnancies, especially in difficult circumstances. All are welcome.
VISITATION OF SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Fr Madden will visit the sick in his care on mornings of Monday 23, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church, on Monday April 16 will commence after the 10.30 am Mass and conclude at 6.00 pm.
Please note: There will be no evening Mass in Holy Rosary on Monday 23 April.
Mass Monday 23 April in St Patrick’s Church, Keenaught at 7.30 pm.
RETREAT
Fr Downey will be on retreat this week and he will remember all parishioners in his prayers and Masses.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASSES
Rita McDonald, Magherafelt Road, Wednesday 25 April in St Columba’s Church Straw at 7.30 pm.
John Trainor, Magherafelt Road, Friday 27 April in St Columba’s Church, Straw at 7.30 pm.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversaries: Rita McDonald
Ellen Doyle
Philip Doherty, Danny McCloskey,
Joe McEldowney.
DEATH
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Susan Kennedy, Dunlogan.
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £2426
Church Renovation Collection: £1540.
Many thanks to all who contributed
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Johnny Charles Crowe, Perth.
CONFIRMATION 2018
Bishop Donal McKeown will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on P7 pupils next Sunday April 29, in St Patrick's Church Keenaught at 11.30 am and in St Columba's Church Straw at 3.00 pm. All are welcome.
ST MARY’S P.S.
A special Iconography Exhibition will be held in St. Mary’s Primary School on Wednesday 25 April at 6.00 pm. The children’s Confirmation Icons will be on display along with Icons from the Irish Association of Iconographers. The children’s icons will be blessed on the night. This will be a very special event. A number of Ireland’s most prestigious Iconographers will be in attendance. Everyone very welcome.
CEMETERY SUNDAY
Annual Blessing of the Graves will take place in Ballinascreen Parish on Sunday 17 June at the following times:
St Columba’s Straw ~ 2.00 pm
St Patrick’s Sixtowns ~ 3.30 pm
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 4.30 pm
The Annual Blessing of the Graves in Desertmartin Parish will take place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May.
SCHOOL RETREAT
Year 12 Students in St Colm's High School have their Annual One Day Retreat in the school on Monday 23. The Derry Youth Community will lead them in a day of prayer and reflection, concluding with Mass in the afternoon.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2018
First Holy Communion will be celebrated in Ballinascreen Parish on:
Saturday 5 May ~ Gaelscoil na Speiríní in St Coumba’s Church Straw,
Saturday 12 May ~ St Columba’s P.S. in St Columba’s Church, Straw,
Saturday 19 May ~ St Mary’s P.S. in Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown,
Saturday 19 May ~ St Eoghan’s P.S. in St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
PARISH BAPTISMS
First Sunday of the month:
Holy Rosary after 12 noon Mass
Second Saturday of the month:
St Eugene’s Moneyneena at 3.00 pm
Fourth Sunday of the month:
St Columba’s Straw at 3.00 pm
St Patrick’s Sixtowns: By arrangement.
A baptism card is to be completed when booking a baptism. Please contact the Parish Office to book a baptism.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ WMOF DUBLIN ~ AUGUST 2018
The World Meeting of the Families from 21 – 26 August will attract thousands of Irish and International pilgrims. Organising it and seeing it through will only be possible with the help of generous volunteers who will put their love and talents to service. Many more volunteers are urgently needed. For more information and to access an online application form view:
www.worldmeeting2018.ie
SCREEN ECO SCHOOLS
Thanks to all schools in the parish for the welcoming daffodil displays on all the main roads leading into the town.
THORNHILL MINISTRIES
Celebration of Friendship: Thornhill House, Derry is hosting a few hours on Monday 14 May, where friends can come together to give gratitude for friendships shared. Arrival time 11.30 am for 12.00 noon. Gratitude Prayer and Celebration Lunch. Cost is £20. Pre-booking essential.
May Day Retreat ‘The Seed and the Soil (III)’: Fr Paschal McDonnell OFM will lead this Retreat on Tuesday 1 May 9.45 am - 2:30 pm. We hold, with reverence, our family and other relationships in the context of seeking integration. The day will include celebration of Mass. Suggested offering ~ £20.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Working in Partnership with Saint Mary's College, Twickenham, the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre offers the MA in Catholic School Leadership, beginning Autumn 2018. This post graduate degree is dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. For more information contact Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre telephone 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
ACCORD
ACCORD invites applications for the Certificate in Counselling (Marriage and Relationship), for the academic year 2018/2019. The Certificate, validated by St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, is aligned to Level 8, 20 ECTS on the National Framework of Qualifications. It is aimed at qualified, experienced counsellors or psychotherapists who have a degree / diploma in counselling or psychotherapy, have completed a 200 client hours, have a current supervised caseload and knowledge of the Person Centred Approach. Course fees funded by Accord. Course involves monthly weekend training in Maynooth. For application form and details view: www.accord.ie. Closing date May 18.
HEALTH & WELLBEING EVENT
Free Ladies Health and Wellbeing evening in Workspace Recreation Centre on Friday 27 April from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm. 20 minute exercise classes with Nuala McWilliams, 15 minute session of reflexology with Michelle Conway (booking essential), free health check from O'Kanes Chemist (booking essential). Various information stands also. For details or to book phone Nicole on 79628113.
OVER 60S & CAREERS' GROUPS
Meeting from 1.00 pm -3.00 pm on Thursday 26 April in Unit B1 (STEPS) at front of Workspace, which will be facilitated by Siobhan from Ulster Bank who will advise on alternative ways to bank with the imminent closure of their Draperstown branch. She will also offer advice on scams and how to avoid them. No booking required. For more information call Adele on 79628113 or emailadele@theworkspacegroup.org.
DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY
Adult Book Club 24 April at 7.00 pm.
BALLINASCREEN FOLD
Quiz Night Friday 27 April at 7.45pm.
All very welcome to functions in Fold.
BABY MASSAGE CLASSES
5 Week Course with Kerry McCrory, Certified Instructor, begins Wednesday 2 May for babies from birth to 1 year or crawling. Telephone 07585514417 to book. Cost is £40 for 5 weeks.
DRAPERSTOWN CELTIC
Run DC 10k / 5k / walk on Sunday
22 April at 11.00 am, from Backrow Sports Hall. Registration that morning, 9.00 am -10.30 am. Chip timed course for runners. Proceeds to DCFC Youth.
GAELIC 4 MOTHER’S & OTHERS
Training every Friday night from 8.00 pm – 9.00 pm on 3G Pitch at the Backrow. New members welcome.
OFFICIAL FAMILY PRAYER FOR WMOF2018
God, our Father, we are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,
One family, in the Spirit of your love.
Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind, gentle and generous, welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.
Protect all families with your loving care,
Especially those for whom we now pray:
Pause to remember family members and others
Increase our faith, strengthen our hope,
Keep us safe in your love,
Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share. This we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen
POPE FRANCIS@ PONTIFEX
The holiness to which the Lord calls you grows through small gestures in everyday life.