No. 1737 ~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The priests of the parish wish everyone a holy and peaceful Christmas.
Beannachtaí na Nollag
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
St Eugene’s Moneyneena 7.30 pm
SUNDAY
St Eugene’s 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 FOR THIS WEEK
Holy Rosary Church
Monday ~ 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Tuesday ~ 12 noon
Wednesday – Friday ~ 11.00 am
St Columba’s Church Straw
Monday ~ 8.00 pm
Tuesday ~ 11.00 am
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena
Monday ~ 7.30 pm
Tuesday ~ 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns
Monday ~ 7.00 pm
Tuesday ~ 10.00 am.
CONFESSIONS
Before the Vigil Masses
See notice re Christmas Confessions.
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
Closed until Thursday January 3 2019.
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
PARISH WEBCAM
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the parish website:
www.parishofballinascreen.com
MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS DAY - FEAST OF THE NATIVITY
Vigil Masses
Monday 24 December
Holy Rosary ~ 6.00 pm
St Patrick’s Sixtowns ~ 7.00 pm
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 7.30 pm
St Columba’s Straw ~ 8.00 pm
Christmas Day Masses
Tuesday 25 December
St Eugene’s Moneyneena ~ 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns ~ 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw ~ 11.00 am
Holy Rosary ~ 12 noon.
CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS
Confessions in Holy Rosary Church on Saturday December 22 at 11.00 am and Sunday December 23 at 5.00 pm and after 10.00 am Mass on Christmas Eve morning.
CHRISTMAS WEEK MASSES
Wednesday December 26
Holy Rosary ~ 11.00 am
Thursday December 27
Holy Rosary ~ 11.00 am
Friday December 28
Holy Rosary ~ 11.00 am
St Columba’s Straw ~ 7.30 pm.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
No Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church on Monday December 24 or Monday Decemmber31. Adoration will resume in Holy Rosary Church on Monday 7 January 2019.
BALLINASCREEN PARISH OFFICE
Parish Office will be closed next week. It will reopen on Thursday 3 January 2019.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 25: The Nativity of Our Lord
Wednesday 26: St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Patron of deacons and bricklayers.
Thursday 27: St John, apostle and evangelist.
Friday 28: The Holy Innocents, martyrs
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DESERTMARTIN PARISH DRAW
Last chance to buy tickets for the above Draw in the Sacristy Holy Rosary Church on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 December immediately following Mass.
There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Saturday 5 January 2019. Every ticket will be entered into all 33 draws, which means everyone has 33 chances to win prizes. Total prize fund is £5,000. Tickets are £20 each. This would make a nice Christmas gift for family and friends!
SVP ~ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Ballinascreen Conference members of the St Vincent de Paul Society express their deepest appreciation for your enormous generosity towards their annual collection taken up last weekend. Special thanks also to everyone who donated food gifts at the Carol Service. Your kindness will make a huge difference to those in need at Christmas this year.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and friends of
John Kielt, Clady,
Sr Winifred Kiernan, Ballymagroarty.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary: John McEldowney
Bridget Kelly, Nellie McWilliams
Bridget Duggan, Mary Teresa McNamee,
Susanna Groogan, Carmel McCartan,
Joe Conville, Gerard McAllister.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASSES
John McEldowney, Magherafelt Road, Friday 28 December in St Columba’s Church, Straw at 7.30 pm.
Margaret Groogan, Corrick Sunday 30 December in St Columba’s Church Straw at 11.00 am.
Anne O’Kane, Mallonvillas Sunday 30 December 2018 in Holy Rosary Church at 12 noon.
DO THIS IN MEMORY 2019
Do This in Memory Masses will be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church at 12 nooon on the following dates:
27 January, 10 March and 14 April.
On 23 June the Final Mass will be celebrated in St Columba’s Church, Straw at 11.00 am.
All Primary 4 children and their families are warmly invited to attend this family and parish focussed programme.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2019
First Holy Communion will be celebrated in Ballinascreen Parish on the following dates in May 2019:
Saturday 4 May ~ Gaelscoil na Speiríní in
St Columba’s Church Straw,
Saturday 11 May ~ St Columba’s P.S. in
St Columba’s Church, Straw,
Saturday 18 May ~ St Mary’s P.S. in Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown,
Saturday 18 May ~ St Eoghan’s P.S. in
St Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena
CONFIRMATION 2019
Fr Madden will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 23 March in
St Columba’s Church Straw at 12 noon.
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.
IRISH CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER
As part of The Irish Catholic Evangelisation Initiative, the newspaper will be available each week for the next 7 weeks for £1. We encourage those who have never bought the paper before to consider buying it this week.
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £2305
Church Renovation Fund: £1530.
Many thanks to all who contributed.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
Friday Mass at 7.30 pm in St Columba’s Straw is offered as an anniversary Mass for deceased parishioners. If you wish to have your loved one prayed for at this Mass you MUST give their name to the Parish Office before Thursday of the relevant week.
ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY
The Society acknowledges a generous donation for the support and education of student priests at home and abroad. All benefactors share in the Masses and prayers of the society.
LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage 4 - 9 July 2019. Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, is now taking enquiries and initial expressions of interest.. Pilgrimage Office opening hours:are Thursday and Saturday 11.00 am–1.00 pm.
SCHOOL NOTICE FOR PARENTS
If your child will be starting pre-school or Primary School in September 2019, you should apply for their place online from Wednesday 2 January. Closing date for pre-school and Primary One applications is midnight on Thursday 31 January 2019. Further information can be found at www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions
KEEP FIT CLASSES
Classes with Nuala McWilliams Iin Workspace Recreation Centre from the January 7 - March 1. Circuits class to suit a range of different fitness levels these include mixed, men only and women only. As the Recreation Centre is ten years old there is a 10% discount on all classes. One weekly class costs £18 two weekly classes cost costs £36 for the eight week block. Spaces are only secure once payment has been received. Please call into Workspace Office, Monday – Friday 9 .00 am-5.00 pm to book and pay.
SECURITY NOTICE
In the run up to Christmas, police are urging homeowners to take steps to protect their property and reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime this festive season. Everyone is encouraged to report suspicious activity to the police – no matter how insignificant it may seem. For further advice on home security please contact your local Crime Prevention Officer on the non-emergency 101.
ST MARY’S HALL DESERTMARTIN
· Tea Dance on Boxing Night music by Two Star Country dancing 9.00 pm – Midnight. Admission £5, includes light supper.
ST COLM’S GAC
· 400 Club Winners:
£300 Eamon Groogan,
£50 Peter Doherty, £50 Michael Grant. £1000 will be paid out in prizes tonight Sunday 23 December.
· Annual Charity Game on Friday 28 December, Hurling 6.30 pm, Football 7.30 pm. Live music in Club after
· Nollaig faoi shéan agus faoi shonas do chách ó CLG Naomh Colm. A prosperous and happy Christmas to everyone from St Colm's GAC.
· Club shop is closed until mid January. Opening date will be posted on Club’s Facebook page.
POPE FRANCIS @PONTIFEX
Advent is a time for us to prepare for the coming of Jesus, Prince of Peace. It's a time to make peace with ourselves and our neighbours.