No. 1786 ~ FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
VIGIL MASSES
St Eugene’s Moneyneena 6.00 pm
St Patrick’s Keenaught 7.30 pm
SUNDAY
St Eugene’s Moneyneena 9.00 am
St Patrick’s Sixtowns 10.00 am
St Mary’s Coolcalm 10.00 am
St Columba’s Straw 11.00 am
Holy Rosary 3.00 pm
DAILY MASS TIMES FOR THIS WEEK
HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
Monday ~ 10.00 am and 7.30 pm
Tuesday – Friday ~ 10.00 am
ST COLUMBA'S CHURCH, STRAW
Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
CONFESSIONS
Before the Vigil Mass
CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
40 Derrynoyd Road
Telephone: 79628376
Email:ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr Dermot McGirr CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Fr John Downey
Priest In Residence
36 Moneyneena Rd
Telephone: 79628375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Telephone:79628248
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
9.00 am – 3.00 pm
Wednesday and Friday ~ 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
PARISH WEBCAM
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the parish website:
www.parishofballinascreen.com
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 3: St Francis Xavier
Saturday 7: St Ambrose.
HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
We extend a warm welcome to Bishop Donal McKeown who comes to our parish this afternoon to rededicate Holy Rosary Church and to consecrate the new altar. All parishioners are welcome to attend the Mass at 3.00 pm and those unable to do so can follow the Mass on the webcam. We deeply appreciate all who worked hard to ensure the beautiful transformation of the church was completed on schedule, especially Heron Bros, and in particular Fearghal Ward and Keelin McCluskey. A special mention to Paddy Kelly who supervised the project, giving dedicated and wise leadership where it was needed. Gerry Loughrey Architects Ltd was central to the design and reordering of the sanctuary and we are deeply grateful to Gerry Loughrey and Gerry White. To all those who worked on the new roof, those responsible for the new altar furniture, those who provided new carpets and the painting and electrical contractors a deep debt of gratitude is due for making sure the church was ready on time.
We now have a sacred space that is comfortable, welcoming and at the centre of the daily prayer life of the parish.
May Our Lady of the Holy Rosary lead us to her son Jesus and may we come to this special place of prayer often to hear his word and to offer Him our praise and thanks in the celebration of the Eucharist.
THE FAMILY ROSARY
Many thanks to all who came to St Patrick’s Church Keenaught on Tuesday evening at very short notice to pray the rosary. If you go to the parish webpage and click on The Rosary, you will find this wonderful prayer, word for word for your convenience. You will find, after a while, you no longer need it.
VISITATION OF SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Due to the large number of sick and housebound in Ballinascreen Parish,
Fr Madden will make his Advent Visits on the following days:
Monday 9 December: Moneyneena Road, Drumderg, Mulnavoo, Bancran,
Tuesday 10 December:Fivemilestraight, Ranaghan, Disert, Sixtowns Road, Tonagh Straw, Cavanreagh, Strawmore
Wednesday 11 December: Moykeeran, Cahore, Campbeltown, Cordarragh, Derrynoid Road
Monday 16 December: Tobermore Road, Magherafelt Road, Slievegallion Park, Bradley Park, Glenshane Park Drumard, Gortnaskea.
SUNDAY MASS CHANGES
As and from 7 and 8 December Masses in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin will be:
6.00 pm ~ Vigil Holy Rosary, Draperstown
7.30 pm ~ Vigil St Patrick’s Keenaught
9.00 am ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
11.00 am ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
12 noon ~ St Columba’s Straw.
Daily Mass at 10.00 am returns to Holy Rosary Church from Monday December 2.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Monday 2 December from 10.30 am until 7.30 pm.
PADRE PIO MASS
Monthly Mass in honour of St Pio of Pietrelcina on Monday 2 December at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church. Novena prayers and Rosary at 7.10 pm. A relic will be available for Veneration at this Mass.
MONTH’S MIND MASSES
Daniel Doherty Cloane, on Saturday 30 November in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena at 6.00 pm.
Elizabeth Quinn Gortnaskea, on Sunday 8 December in St Patrick’s Church Sixtowns at 11.00 am.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS
Seamus McBride Campbelltown, on Wednesday 4 December in St Columba’s Church Straw at 7.30 pm.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and friends of;
John McDaid, Moneyneena,
Maggie Donnelly, Desertmartin,
Patrick McBride, Tirgan,
Angela Kennedy, Australia.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary: Don Harkin.
Patricia McCusker, John Farrelly, Eoghan Kelly, Rose Grant, James Gerard McGuigan, Catherine McKenna, Krzysztof Wojenodzki, Kevin McAuley, Baby Jude Patrick Trainor.
PARISH NOTICE
In order to update and keep an accurate account of parishioners being cared for in Residential Nursing Homes in the area, we ask that a member of the family contact the Parish Office with the name of their relative and the nursing home.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Sunday December 15 ~ Annual Parish Carol Service at 6.00 pm in St Columba’s Church Straw.
Wednesday December 18 ~ Annual Service of Reconciliation at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.
PARISH BAPTISMS
Baptisms at 3.00 pm in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena on Saturday 7 December, and in St Columba’s Church Straw on Sunday 22 December at 3.00 pm. A baptism card is to be completed when booking a baptism. Please contact the Parish Office to book.
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
Weekly Envelope Collection: £2475
Church Renovation Collection: £1617.
Many thanks to all who contributed.
BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Joseph James Mellon, Milltown Road,
Freda Anne McCloy, Cordarragh,
Rebecca Martha Coyle, Gortnari,
Ryan Brendan McCullagh, Dunmurray Road,
Lucy Patricia McBride, Strawmore Road,
Lorcán Pio Gormley, Cordarragh.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
The Friday 7.30 pm Mass in St Columba’s Church 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 by Thursday of the relevant week.
These names will also be read out at the 10.00 am Mass on Friday mornings (exception when this 10.00 am Mass is cancelled).
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRAW 2019
‘On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me ...one winning ticket!’ Desertmartin Parish is having a Christmas Draw again this year. There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Sunday 5 January. Every ticket will be entered into all the draws, which means everyone has 33 chances to win. Total prize fund is £5,000. Tickets £20 each are now available from Ballinascreen Parish Office. This would make a nice Christmas gift to send to members of your family and friends.
MATT TALBOT
Freedom from Drugs Mass
Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry to pray for those with a drug addiction, their families and anybody affected by drugs or addiction on Monday 2 December at 7.30 pm. A relic of Matt Talbot will be available for veneration at the end of this Mass. Everybody welcome.
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH OF IRELAND PARISH
St. Columba's Church of Ireland are delighted to welcome St Columba’s Choir, Straw to their Church for Christmas Carols on Sunday 8 December at 6.30 pm.
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Seasonal refreshments will be served.
DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
Pilgrimage from 2 - 7 July 2020. The Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, is open for general enquiries and for the supply of Gift Vouchers on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 11.00 am – 1.00 pm. Phone 028 7126 0293 or email: derrypilgrim@outlook.com.
Applications are invited for the 2020 Youth Pilgrimage, from those who will be age 17 at time of travel. Forms may be requested through schools or directly from Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, Derry.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Talk entitled ‘Mid Ulster’s GAA’ by Mark Conway on Tuesday December 3 at 8.00 pm in 50 High Street (beside library). All welcome.
Thornhill Ministries
Advent: Wednesdays 4, 11 and 18 December ~ Reflection Mornings (9.30 am to 12.00 noon) includes Mass and light lunch. Meditation (6.30pm to 7.00 pm).
Décor Workshops Tuesday 10 at 7.30 pm (Christmas Wreath) and Thursday 19 December at 7.30pm (Table Centrepiece).
For details phone 71351233 or email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org or view www.thornhillministries.co.uk.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY
Christmas celebrations at Sixtowns Hall today, Sunday 1 December. Santa and friends will switch on the lights at 4.00 pm sharp. Festivities continue indoors with live music, stalls, face painting, balloons and craft activities. £3 admission. Under 2's and seniors free. Everyone welcome. Thanks to Mid Ulster District Council for their support.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
Come and meet Santa and help him turn on the Christmas Tree lights on Friday 6 December at 7.00 pm in Backrow Hall. To have your chance of turning on the lights with Santa, pick up an entry slip at your Primary School or in Credit Union Office. Everyone welcome.
St. Colm’s High School
Sincere thanks to all who attended the production of Oliver. Your support was greatly appreciated. The school also wishes to thank all their sponsors for their generosity.
Congratulations to the Junior Camogie team on becoming Ulster Champions. Best wishes for the All Ireland series.
Draw Winners ~ Week 1: £100 Isla McEldowney, £50 Fiona Conway, £30 Kathleen McCrory. Collector’s Prize: Jake Quinn
Draw Winners ~ Week 2: £100 Patsy McDaid, £50 Aaron McKenna, £30 Sarah McGilligan. Collector’s Prize: Jayden Curran.
DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY
Free Christmas craft classes for children aged 4 - 9 on Tuesday 10 at 6.30 pm and Friday 13 December at 3.30 pm. Booking essential.
Lego Club Tuesdays from 5.00 pm.
Rhythm and Rhyme Fridays at 10.30 am.
Library closed from 4.00 pm on Saturday 21 December until Friday 3 January.
ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Open Night Thursday 5 December from 6.00 pm -7.00 pm. If unable to attend please make an appointment with the school.
Christingle Mass in St Columba's Church Monday 16 December at 7.00 pm. All welcome
ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Christmas Story in Holy Rosary Church on Tuesday 17 December at 6.30pm. All welcome
Slieve Gallion A.R.A.
Christmas Party in Rath Dubh Moneyneena on Saturday 7 December with Dave Lawlor. From 8.30 pm till late. Admission £10.
SGARA Meeting in Knocknagin Hall on Monday 9 December at 8.15 pm.
ST MARY’S HALL DESERTMARTIN
Advice NI Clinic Friday 6 December 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm. To book phone 92448738.
Christmas Bingo 8.30 pm on Wednesday 11 December. 10 page book costs £7.00.
Tea Dance Friday 13 December.
Boxing Night Dance, Thursday 26 December, music by Micheal Mawhinney.
LAUDATO SI ~ ADVENT REFLECTION
Pope Francis has issued a plea for us all to engage in saving ‘our common home’. He puts this responsibility at the very heart of being Christian. He asks that in our consumer choices we consider, ‘what kind of world we want to leave to children who are now growing up.’
ST COLM’S GAC
400 Club winners: £300 ~ Anne Kelly, £50 ~ Laura Groogan, £50 ~ Darcie McPeake.
AGM Monday 2 December at 7.30 pm
