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BALLINASCREEN PARISH - 16 MAY 2021

No.1863 ~ THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY


 

​​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

Please note that due to restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus Pandemic the Parish Office may only 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

Tuesday 18: St John I pope and martyr.

Thursday 20: St Bernadine of Siena.

Friday 21: Saints Christopher Magallánes, priest and Companions, martyrs.

Saturday 22: St Rita of Cascia.


DAILY MASS TIMES THIS WEEK (MONDAY 17 - FRIDAY 21 MAY)

Monday 17 May

11.00 am in Holy Rosary Draperstown

Tuesday 18 May

11.00 am in St Mary’s Coolcalm

Wednesday 19 May

11.00 am in Holy Rosary Draperstown

Thursday 20 May

11.00am in St Mary’s Coolcalm

Friday 21 May

Parish Anniversary Mass at 11.00 am in St Mary’s Coolcalm

Parish Anniversary Mass at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary.


SYNODAL ASSEMBLY MESSAGE FROM BISHOP McKEOWN

The Irish Bishops have decided to initiate a process in the Irish Church, leading to a Synodal Assembly in perhaps five years.

The Bishops’ Conference plans the next two years as a period of prayer, listening and discernment, involving a nationwide consultative conversation on this theme. Following this, there will be a three-year preparation for a National Synodal Assembly.

Before embarking on the Synodal Pathway consultation, bishops are inviting submissions to reflect on what methods/models to adopt in these coming two years of conversations.

Individuals and groups are invited to submit ideas as to

  • how the national conversation might best be conducted,

  • what hard-to-reach groups need to be involved.

For further information on making a submission go to www.catholicbishops.ie/synod . Please note that submissions are sought by 23 May 2021 and can be made directly online through that website.


WEDDING

Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Carleen Convery and Caolan McAteer who were married recently in St Eugene’s Church Moneyneena.


BAPTISM

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

Se Michael McGlone, Moneyneena Road.


DEATHS

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:

Joe Rogers, Sixtowns Road;

Bridget McKenna, Carnamoney Lane;

John Flood, Derry.


ANNIVERSARIES

Daniel Mulholland,

James P McGuigan,

Francis Toner,

Mark Cassidy,

Maureen McCallion,

John Reid.


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


FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2021

In the light of some easing of Covid 19 restrictions, Bishop McKeown has now decided that parishes may arrange First Holy Communion and Confirmation Ceremonies to be celebrated in the coming weeks. Following a meeting with all primary school principals in Ballinascreen, First Holy Communion Masses will take place on the following dates in Holy Rosary Church at 3.00 pm:

June 5: Gaelscoil na Speiríní;

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

June 19: St Eoghan's P.S., Moneyneena;

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


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.

Health and Safety Notice re Friday Anniversary Masses

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.


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


ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS’ SOCIETY

The Society acknowledges with sincere thanks 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. Further donations gratefully accepted. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood.


CELEBRATING PENTECOST ~ RECEIVE! BELIEVE! LIVE!

As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on 23 May, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre has created a variety of resources, including prayers, reflections and craft activities, suitable for use in parishes, at home and in schools. These resources are available online at https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/celebrating-the-feast-of-pentecost/


KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE ANNUAL PLANT SALE

On Friday 21 May at 6.30 pm.

Perennials, Annuals and Shrubs will be available at reasonable prices. This will be an outside event, with a one way queuing system. Gates open to the sale at 6.30 pm.

For more information follow Kilcronaghan on Facebook or ring 028 79627826


CELEBRATING MARY IN MAY

May is a very special month for the Church as we remember Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother. A full month is given over to Mary and during this month we are encouraged to honour Mary in different ways. To help parishes, families and schools to do this, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre has created a number of resources including prayers, Gospel reflections, colouring and craft activities, examples of May Altars and ideas on how to pray the Rosary. These resources are available online at catecheticalcentre.org/category/celebrating-mary-in-the-month-of-may-2021/


LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS

Seminars continue for 6 more Thursdays in conjunction with the 7.30 pm Mass in Sacred Heart Church Omagh. All are welcome to join via Drumragh Parish webcam at 7.30pm.

20 May: Baptism in the Spirit – Fr Eddie Magee;

27 May: Growth - Fr Colum Curry;

3 June: Transformation – Fr Kevin McElhennon.


TARSUS SCRIPTURE SCHOOL

Pentecost 2021

Babel to Jerusalem and beyond: (Jessie Rogers)

There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit: (Kieran J. O’Mahony)

Breathing new life: (Sean Goan)

This programme is offered free of charge

To explore and register click here.

Ecumenical Bible Week 2021

The Ecumenical Bible week is an exciting venture, arising out of the International Eucharistic Congress of 2012. It is funded by the two Archdioceses of Dublin and the National Bible Society of Ireland and is free of charge. To explore and register click here.

All programmes will all be online


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. For more details please visit www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie or contact Mary Kearns on 0035371 9195550. Email: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie


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.


MARY'S MEALS - PRAY IN MAY

Mary’s Meals is now reaching more than 1.8 million children with a nutritious meal in 19 countries every school day. This May we are invited to join in their prayer campaign in thanksgiving for each little act of love that makes this work possible and also for God’s continued blessing on their mission, that through His providence it will always flourish enabling them to reach more hungry children.

Prayer resources and more details at at: www.marysmeals.org.uk/prayinmay


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


THE NET ~ MAY 2021

Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the May edition of ‘The Net’ is only available on the Diocesan website: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-may-2021

For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com

Coverage this month’s includes:

  • Sr Clare Crockett.

Sr Clare still touching lives

Sr Clare’s story gives hope

Her family and friends reminisce

Sr Clare shows joy comes from following Divine dream

Sr Clare’s Face.

  • ACCORD recruiting for couples counselling training

  • Diocesan Environmental Strategy

  • Derry Youth Ministry update

  • Young writers share their thoughts on a variety of topics

  • St Benedict and Miraculous Medals & prayers leading to many conversions

  • Bishop blesses Creggan’s Divine Mercy statues

  • Beautiful Day of Grace in Claudy Parish

  • Divine Mercy in Newtownstewart

  • First Saturday Devotions in Claud

  • Legion of Mary centenary reflections

  • Carmelite Spirituality – Little Way Novena

  • Thoughts from across the Diocese on a Synodal Church

  • Our Lady of Knock

  • Columba Community celebrates

  • Our faith serves us up a rich fare!

  • An Biobla Naofa

  • The Five Sundays of May

  • Children’s Catechism Club Quiz Time


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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