No.1882 ~ TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
PARISH OFFICE
9 High Street Phone: (028)79628248
Open Monday and Tuesday from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm
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:
Online at www.parishofballinascreen.com
On the noticeboard inside the front porch of Holy Rosary Church.
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.
WEEKDAY MASSES: 27 SEPTEMBER - 1 OCTOBER
Holy Rosary Church
Monday and Wednesday ~ 11.00 am
Friday ~ 7.30 pm
St Mary’s Coolcalm
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 11.00 am
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Monday 27: St Vincent de Paul.
Wednesday 29: Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels.
Thursday 30: St Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church.
Friday1: St Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church.
Saturday 2: The Guardian Angels.
BALLINASCREEN PARISH CHOIR
Following the easing of Covid restrictions, Bishop Donal McKeown has given permission for parish choirs to begin singing again at Mass. There will be still restrictions in place, such as social distancing and all choir members facing the same direction.
Ballinascreen Parish Choir will resume rehearsal on Thursday next September 30 in Holy Rosary Church at 7.30 pm. New members welcome.
The choir will sing at the Saturday 6.15 pm Vigil Mass in Holy Rosary Church
PASTORAL VISITATION OF THE SICK
Following the easing of the coronavirus restrictions, Fr Madden and Fr McGirr hope to resume the visitation of the sick beginning in October.
There will be no monthly visitations as in the past and they will not be visiting parishioners by area.
It is still not safe to go from house to house visiting the sick and the vulnerable on rote. They will make prior arrangements and over the course of the next few months hope to visit each person on the list twice. Therefore, they would greatly appreciate it if those who would like them to call would email the parish ballinascreenparish@gmail.com or desertmartinparish@gmail.com giving their name, address, and contact details and the name of one delegated family member and their contact details if different. Those who would prefer no visit at this time should feel absolutely free to say so. Their wishes and those of their family will be respected.
If at any time you think a visit from the priest is needed, please contact
Fr Madden 02879628376 or
Fr McGirr 02879632196.
Covid 19 has not stopped them visiting the sick when necessary since the pandemic began.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Kevin Wilson, Oak Park;
Patsy Stewart, Ballinascreen Fold;
Paddy (Andy) Kelly, Bancran Road.
ANNIVERSARIES
First Anniversary: Patrick McGlone
Anniversaries:
Christy Doherty,
Edmund Hegarty,
Joe Brunton,
Bridget Woods,
Baby Patrick McKernan,
Baby James McKernan,
Eileen Kelly,
Rosaleen Leyden,
Tommy Toner.
THORNHILL MINISTRIES
‘Beyond the Bruising:’ An oasis hour for those seeking serenity as they live with fractured relationships. Available on Zoom Saturday 9 October at 11.00 am. For details contact thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org
Thornhill Ministries Team is available for Training and Support to parishes and other groups.
Let gifting be the energy that I bring to my family, my friends, my work, my home.
ST. COLM'S HIGH SCHOOL
Science Technician post, full time to start A.S.A.P. until the end of June 2022. Hours are 8.30 am - 4.30 pm.
If interested please contact St Colm’s High School on 028 79628377.
THE NET – SEPTEMBER 2021
Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese. September 2021 edition is now available on Diocesan website: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-september-2021
For coverage of faith stories just email: editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Articles in this edition include:
Derry Youth 2000 Festival
Youth Ministry News
Young writers share thoughts on...
- Combating Climate Change
- Mary, Mother of God
- Celtic Camino celebrating St Columba
- People of the future
Banagher’s HOPE Camp
Greatest threat to Catholic education comes from lack of identity within – Bishop Donal
Season of CreationComments from around the Diocese
Clerical changes
Pat Hume gave her heart to God and to us all – Fr Paul Farren
God’s plan is mysterious, painful and beautiful in equal measure by Fr Roland Colhoun
Legion of Mary Centenary
September Feast Days “highlight mellow fruitfulness” of God’s Grace by Bishop Donal
Children’s Catechism Club and Quiz Time
“I am too old to go to Mass” by Fr Johnny Doherty CSsR
St Teresa of Calcutta by Mary McMenamin
Priestly lessons from St John Vianney
Being Eucharist by Fr John McLaughlin
St Columba the Scribe
SHARING THE GOOD NEWS
The September issue is available to download from www.catholicbishops.ie
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.
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. e mail address is ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
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.
ST COLM’S GAC - NEW WALKWAY
The new walkway around the two pitches has now been officially opened and blessed.
Congratulations and well done to everyone involved in providing this great asset to our community, which is freely available for everyone to use.
To coincide with this opening Ballinascreen GAC have now launched a Round the World Challenge.
Please check out: https://ballinascreengaa.com/walking-challenge/ for full information.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Monday 27 September:
Desertmartin Walk for Health Group meet at Union Road. Car Park Magherafelt at 7.00 pm.
SPRED Group returns on Monday 4 0ctober ( If willing to volunteer on Monday evenings with this group please contact any group member.]
Making Life Better, Supported by the Public Health Agency.
4 weeks exercise on Tuesday 28, September, and Tuesday 5 October at 11.30 am with Thomasina -adm £4
4 weeks Line-Dancing on Wednesdays 29 September and 6,13, 20 October at 7.00 pm admission £4
Gardening with Mary Doris will be back in February and March for spring gardening and advice.
Mental Health Talk (Coming Out of Covid) presented by Hugo McOscar on Monday 25 October and Monday. 8 November.at 7.30 pm
Come along to any of the sessions for chat, fun, exercise and friendship.
Due to Covid Restrictions, it is important to register for sessions, as numbers are limited.
To register please contact either Kathleen 07764277809, Anne: 02879642711 or Olive: 07887614094
ONLINE STRESS CONTROL CLASSES
Jim White, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, will lead these FREE online classes. Instructions on how to access them is available at https://ni.stresscontrol.org/.
Next round commences on Monday 4 October. Each class begins at 9.00 am and will be available online for 2 ½ days (62 hours) after the start time
POPE FRANCIS@PONTIFEX
Hope would have us recognize that there is always a way out, that we can always redirect our steps, that we can always do something to solve our problems.
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.
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
