PARISH BULLETIN – 4th Sunday of Easter – 3rd May 2020
Deaths and Anniversaries
Please remember in your prayers:
Sue Moran, 38 Iniscarn Road. Her Funeral Mass will be on Sunday 3rd May at 10 am from St. Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Liam McColgan, Derry, who died during the week.
Kathleen Burns, Derrynoyd Road, Draperstown, who was buried during the week.
Celine Arkins, Monny McSorley and Josie McNally who died recently.
&
Peggy Wright, Jim McCabe, Patrick Duffy, Grainne McGovern, Joe McKenna and Catherine McGirr whose anniversaries occur at this time.
May Altars in our Homes
It has long been a tradition for families to erect an altar of adoration to Our Lady in their homes. As parishioners cannot attend Mass in church at the moment, this tradition is more important than ever. We invite families, especially the children of the parish to create a prayer space in their home. They can use images or statues of Our Lady or even create their own image on paper. We would be delighted if you would like to send us a photo of your own family prayer space to desertmartinparish@gmail.com and we will put them up on the parish website.
Thank You to All Parishioners who have dropped in collection envelopes at the Parochial House lately. People’s financial support of the parish in these times is very much appreciated.
The Parish Church Graveyards are Open. Please continue to follow social distancing guidelines. Thank you very much. The Church buildings remain closed for the time being.
Holy Hour on Monday 4th May at 3 pm from the Holy Rosary Church. You’re welcome to join in with this time of prayer via the Ballinascreen Parish webcam at www.parishofballinascreen.com.
Parish Anniversary Mass
If parishioners in Desertmartin and Ballinascreen wish to have their loved one prayed for at the 10 am Mass in Holy Rosary or the 7.30 pm Mass in Coolcalm on a Friday, phone the Desertmartin Parish Office answering machine on 028 7939 7047 or email desertmartinparish@gmail.com by 12 noon on Thursday of the relevant week. These Masses from the Holy Rosary and Coolcalm may be viewed on the respective Parish webcams:
For Coolcalm go to www.desertmartinparish.com and click on the blue webcam button.
For Holy Rosary, go to www.parishofballinascreen.com and click on the word ‘webcams’ in yellow.
[Other church webcams can be accessed at www.mcnmedia.tv]
Part-Time Certificate in Religious Education
St. Angela’s College, Sligo, is inviting applications for this online course, which begins Autumn 2020. The course is open to: Qualified primary school teachers and Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching. Parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education may also apply. Closing date for applications is Friday 15th May. For more details and application forms, contact Mary Kearns, Education Department, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie or visit www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie.
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post graduate degree 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 2020. If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 7126 4087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
Parish Baptisms
In accordance with the Government statement and guidelines issued by Bishop McKeown, there will be no baptisms until further notice. Baptisms will resume as soon as possible, but we ask parents not to be anxious. It is customary nowadays for children to be baptised many weeks and months after they are born. Parents can bless their children with the Sign of the Cross morning and evening and recite the Guardian Angel Prayer for them:
Angel of God
My guardian dear
To whom God’s love
Commits me here
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide. Amen.
The Messenger
Messenger Publications are offering a free online copy of the May edition (and possibly further editions) of ‘The Messenger’, given that it is impossible to distribute the paper copy in the usual manner. To access the May edition, visit: https://issuu.com/messengerpublications/docs/05_messenger_may_2020.
Even if you don’t normally receive The Messenger, you are welcome to access this link. If you have any difficulty accessing the link or if you have any further queries, please email c.henry@messenger.ie.
Online Resources
Resources are available on the Derry Diocesan Catechetical website to help families, young people and children to continue to engage with their Faith Formation during this time. Log on to www.catecheticalcentre.org.
Primary School Resources: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/primary-school-resources/
Post Primary School Resources: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/post-primary-school-resources/
Youth Resources: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/youth-resources/
The Net
The April 2020 edition of ‘The Net’, the monthly publication sharing the fruits of the faith in parishes and schools within the Diocese of Derry, marks its fifth anniversary. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the April edition will be available only on the Diocesan website at this stage. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. For inclusion of your faith news in future editions please email: editorthenet15@gmail.com.