PARISH BULLETIN – 29th Sunday of the Year – 18th October 2020
SUNDAY MASSES
VIGIL MASS
St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 5 pm
Holy Rosary, Draperstown: 6.15 pm [webcam]
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught: 7.30 pm
SUNDAY
St. Columba’s, Straw: 9 am
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm: 10 am [webcam]
St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 11 am
Holy Rosary, Draperstown: 12 noon [webcam]
DAILY MASS TIMES FOR THIS WEEK (Limited Seating)
Holy Rosary Church: Monday and Wednesday ~ 10 am; Friday ~ 7.30 pm.
St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 10 am.
All Masses in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm are transmitted live via the Desertmartin parish webcam:
https://www.churchservices.tv/Desertmartin
All Masses in the Holy Rosary Church are transmitted live on the Ballinascreen parish webcam:
https://www.churchservices.tv/Draperstown
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FACE COVERINGS IN CHURCHES
Following recent government regulations, parishioners and visitors must wear face masks or face coverings at Masses and other celebrations in our churches. It is essential to do all we can to help stem the growth in the number of Covid-19 cases.
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DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Please remember in your prayers:
Sadie Wright, 12 Rosgarron Road; Joe Neville, Magherafelt; John Smyth, Moneymore; Patsy Cassidy, Maghera and Brian O’Neill, Portadown who were buried during the week.
Gavin Bradley and Kieran McGarvey who died recently.
Sean Henry, Selina McElwee, Ignatius Crawley, Alphonsus Crawley, Joseph Moran, Teresa Moran, Margaret McWilliams, Alice Gribbin and Sam McGirr whose anniversaries occur at this time.
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THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.
Last Week:
Sunday Collection/Priests’ Collection envelopes: £950.00.
Restoration Fund envelopes: £125.00.
Many thanks to all who have returned parish envelopes, established standing orders, have made online payments or used the ‘Donate’ button on the Parish Website. Your generosity is vital to the parish and is appreciated very, very much.
ST. VINCENT de PAUL
The local St. Vincent de Paul Society helps many people who are short and in need in our two parishes. The Society would appreciate any donations parishioners would be able to spare. If you would like to make a donation, please place it in an envelope marked ‘St. Vincent de Paul’ and place it in the collection box at the church door at Sunday Mass or put the envelope through the letterbox at the Parochial House. Thank you.
LOST AND FOUND
A sum of money was found on Longfield Road three weeks ago. Contact the Parochial House on 028 7963 2196.
A sum of money was found in Keenaught graveyard two weeks ago. Contact the Parochial House on 028 7963 2196.
ST. MARY’S, COOLCALM
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm, will be open for private prayer during the week ONLY on Monday and Wednesday from 11 am to 1 pm.
Please wear a face covering while entering and leaving the church. When you call into the church please pick up a coloured card at the door on the way to your seat. When you have finished praying please leave the card behind on your seat. That seat will be cleaned later in the day. Thank you.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
If parishioners in Desertmartin and Ballinascreen wish to have their loved one prayed for at the 10 am Mass in Coolcalm or the 7.30 pm Mass in Holy Rosary 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 Coolcalm and the Holy Rosary 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.churchservices.tv.
VIGIL AND SUNDAY MASSES
Masses will be held as follows:
7.30 pm Vigil Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.
10 am Sunday Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm (webcam).
In Ballinascreen Parish:
5 pm Vigil Mass in St. Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena.
6.15 pm Vigil Mass in Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown.
9 am Sunday Mass in St. Columba’s Church, Straw.
11 am Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Sixtowns.
12 noon Sunday Mass in Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown.
Church doors will open 30 minutes before Mass starts.
Because of the new guidelines regarding social distancing, the number of parishioners that may attend each Mass is limited. Therefore, following a 2-Week Cycle, each Mass will be for certain areas of the parish.
Full details of this 2-Week Cycle will be displayed on all Church doors, on the parish website at www.desertmartinparish.com, and on local club and community group Facebook pages.
It is very important to note that the Sunday Obligation to attend Mass continues to be suspended.
In the church only families residing in the same household can sit together.
Holy Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass as people leave.
Mass will be broadcast over the external speakers or you can watch Mass via the webcam (Coolcalm and Holy Rosary only). Those outside the church in their cars can receive Holy Communion once Mass is finished and the congregation has left the Church. Churches will be closed when the available seats are taken.
The safest place is still to remain at home.
FAMILIES WANTED
During October it is planned to have a different family recite the Rosary each Monday to Thursday at 7 pm in the Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown, beginning Monday 5th October. Parents, children, grandparents can come together to lead this beautiful family prayer which will be recorded live each evening and remain online for use at other times. If youyou’re your family are interested, please email Ballinascreen Parish Office at ballinascreenparish@gmail.com as soon as possible. The words and script of all the prayers will be provided.
VOLUNTEERS WELCOME
Thank you to those volunteering to help with stewarding and implementing the new Covid guidelines at our Masses. We would greatly appreciate more help with our weekend Masses and especially at our funerals. More volunteers are necessary to us having our churches open for our public Masses and they would be very welcome. You’re welcome to assist with the cleaning of seats after a Mass you attend. Thank you.
READERS AND EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Mindful that some Readers of the Word of God and Eucharistic Ministers may not be available to offer their services at this time, those who can are asked to please email the Parish Office as soon as possible giving name, address, and telephone number and the church they usually attend. Thank you very much. Email Address: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
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WAKES, FUNERALS, MONTH’S MINDS AND ANNIVERSARIES
One of the great losses during this time of pandemic has been the restrictions placed on parishioners attending wakes and funerals. The natural instinct is to go and offer sympathy to the bereaved. It goes against the grain to absent yourself from the home of a deceased neighbour or friend. It is also distressing when you cannot attend a funeral either. Desertmartin and Ballinascreen families are noted for their loyalty and support to families who suffer a bereavement. No one ever needed to think twice about going to a wake or funeral.
But these are not ordinary times we are now living through. We all have our part to play in keeping the numbers who contract Coronavirus low, for it’s out there to be picked up if we do not follow the rules. And though for most people Covid-19 may not impact seriously on their health, it is dangerous and life threatening for others and that might very well include ourselves. We cannot take the risk. We cannot presume that if we get the virus we will escape its worst effects. Wearing a mask is essential. We ask those who visit any of our churches to please wear a mask for their own and others’ safety. Please sanitise your hands on entering and leaving the Church. If visiting St. Mary’s, Coolcalm or the Holy Rosary Church, Draperstown for private prayer, please place a green or orange card (for Coolcalm) or a yellow card (for Holy Rosary) on the seat where you have been seated so that no one will sit there until the area is sanitised.
Those who attend wakes should only do so if they are related to the family or the very closest of friends. This is a difficult call to make but no one will take offence by your absence. They will understand. We are all in this together. Standing alongside the road on the day of the funeral is a very moving tribute. We are entering into the winter months when flu and other ailments will be the order of the day. We must do our bit not to exacerbate an already demanding situation for our health professionals.
From this week onwards 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 will ensure that there is sufficient space for those who are remembering a Month’s Mind, First Anniversary and other anniversaries. The Anniversary Masses celebrated on Fridays will be available on parish webcams.
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DESERTMARTIN CREDIT UNION
We will be ordering Oil within the next 2 weeks. So, if you want to request a fill, please let us know how much as soon as possible. Also, any member who is not in the Heating Oil Club, you can join and let us know your oil request for this delivery.
PRECIOUS LIFE PRO-LIFE CAMPAIGN
Join one of our ‘Life Chains’ in towns across Northern Ireland on Saturday 24th October at 2 pm. (organised in accordance with government Covid-19 restrictions on outdoor gatherings) For more information, please contact Precious Life on 028 9027 8484 or email info@preciouslife.com
SACRED HEART MESSENGER
From October onwards, the digital edition of ‘The Messenger’ will only be available to subscribers. A digital subscription costs just €15 per year and we hope you will decide to subscribe if you are not currently a subscriber.
If you would like to set up a Subscription to ‘The Messenger’ and have it POSTED to you, contact Coordinator, Elizabeth Foley on 00353 87 230 9219 or email: e.foley@messenger.ie.
‘TOTUS TUUS’ MAGAZINE
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the ‘Totus Tuus’ magazine is now being delivered straight to your door. If you would like to start receiving ‘Totus Tuus’ to your home, then please phone Fiona on 00353 86 876 0058.
BALLINASCREEN PADRE PIO COMMITTEE
The Padre Pio Mass continues every Monday at 7.30 pm from St. Columba’s Church, Longtower, Derry at http://longtowerchurch.org/webcam/
A SERIES OF PRESENTATIONS ON MISSION TODAY
Throughout October, Month of Mission, the Derry Diocesan Mission Team is offering a series of presentations on what mission means in today’s society. Each presentation is free and will be available online through Zoom. They will consist of a short film, discussion on the topic and a chance to ask questions. Guest speakers: Martina Purdy, Elaine Kelly, Noel Bradley, Oliver Barrett and Marriage Encounter Ireland. For further information, visit derrydiocese.org
EVANGELISING IRISH CULTURE
Brought to you by ‘The Hook of Faith’, a Zoom conference that shines the light of the Gospel on modern Irish culture. Expert input for 25 minutes. Q&A for 10 minutes. Each conference begins at 8 pm. Open to all. To take part, just send an email to: thehookoffaith@gmail.com to receive details for the Zoom call. For details on dates and speakers, please Google: Hook of Faith Evangelising Irish Culture Today.
‘It is imperative to evangelise cultures in order to inculturate the Gospel. In countries of Catholic tradition, this means encouraging, fostering and reinforcing a richness which already exists.’ (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel)
‘HOPE IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC’
A Lecture by Dr. Sr. Gemma Simmonds C.J., theologian and spiritual director. Hosted by Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, via Zoom at 7 pm on Thursday 22nd October. This is the first Lecture in the Elizabeth Prout (Foundress of the Cross and Passion) Bicentenary Series. Suggested Donation: £10. For further details or to book a place, please contact Drumalis on 028 2827 6455 (during office hours Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm) or email katrina@drumalis.co.uk
DROMANTINE RETREAT CENTRE, NEWRY
Dromantine Retreat Centre intends to host the following events in November. Offering a safe welcome back, numbers will be restricted, with social distancing and all Northern Health and Executive directives being adhered to:
‘Broken Open: How difficult times can help us grow’– a Workshop that will explore the potential for discovering courage, compassion and wisdom even in the most painful of life circumstances. Presented by Fr. Hugh Lagan SMA on Monday 2nd November at 9.30 am – Tuesday 3rd November at 5 pm. Full cost £115 or €125.
‘Loss and Recovery’: This seminar will explore loss in its many facets and how it is also an invitation to wholeness. ‘While the heart grieves for what it has lost, the Spirit dances for that which it has found.’ Presented by Fr. Jim Cogley on Saturday 14th November from 9.30 am to 5 pm. Full cost £35.
To book, or for further enquiries, Tel 028 3082 1964 or email sma.dromantine@sma.ie
ONLINE YOUTH PROGRAMMES
To access a wide variety of initiatives and activities by Derry Diocesan Youth, visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerryDiocesanYouth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derryyouth/
THE NET
The October edition of ‘The Net’ is now available online, on www.derrydiocese.org. As always, it features a wide variety of news, interesting and inspiring interviews, articles and photos from parishes across the diocese. You are invited to read ‘The Net’, on the diocesan website, at your convenience.
NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST STRESS CONTROL ONLINE
Stress is a normal reaction to the rapidly changing and uncertain times we are all living in at the moment. If you are feeling a bit more stressed than usual and would like to learn some great ways, free-of-charge, to deal with common problems like anxiety, depression, panicky feelings, poor sleep and poor wellbeing, then come along to our online Stress Control class.
‘Stress Control’ is a six-session cognitive-behavioural therapy class used extensively in community-settings by the NHS (UK) and HSE (Ireland) and across the world. You can find out more here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVRme6oWZT2hsCYaSergGw
As you can’t come to a regular Stress Control class due to the current circumstances, Stress Control will come to you and live stream the sessions. Each session will play twice a day at 2 pm and repeated at 8.30 pm (dates below). Each Session will remain available on YouTube for 36 hours after the start time. The sessions will be led by Dr Jim White, consultant clinical psychologist, who created the class and who has taught most of the NHS (UK) and HSE (Ireland) trainers who would normally be running classes across the country.
To take part:
- Go to https://ni.stresscontrol.org/ where you can learn more about the class and get the dates. Everything you need to successfully complete the class – the booklets, self-assessment, relaxation and mindfulness – can be found in the ‘Free zone’. If you can, please read, and start working on, the booklets in the ‘Preparing for the course’ section before Session 1.
- On the homepage, click on the ‘Stress Control 2020’ link to access our YouTube channel where the classes will be available to view at the scheduled times. If you click the ‘Subscribe’ button on our YouTube page (free), you will receive notifications when a new session is available. You can also follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_BKErJ_jlSQHKFtHPCRmEctDtcNCCowB
- The session will begin exactly on time, so make sure you are there from the start. Sessions run for about 90 minutes and there will be a 10 minute break in the middle.
- Each session is one piece of the jigsaw in tackling your Stress. By coming to each class, the jigsaw will form, and the big picture can emerge, making you better able to handle your stress. This is cognitive-behavioural therapy so it is crucial you practice the skills you will learn between sessions.
Life is very hard for us just now and there are no easy solutions or magic cures, but, with hard work and determination, we can boost our resilience to cope with these difficult times and come out the other end stronger. Please pass this on to anyone who you think might benefit from the class.
Dates and Times of Sessions:
Session 5 ~ ‘Controlling panicy feelings/Getting a good night’s sleep ~ Monday 19th October at 2 pm and 8.30 pm. (available for 36 hours)
Session 6 ~ ‘Boosting your wellbeing/Controlling your future ~ Thursday 22nd October at 2 pm and 8.30 pm. (available for 36 hours)