PARISH BULLETIN – 4th Sunday of Easter – 25th April 2021
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
Holy Rosary Church: Monday and Wednesday ~ 11 am. Friday ~ 7.30 pm.
St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning ~ 11 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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Fr. Peter Madden P.P. V.F.
31 Sixtowns Road, Draperstown
Phone: 028 7962 8376
Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
Fr. Dermot McGirr C.C.
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 028 7963 2196
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
Fr. John Downey C.C.
36 Moneyneena Road
Telephone: 028 7962 8375
Email: j.downey75@btinternet.com
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DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Please remember in your prayers:
Bridget Gordon, formerly of Magherafelt Road and Ballinascreen Fold. Her funeral will be on Monday at 11 am in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm.
Lorna Wilson, Meta Quinn, Úna Henry and Declan Hegarty who were buried during the week.
Irene Mulholland and Jack Wright who died recently.
Jeannie McGovern, Henry Trainor, Mary McGuckin, Susan Higgins, John Smith, Anne O’Neill and Pat McPeake whose anniversaries occur at this time.
____________________________________________________________
THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.
Last Week:
Sunday Collection/Priests’ Collection envelopes: £1,273.00.
Restoration Fund envelopes: £45.00.
Clerical Education Collection envelopes: £15.00 (total so far: £418.00).
Holy Places Collection envelopes: £5.00 (total so far: £334.00).
Those who contribute with a church collection envelope, you are welcome to return them at any parish Mass or Holy Week Ceremony or put them through the Parochial House letterbox.
Many thanks to all who have dropped in 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
If you would like to make a donation, please put it in an envelope marked ‘St. Vincent de Paul’ and put the envelope through the letterbox at the Parochial House. Thank you.
TRÓCAIRE DONATIONS
The total amount so far that parishioners have donated by envelope to Trócaire is £2,445.00. Thank you for your generous contributions in these times to the Trócaire Lenten Appeal.
NEW REGULATIONS FOR ATTENDANCE AT RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Since Monday 12th April, regulations on the number of people attending weddings, funerals and baptisms have been relaxed, so the following arrangements are now in place in Desertmartin and Ballinascreen parishes. All churches have been risked assessed and the number of places determined for each church is as follows:
Coolcalm ~ 60 Keenaught ~ 100
Straw ~ 100 Holy Rosary ~ 100 Moneyneena ~ 100 Sixtowns ~ 50
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 Parochial House or 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 Parochial House or 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.
BAPTISMS
Though it is likely that numbers attending baptisms will be small, a Track and Trace contact sheet must be completed by the day before the baptism and all attending must wear a mask. Please be in the church well before the time the ceremony is due to begin.
Thank you for your cooperation.
NUMBERS ATTENDING SUNDAY MASSES IN KEENAUGHT AND COOLCALM
Having reflected on the numbers attending weekend Masses in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin, it has been decided that anyone may attend Sunday Mass in the following churches, regardless of where they live in the parish: St. Columba’s, Straw; St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena; St. Patrick’s, Keenaught and Holy Rosary, Draperstown. There are plenty of spaces available at the moment and when the number of spaces have been allocated before Mass begins, the doors will close.
Because of their relative size and the larger numbers attending St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns and St. Mary’s, Coolcalm, it is not possible to open these churches for Sunday Mass except on a townland area basis. So, the 2-week townland area rota will continue in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm for Sunday Masses.
PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
If parishioners in Desertmartin and Ballinascreen wish to have their loved one prayed for at the 11 am Mass in Coolcalm or the 7.30 pm Mass in Holy Rosary on 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.
COOLCALM AND KEENAUGHT OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm, will be open for private prayer and to light candles this week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 am to 2 pm.
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught, will be open for private prayer and to light candles this week on Thursday from 11 am to 2 pm.
Please, you must wear a face covering while entering and leaving the church. Also, please use hand sanitiser at the door. 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. Do not sit on a seat where a card has been left behind. Thank you.
CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS FOR THE LEGION OF MARY
As part of the centenary celebrations for the Legion of Mary, there will be a special Mass for the Legionaries of the diocese live-streamed from St. Theresa’s Church, Sion Mills, on Wednesday 28th April at 7 pm, the Feast of Louis Marie de Montfort, the saint who had such a major influence on Frank Duff that gave him the inspiration to set up the Legion of Mary for the first time on 9th September 1921. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, only a small number of representatives of the parish Legions in Co. Tyrone will be able to attend. You are invited to participate in this Mass via the parish webcam, on http://melmountparish.com/sionwebcam.html . The Rosary along with the Legion of Mary Prayers will then be recited.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
Life in the Spirit Seminar in Omagh continues for 6 more weeks in conjunction with 7.30 pm Holy Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh. Please join at 7.30 pm each Thursday via the Drumragh parish webcam: http://www.drumraghparish.com/webcam.html
29th April: ‘Salvation’ – Fr. Joe Gormley; 6th May: ‘The New Life’ – Bishop Donal McKeown; 13th May: ‘Receiving God’s Gift’ – Fr. Christopher McDermott; 20th May: ‘Baptism in the Spirit’ – Fr. Eddie Magee; 27th May: ‘Growth’ – Fr. Colum Curry; 3rd June: ‘Transformation’ – Fr. Kevin Mc Elhennon. ‘Let him who is thirsty come; let him who desires, take the water of life without price’ Rev. 22:17. Please pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all people.
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/
MASTERS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
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 2021. An information session via Zoom will be held on Monday 7th June at 3.30 pm. If you are interested in attending this session or require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 7126 4087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
DIOCESE OF DERRY ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY – INVITATION TO RESPOND
The Diocese of Derry has launched a consultative plan about climate change and the environment and is inviting everyone within the Diocese to read, engage and respond to it. The plan identifies actions and behaviours that support rather than destroy the environment. The suggestions cover such areas as land, buildings, energy, food, travel and waste. A draft of the Environmental Strategy has been posted on the Derry Diocesan website, to view and/or download: https://www.derrydiocese.org/diocese/environmental-strategy. Every attempt has been made to make the Strategy both comprehensive and practical so as to suit each parish’s particular situation. In order to ensure that it is as helpful as possible to your various parish communities however, we would appreciate any constructive feedback on it that you may have to give. We ask if you could:
– Read the draft Strategy document and give feedback on aspects that you feel could be supplemented/improved.
– Begin to implement any aspect(s) of it that you feel can be put into practice quickly and easily.
– Draw the attention of both parish groups and individual parishioners to the Strategy and encourage them to give feedback. (This would be especially relevant to schools and any groups/individuals with particular interest in environmental issues).
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday 31st May. Submit your comments, questions and suggestions to Patricia McCormack by:
Email: laudatosiderry@gmail.com
Telephone/text: 077 1190 0420
Facebook: Laudatosiderry
SMOKING CESSATION SERVICE
Thinking of giving up smoking for 2021? Free smoking cessation service available at O’Kane’s Pharmacy, Draperstown. Please phone 028 7962 8209 for more information.
SACRED HEART MESSENGER
A digital edition of ‘The Messenger’ is 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. Contact Coordinator, Elizabeth Foley, on 00353 87 230 9219 or email: e.foley@messenger.ie.
RADIO MARIA IRELAND
Based at St. Anthony’s Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 22, is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station with commercial-free broadcasting of Prayer, Catechesis, Music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies. If you are not already a follower of the station, Radio Maria Ireland encourage you to join their growing faith family. You can tune in to the station in a variety of ways:
Digital TV – Freeview TV (Channel number varies per location in N.I.)
Download FREE App ‘RADIO MARIA IRELAND’
Streaming on website, www.radiomarie.ie (subscribe and donate here also)
‘Listen Live Radio’ link on Facebook Page. (Like, Share and Follow us on Facebook)
Phone – get live radio feed by calling 00353 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply).
Prayer and song requests welcome. ‘A Catholic voice in your home’. Fr. Eamonn McCarthy is Director.
THE NET – APRIL 2021
Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the April edition of ‘The Net’ will only be available on the Diocesan website –https://derrydiocese.org/images/the-net/the-net-april-2021.pdf
However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. Enquiries to – editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Coverage in this month’s edition includes:
* ‘The Net’ youth writers report on interview with Sr. Nathalie Becquart, the Trócaire Lenten Talk, World Water Day, and Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq.
* Peter Grant writes about inspiring Iskaheen & Upper Moville youth.
* Moving youth Passion performance in St. Eugene’s.
* April webinars with Derry Youth by Niamh McLaughlin
* Cappagh youths on live RTE Lough Derg Mass by Davog McCaffrey
* Aghyaran native, Máire McAteer shares joy of serving God through Youth 2000
* Great interest in Sr. Clare anniversary retreat
* Colourful celebration of Palm Sunday in Omagh
* Children’s Catechism Club – C3 by Veronica Harley
* Fr. Michael McGoldrick OCD delighted to be back in Derry
* ‘Blessed is She’ – A source of strength and support by Aoife O’Neill
* ‘Flourish’ – helping women grow together through scripture study by Niamh Fox
* Greenlough one of many parishes benefiting from lockdown’s unleashing of talents
* Diocesan prayer for loved ones lost during Covid year
* Faughanvale celebrates Fr. Michael Keaveny’s 70 years of priesthood.
* A tribute to the late Sean Friel, Waterside, Derry
* Long Tower Mothers’ Day Rosary
* Lenten Rosary outside Cathedral
* Cuimhní Cóivide 3 – Irish Page by Fr. Oliver Crilly.
* Knock’s new status welcomed by growing number of Eucharistic adorers
* Easter feature on Eucharistic Adoration and Divine Mercy Message
– with comments from around the Diocese
* Mary – Model of Grace by Oliver Barrett
* Divine Mercy Conference – Put your trust in Jesus by Rose Ann O’Donnell
* Let us always be a voice for the voiceless and vulnerable in our society by Mary McMenamin
* Palliative care respects totally the sacredness of human life by Fr. Colum Clerkin
*The First Easter Morning by Fr. Stephen Quinn OCD
* This Easter let us be messengers of hope wherever hope is lost – Bishop Donal
* Nine days of prayer for vocations
* Bishop Donal reflects on priestly ministry role of today in lead up to Good Shepherd Sunday
* Exploring Dunree by Vera McFadden
* ‘Do not be afraid’ by Fr. Joseph Varghese
* Some thoughts on synodality from Bishop Donal
* Preparing for the Holy Spirit – Sundays after Easter by Fr. Johnny Doherty CSsR
* This New Life by Fr. John McLaughlin SSC
* Quiz Time with Lawrence