Bulletin: 28th November 2021

PARISH BULLETIN – 1^st Sunday of Advent – 28^th November 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 ~ 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

____________________________________________________________

 

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

____________________________________________________________

 

DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Please remember in your prayers:

 

Bridie McGuigan, formerly 24 Brackalislea Road, whose Funeral will be today Sunday at 12 noon in St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.

 

Katie Donnelly, Mallon Villas; Michael Hegarty, Moneymore and Bernadette Gallagher, Magherafelt whose funerals were held during this week.

 

Anne McGuigan, Pat McCluskey and Victor Lynn who died recently.

 

Seamus Scullion whose First Anniversary occurs at this time.

 

Baby Roseanne Molloy, Cecelia McBride, May McGuigan, Rose Walls, Tommy O’Kane, Dominic Wilson and Mary O’Hagan whose anniversaries occur at this time.

 

MONTH’S MIND MASS

The Month’s Mind Mass for Frances Wilson, 14 Draperstown Road, will be celebrated on Friday 3^rd December at 11 am in St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.

 

____________________________________________________________

                SYNODALITY

Synodality is about seeking together to discover God’s way forward in a new time and place.  This is not just a time of change but a change of time.  It is about learning to journey in hope from the great figures of the Advent liturgy: Isaiah, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph.  We are a pilgrim people, following the voice of God who calls us one step at a time.  We are moving beyond a Church where everything depends on ‘Father’.  Pope Francis has asked us to rediscover the Advent spirit of leaving our secure base and trusting that the Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace.

We aim to have a time of local listening to one another in January/February, building towards a diocesan submission to an Irish national response.  All national responses will be considered by the Vatican and a Working Document sent back for local reflection and comment in late 2022 – building towards the Synod of Bishops’ meeting in October 2023, and beyond.

This is the beginning of a new way of being Church.  It is not just a passing initiative. It is facing the future together, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Advent is not just a season of the year.  It is a permanent part of our identity as Church.

 

____________________________________________________________

 

BAPTISM

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

Charlie Pius Donnelly, 30 Cordarragh, Draperstown.

 

 

THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.

Last Week:

Sunday Collection/Priests’ Collection envelopes:  £147.30.

Retired Priests Collection envelopes:  £450.00.

 

Those who contribute with a church collection envelope, you are welcome to return them at any parish Mass or put them through the Parochial House letterbox at any time.  Thank you.

Thank you also to all parishioners who are supporting the Parish by direct debit.  Your contributions are appreciated very much.

 

SPECIAL TRÓCAIRE EMERGENCY COLLECTION

Fr. McGirr would like to acknowledge a further £230 received during the week for the special collection to support Trócaire’s emergency appeal to help people suffering from hunger in East Africa.  The updated total the collection raised in Desertmartin Parish is £2,530.00.  The additional donations will be sent on to Trócaire as soon as possible.  Thank you once again for your generosity towards this emergency appeal.

 

 

The Parish is having a CHRISTMAS DRAW this year.  There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Tuesday 5^th January 2021.  As before, everyone’s ticket will be in for All the draws, which means you have 33 chances to win prizes.  Total prize fund is £5,000.  TICKETS are £20 each, available from:

• the Churches before and after Mass

• Desertmartin Parish Office on a Thursday between 10.30 am and 3 pm

• from McGirr at the Parochial House, 50 Tobermore Road

• Heron’s Gift Shop, Draperstown

• Moneyneena Post Office

A ticket would make a nice Christmas gift to send inside your Christmas cards to members of your family and friends this Christmastime.

 

If anyone would like a Ticket Posted to them, please contact Fr. McGirr on 028 7963 2196 or email desertmartinparish@gmail.com

PRIZES ~ on the first 10 days there are 3 prizes each day of £100.  On 11^th Day the draw will be for 2 prizes of £500 and on the 12^th and last Day of Christmas there is one final prize of £1,000.  Please let your family and friends know about our special Christmas Draw.

Thank you for all your generous support of the Draw last Christmas.  This year’s Draw will be essential to helping with the basic running of the parish during these times into 2022.  Good luck to everyone who enters the Twelve Days of Christmas Draw.

 

 

KNOCKNAGIN HALL COMMITTEE

Desertmartin Walk for Health Group will meet at the car park at the Desertmartin Church on Friday 3^rd December at 2 pm for an afternoon walk weather permitting.

SPRED Group next meeting on Monday 29^th November from 7 pm to 8.30 pm

Making Life Better, supported by the Public Health Agency.

Christmas Wreath / Table Top Arrangements with Mary on Friday 17^th December at 7 pm.  You must register as places are limited. Mary will then email a list of materials needed.  Admission £5.

Exercise every Tuesday at 11.30 am with Thomasina.

Line-Dancing every Wednesday at 7.30 pm.

Crochet Class with Ceiline Bleeks on Tuesdays from 7 pm to 9 pm.  £5 per Session.

Come along and join in any of the sessions for chat, fun, exercise and friendship.

Dance and Movement on Friday evenings from 7 pm to 8.30 pm with Charmaine from Arts Care continuing for the next two weeks funded by the Public Health Agency.  Charmaine will use dance and movement to help us feel good in both body and mind.  We will share stories, talk, laugh and move together to our favourite music.  Come along and join in any of the above sessions for chat, fun, exercise and friendship.

Places are still available for these sessions.

Due to Covid restrictions, it is important to register for sessions as numbers are Limited.  Contact Kathleen on 077 6427 7809, Anne on 028 7964 2711 or Olive on 078 8761 4094.

 

CATHEDRAL ADVENT PROGRAMME

‘How Fit Is Your Soul?’ Programme:  The ‘How Fit Is Your Soul’ Programme is an online programme from St. Eugene’s Cathedral taking place during Advent.  This is for anyone who is interested in reflecting on and developing their prayer life, whether you would like to start praying, pray more or experience new ways to pray.  For more information, please email emmett.mullan@btinternet.com or phone St. Eugene’s Parish office on 028 71262 894.

 

ADVENT 2021

A Family Prayer Booklet, for family prayer at home during Advent, has been created by the diocese in conjunction with the Northern Pastoral Network.  The booklet contains a Gospel reading for each Sunday of Advent, a family activity, prayers and a reflection.  It can be downloaded at this link https://www.derrydiocese.org/advent

 

THORNHILL MINISTRIES

‘The Mystery Unfolds’:  Advent Oasis mornings offered by Thornhill Ministries (Saturdays 27^th November and 11^th December 11 am – 12 noon).  Led by Fr. Paschal, each gentle hour helps us touch into the mystery of life and God-with-Us.  To register and for zoom link, contact 077 3683 2458 or email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org

 

KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE

The members of the Five Roads Writing Group cordially invite everyone to come along to the informal, drop-in, book launch of their third publication, ‘Reflections’.  The 86 page book contains 55 items from 7 local writers.  The event will be held at the Centre on Saturday 4^th December from 2 pm to 3 pm.  An ideal Christmas gift!

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Classroom Assistant in Gaelscoil na Speirini, 15 hours per week.  Job details on EA Website.

Building supervisor 12.5 hours per week.  Job details on EA Website.

Please contact the Gaelscoil on 028 7962 8445 or email skelly745@c2kni.net for more details.

 

YOGA

There are Yoga Classes in Magherafelt led by Bernie on Monday nights at 5.45 pm in the Parish Centre across the road from the Church.  Classes are 80 minutes long.  A block of 6 classes is £60.  Anyone joining now, it’s £50.  Bring yoga mat pillow and blanket.  For more information, tel. 077 5900 1664.

 

SERVICE OF LIGHT

The ‘North West Bereaved by Suicide’ Support Group is holding its annual Service of Light, on Sunday 5^th December at 5.30 pm in the Foyle Search and Rescue H.Q., Prehen, Derry.  All are welcome to attend.   

 

   LOUGH DERG ONLINE SHOP

Lough Derg online shop offers unique Christmas Cards, featuring scenes of the Island from across the centuries and bespoke Gifts including a limited edition Lough Derg Christmas Candle.  Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards are also available  –  Fr. La, Prior, will offer a triduum of Masses beginning on Christmas Eve for all those who are enrolled.  Visit www.loughderg.live/shop   Telephone 00353 71 9861518.  Delivery nationwide and Click and Collect Service available.

 

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE CHILD

Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca, Derry will host this Novena from 8^th – 16^th December.  Novena Mass and prayers will be live streamed via Facebook each evening at 7.30 pm.  Novena prayer leaflets containing the public prayers after Mass and the private prayers to be said at home are on Termonbacca Facebook page or email termonbaccaderry@gmail.com

 

PRIORY INSTITUTE – ONLINE ‘THEOLOGY’ OPEN EVENING

The Priory Institute invites you to attend a short introductory Lecture on Theology to find out if studying theology with them is right for you.  This Open Evening takes place on Thursday 2^nd December at 7 pm.  Question and Answer time available.  For further information or to register, visit : https://prioryinstitute.com/events/priory-institute-open-evening / Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com  / telephone 003531 4048124.  The Priory Institute provides online Theology courses to degree level.  Attend Saturday lectures from the comfort of your own home.

Lectio Divina Reflections on the Advent and Christmas Gospels:  The Priory Institute is delighted to offer a Free of Charge online retreat (which is a repeat of the popular Advent Retreat ran in 2018).  Visit website prioryinstitute.com or click on this link https://bit.ly/3DWrTkx to register/find out more.

 

MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL – OCTOBER 2022

7 Nights Apartment B&B and return Airport transfer from Dubrovnik or Split from €315 per person sharing.  Guaranteed Airport transfer price for any flight.  Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you.  Tel. 00353 1443 4510 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com

 

AL-ANON 

Al-Anon provides a free, confidential, non-judgmental support service to individuals and families whose life is or has been affected by someone else drinking.  All meetings are listed on the website www.al-anonuk.org.uk , or you may call the Confidential Helpline on 028 9068 2368.

 

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 with the name and address of your deceased loved one.  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, Wednesday and Friday from 11 am to 2 pm.

St. Patrick’s, Keenaught, will be open for private prayer and to light candles this week on Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 2 pm.

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.

 

NUMBERS ATTENDING SUNDAY MASSES IN KEENAUGHT AND COOLCALM

In Desertmartin and Ballinascreen anyone may attend Sunday Mass in:  St. Patrick’s, Keenaught; St. Columba’s, Straw; St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena and Holy Rosary, Draperstown.

The 2-week townland area rota continues in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm for Sunday Masses.

 

THE NET – NOVEMBER 2021

Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the November edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-november-2021.   For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.

Coverage in this edition includes:

• Diocesan Mass for Deceased Young People – Bishop Donal

• Drawing God at St. Mary’s P.S. Draperstown by Corinne Coyle

• Celebrating World Youth Day in Termonbacca by Lizzie Rea

• Super Soul Sundays at Columba House

• Young writers share thoughts on…

 *Pope’s ‘Click to Pray’ App

 *Sacredness of all creation

 *Spiritual life at Trinity College

 *Glenstal Abbey Retreat

• Mini Mission an uplifting time in Banagher

• Mullan HOPE Centre, Moville, evolved from faith, hope and love

• Steelstown and Culmore parishes pray for Climate Justice by Patricia McCormack

• Beautiful creations at Banagher Floral Workshop

• Glenock Chapel window fundraisers conquer Mullaghcarn

• Blessed Brunch and Books

• Pope St. John Paul II relics blessing for Buncrana parishioners

• Myriam McLaughlin celebrates 50 special years with Good Shepherds

• Parish prayer campaign launched in Carnhill for synodal journey

• Hope and joy in the darkness – Martina Purdy at Long Tower Novena

• Holy Souls Prayer and Purgatory – Comments from across the Diocese

• In our very darkness we can discover a sense of being loved by God by Fr. Michael McGoldrick ocd

• Addiction can only ever be beaten by going to Jesus – Fr. Paul Farren

• Stepping Beyond – An Advent Retreat for Men by Ruairi O’Neill

• ‘Every man dies but not every man lives’ – Fr. Isaac cfr shares his faith story

• Novena to Divine Child with Carmelites

• Synodal Pathway in Diocese of Derry by Bishop Donal

• Sionad – Irish section by Fr. Oliver Crilly

• Is Sr. Clare Crockett a saint? – Part 1 by Fr. Stephen Quinn

• Challenging but exciting time for vocations’ promotion by Fr. Pat O’Hagan

• Our Lady and Columba by Vera McFadden

• Columba and The Book by Ken McCormack

• The Glory of God is a marriage fully alive by Fr. John McLaughlin ssc

• The message of Eternal Life by Fr. Johnny Doherty CSsR

• Saints we celebrate during November by Bishop Donal

• Children’s Catechism Club – C3 by Veronica Harley

• Quiz Time with Lawrence