PARISH BULLETIN – 4th Sunday of Advent – 19th December 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.
St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm: Tuesday and Thursday ~ 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:
Paddy Leyden, Tonagh; Thomas McLoughlin, Drumullan and Anna Devenney, Ederney and Castlefin who were buried during the week.
Ellen McIvor, Peter Kearney, Darren McDaid, Johnny O’Hagan, Mary Brigid McGovern, Annie Mary Scullion, Paddy Scullion, Joe McHugh, Agnes Walls, Agnes Higgins, Cassie Ryan, Mary Burns and Charlie Bradley whose anniversaries occur at this time.
____________________________________________________________
MESSAGE FROM BISHOP
COVID 19 ~ OMICRON VARIANT
Bishop McKeown, having received the most recent scientific and medical advice, has written to all parishes to reinforce the following safety points to ensure that our churches remain as safe environments as possible.
-
All Church events must continue to be risk assessed.
-
Face coverings be worn, not just for entering and leaving the church, but also when seated. This is winter, but ventilation is still vital and social distancing is critical, both in the church and when entering or leaving.
-
The routine celebration of the Sacrament of Confession should not take place in the current circumstances.
-
Holy Communion should not be distributed on the tongue. A right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue is not an absolute right and, at the moment, must be restricted for the protection of human life, a key part of the Church’s pro-life stance.
____________________________________________________________
CHRISTMAS MASSES 2021
18 Christmas Masses have been arranged in Ballinascreen and Desertmartin. To maintain social distancing there must be a limit on how many can attend each Mass. It is therefore ESSENTIAL that you BOOK ONLINE and follow all the booking instructions. You may only book for and attend only ONE MASS over these three days. Some places are still available for some of these Masses, please check online.
CHRISTMAS EVE ~ FRIDAY 24th
St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns ~ 3 pm
St. Columba’s, Straw ~ 3 pm
St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena ~ 5 pm
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm ~ 5 pm
Holy Rosary ~ 7 pm
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught ~ 7 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY ~ SATURDAY 25th
St. Columba’s, Straw ~ 9 am
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm ~ 10 am
St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns ~ 10 am
St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena 11 am
Holy Rosary ~ 12 noon
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught ~ 12 .30 pm
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY ~ SUNDAY 26th
St. Columba’s, Straw~ 9 am
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm:~ 10 am
St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns ~ 11 am
St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena: ~ 11 am
Holy Rosary ~ 12 noon
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught ~ 12.30 pm – Cancelled
A valid email address and contact number MUST be provided when booking.
To make a booking please visit your parish website, details below
www.parishofballinascreen.com
www.desertmartinparish.com
____________________________________________________________
BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Fiadh Rose Lennon, 48 Gortahurk Road and Ollie Finn Hegarty, 34 Roshure Road.
THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.
Last Week:
Sunday Collection/Priests’ Collection envelopes: £724.50.
Restoration Fund envelopes: £117.00.
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.
NEXT PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS
As Friday next is Christmas Eve there will be NO Anniversary Mass on this date. The next Parish Anniversary Mass will be on Friday 31st December. If you wish to have a deceased loved one prayed for at this Mass on 31st December, please email their name to the Parish Office.
NOTE OF THANKS ~ SVP ANNUAL APPEAL
Ballinascreen and Desertmartin SVP acknowledge with sincere thanks the many generous donations recently received for their Annual Christmas Appeal. Further donations are welcome. Please place your donation in an envelope and mark it SVP. Donations may be placed in the collection box at Mass or left in the Parish Offices or Parochial Houses. Thank you.
The Parish is having a CHRISTMAS DRAW this year. There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Tuesday 5th 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
-
Columb’s P.S., Cullion
-
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.
PRIZES ~ on the first 10 days there are 3 prizes each day of £100. On 11th Day the draw will be for 2 prizes of £500 and on the 12th 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.
Good luck to everyone who enters the Twelve Days of Christmas Draw.
The first draws will be made at the end of the 10 am Mass in Coolcalm on Christmas Day.
DESERTMARTIN CREDIT UNION
Desertmartin Credit Union’s Opening Hours for Christmas are as follows:
Wednesday 22nd December 2021 6 pm to 8 pm
Friday 24th December 2021 Closed
Saturday 25th December 2021 Closed
Wednesday 29th December 2021 6 pm to 8 pm
Friday 31st December 2021 Closed
Saturday 1st January 2022 Closed
Re-open on Friday 7th January 2022 6 pm to 9 pm as usual.
RESOURCES CREATED FOR FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS
PRAYERS AT THE CRIB
A prayer card, poster and a booklet with a series of prayers and scripture for use at the Crib at home or in the church is available to download, to print or view on a mobile device at: https://www.derrydiocese.org/christmas
THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
A family prayer booklet has been specifically compiled with families in mind. The Gospel for each day of Christmas is accompanied by a Gospel reflection and prayers. The booklet can also be downloaded at: https://www.derrydiocese.org/christmas
CHRISTMAS PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN
Thoughts, ideas and resources to help children and families to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to celebrate and share the gift of the Baby Jesus with others available at: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/christmas/
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.
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
____________________________________________________________
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.
____________________________________________________________
THE NET – DECEMBER 2021
Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the December edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-december-2021. For coverage of faith stories just emaileditorthenet15@gmail.com.
Coverage in this edition includes:
-
May we be grateful for God-given blessings – A Christmas message from Bishop Donal
-
Derry youth enjoy World Youth Day at Home
-
Long Tower celebration for end of St. Columba anniversary year
-
Winning schools announced for Columba Project
-
International praise for Claudy children’s digital book on St. Colmcille by Michael O’Kane
-
Hollybush P.S. welcomes Bishop Donal for blessing
-
Spirit of Christmas shines at Steelstown P.S.
-
Volunteering gave a sense of purpose lost to many nowadays– A JPII Award reflection by Luke Kelly
-
Award coordinators nourished by fruits of pandemic reflection time
-
Answering God’s call to youth ministry – Galliagh’s Lauren Campbell shares faith story
-
Young writers share thoughts on…
*Preparing for Christmas
*Gratitude for faith passed on
*Caring for others less fortunate
*Using gifts from God
*Servant Sisters at St. Cecilia’s College
*Diocesan World Youth Day
-
Three Patrons’ Mission a special time of reflection on St. Joseph
-
Many preparing for Christmas with Novena to Divine Child
-
Steelstown and Culmore promote Trocaire’s Gifts of Love
-
Passers-by support for pro-life vigil by Ethna Johnston
-
Derry men folk at Belfast Rosary of Reparation
-
Stopping malnutrition…saving children’s lives by Shauna O’Neill, Children in Crossfire
-
Waterside priest uses pedal power to raise thousands for charity
-
Led back into life of prayer through Divine Mercy– Omagh’s Siobhan Sweeney shares faith story
-
St. Michael’s Apostolate of Prayer for Priests
-
Syro Malabar Bishop on Derry visit
-
Remembering Fr. James McKee – a holy, kind and gentle pastor by Fr. Liam Donnelly
-
Gifting talents to parish family – Comments from across the Diocese
-
Developing a ‘ministry-rich’ way of being Church – Reflection by Bishop Donal
-
To live a life of service with love by Mel O’Dea
-
Building a lasting relationship with Jesus will lead to freedom – Fr. Paul Farren
-
Live Advent journeying in hope by Marguerite Hamilton
-
Mí na hAidbhinte – Irish section by Fr. Oliver Crilly
-
December Blessed Brunch and Books
-
Is Sr. Clare Crockett a saint? – Part II by Fr. Stephen Quinn ocd
-
O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to Thee by Mary McMenamin
-
Children’s Catechism Club – C3 by Veronica Harley
-
Saints we celebrate during December by Bishop Donal
-
Watch yourselves! Stay awake! by Fr. Johnny Doherty CSsR
-
Sergio Munoz…and many faces along the highways of my life-span by Fr. John McLaughlin ssc
-
Visions of the Child by Vera McFadden
-
Burt, Inch and Fahan Calendar 2022
-
Quiz Time with Lawrence