PARISH BULLETIN – 2^nd SUNDAY OF LENT – 5^th March 2023

 

SUNDAY MASSES NEXT WEEKEND

VIGIL MASS

Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen:                6 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

St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena:                12 noon

 

 

WEEKDAY MASSES

 

St. Mary’s, Coolcalm:  Monday and Friday ~ 11 am; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ~ 7.30 pm. [webcam]

 

Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ~ 7 am; Monday and Friday ~ 7.30 pm. [webcam]

 

St. Colm’s High School:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 8.40 am.

 

St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena:  Tuesday, Wednesday 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

 

Desertmartin Parish Office:

Tel. 028 7939 7047.  Wednesday and Thursday 10.30 am to 3 pm.

Email:  desertmartinparish@gmail.com

 

SVP Helpline:  077 1083 8050

 

____________________________________________________________

 

DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Please remember in your prayers:

 

Maureen McWilliams, Bancran Road; Siobhan Bradley, Cavanreagh Road; Nellie Glass, Maghera and Bridget McLaughlin, Foreglen whose funerals were held this week.

 

Mary Gilhooley, Sam Bell, Tyrone McElhennon, Brian McKernan, Philomena Donnelly and Michael Burns who died recently.

 

Mary Trainor Brackagh, Teresa Trainor Brackagh, John Joe O’Kane and Sarah McKay whose anniversaries occur at this time.

____________________________________________________________

 

BAPTISM

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

Anthony John Collins, 10 Heol Pencastell, Kenfig Hill, Bridgend, Wales.

 

THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.

Last Week:

Sunday/Priest’s Collection envelopes:  £1,253.50.

Holy Places Collection:  £94.00 (Total so far:  £448.50).

 

 

CONFIRMATION 2023

 

The Confirmation Mass for the Primary 7 children of St. Columb’s, Cullion and Knocknagin Primary Schools will be celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown today, Sunday 5^th March, at 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught.

The Confirmation Mass will be live streamed on the Devlin Media website – go to www.devlinmedia.tv .

There will be NO 10 am Mass in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm today, but parishioners are welcome to attend to attend the 10 am Confirmation Mass.

 

CLEAN THE CHURCH FOR CONFIRMATION

Thank You to everyone who gave some of their time and came to clean Keenaught Church last Monday evening to have it looking well for the Confirmation children, their families and parish visitors today.  All your good work is very much appreciated.

 

CONFIRMATION IN BALLINASCREEN

Confirmation Mass for P7 children in Ballinascreen Parish will be celebrated today, Sunday 5^th March, at 2 pm in Holy Rosary Church, Ballinascreen.

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

There will be NO Stations of the Cross in the Holy Rosary Church today, Sunday 5^th March.

 

DAILY MASSES FOR LENT

Mondays:

11 am – St. Mary’s, Coolcalm

7.30 pm – Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen

 

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen on Mondays during Lent from 12 noon until the 7.30 pm Mass.

 

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays:

7 am – Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen

8.40 am – St. Colm’s High School

11 am – St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena

7.30 pm – St. Mary’s, Coolcalm

 

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm on Thursdays during Lent from 12 noon until 7.15 pm (Stations of the Cross at 7 pm).

 

Friday 24^th February:

11 am – St. Mary’s, Coolcalm

7.30 pm – Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen

 

 

PADRE PIO MASS

Monthly Mass in honour of St. Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated on Monday 6^th March at 7.30 pm in the Holy Rosary Church.  Novena prayers and Rosary at 7.10 pm.

 

SCRIPTURE EVENINGS FOR LENT

Scripture Evenings using the Lectio Divina method continue in the Community Hub, Draperstown each Friday during Lent at 8.15 pm.  Light refreshments served.  All welcome.

 

TEMPERANCE MASSES FOR LENT

Masses will be offered in the following churches during the Lenten Season.  They highlight the virtue of Temperance, focusing on the Pioneer promises of moderation in all things, particularly in the use of alcohol.

St. John the Baptist Church, Swatragh on Saturday 11^th March at 12 noon.

Church of the Sacred Heart, Carndonagh on Tuesday 14^th March at 7 pm.

Church of the Sacred Heart, Omagh on Monday 20^th March at 7.30 pm.

All, especially Pioneers, are invited to attend these Masses.

 

PIONEER PINS

Anyone wishing to become a probationary pioneer, or is due a full pin or a silver, golden or diamond pin is asked to please email Fr. Madden at ballinascreenparish@gmail.com.

Anyone wishing to take a temporary pin for Lent which begins on Wednesday 22^nd February is asked to please contact Fr. Madden on 028 7962 8376.

 

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS

The next monthly Holy Hour for Vocations will take place in St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, on Friday 10^th March at 8 pm.  It will be led by the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Pat O’Hagan, P.P. Bellaghy and Greenlough.  Everyone is welcome to attend or to follow the Devotions via the Cathedral webcam.

 

KNOCK SHRINE

Faith Renewal Programme:  Lenten Reflections – Weekly Talks with Guest Speakers taking place online and at St. John’s Welcome Centre, Knock Shrine from 8.15 pm – 9.15 pm.  7^th March – Kieran Cronin, ‘Laudato Si: St. Francis and Prayer for Ecological Conversion.’  14^th March – Jane Mellett, ‘Almsgiving: Responding to the Cry of the Earth and the Poor through Care for Creation.’  21^st March – John Connell, ‘Living more simply in a complex world’.

A Concert to Celebrate St. Patrick:  Celebrate Lá Fhéile Pádraig, St. Patrick’s Day at Knock Shrine by joining us for a special concert on Thursday 16^th March.  Celebrating Irish music, heritage and culture with many well-known Irish favourites performed on the night.  The concert will take place in Knock Basilica at 8.30 pm.  Admission is free and all are welcome.

 

PRECIOUS LIFE – PRO-LIFE RALLY

Be a voice for unborn babies at the Rally for Life in Belfast next Saturday 11^th March gathering in Custom House Square at 2 pm.  A special Mass for Life will be offered in St. Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street at 12.30 pm.  Buses to the Rally leaving from various locations.  For further information, please contact Precious Life on 075 9228 0522 / 028 9027 8484 / email info@preciouslife.com.

 

SMA DROMANTINE NEWRY

Dance Of Life Retreat from Friday 17^th March (5 pm) – Sunday 19^th (2 pm).  In this retreat the opportunity to dance may bring a renewed awareness in your sense of self, connection with others and connection with God.  Led by Sr. Mary Taylor OLA and Fr. Damian Bresnahan SMA.  Cost £220.  Contact SMA Dromantine, Newry, BT34 1RH, tel; 028 3082 1964 or email: admin@dromantinecomference.com

 

KNOCKNAGIN HALL ACTIVITIES

Social Dance:  Next dance on Friday 10^th March.  Music by Glenside Country.  Dancing from 9 pm – 12 midnight.  Admission £7, includes light supper.

Spred Group next meeting on Monday 6^th March.

Chair Exercise with Thomasina on Tuesday mornings at 10 am followed by a short walk.  Admission £4.  Everyone welcome.

Knit and Natter Class on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.

Line Dancing with Thomasina on Wednesdays at 7.30 pm.  Admission £4.

If you are interested in any of the above activities, please contact Olive 078 8761 4094, Kathleen 077 6427 7809 or Anne 028 7964 2711 to register.

Sarsfield’s Band Practice on Thursdays at 7.30 pm.  All members are asked to please make a special effort to attend in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day.  The celebrations will take place in Toome.  The band will parade Desertmartin and Magherafelt immediately after Mass before joining the main parade starting from Erins Owen G.A.A. Park at 2.30 pm.

 

TIRGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Traditional Music Night on Saturday 4^th March at 8.30 pm.  Everyone welcome.  Admission £5 including light supper.  And thereafter the music session will take place the first Saturday night of each month.

 

SLIEVE GALLION PRE-SCHOOL

Slieve Gallion Pre-School Table Quiz at Tirgan Hall on Friday 10^th March at 8 pm.  Maximum of 6 people per team.  Refreshments, prizes and raffle on the night.

 

INTO GREAT SILENCE 

‘Into Great Silence’ – The 2005 Documentary Film by Director Philip Growing, which illustrates the life of the Carthusian Monks of the Grand Chartreuse Monastery in France, will be shown on Thursday 9th March at 7 pm at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry.  All are welcome to attend.

 

ACCORD NI CATHOLIC MARRIAGE CARE SERVICE

Accord NI Catholic Marriage Care Service is recruiting Marriage Education Facilitators to provide Sacramental Marriage Preparation for couples in your diocese.  We are seeking individuals who are good communicators and have an enthusiasm for supporting couples as they prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage and future family life.  This is an opportunity to formally train within a supportive, nurturing and inspiring community.  In 2022, our teams helped 2,140 couples to develop good communication skills, manage conflict and understand the responsibility and significance of the Sacrament of Marriage.  For further details and an application form, please contact Brenda at 028 9023 3002 or email info@accordni.com.

 

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.  An information session via Zoom will be held on Monday 8^th May at 3.30 pm.  If you require any further information or wish to register for the information session, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 7126 4087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.

 

ST. ANGELA’S COLLEGE, SLIGO 

Is inviting applications for the following programme beginning Autumn 2023:  Part-Time Certificate in Religious Education (Primary) with Online Delivery.  The programme is open to:  Qualified primary school teachers; 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 Monday 12^th June.  This date may be extended.  For further information, contact Mary Kearns, Senior Administrator, School of Education, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo.  Email mkearns@stangelas.ie or visit www.stangelas.ie.

 

DRAPERSTOWN LIBRARY

The library provides free IT Sessions for anyone needing help with their phone, iPad or other devices.  Next session will be on Friday 24^th March.  This is on an individual hourly basis, but booking a slot is essential.  To book, phone 028 7962 8249 or e-mail  draperstown.library@librariesni.org.uk.

 

SMOKING CESSATION SERVICE

Thinking of giving up smoking for Lent?  Call into O’Kane’s Chemist, Draperstown and speak to a member of staff about joining their FREE 12 week programme.

 

GLENSHANE HOUSE DUNGIVEN

Names are now being taken for BTEC Level 3 Dementia course.  To register, tel. 028 7774 2494.

 

WORKSPACE COMMUNITY HUB DRAPERSTOWN

Warm Welcome Wednesdays in the Community Hub every Wednesday from 11 am – 1 pm during these colder months, to provide a warm space, free tea/coffee and some chat.  Arrange to meet friends, call in to read the newspapers or if you just fancy a change of scenery.  Free of charge and open to everyone.  No need to book, just drop-in.

 

SPERRIN FOODBANK

If you require a food parcel, Sperrin Foodbank will be open on Fridays from 11 am – 1 pm for drop-ins.  No appointment required.  If you require assistance outside this time, please call 075 4342 0639 to arrange collection.  No questions asked or criteria to meet.  Other contact details are Facebook page Sperrinfoodbank or email foodbank@theworkspacegroup.org

 

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE

Seven Nights Pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 24^th May – 31^st May.  Spiritual Director will be Fr. Séamus Kelly.  Bed/Breakfast and dinner, price is £799.  Money must be paid in full.  Contact Martina for further information. Phone 028 7774 1219 or 077 1549 0880.

 

PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA

Fully escorted group pilgrimage for seven nights from 25^th May to 1^st June.  Cost £745 p.p.s.  Single room supplement £175.  Staying in 4* Hotel Styler.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.  Mass daily and spiritual activities.  Services of Marian Pilgrimages guide.  Direct flights Dublin / Lisbon.  Bus will travel from Oakleaf Restaurant, Maghera to Dublin Airport.  For more details, please contact Bridie Gallagher on 028 2564 4181.

 

NI CANCER PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

Sunday 28^th May to Friday 2^nd June.  The price of £799 (with price reduction for Cancer Patients) will include return flights from Belfast International Airport, operated by Northern Star Travel Ltd, full board and accommodation at the Hotel Agena in Lourdes for five nights based on twin/double/triple rooms.  Service of JWT guides in Lourdes.  The party will consist of patients, ex-patients, relatives and friends accompanied by medical, nursing and other staff.  To enquire or to obtain a booking form, please speak to a member of the committee, tel. 078 7468 8388 or email mail@nicancerpilgrimage.org.uk.

 

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2023, led by Bishop Donal McKeown, will go direct from City of Derry Airport.  3^rd to 7^th July, four nights full board in the Hotel Agena:  £745 sharing, £35 single supplement.  Travel insurance up to age 79 – £39.  Age 80 to 94 – £78.  (Pilgrims may wish to use their own insurance).  Further details and payment arrangements will be available in the new year via the Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, derrypilgrim@outlook.com, tel. 028 7126 0293.

 

WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE – LISBON 2023
The Diocese of Derry is inviting any young person who is over 18 or will be 18 by July 2023 to join us on Pilgrimage to Lisbon for World Youth Day.  World Youth Day (WYD) is the gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope.  It is also a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth, an expression of the universal Church and an intense moment of evangelization for the youth world.  This pilgrimage will take place in August.  For now, we are taking expression of interest until we have more information on dates, times and prices.  We have limited space so signing up is essential.  You can register your interest on the derrydiocese.org website or on the @derryyouth Facebook page.  If you have any questions regarding this pilgrimage, please email Lizzie Rea, Youth Coordinator at: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org

 

PILGRIMAGE TO SAN GIOVANNI AND ROME

As part of St. Eugene’s Cathedral 150^th Anniversary Celebrations, Bishop Donal McKeown will lead a pilgrimage to San Giovanni and Rome from 25^th – 30^th September.  Visiting the birthplace of Padre Pio, Shrine of St. Michael Archangel, St. Peter’s Basilica and other important sites.  Price is £879 p.p.s. (Single room supplement £150).  For more details, email info@marian.ie or call Belfast on 028 9568 0005 or Dublin on 00353 1 878 8159.

 

SAFEGUARDING NOTICE

If you have any concerns with regard to Safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church, contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP), on 075 9650 0793, or at mariegormley@derrydiocese.org.

Additional contact numbers:  PSNI Tel. 101 or Social Services Western HSC Trust on 028 7131 4090 (ask for Duty Social Worker).

 

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://ni.stresscontrol.org/

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 be available on the YouTube channel from 9 am and will remain available until 8 am the morning of the next session, e.g. Session One will be available from 9 am on Monday 6^th March and will be taken down at 8 am on Thursday 9^th March.  Session Two will then premiere at 9 am.

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:

1. 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.

2. On the homepage, click on the ‘Stress Control Online’ 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/channel/UCdCfzKgmXbB30baWLv6L5-g

3. 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.

4. 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.