PARISH BULLETIN – PALM SUNDAY – 2nd April 2023
EASTER MASSES NEXT WEEKEND
HOLY SATURDAY (EASTER VIGIL)
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught: 8 pm
Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen: 8 pm [webcam]
St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 8 pm
EASTER 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 (Monday to Wednesday)
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm: Monday ~ 11 am; Wednesday ~ 7.30 pm. [webcam]
Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen: Monday ~ 7.30 pm (followed by Confessions); Tuesday and Wednesday ~ 7 am. [webcam]
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught: Tuesday ~ 7.30 pm (followed by Confessions).
St. Colm’s High School: Tuesday ~ 8.40 am.
St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena: Tuesday and Wednesday ~ 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
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
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DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Please remember in your prayers:
Agnes Conway, Cavanreagh Road who was buried during the week.
Katie Sargent, Josie Abela, Margaret Doherty, Paddy Kelly, Pat Devlin, Mary Trainor, Vera Donaghy and Peter Convery who died recently.
John McGovern, John Shaw, Francis Shaw, Minnie Shaw, Mary Josephine McGovern, Agnes Breen, Patrick Breen, Mary Quigley and Brian Gribbin whose anniversaries occur at this time.
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BAPTISM
We welcome into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Banks Seosamh Geraghty, 14 Ayrshire Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.
THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.
Last Week:
Sunday/Priest’s Collection envelopes: £791.50.
Clerical Education Collection: £44.20 (total so far: £550.20).
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
There will be NO Stations of the Cross in the Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen today, Sunday 2nd April.
DAILY MASSES AND SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK
Monday 3rd April:
11 am – St. Mary’s, Coolcalm
7.30 pm – Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen ~ Padre Pio Mass
Padre Pio Mass: Monthly Mass in honour of St. Pio of Pietrelcina on Monday at 7.30 pm in the Holy Rosary Church. Novena Prayers and Rosary will commence at 7.10 pm.
During this 7.30 pm Mass there will be a reflection on Confession and after Mass a number of priests will be present to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen on Monday from 12 noon until the 7.30 pm Mass.
Tuesday 4th April:
7 am – Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen
8.40 am – St. Colm’s High School
11 am – St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena
7.30 pm – St. Patrick’s, Keenaught
During this 7.30 pm Mass there will be a reflection on CONFESSION and after Mass a number of priests will be present to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Wednesday 5th April:
7 am – Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen
11 am – St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena
7.30 pm – St. Mary’s, Coolcalm
EASTER TRIDUUM
HOLY THURSDAY:
Mass of Chrism in St Eugene’s Cathedral Derry at 10 am. All welcome. During this Mass the Oils used in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Sick will be consecrated and blessed. Priests also will renew the vows taken when they were ordained. Mass of Chrism may be viewed via St. Eugene’s Cathedral Webcam.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
6 pm ~ St. Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen
7.30 pm ~ St. Mary’s, Coolcalm
GOOD FRIDAY:
This is a day of Fast and Abstinence
Solemn Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Jesus
3 pm ~ St. Mary’s, Coolcalm
3 pm ~ Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen
7.30 pm ~ St. Patrick’s, Keenaught
Stations of the Cross
7.30 pm ~ St. Columba’s, Straw
HOLY SATURDAY:
Easter Vigils
8 pm ~ St. Patrick’s, Keenaught
8 pm ~ Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen
8 pm ~ St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns
CONFESSIONS
Confessions after 7.30 pm Masses on Monday and Tuesday.
After all the Ceremonies on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
Confessions on Holy Saturday morning in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm at 11 am and in Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen at 11 am.
SAFEGUARDING MEETING
Many thanks to all who attended the Safeguarding Information Evening during the week and to Knocknagin Hall Committee for hosting the event and providing such a warm welcome.
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA
Novena begins on Good Friday and continues for 9 days until the Feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday 16th April. Novena leaflets will be available in the Churches of the parish. A recording of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena Prayers for each of the 9 days will be available online at www.parishofballinascreen.com and on the Ballinascreen Parish Facebook Page. Our Lord urged St. Faustina to encourage others to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, promising extraordinary graces to those who would recite it. The Feast of Divine Mercy will be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church on Sunday 16th April at 3 pm.
TIRGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Saturday 1st April – Traditional music night. Doors open at 8.30 pm. Entry £5, includes refreshments. Everyone welcome. The music nights will continue to be on the first Saturday night of each month.
Sunday 30th April – Big breakfast.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL ACTIVITIES
Social Dance on Friday 14th April. Music by Chris Dallet. Dancing from 9 pm – 12 midnight. Admission £7, includes light supper.
NO Knit and Natter or Line Dancing in Holy week or Easter Week. Recommence on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th April at 7.30 pm.
Sarsfield’s Band: No Band Practice for the next two weeks. Recommence on Thursday 20th April at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome to come along. Roles for accordion players, flag bearers and majorettes.
BINGO MANIA
Bingo Mania – Games, Giveaway and Drinks – on Friday 14th April in St. Martin’s GAC, Desertmartin. Doors open 7.30 pm til late. £20 entry fee. Ticket includes bingo sheets and shot on entry. Tickets can be purchased via Klubfunder: https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/St_Martins_GAC_Desertmartin/Events/2232538
WORKSPACE COMMUNITY HUB DRAPERSTOWN
Warm Welcome Wednesdays in the Community Hub every Wednesday from 11 am – 1 pm. Free of charge and open to everyone. No need to book, just drop-in.
Free Craft Session from 11.30 am – 1.30 pm on 5th April making Family Tree Plaques. No previous experience or skill required and all materials will be supplied. Booking required for this craft session as places are limited. Call Workspace on 028 7962 8113 to book.
SCOUTS EASTER BAKE SALE AND EASTER TRAIL
33rd Derry Ballinascreen Scouts Annual Bake Sale in Community Hub, Draperstown on Saturday 8th April from 10 am to 2 pm.
Easter Trail also on 8th April at Derrynoid Forest. Please book at Eventbrite, Easter Trail-Derrynoid Forest. For more information on either event, please contact 077 4953 8199 or ballinascreen.scouts@gmail.com.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Maura Johnston will address the Society on Tuesday 4th April at 8 pm in Community Hub, Draperstown. Her address entitled ‘Quare Craic’ will be a bend of local stories, local dialect words and reminiscences. Maura is an accomplished writer of short stories and much in demand as an adviser to writing groups. All welcome.
ANAM CARA DONEGAL
Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 13th April at 7.15 pm in the Raddison Blu Hotel, Letterkenny Co.Donegal. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. For more info call 01 4045378.
BABY MASSAGE AND REFLEXOLOGY
New class coming to Workspace Community Hub starting Friday 21st April. For more details, please email rosiesbabymassage@hotmail.com
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
JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH DERRY DIOCESAN TRUST
Part Time Housekeeper – Donegal, 9 hours per week – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 am – 2 pm.
Financial and Administrative Secretary – Diocesan Catechetical Centre – 21 hours per week (temporary fixed term contract until August 2023 with possibility of extension of hours and/or term of contract).
For job description and application pack please contact: Bishop’s House, St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP, telephone (028) 7126 2302 or email: payroll@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to: Personnel, Bishop’s House, St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to payroll@derrydiocese.org no later than 4.30 pm on 17th April 2023. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WORKSHOP
At Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock on Saturday 22nd April, 9.30 am – 5 pm. Spiritual Director: Fr. Vincent Twomey SVD. The Catechism / YOUCAT Workshop will be of interest to those who plan to start/join a Study Group. For more information/booking, contact Mairin Ni Shuilleabhain B.A. Div. (Coordinator Adult Studies Catechism of the Catholic Church). Email: mairin991@gmail.com, tel. 00353 87 7950325 or visit www.catechism.ie.
VOCATIONS CONFERENCE
In life, many hear God’s call to priesthood. Is your heart open to the Lord? Have you ever considered taking the risk to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? If so, you are invited to the national seminary of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on Tuesday 25th April, to attend a special conference on evangelisation and vocations in Ireland today. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation, will be the keynote speaker. Please register directly on www.vocations.ie, or contact the National Vocations director Father Willie Purcell at willie.purcell@iecon.ie or Rev Eric Cooney secretary of the National Vocations Office at eric.cooney@iecon.ie
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 8th 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.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DIOCESAN EDUCATION CONFERENCE 29TH AND 30TH AUGUST 2023
‘Go Make Disciples of all Nations’ (Pope Francis in Christus Vivit says that, ‘schools remain essential places for the evangelisation of the young’.) We are delighted to announce that David Wells will be our Keynote Speaker for our Diocesan Education Conference in August in Saint Columb’s College, Derry. David is an internationally renowned speaker with a background in Education. Popular motivational speaker David Wells | David Wells Live. We will also have a number of workshops and a session looking at how, as Catholic schools, rooted in Jesus, we encourage a culture of dialogue and forgiveness in all our relationships. Post Primary will be 29th August and Primary 30th August. A full programme of events, with booking forms will be issued in the coming months. We are really looking forward to this gathering of our Diocesan Education Community – over 900 delegates attended the last one. We hope you will be able to attend.
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE
Seven Nights Pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 24th May – 31st 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 25th May to 1st 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 28th May to Friday 2nd 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. 3rd to 7th 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). Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop St, Derry, BT48 6UJ will be open only on Saturdays from 11 am – 1 pm. Intending pilgrims can also leave a message on 028 7126 0293 with their full postal address and the number of booking forms required, or email these details to derrypilgrim@outlook.com or write to above address for forms.
WORLD YOUTH DAY – LISBON 2023
Derry Diocesan Youth is taking a group on Pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Lisbon, from 25th July to 7th August 2023. This pilgrimage is for over 18s. Limited places available. If you would be interested in travelling on the pilgrimage, or finding out more, please contact Lizzie Rea on lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org.
PILGRIMAGE TO SAN GIOVANNI AND ROME
As part of St. Eugene’s Cathedral 150th Anniversary Celebrations, Bishop Donal McKeown will lead a pilgrimage to San Giovanni and Rome from 25th – 30th 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.
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGES
15th October 2023 – Pilgrimage Retreat to the Holy Land (9 nights). Direct flights ex Dublin to Tel Aviv. Part I: Galilee/Nazareth. Part II: Bethlehem/Jerusalem. Cost £1,795 stg includes taxes, transfers, tips, half-board. To register/for details, please contact Erin/Sr. Perpetua at thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org / 077 3683 2458 or visit thornhillministries.co.uk website.
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).