Bulletin: 10th December 2023

PARISH BULLETIN – 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT – 10th December 2023

 

SUNDAY MASSES

 

SATURDAY VIGIL

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:  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 10 am. [webcam]

 

Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen:  Monday ~ 10 am; Wednesday and Friday ~ 7.30 pm. [webcam]

 

 

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

 

Desertmartin Parish Office:

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

Email:  desertmartinparish@gmail.com

 

Christenings:  To book a baptism, contact Fr. McGirr on 028 7963 2196

 

Parish Anniversary and Month’s Mind Masses:  If parishioners wish to have their loved one prayed for at any Anniversary Friday Mass, please email their name to the Parish Office by noon on Thursday of the relevant week.  Email:  desertmartinparish@gmail.com.

Notices for First Anniversary and Month’s Mind Masses should be received before the Thursday of the previous week so they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass.

 

SVP Helpline:  077 1083 8050

____________________________________________________________

 

DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Please remember in your prayers:

 

Mary Trainor, 14 Tobermore Road, Draperstown; Sean O’Neill, 16 Tobermore Road, Draperstown and Bridget Kearney, Swatragh whose funerals were held during the week.

 

Mary McCullagh, Johnny McKenna, Jim McGuigan, Francie Shields and Jim Costello who died recently.

 

Eugene McGovern, Patrick O’Neill, Gerard O’Neill, Annie Kelly (Dan) Brackalislea, Johnny O’Hagan, Mary Bridget McGovern and Pat McCluskey Dublin whose anniversaries occur at this time.

 

MONTH’S MIND MASS

The Month’s Mind Mass for Francie Shields, 122 Tobermore Road, will be celebrated on Friday 15th December at 10 am in St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.

 

____________________________________________________________

 

THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.

Last Week:  Sunday/Priest’s Collection envelopes:  £746.00.

Restoration Fund envelopes:  £657.00.

Retired Priests Collection envelopes:  £67.00 (total so far £1,098.00).

Thank you to those who contribute to the parish by direct debit.

 

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

If you would like to make a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, place your donation in an envelope marked SVP and drop it in the collection box at Sunday Mass or put it through the Parochial House letterbox at any time.  Thank you for your kind generosity.

 

BAPTISM

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

Callan James Kirkpatrick, 20 Longfield Road.

 

SICK VISITATION

This coming Tuesday and Wednesday Fr. McGirr will visit the sick on Iniscarn, Brackagh, Gortahurk, Brackalislea and Nutgrove Roads.

 

ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, KEENAUGHT 50TH ANNIVERSARY

A BIG THANK YOU

 

Last Sunday, Desertmartin Parish celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught, and it was a special day of blessing for our parish community.  We would like to thank Bishop Donal McKeown for being the main celebrant of the Mass of Thanksgiving and Fr. McElwee, Fr. Donnelly, Fr. McElhennon and Fr. McGuigan for concelebrating the Mass with him along with Fr. Madden and Fr. McGirr.

 

We thank those involved with the Mass, such as the church readers, students from St. Colm’s High School and pupils from Knocknagin and St. Columb’s, Cullion Primary Schools, Eucharistic Ministers, church altar servers, musicians and singers, and sacristan for helping the Mass go so well.  Thanks also to Gerard’s Flowers for the flower arrangements, Devlin Media for live streaming the Mass, photographers on the day, TD Design for designing and preparing and Christie Print for producing the displays, banners and the 50th Anniversary Mass booklet.  Thanks to parishioners who provided aerial and vintage photographs for the booklet and displays.  Thank you to the members of St. Martin’s GAA Club for providing refreshments after the Mass.

 

We thank everyone involved in working in, on and around the church to present St. Patrick’s in such a good light for the occasion, such as Higgins Bros. for labouring works, MCA Electrics for lighting and electrical works, BJSfm for cleaning the windows, JP for cleaning the altar carpet, parishioners who came in and cleaned the church the week before, the groundskeeper for tidying the grounds around the church, and members of the Parish Council for helping to organise the occasion itself and for putting up flags and bunting across the church grounds.  Finally, thanks to you, Desertmartin parishioners and friends, who attended the Mass in church or participated online from home, and anyone else who lent a hand in any way.  Many people were involved in making the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught a great and memorable occasion.  May God bless you.  Go raibh maith agat.

 

 

 

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2023 DRAW

 

The Parish is having its CHRISTMAS DRAW again this year.  There will be draws every day of the 12 days between Christmas Day and Friday 5th January 2024.  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 Wednesday and 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 anywhere 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 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.

 

Thank you for all your very generous support of the Draw last Christmas.  This year’s Draw will be essential to helping with the basic running of the parish into 2024 and with maintenance work being done at both our parish churches.  Good luck to everyone who enters the Twelve Days of Christmas Draw.

 

DESERTMARTIN CREDIT UNION

Our AGM which was to be held on Tuesday 12th December, is now postponed until January 2024.  Date to be confirmed.

 

PRECIOUS LIFE ~ CANDLELIGHT ROSARY FOR LIFE

Please join us for a Rosary Vigil for the protection of Ireland’s unborn babies at Castle Street Junction (opposite Primark), Belfast at 7 pm on Tuesday 12th December, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  For more information, contact Rosary Crusade for Life on 028 9027 8484 or info@preciouslife.com

 

PIONEERS

A Pioneer Mass for both Ballinascreen and Desertmartin Parishes will take place on Wednesday 13th December at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church.

 

BLESSING OF THE ‘BAMBINELLI’

Next Sunday 17th December at the 10 am Mass in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm there will be a blessing of the Baby Jesus figure from people’s home cribs.  The beautiful Advent tradition, Bambinelli Sunday, was instituted by Pope St. John Paul II during his papacy.  You are invited to bring the Baby Jesus figure from your crib at home to be blessed.  Those watching on the parish webcam from home, the blessing will extend to the Baby Jesus figure in your crib at home while you watch the blessing online.

 

BALLINASCREEN PARISH CAROL SERVICE

Annual Ballinascreen Parish Carol Service will take place next Sunday 17th December at 6 pm in the Holy Rosary Church.  During the Carol Service a collection of non-perishable food items and toys will be taken up on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Sperrin Food Bank.  This year’s appeal is more important than in previous years as the demand is much greater.  Please remember this appeal when shopping this week. Thank you.

 

ADVENT PRAYER BOOKLET

As we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, a family prayer booklet has been created by the diocese in conjunction with the Northern Pastoral Network.  This booklet contains a Gospel reading for each Sunday of Advent with a reflection, prayers and links to music.  It can be downloaded at:  https://www.derrydiocese.org/advent.

 

KNOCKNAGIN HALL ACTIVITIES

Flower Arranging on Sunday 17th at 3 pm and Monday 18th December at 7 pm with Mary supported by Public Health Agency.  Need to bring your own materials.  Registration is necessary.

Social Dances:  Tuesday 26th December.  Boxing Night Dance, 9 pm – Midnight.  Music by Country Sounds.

Chair Exercises with Thomasina on Tuesdays at 10 am followed by a short walk.  Come along to help improve your fitness, health and wellbeing.  Admission £4.  All welcome.

Knit and Natter on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm.  Bring your own project or you can help with knitting for local charities.

Bowling Club on Tuesdays, 8 pm to 10 pm.  New and past members welcome.

Yoga Classes starting on Monday 8th January 2024 at 10 am.  Numbers limited.  Registration is necessary.

Come along to any of the above actives and enjoy a fun way to exercise, keep fit and improve your health and wellbeing.

Read Yourself Well.  Books by wellness experts and doctors are available to borrow for free at the Parish Hall during any of the above activities.

Come along to any of the above actives and enjoy a fun way to exercise,  keep fit and improve your health and wellbeing.  Contact Olive on 078 8761 4094, Kathleen on 077 6427 7809 or Anne on 028 7964 2711 to register.

Sarsfield’s Band 2024 Calendar now on sale, £7 each, can be bought from any band member.  Monthly Draw for 2024, £1 a month, £12 for the year, £50 prize every month.

Band Practice continues every Thursday at 7.30 pm.  New and past members welcome.

Annual Mass for Deceased Members of AOH in Island Hill AOH Hall, Ballymaguigan on Sunday 10th December at 1 pm.  Everyone welcome.

 

TIRGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Slieve Gallion Challenge – Boxing Day 10 km to mountain top and back.  Registration 9 am.  Run starts 10 am.  Registration online or day of event £10 p.p.  3.5 km Family Walk £5 p.p.  Prizes.  Refreshments.  Proceeds in aid of Tirgan Community Association.  https://www.eventbrite.ie/manage/events/468337950417/details

 

PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP

The Padre Pio Committee acknowledges the sum of £1,420 collected for the Capuchin Day Centre for the Homeless in Dublin.  Thank you for your generosity.

 

LIVE CRIB 2023

Everyone is very welcome to come and discover the true meaning of Christmas at St. Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena on Saturday 30th December.  The day will commence with Mass at 10 am at which Bishop McKeown will be the chief celebrant.  Following this Mass, the Live Crib will be operational all day in the Church grounds until the closing candlelit Mass and Benediction at 6 pm.  Refreshments will be served all day.  This is a free event but voluntary donations to necessary repair work on St Eugene’s Church are welcome.

 

LIVE CRIB VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

As part of this special parish event Eucharistic Adoration will take place within St. Eugene’s Church.  It will commence after 10 am Mass and conclude at 5.30 pm.  If you are willing to commit to at least 30 minutes of Adoration, please email your name and your chosen half-hour or hour for Adoration, to the Ballinascreen Parish Office this week at:  ballinascreenparish@gmail.com

If you are willing to help in any way with this community event either as a steward, or with the serving of refreshments or providing food such as traybakes, shortbread, biscuits cakes or buns, etc. for serving with the tea and coffee, please email the Ballinascreen Parish Office this week at ballinascreenparish@gmail.com.

 

ST. COLM’S HIGH SCHOOL DRAW

Week 7

£30 Teresa McNally (Collector – James McNally)

£50 Kylan Conway (Collector – Tiegan Conway)

£100 Francis McNally (Collector – James McNally)

Week 8

£30 Paul McCallion (Collector – Sienna McGuigan)

£50 Orla McTeague (Collector – Orla McTeague)

£100 Assumpta Cullinan (Collector – Cahan Kelly)

 

KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE

Christmas Cookery Demonstrations and Tasting, all 10 am – 12 noon.  £7 weekly – Tuesday 12th and 19th December.

Christmas Door/Grave Wreath workshop on Monday 11th December, choose either 10 am or 11.30 am.  Bring own oasis ring.  All greenery and materials supplied.

Christmas Faux Table Arrangement on Friday 15th December at 11 am.  All materials supplied.

Places per class are limited and must be booked.  Festive refreshments will be served.  Text/WhatsApp/ring 078 2196 3749.  Kilcronaghan Gift vouchers also available to any value and can be used for classes in 2024.

 

RADIO MARIA IRELAND

Christmas Fundraiser on Thursday 14th December in The Drummond Hotel, Limavady, Derry.  Doors open that evening at 6 pm followed by a four-course meal, live music by Louise Irvine and Kathy O’Hara, meet some new friends and learn more about Radio Maria.  Come along and enjoy a great night and help a Catholic charity, and bring some friends.  To book a ticket (€70/£65 per person), you can contact the station on 00353 1 4123 456.  To listen to Radio Maria: 1. Digital TV: Freeview, 2. Free App: ‘Radio Maria Ireland’ 3.Website: www.radiomaria.ie, 4. Facebook: ‘Listen Live Radio’ & 5. Phone: 00353 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply).

 

ANAM CARA DONEGAL

Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 14th December 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 information, tel. 00353 1 404 5378.

 

LOUGH DERG ONLINE CHRISTMAS SHOP

Online Lough Derg Christmas Shop is now open at www.loughderg.live/shop : Mass Bouquets, Christmas Cards, the limited edition Lough Derg Christmas Candle, a large range of Nativity Sets and other gifts are available.  The Christmas shop provides much needed financial income to support the mission and ministry of Lough Derg outside of the Pilgrimage Season.  Thank you for your support.

 

TRÓCAIRE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS 

Are you a retired teacher or someone who has experience presenting to groups of school children?  Do you have a passion for making this world a better place, especially for the most vulnerable?  Trócaire is looking for volunteers to support its School Talks Programme for Lent 2024 in parishes of the Derry Diocese.  If you think you have the right skills and experience and will have a few free hours during Lent, then we would love to hear from you!  For more information, call Casey Schell on 028 9080 8033 or email casey.schell@trocaire.org.

 

COMMUNITY HUB NOTICES

Health Matters Session on Wednesday 13th December, 11 am – 1 pm in Workspace Community Hub.  Winter Wellness and Multi-Vitamins information session with Aine from O’Kane’s Pharmacy at 11.30 am followed by Chair Exercise Session with Thomasina.  Places limited so booking is essential.  Call Workspace on 028 7962 8113 to book.

Warm Welcome Wednesday Christmas Luncheon Club offering FREE Christmas lunch for over 60s and the chance to meet and chat to others on Wednesday 20th December in Workspace Community Hub, 11 am – 2 pm.  Food served about 12.30 pm.  Only 30 places available so booking is essential.  To confirm your place, contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 by 12 noon on Monday 18th December.

 

SPERRIN FOODBANK NEW OPENING HOURS

Foodbank operates Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm.  If you or someone you know requires assistance, please call 075 4342 0639.  No questions asked or criteria to meet.  Follow them on facebook at Sperrinfoodbank or email foodbank@theworkspacegroup.org.

 

MARY’S MEALS – DOUBLE THE LOVE 

Mary’s Meals is keeping the promise of a daily school meal to over 2.4 million children in 18 countries.  Our ‘Double the Love’ Campaign has launched and all donations made to Mary’s Meals until 22nd January 2024 will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1 million.  Amongst the many challenges we see in today’s world, from conflict to the cost-of-living crisis, your little acts of love can go further thanks to ‘Double the Love’, bringing hope to desperately hungry children and their families.  Please pray that we can reach even more children around the world with our life-changing school meals this Christmas.  Find out more and browse our Christmas gift cards at marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212.

 

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.  There is still time to sign up for the Academic Year 2023/2024.  If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 7126 4087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.

 

MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING WITH ACCORD NI

Help Accord help you support your marriage and relationship.  If you feel your relationship is in crisis or you need a little guidance and help, either face to face or online, contact your local Accord centre.  Accord NI counsellors are professionally trained in the specialism of couples and relationships counselling.  Every year Accord helps thousands of couples rebuild and sustain healthy relationships.  For support, tel. 028 9023 3002 or visit accordni.com.

 

QUB HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

The Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast will lead a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land for alumni and friends.  Departing 9th February 2024 for 8 nights with half-board accommodation in 4 star hotels in Jerusalem and Nazareth, this promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.  The Pilgrimage’s Spiritual Director will be Queen’s Chaplain, Fr. Dominic McGrattan, with music and song provided by the Chaplaincy’s Director of Sacred Music, celebrated soprano, Marcella Walsh.  In addition to a rich itinerary which includes visits to the principal sacred sites, we will also visit the Holy Family Maternity Hospital in Bethlehem and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem.  If you would like to know more information including price, itinerary and how to book, please email Chaplaincy Director, Shannon Campbell, at catholicchaplaincy@qub.ac.uk

 

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).

 

 

 

 

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