PARISH BULLETIN – 5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 4th February 2024
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 THIS WEEK
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 10 am. [webcam]
Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen: Wednesday ~ 10 am; Monday 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
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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
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.
Sperrin Foodbank: 075 4342 0639 SVP Helpline: 077 1083 8050
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DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Please remember in your prayers:
Anne Doyle, 29 Cullion Road; Kathleen Donnelly, Bancran Road; Katie McVeigh, Ballyclare and Pomeroy; and Imelda Bowden, Belfast whose funerals were held during the week.
Seamus O’Hagan, John O’Hagan, Kevin Fullen, Edward Gribbin, Norah Gribbin, Margaret Stewart, Mary Kelly, Sarah Higgins, John Crawley Snr., Paddy McCann, Kathleen Leeper and Jim Reid whose anniversaries occur at this time.
MONTH’S MIND MASSES
The Month’s Mind Mass for Brigid Loane, 9 Luney Road, will be celebrated on Friday 9th February at 10 am in St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.
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THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.
Last Week: Sunday/Priest’s Collection envelopes: £830.00.
Thank you to those who contribute to the parish by direct debit.
THANK YOU
Fr. McGirr would like to offer his gratitude to Desertmartin G.A.C. for the contribution to the parish from its Christmas Draw. We appreciate all the organisation and work people made in running and supporting the draw.
THE LOURDES HOSPITALITÉ COLLECTION
The Lourdes Hospitalité collection, which helps those who wish to go to Lourdes on the Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage and who require nursing care and assistance, will take place at the Sunday Masses next weekend, 10th/11th February. There is a yellow envelope in the box of collection envelopes marked ‘Lourdes Collection’ for this. People can also contribute to the collection by placing their donation in an envelope, writing ‘Lourdes’ on the front and placing it in the collection box at Mass or putting it through the letterbox at the Parochial House. As in previous years, the Lourdes Pilgrimage Office appeals to your generosity for this worthwhile cause as we take the pilgrimage forward once again in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
SICK VISITATION
On Monday and Tuesday Fr. McGirr will visit the sick on Iniscarn, Brackagh, Gortahurk, Brackalislea and Nutgrove Roads.
On Wednesday and Friday Fr. McGirr will visit the sick on Carncose, Quilly, Luney, Drumsamney, Tobermore and Forgetown Roads, and Brackagh Lane.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration in Holy Rosary Church, Ballinascreen on Monday 5th February from 12 noon until 7.25 pm.
PADRE PIO MASS
The monthly Mass in honour of St. Pio of Pietrelcina will be celebrated on Monday 5th February at 7.30 pm in the Holy Rosary Church, Ballinascreen. Novena prayers and Rosary
will commence at 7.10 pm.
CONFIRMATION 2024
Confirmation will be celebrated in Desertmartin Parish on Sunday 10th March at 12 noon in St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught for the children attending St. Columb’s P.S., Cullion and Knocknagin P.S.
ST. VINCENT de PAUL
Ballinascreen SVP has preloved Communion dresses, suits and shoes available to any families who need assistance. Please call to schedule a time to view and try on. If you have preloved Communion attire at home, please consider donating to their recycling scheme. Tel. 077 1083 8050.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL ACTIVITIES
Social Dance this Friday 9th February, 9 pm – Midnight. Music by Chris Dallet.
Yoga Classes: new 6-week block starting Monday morning 12th February at 10 am. £36. Numbers limited. Registration is necessary. Contact Olive on 078 8761 4094, Kathleen on 077 6427 7809 or Anne on 028 7964 2711 to register.
Chair Exercise on Tuesday mornings at 10 am, followed by a short walk. Admission £4.
Knit and Natter on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 pm. Bring your own project or you can help with knitting for local charities.
Line Dancing on Wednesdays at 7.30 pm. Admission £4.
Read Yourself Well: Selection of books from wellness experts, doctors and bestselling authors. There are a number of books out on loan but no details were recorded. If you are borrowing a book, it is necessary to record your name and a contact number. Please return any overdue books or if you require it for a longer period then contact any committee member below.
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 Accordion Band Practice on Thursdays at 7.30 pm. Only 7 practice nights left before St. Patrick’s Day. Can all band members please try to attend and check their uniforms. Tickets for 2024 monthly draw now on sale, £1 a month, £12 for the year. £50 prize drew every month.
BALLINASCREEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The AGM of the Ballinascreen Historical Society will be held on Tuesday 6th February at 8 pm in the Community Hub, Draperstown. It will be preceded by an Archive Film Night. Everyone welcome.
TEA DANCE
Tea dance at St. Mary’s Hall, Knocknagin, Desertmartin next Sunday 11th February. Music by Shaun Loughrey from 3 pm to 5 pm.
BALLINASCREEN RENOVATION FUND DANCE
To kick start fundraising for the emergency work beginning shortly at St. Eugene’s Church, Moneyneena, a Parish Dance will be held on Friday 1st March in An Ráth Dubh, Moneyneena. Music by Bleed’N Cowboys. More details later.
WORKSPACE RECREATION CENTRE
Nuala’s Keep Fit Classes: 6-week block of classes, you can sign up anytime. Mondays and Thursdays from 6.45 pm. Cost is £3.50 per class. Call Workspace for more details or to book your place on 028 7962 8113.
Theresa Lanigan Netball: Wednesdays 8 pm – 9 pm in the Recreation Centre. All ladies must be 18+. All skill levels welcome.
ROSARY ON THE COAST
The next Rosary on the Coast will be at 3 pm today Sunday 4th February at Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. We will pray for Ireland, world peace, marriage, families and the lives of our unborn children. Bring the family and friends and make this something special for Our Lady. For details, tel. 077 3033 0028.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS
Omagh Charismatic Prayer Group invite you to seminars on Thursdays in conjunction with 7.30 pm Mass in Christ the King Church, Strathroy, from 15th February until 21st March. They will also be available online at www.churchservices.tv/strathroy.
DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE BUS TRIP
Spiritual journey to the Divine Mercy Conference in the RDS in Dublin. We are excited to offer two options of organised transport, a one-day trip or full weekend conference. To express your interest and secure your spot, please contact: Brenda on 078 5696 8091 or Mary on 075 0070 6798 for Pomeroy Bus: One-day conference on Saturday 24th February. Or Una on 077 4357 5969 for Toome Bus: A weekend conference from Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th February. Register by this Monday 5th February to guarantee your place on this special trip with amazing talks and healing. To learn more about the Conference, visit https://www.divinemercyconference.com/
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS
The Vocations Directors of the northern dioceses invite anyone interested in serving the Church as a diocesan priest, to attend a retreat at the Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne from 8th – 10th March. Anyone aged 18 or over wishing to attend should contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Pat O’Hagan at pgoh2111@gmail.com.
LENT RETREAT
‘Lent: Season of Well-Being’ Weekend Retreat at Ards Friary, Donegal, 23rd – 25th February. Led by Philip McParland. This weekend will present Lent as a suitable time to practice the things that are good for our physical, mental and spiritual health. To book, contact Ards. Tel. 00353 74 91 38909. Email: info@ardsfriary.ie.
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.
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA
Fully escorted group pilgrimage accompanied by Spiritual Director for seven nights from 28th May – 3rd June. Accommodation in 4* Hotel Style, with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Cost £825 p.p.s. Single room supplement £280. Mass daily and spiritual activities. Services of JWT tour guide. Direct flights from Dublin. Coach from Oakleaf Restaurant, Maghera to Dublin Airport. For further details, please contact Christina Lagan on 078 0319 2621.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Monday 1st to Friday 5th July, ex City of Derry Airport. Led by Bishop Donal McKeown. Full board £799, single room supplement £150. The pilgrimage office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry, will open to the public 11 am to 1 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays, starting Saturday 10th February. Tel. 028 7126 0293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com.
DERRY DIOCESAN YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE
We are inviting young people aged 16+ to join us on pilgrimage to Medjugorje for 9 nights from 30th July to 8th August. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with peers from around the world, in a faith context. Up to 50,000 young people attend the Medjugorje Youth Festival each year. Cost is £800 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible to secure a place. For more information or to book in, please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or tel. 028 7126 4087.
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).