Bulletin: 31st March 2024

PARISH BULLETIN – EASTER SUNDAY – 31^st March 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 EASTER WEEK

 

St. Mary’s, Coolcalm:  Tuesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 10 am.  [webcam]

 

Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen:  Monday and Wednesday ~ 10 am; 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.

 

Sperrin Foodbank:  075 4342 0639                         SVP Helpline:  077 1083 8050

____________________________________________________________

 

DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Please remember in your prayers:

 

May O’Neill, Brackaghlislea, whose funeral is today, Easter Sunday, at 12 noon in St. Patrick’s, Keenaught.

 

Tommy Scullion, 45A Desertmartin Road, Moneymore; Marie Heaney, Bellaghy; Benny Kerr, Cordarragh and Carnamoney; John Kennedy, Dunlogan and Bernie Corrigan, Kildress whose funerals were held during the week.

 

Sinéad McErlean, Frances McGinley, Phyllis Kelly, Charlie Higgins, Charlie O’Neill, Rose Lagan and Clare McDermott who died recently.

 

Willie John Fullen, Mary Josephine McGovern, Jim Donnelly, Tommy McPeake, Martina McLernon, Brian Gribbin, Madeline O’Connell, Mary Quigley, Una Flynn, Brian McGuigan, Ned Smith, John Collins, Paudeen Hegarty, Seamus Donnelly and Ignatius Murray whose anniversaries occur at this time.

 

MONTH’S MIND MASS

The Month’s Mind Mass for Ruperta Regan, 19 Draperstown Road, will be celebrated on Friday 5^th April at 7.30 pm in Holy Rosary Church, Ballinascreen.

 

FIRST ANNIVERSARY MASS

The First Anniversary Mass for Mary Connery, 25 Motalee Road, will be celebrated on Friday 5^th April at 10 am in St. Mary’s Church, Coolcalm.

 

____________________________________________________________

 

 

EASTER 2023

The priests of Desertmartin and Ballinascreen Parishes wish everyone the Blessings of Easter.

This Easter may we live as people deeply touched by the hope and spirit of the Risen Jesus as we proclaim:  Christ is risen, he is truly risen!  Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

 

THANK YOU to the adults and young people who read, the singers and musicians, the eucharistic ministers, the altar servers, the flower arrangers, the cleaners, the sacristans, the groundskeeper, parishioners and anyone who helped in any way with the Holy Week Ceremonies.  We appreciate your time, generosity and efforts helping the parish celebrate the different Masses and Services over the course of the week.  Thank you very much indeed.  May God bless you this Easter.

 

THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.

Last Week:  Sunday/Priest’s Collection envelopes:  £677.00. 

Clerical Education Collection envelopes:  £74.00 (total so far £464.00).

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

 

TRÓCAIRE 2024

Please return your donation for this year’s Trócaire Lenten Appeal by next weekend.  Thank you for your generosity.

 

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA

A recording of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena Prayers is available online at www.parishofballinascreen.com.  Our Lord urged St. Faustina to encourage others to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, promising extraordinary graces to those who would recite it.

 

ST. EUGENE’S CHURCH, MONEYNEENA

The essential repointing of the exterior of St. Eugene’s Church is well underway.  As mentioned a few weeks ago, the cost of the work is over £250,000 and at present there is in the parish renovation Fund £135,000.  The shortfall has to be made up and the various fund raising events being organised are greatly appreciated.  If you would like to contribute to Ballinascreen Church Renovation Fund account, you may do so by using the bank account details below.  You may also use the Donate button on the Ballinascreen Parish website.  If using this button, please select the ‘Restoration Fund’ option.  Ballinascreen Credit Union will also receive and deposit any contribution you may wish to make.  Donations may also be given directly to Fr. Madden.  Thank you for your support.  Renovation Account Details:  Ballinascreen Parish Premium Business Reserve account number: 10585922.  Sort code: 98-05-50.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2024

First Holy Communion will be celebrated on the following dates:

Saturday 27^th April at 11 am in Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen for children attending Gaelscoil na Speiríní, Straw.

Saturday 11^th May at 11 am in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm for the children attending Knocknagin P.S.

Saturday 25^th May at 11 am in St. Mary’s, Coolcalm for the children attending St. Columb’s P.S., Cullion.

 

GROUP TUITION

Double Award Biology (CCEA) Small Group Tuition in The Hub, Draperstown.  Year 11 started Thursday 14^th March, 8 pm – 9 pm and Year 12 started Wednesday 20^th March, 8 pm – 9 pm for 8 weeks.  Contact Brenda for details on 079 1745 3290.

 

KNOCKNAGIN HALL ACTIVITIES

Jiving Classes continue on Wednesday 3^rd April at 8 pm.  Contact Angela on 077 4689 5949 or Olive on 078 8761 4094.

Yoga Classes:  No class on Easter  Monday.   Next 6-week block starts on Monday 15^th April at 10 am.  Numbers limited, so registration necessary.  To register, contact Olive on 078 8761 4094, Angela on 077 4689 5949 or Anne on 028 7964 2711.

Chair Exercise:  No class on Easter Tuesday.  Classes continue on Tuesday 9^th April at 10 am, followed by a short walk.  Admission £4.

Knit and Natter:  No class on Easter Tuesday.  Classes continue on Tuesday 9^th April at 7.30 pm.  Bring your own project or you can help with knitting for local charities.

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:  Band practice will recommence on Thursday 11^th April in preparation for the Feast of the Assumption celebrations in Donegal Town on Sunday 18^th August.

 

SLIEVE GALLION ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

Slieve Gallion Active Retirement Association is holding its next health and wellbeing meeting on Sunday 7^th April.  Numbers are strictly limited, so if you wish to attend please contact Chris Trainor on 075 4601 0560 to book your spot as soon as possible.

 

KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Complete a painting in only 4 weeks!  George Gourley Water Colours Painting, suitable for all abilities.  Dates:  Monday 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd and 29^th April, from 10 am – 12 noon.  Cost £40, paid in advance when booking.  All materials supplied, just bring your brushes.  Message/call 078 2196 3749 to book.

Pilates and Yoga Style Exercise Class, adaptable for all abilities and ages.  Ideal also for those who are less mobile.  Continues every Friday, 10 am – 11 am, £4.  Includes advice on nutrition, sleep, stress and mindfulness to help you look and feel your best self.

 

SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP

Bowls Club on Mondays at 8.30 pm.  New members welcome.

Dance Class every Tuesday at 8.30 pm.  Old time, waltz and line dancing.  No booking.

Pilates continues every Monday in April with AMG Pilates.  Suitable for age 16+, men and women welcome, exercises modified to suit all abilities.  To book for this new block of classes, contact Emma on 077 6928 9385.

 

WORKSPACE COMMUNITY HUB

Baby Massage Classes starting on Friday 12^th April in Workspace Community Hub.  Contact Rosie on 077 4912 1208.

 

33^rd DERRY BALLINASCREEN SCOUTS

30^th Anniversary Gala in The Shepherds Rest on 1^st June at 7.30 pm, dinner will be served at 8 pm.  Tickets now on sale £40 each.  Search Ballinascreen Scouts Gala on Eventbrite or contact ballinascreen.scouts@gmail.com.  Over 18s only, smart dress code.

 

VINTAGE VEHICLE SHOW

Vintage Vehicle Show at An Rath Dubh, Moneyneena on Sunday 7^th April from 1 pm.  All vintage vehicles welcome.  Will include a children’s vehicle parade, bouncy castles and stalls.  Optional convoy at 3.30 pm.  Vintage motorbikes also welcome.  All proceeds in aid of essential repair work being carried out on St. Eugene’s Church.

 

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.

 

DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE

Divine Mercy Conference on Saturday 6^th April at Knock Shrine, 11 am – 4 pm, with Fr. Pat Collins CM and Fr. Isaac John MSFS at St. John’s Centre, Knock Shrine.

 

ANAM CARA DONEGAL

Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 11^th 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 information, call 00353 1 404 5378

 

HEALING OUR WOUNDS

Weekend Workshop at Ards Friary, 12^th – 14^th April.  This workshop offers a way to transform our wounds.  It will include input, time for personal reflection, opportunities for sharing and some social time.  Cost €220, includes retreat, accommodation and all meals.  Limited to 12 people.  To book, phone Ards on 00353 74 9138909 or email info@ardsfriary.ie.

 

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK

National Eucharistic Adoration Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday 14^th April (weekend after Divine Mercy Sunday).  To enquire or book a seat, call 077 3887 3492.  Details of buses, nationwide, on www.eucharisticadoration.ie.

 

ACCORD NI SEEKING MARRIAGE PREPARATION FACILITATORS

ACCORD NI Catholic Marriage Care Service is currently recruiting people to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators.  If you have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church, if you have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team in supporting couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage, then Accord wants to hear from you.  Successful applicants will receive professional training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes locally.  Contact Brenda on 028 9023 3002 or by email to info@accordni.com.  www.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.  If you are interested in registering for the Masters in September 2024 or require any further information,  please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 028 7126 4087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.

 

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER IRELAND

Marriage Encounter Ireland invites married couples to their next Marriage Enrichment Weekend in the Focolare Centre, Prosperous, Co Kildare, Friday 26^th – Sunday 28^th April.  Register online.www.marriageencounter.ie.

 

LOUGH DERG RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS (18 – 30 year olds)

The Knights of Columbanus, Omagh, is organising a Retreat in Lough Derg for young adults, to take place on Saturday 27^th April from 10 am – 4 pm.  Guest Speakers, inspirational talks, reflective time and concluding with Mass.  This event is Free.  For further information, email info@knightsofstcolumbansomagh.co.uk

 

LIFE CAMP 2024

Living – In – Faith – Everywhere.  LIFE Camp is a voluntary organisation staffed by teachers, students and experienced volunteers.  It takes place in St. Mary’s College, Northland Road, Derry.  We are calling all pupils currently in P3 – P7.  Week 1:  Monday 1^st – Friday 5^th July and Week 2:  Monday 8^th – Friday 12^th July.  Cost for each week is £40.  To register go to www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Life%20Summer%20Camp

 

PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA

Fully escorted group pilgrimage accompanied by Spiritual Director for seven nights from 28^th May – 3^rd 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 1^st to Friday 5^th 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 10^th 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 30^th July to 8^th 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.

 

PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA

Fatima Pilgrimage, 9^th – 14^th August.  Ex Dublin.  Mass in Santarem where the bleeding host took place, visit visionaries homes, Hungarian stations of the cross, Lisbon with church of Saint Anthony where he was born and baptised, seaside excursion.  Payments can be made by instalments.  Contact James Treacy on 00353 61 921 470 or email jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com.

 

ST. EUGENE’S CATHEDRAL PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA

19^th – 24^th October.  Cost £770 per person sharing with a single room supplement of £150 (subject to availability).  For more information, please contact Anne Marie Hickey on amhickey@derrydiocese.org or phone St. Eugene’s Parish Office on 028 7126 2894.

 

PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND SAN GIOVANNI 

4^th – 10^th November, led by James Molloy.  Spiritual Director, Fr. John McKeever.  To book please phone Kieran and Laura Troyon on 00353 57 9355050.  To book by debit card, see www.myriam.ie.  Passport details needed when booking.  Coach pickup at Oakleaf Restaurant, Maghera.  Cost 895 Euro p.p.s.

 

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 4^th March and will be taken down at 8 am on Monday 11^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.