Bulletin: 25th August 2024

PARISH BULLETIN – 21^st SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – 25^th August 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:  Tuesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 10 am.  [webcam]

 

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

 

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

____________________________________________________________

 

DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Please remember in your prayers:

 

Kathleen Breen, 16 Cullion Road and Tony Faulkner Gortnaghey. whose funerals were held during the week.

 

Paddy Joe O’Neill who died recently.

 

Thomas McPeake, Maureen McNally and Sean Bradley whose anniversaries occur at this time.

____________________________________________________________

 

FR. DERMOT MCGIRR

This being Fr. Dermot’s last weekend in Desertmartin and Ballinascreen, it is appropriate to record our thanks for all he has done in both parishes and in our schools over the past 8 years.  His priestly service to the people of God has been unswerving.  His attention to detail, when arranging family funerals or weddings, and the caring and compassionate manner in which he visited the sick and attended to their spiritual needs in Desertmartin Parish and in Ballinascreen Fold will long be remembered.

To me personally, he has been a great support and made the administration of our two parishes so much more manageable.

On behalf of us all, I wish him every blessing in his new appointment as Parish Priest of Banagher.

Fr. Peter Madden P.P.

 

 

THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.

Last Week:  Sunday/Priest’s Collection envelopes:  £1,316.00.

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

 

KNOCKNAGIN HALL ACTIVITIES

Charity Dance on Friday 30^th August in aid of Laurel House, Antrim.  Music by Liam McLaughlin.  Dancing 8.30 pm to midnight.  Admission £7 including light supper.

Irish Language Class:  8 week course commences on Monday 9^th September from 7.30 pm to 9 pm.  £3 per night or £15 for the 8 weeks.

Irish Dancing Lessons continue on Tuesday evenings at 6 pm.  To register, contact Nicola on 075 1820 7458.

Chair Exercise continues on Tuesday mornings at 10 am.

Craft Fair on Sunday 10^th November.  Now taking bookings – £20 a table or two for £30.

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:  August Monthly Draw, winner no. 135 – Tony Johnston, Toome.  A big thank you to all the parents for getting everyone turned and looking so well for The Feast of the Assumption Celebration.  No band practice until on Thursday 12^th September.

 

DESERTMARTIN CREDIT UNION

We will be ordering Oil within the next 2 weeks, so if you want to request a fill, please let us know, how much as soon as possible.  Also, any member who is not in the Heating Oil Club, you can join, and let us know your oil request for this delivery.  Office Telephone no:  028 7963 4858 on a Friday 6 pm till 9 pm and a Saturday 10 am till 12 noon.  All Oil requests must be placed before 11 am on Saturday 7^th September.

 

SUMMER MUSIC TUITION

Piano.  For registration or information, contact Edward Gribbin BA (Hons), tel. 078 3516 1927.

 

BALLINASCREEN PARISH SUMMER DRAW 2024

Winners Week 1:

£1,000:  Margaret Hegarty, Online

£200:  Alia, Liam and Fiada McWilliams c/o 9D Disert Road

£100:  Brendan, Ryan and Teagan Mulgrew c/o 6 Tonagh Heights

Winners Week 2:

£1,000:  Setanta Gribben, 4 Ballynure Lane, Moneyneena

£200:  Lorcan & Maria Gormley, 15 Cordarragh, Draperstown

£100:  Philomena Molloy, 42 Lisaghmore Avenue, Derry

Winners Week 3:

£1,000:  Stephen & Bernadette McKenna, 4 Doon Road

£200:  Paul Doyle, 196 Lagan Road, Kilcoo

£100:  Vivian & Marlene McSorley, Sixtowns Road

Winners Week 4:

£1,000:  Anne Marie O’Hagan, Online

£200:  Rosaleen Rafferty, 88 Bancran Road

£100:  Laura O’Kane, 10A Cloane Road

 

Thank you to all have supported this year’s Summer Draw.

The final draw which will be held Saturday 24^th August, when prizes will be:  1^st Prize £2,000; 2^nd Prize £500; 3^rd Prize £300.

 

NOTE OF THANKS

Fr. Madden wishes to sincerely thank all who supported the recent fundraising event held in The Hogan Stand Bar, which raised £1,730 for St. Eugene’s Church Renovation Fund.  Special thanks to the management and staff of The Hogan Stand and to the stars who performed on the night ~ Double Mac (aka Fr. Sean McGuigan and Gerry McGuigan).

 

S.V.P. ~ SCHOOL UNIFORMS

St. Vincent de Paul presently has an abundance of  uniform items for St. Mary’s Primary School and St. Colm’s High School.  These items are all in wonderful condition and the majority of them have been dry cleaned.  If interested in acquiring any of these items, please contact S.V.P. on 077 1083 8050.

 

KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE

Crochet Class for beginners and improvers, starting Monday 23^rd September for 6 weeks, 10 am – 12 noon.

Painting Classes start back on Wednesday 11^th September, 10 am and 7 pm.

New Beginners Painting Class commencing October if there is enough interest.  Register your name now.

Creative Writing commences on Tuesday 8^th October, 10.30 am – 12 noon.

Watercolours Painting with George Gourley from Monday 4^th November, 10 am for 4 weeks.

Annual Vintage Rally, Craft Fair and Family Fun Day on Saturday 28^th September from 11 am.  New free attraction – Mobile Petting Farm.  Also, the Family Health Van taking health check appointments on the day from 11 am.

Message 078 2196 3749.  Tel. 028 7962 7826.  Email manager@kilcronaghan.co.uk for more details or to book on any of the above classes.

 

GLENSHANE HOUSE DUNGIVEN

Names are being taken for a First Aid and Defib training course and for a CandG L2 Food Safety in Catering course.  To register, please phone 028 7774 2494.

 

WORKSPACE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

Childcare Vacancy.  The Club is currently recruiting a staff member to assist with the supervision of children and the provision of a safe and fun environment for all.  Five afternoons per week.  To find out more, please contact Workspace by phone on 028 7962 8113 or email ann@theworkspacegroup.org.

 

A RELIC OF BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS

A relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis will be brought to St. Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, on Friday 30^th August, for veneration from 3 pm – 9 pm.  An exhibition on the devotions and writings of Blessed Carlo is currently on display in the Church.  Blessed Carlo Acutis is due to be canonised next year.  He will be the first Saint of the 21^st century.  His faith and goodness as a teenager of the early years of the present millennium, and as someone who used the internet and digital communication for the good of others and the spreading of devotion to the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist should be an inspiration to us all and especially to the young people of our own day.

 

ONLINE BEREAVEMENT INFORMATION EVENING

Anam Cara is holding an Online Bereavement Information Evening on Tuesday 3^rd September at 7 pm.  Our guest speaker for this month’s talk is Bryan Nolan.  Bryan has an M.A. Healthcare Chaplaincy DCU, Certified Healthcare Chaplain, End of Life and Grief and loss specialist, Training and facilitation expert.  The link to join is below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqf-6gqT4vGtf09D7YFGe9vJbbfNz82QEA

 

MARY’S MEALS FILM SCREENING

On Thursday 5^th September at 7 pm in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown, Mary’s Meals is holding a screening of its new documentary, ‘Zero Hunger’, about the devastating and escalating hunger crisis in Ethiopia.  Filmed in Tigray, Ethiopia and in London – and featuring an original in-depth interview with Bob Geldof – ‘Zero Hunger’ powerfully explores the question ‘can there be a solution to world hunger?’  This special documentary highlights the many challenges faced by the people of Tigray due to war, poverty and drought, but also their hope and determination to rise up against the odds.  Please note this film is not suitable for children and has a rating of 12A.  To reserve a free ticket, visit bit.ly/zhcookstown or contact Caoimhe McCann on 073 9456 4065.  There will be refreshments and an opportunity to chat to local volunteers about the work of Mary’s Meals after the screening.

 

PADRE PIO TRIP TO KNOCK

The National pilgrimage in honour of St. Pio takes place on Sunday 22^nd September at Knock Shrine.  A coach will leave from the Holy Rosary at 7 am, with pickup at St. Mary’s Coolcalm (7.10 am) returning at 10 pm approx.  Fare (including breakfast) is £30 payable at time of booking.  All welcome.  To book, please phone 078 3636 6949 or 077 3212 5316 or 028 7962 8920.

 

WEEKEND RETREAT FOR MISSION SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS OF SMA

Friday 27^th September (4.30 pm) – Sunday 29^th September (2 pm).  The SMA community welcomes our Supporters and friends to this Weekend Retreat and Reflection, which will be an opportunity to take time aside in the tranquil and relaxed setting of Dromantine.  All will join in celebrating Mass each day at the Novena in honour of St. Thérése.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated during the weekend.

 

    

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK

Bishop Donal McKeown will lead the Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday 28^th September.  Mass with Anointing of the Sick will take place at 3 pm in the main Basilica, accompanied by the Long Tower Parish Folk Group.

 

COULD YOU ‘HOST FOR HOSPICE’

October is officially Foyle Hospice ‘Coffee Morning Month’.  We are calling on supporters to help us raise vital funds by hosting a Coffee Morning.  Whether it’s at home, work or in your local community, get your friends together and get the kettle on, it’s a piece of cake!  To request your Free host pack or for more information, please call Ailbhe McDaid, Community Fundraiser on 028 7135 9888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com

 

HORTICULTURE CLASSES

Classes in the polytunnel on Back Road, Draperstown behind the Soup Kitchen, on Thursdays, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm.  Everyone welcome.  For more details, please ring STEPS on 078 2111 9367.

 

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.

 

DIOCESAN VOCATIONS

Vocations Day for those considering diocesan priesthood in Buncrana on Sunday 8^th September from 12 noon – 6 pm.  Anyone interested, should please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Pat O’Hagan by email: pgoh2111@gmail.com.

 

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND

Hosted by Catholic Marriage Encounter Ireland, 8^th – 10^th November, Focolare Centre, Prosperous, Co. Kildare.  Limited places.  Booking is online, only at: www.marriageencounter.ie.  The programme involves a weekend experience aimed at transforming the way spouses communicate to deepen their love for each other.  The weekend experience allows one to develop a higher and broader understanding of what it means to be married.  Sacramentally married couples are most welcome.  Faithful to the Roman Catholic Church’s definition that marriage is a covenant that exists between one man and one woman, any reference to ‘marriage’ or ‘couple’ made by Worldwide Marriage Encounter is in this context.  While faith is a powerful part of this process, the focus of the Marriage Encounter experience is on the ups and downs of married life.

 

MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES, APRIL – OCT 2024

7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 per person sharing.  Airport transfer available on request.  Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you.  Tel. 00353 01 443 4510 or visit the website www.med-irishcentre.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.

 

GLENSHANE PILGRIMAGE TO ROME, SAN GIOVANNI AND MONTECASSINO

6^th – 10^th November.  €895 euros all in.  Afternoon flights with Aer Lingus.  Excellent accommodation and dinners.  All coaches and tours included.  Phone Kieran and Laura on 00353 57 93 55050.

 

PILGRIMAGES TO FATIMA EASTER 2025

Ex Dublin, Easter 2025:  13^th May 2025 Feast day of Our Lady of Fatima; 13^th June 2025 for Feast of Saint Anthony; 13^th October 2025.  Contact James Treacy on 00353 6 192 1470, Email: jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com.

 

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).

 

PROMO FOR ‘THE NET’ – JULY/AUGUST 2024

Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the latest edition of ‘The Net’ is available in print in parishes as well as on the Diocesan website. For coverage of faith related stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.

 

Coverage in this edition includes:

• Anam Óg summer scheme enjoyed by over 30 children

• Young Dungiven hurlers take part in special Feile Mass

• School leaver’s Mass for Gaelscoil Neachtain Dungiven

• Newtownstewart Fr. Kearney Award

• Young Derry pilgrims amongst thousands to hear Pope Francis’ message for youth at Medjugorje Fest

• Youth 2000 Summer Fest

• Tyrone dentistry student returns from African dental mission

• Omagh family share Lourdes experience…

           *Pleasure to witness respectful rapport between young and elderly by Carmel McCrystal

 *Seeing spirit of St. Bernadette fill youth, I realised Jesus is with young people by Maeve McCrystal

           *Inspirational to witness strength of faith by Eilish McCrystal

• Young Writers share thoughts on…

            *Diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage

            *Legacy of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

            *Walking the Camino

            *Importance of small changes in everyday life

            *Being open to God’s Call

            *Fruits of bonding between young and elderly

• 125^th anniversary of Sacred Heart Church Omagh – a time to remember and renew

• Celebrating 90 years of Pennyburn’s St. Patrick’s Church

• Resilient Claudy community commended for nurturing spirit of peace

• Greenlough bonfire and Rosary celebration on St. John’s Eve

• Steelstown Our Lady of Lourdes water display by Steelstown and Culmore Parish Eco Group

• My First Holy Communion money…and an on-going challenge by Patricia McCormack

• Daniel goes down a treat at St. Eugene’s Afternoon Tea by Anne Marie Hickey

• Dungiven Blessing of Lilies

• Calling the world to unite in daily praying of the Rosary by Catherine McGowan (Children’s Rosary Ireland)

• Children’s Catechism Club – C3 by Veronica Harley

• Inishowen and Derry Men’s First Saturday Rosaries

• Clare Crockett retreat…

*Come follow Me

            *The process of the Causes of Saints by Fr. John Hogan ocd

• Celebrating Diamond Jubilarian Fr. Liam Donnelly

• Despite challenges…serving God’s people as a priest is wonderful calling and opportunity to witness – Fr. Pat O’Hagan shares vocation story

• Pat’s 40^th Jubilee celebrations in Bellaghy, Greenlough and Ballyscullion

• Clerical Changes…Reshaping how we are church in order to be effective in our time by Bishop Donal

• Vocations Day to offer special time of prayer & discussion about seminary and diocesan priesthood

• New Archbishop of Ardstraw by Fr. Roland Colhoun

• Ceili Catholic Community launches new School of Evangelisation

• A tribute to the late Joan Harte by Fr. Roland Colhoun

• Reflections on Pope’s prayer intentions:

           *Offering up suffering a humble gesture revealing inner strength by Fr. Patrick Lagan (July);

           *Pray for good political leaders dedicated to serving communities by Bishop Donal (August)

• Irish section by Déaglán Ó Laithbheartaigh…

            *Naomh Oilibhéar Pluincéad (St. Oliver Plunkett)
*Ná Bíodh Eagla Oraibh (Do not be afraid)

• Historic stained-glass treasures in St Mary’s Bocan by Dr. Seán Beattie

• Eternal Echoes…Timeless Truths for Today’s Hearts by Regina Deighan

• Truth by Fr. John McLaughlin ssc

• Who are we? by Fr. Johnny Doherty CSsR

• Why have you come? Where are you in the story? by Fr. Peter O’Kane

• Time to prepare for this year’s Season of Creation by Patricia McCormack

• Liturgical calendar for August and September

• Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

• Parish Post-its

• Diocesan Diary

• …other Diary Dates

• Quiz Time with Lawrence

 

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 29^th July and will be taken down at 8 am on Monday 5^th August.  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.