PARISH BULLETIN – 30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 29th October 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 THIS COMING WEEK
St. Mary’s, Coolcalm: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday ~ 10 am. [webcam]
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught: Tuesday and Thursday ~ 7.30 pm.
Holy Rosary, Ballinascreen: Monday ~ 10 am; Tuesday ~ 6 pm; and Friday ~ 7.30 pm. [webcam]
St. Columba’s, Straw: Wednesday and Thursday ~ 9 am.
St. Patrick’s, Sixtowns: Wednesday and Thursday ~ 11 am.
St. Eugene’s, Moneyneena: Wednesday and Thursday ~ 12 noon.
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.
SVP Helpline: 077 1083 8050
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DEATHS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Please remember in your prayers:
Norah O’Hagan, 2 Tobermore Road; Mickey McGillian, 21 Sixtowns Road; Josephine McDonald, 7 Fairlea Heights, Moneymore; Teresa McKeever, Magherafelt and Clifford Barr, Magherafelt whose funerals were held during the week.
Christopher Bradley, Johnny Spillane, Donna Kelly, Dan Kelly, Kathleen Hoare and Ann Hughes who died recently.
Francis Loane, Lizzie Moore, Mary Edge, Matilda Bradley, Penny Morgan, Mary Maguinness, James Connery and Terence McKay whose anniversaries occur at this time.
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THANK YOU for your generous contributions to the Parish.
Last Week: Sunday/Priest’s Collection envelopes: £1,157.00.
Mission Sunday Collection envelopes: £732.00.
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.
MASSES FOR THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS
~ 1st NOVEMBER ~
Tuesday 31st October (Vigil Masses)
Holy Rosary, Draperstown: 6 pm [webcam]
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught: 7.30 pm
Wednesday 1st November
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
MASSES FOR THE FEAST OF ALL SOULS
~ 2nd NOVEMBER ~
Thursday 2nd November
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
St. Patrick’s, Keenaught: 7.30 pm
In Memory Candles are available at the back of Coolcalm and Keenaught churches throughout November. Cost £1. Please put money in the candelabra slot.
PARISH BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE
A Book of Remembrance will be placed in both St. Mary’s, Coolcalm and St. Patrick’s, Keenaught for parishioners to enrol the names of their deceased loved ones from 31st October. These books will remain in place for the month of November.
ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED PARISHIONERS
The Annual Parish Mass for Deceased Parishioners will take place on Wednesday 8th November at 7.30 pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Keenaught. The names of all who died or were buried or waked in our parish since All Soul’s Day last year will be read out at this Mass.
After all these names have been read out, an adult member from each of these bereaved families will be invited to carry a lit candle to the altar. We ask if each family could ensure that an adult member has been selected to represent them. All candles will be provided at the back of the church during this Mass.
DERRY DIOCESE VOCATIONS
The Derry Vocations team asks parishioners to pray the Rosary for Vocations to the diocesan priesthood during the month of October.
MASS FOR DECEASED YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN
This annual Mass will be celebrated in St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Sunday 12th November at 7 pm.
KNOCKNAGIN HALL ACTIVITIES
Annual Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 12th November, 10.30 am – 4 pm. Crafters from all over Mid-Ulster with a wide selection of handcrafted and homemade items, from baking, crochet, wooden plaques, personalised gifts and much more. Perfect gifts for Christmas, suitable for all the family. Always a few bargains to be had!
SPRED Group thanks the organisers and supporters of the recent Pony Drive. £1,320 was raised.
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.
Line Dancing on Wednesdays at 7.30 pm. Admission £4.
Bowling Club on Tuesdays, 8 pm to 10 pm. New and past members welcome.
Annual Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 12th November. Only 1 table left, £20.
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.
If interested in any of the above, please contact Olive on 078 8761 4094, Kathleen on 077 6427 7809 or Anne on 028 7964 2711 to register.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Practice Thursdays at 7.30 pm. New and past members welcome.
SLIEVE GALLION ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
Slieve Gallion Active Retirement Association 10th Anniversary Celebrations – Tea Dance at St. Mary’s Hall, Desertmartin next Sunday 5th November. Music from 3 pm – 5 pm by Country Star Shaun Loughrey. Everyone welcome.
KILCRONAGHAN CENTRE
Weekly Chair Exercises and Well Being Talk continues every Friday at 10 am with Elaine. Everyone welcome. Only £4 per week.
Planting Spring Window Boxes/Pots on Monday 6th November. Choose from 10 am or 11.30 am class. All materials will be provided including pot/bulbs and spring flowers. £8. Must be booked, text 078 2196 3749 or ring 028 7962 7826.
Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing on Monday 13th November, 10 am – 12 noon. Interactive and fun workshop. Refreshments and goodie bag for all who attend. Free event, but places must be booked. Text 078 2196 3749 or call 028 7962 7826
Dates of our exciting Christmas classes and workshops will be available soon.
If you want to be among the first to know about classes and events at Kilcronaghan, please text/WhatsApp your name to 078 2196 3749.
DRAPERSTOWN AFTER SCHOOL CLUB: CHILDCARE VACANCY
The Club is currently recruiting a staff member to assist with the supervision of children helping to provide a safe and fun environment for all. 5 afternoons per week. To find out more, please contact Workspace on 028 796 28113 or email ann@theworkspacegroup.org.
WORKSPACE RECREATION CENTRE
Nuala’s Keep Fit Classes on Mondays and Thursdays at 6.45 pm. Classes only cost £21 for 6 weeks (one night per week), works out at only £3.50 per class. For more details, please call Workspace on 028 7962 8113.
Baby Massage – New 4-week block of baby massage and reflexology in the Workspace Community Hub from 10th November. Contact Rosie on 077 4912 1208 for more details.
New ‘Diamond Painting’ Beginners Group now meeting every Tuesday in Workspace Community Hub from 11 am – 1 pm. Diamond Painting is a new art hobby which involves applying multi-colored rhinestones on a canvas to produce a shimmering picture. If interested in learning more, just call in to one of the sessions. Booking not required
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.
ROSARY ON THE COAST
The next Rosaries on the Coast will be on Sunday 29th October at 3 pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana, and Sunday 5th November on Benone Strand, Limavady, also 3 pm. All Rosary Coasters welcome. Please ask as many of your family members and friends along to pray for peace, our unborn brothers and sisters, our Catholic faith, our marriages and our families, as all these are under unprecedented attacks coming from many sources.
CISTERCIAN VOCATION WEEKEND
The Cistercian monks at Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, Portglenone, invite men who are between the ages of 18 and 50 and who may feel a call to the monastic life, to come and share a weekend of prayer and discernment at the Abbey, 3rd – 5th November. For further details, please contact the Vocation Promotor, Fr. Aelred OCSO on 028 2582 1211, or via email frmagee@yahoo.co.uk.
ANAM CARA DONEGAL
Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 9th November 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.
MEMORY’S GIFTING
A Morning Retreat led by Fr. Paschal McDonnell – ‘In remembering, we touch both gratitude, longing and the acceptance of the unfinished’ on Saturday 11th November, 10 am to 1.30 pm, in An Grianan Hotel, Burt, Co Donegal. For details or to register, contact Erin at thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at the Millennium Forum, 30th November – 31st December. Accessible Performances. Signed Performance – Wednesday 6th December at 7 pm. Relaxed and Dementia Friendly Performance – Saturday 9th December at 2 pm. Audio Described Performance – Sunday 17th December at 2 pm. All performances will include a song using Makaton. Tickets for these performances are on sale through our box office (028 7126 4455 choose option 1) or on our website www.millenniumforum.co.uk.
PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS ARDS RETREAT
‘Preparing for Christmas’ – Weekend Retreat at Ards Friary, Co. Donegal, 8th – 10th December. Led by Philip McParland. In the weeks leading up to Christmas there is usually a lot going on in our lives. This weekend will offer you an opportunity to focus on your spiritual preparation. It will be both reflective and practical, suggesting ways to keep in touch with Jesus. To book, contact Ards. Tel: 00353 74 91 38909. Email: info@ardsfriary.ie.
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.
SONGS OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE AT KNOCK
An Evening of Songs of Faith, Hope and Love in Knock Basilica on Friday 1st December at 8 pm, featuring Dana, John McNicholl, Margo, Philomena Begley and Marc Roberts with Úna Nolan and Schola Cantorum Basilicae choir. A fundraising concert for Victim Assistance Charity. Tickets from Ticketmaster.ie. Tickets also available from head office. For details, contact Mary McNicholas, Victim Assistance Head Office, Aiden St., Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo 00353 94 9000 251/ 00353 86 3938 871. Email: support@victimassistance.ie
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).
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 6th November and will be taken down at 8 am on Thursday 9th November. 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:
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.