Parish News

All the current news that is relevant for our community.

PARISH OF DESERTCREAT, DERRYLORAN & COOKSTOWN.

7th March, Third Sunday of Lent

Recently Deceased:

Dessie Owens, Mountview Park Moneymore
Gerry McHugh, St Jeans Cottages Cookstown
Patsy Donaghy, Rathbeg Cookstown
Mary Donaghy, Westland Road Cookstown

Eternal Rest Grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Recent Arrivals

Congratulations to:

Shane and Sarah on the birth of their daughter
Lottie Anne Fox

Bartlomiej and Patrycja on the birth of their daughter
Liliana Kruczynski

We wish them God’s Blessings of good health and happiness.

World Day of Prayer

Worship Service 5th March 2021

A global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome all to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

For more info www.wwdp.org.uk

Sacrament Dates (Confirmation, First Holy Communion)

Confirmation dates for Holy Trinity PS in March will be rescheduled given the extended restrictions and all school children not returning to the classroom in March. We ask that you wait for your school principal/teacher to inform you of any changes and thank you for your patience.

All other dates will be reviewed weekly and schools will be informed asap if any changes are to be made.

Questions about Churches

Can I still go to Mass?

In light of ongoing consultations with the NI Executive and with Public Health Authorities, the Northern Bishops have decided that for a limited period (from midnight on Thursday 7th January until Friday 5th March), the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgies should take place without the physical presence of the faithful – with the exception of marriages, funerals and baptismal liturgies. Live-streaming and making individual visits for private prayer are also permissible in accordance with regulations.

What about weddings and funerals?

They can continue but no more than 25 people are allowed to attend the services and no wedding receptions are allowed.
No pre or post-funeral gatherings are permitted either and wakes cannot take place.

Rock/Slatequarry – Project

The Parish Finance Committee – After discussions, the committee have spent considerable time on the future and purpose of the ROCK Parochial Centre which is no longer in use and continues to be a burden on the parish finances. With this in mind Planning Permission has been sought for its redevelopment, with a vision for the future project in mind for the Rock district. We invite your thoughts on this matter, write to us at cookstownparish@gmail.com

At all times the parish intention is to maintain and develop the property for the good of the Rock community who live there.

Masses in Rock and Slatequarry

PLEASE NOTE:

Anniversary notices for Rock and Slatequarry will be read out at Mass in Holy Trinity Church each Sunday via livestream at 9.30 am. Baptisms will take place in Holy Trinity Church until further notice.

Mary’s Meals – Double the Love campaign

The above campaign, as you know, ended on 31st.January. On behalf of Mary’s Meals, a huge heartfelt thank you for your tremendous generosity. The three months donations of £2,927 was doubled by the UK Government. I am delighted to tell you all that your love and kindness is now feeding 368 starving children one meal every day for a full year. What a wonderful response from our Parish.
Mary’s Meals work continues in transforming the lives of children around the world providing them with a nutritious meal each day. £15.90 feeds a child every day for a full school year. Thank you again, your kindness and generosity are an inspiration for our continuing work.

Pat McNeill. 07774043147

Anniversary Masses 7th March – 14th March

Saturday 6th March 10 am:
Brian Sonner
Saturday 6th March 6 pm:
Cathy Campbell
Sunday 7th March 9.30 am:
Joseph Morgan
Sunday 7th March 12 Noon:
Stewart McGuckin (First Anniversary), John Greene, John James, Catherine, Sean, Kathleen and Brian Spratt
Monday 8th March 10 am:
Parish Mass Intentions
Tuesday 9th March 10 am:
Arthur McDonnell
Wednesday 10th March 10 am:
Harry MacMahon
Thursday 11th March 10 am:
Parish Mass Intentions
Friday 12th March 10 am:
Mark McKenna
Saturday 13th February 10 am:
Gregory Farrell (First Anniversary), Margaret Thompson, Elizabeth Devlin
Saturday 13th February 6 pm:
Parish Mass Intentions
Sunday 14th February 9.30 am:
John Stewart
Sunday 14th February 12 Noon:
Patsy Donaghy (Month’s Mind)

Please state a time for weekend anniversaries.

A message on behalf of Tróciare, from Fr James Oyet Latansio in South Sudan

To My Dear Fellow Parishioners,
South Sudan, where I call home and where the two families on you Lent Boxes this year are struggling to survive, is going through deep pain.
The dangers of the spread of Covid-19 are still very high, because of the security risk. Our health facilities are what they are. We are still in the situation of conflict. In the situation of violence. Our children cannot go to school, and they pay the highest price. Their parents don’t know a way out of this situation – but when I go into the streets to eat my meals with the children, someone will always run to buy me tea. They say, “You deserve it, Father,” and they give me hope.

These are my people in South Sudan today. These precious children, women and men. In their poverty, in their fears of the consequences of war, in their traumatised spirits, they are still trying their best to come out of it.

My appeal to you is, please don’t leave South Sudan alone.

So please, I appeal to you, don’t leave South Sudan alone. We ask people to fill their Trócaire Boxes, to give their material support to help us. For those who are unable to donate, make a sign of the cross, it is enough: we hope that you pray this Lent, and lift every Irish voice in solidarity and love with the people of South Sudan.

Trócaire Boxes are available to collect at the back of the Church for anyone who wished to take one.

The Church will be open from 11 am – 4pm.

Parish Envelopes

A number of parishioners have been enquiring about supporting our parish during this time of no public Mass. You may wish to drop your envelopes into the parish office or make a donation by cheque. For weekly envelopes; cheques may be made payable to ‘Cookstown Church Account’. For Building Fund envelopes; cheques may be made payable to ‘Cookstown Church Building Fund’. We thank you for your donations received to date and appreciate your generosity during these times. All donations will be recorded accordingly.

Anyone wishing to pay by standing order, direct debit or bank transfer can call the parish office to receive bank account details.

Saint Vincent de Paul

Help during the COVID Pandemic

Food, Material Assistance and Support
Have you or someone you know suffered, as a result of the current pandemic?

Did you lose your job, were you furloughed or lost your business?

Are you in need of some help?

Please contact us on our confidential helpline (028 8676 9400 option 3). We have been working and continue to work, through this pandemic. We are here for everyone in need.

Thought for the week

Open your eyes to the
beauty around you,
open your mind to the wonders of life,
open your heart to those who love you,
and always be true to yourself.