OUGHTERAGH / DRUMREILLY LOWER PARISH NEWSLETTER
Aughawillan – Aughnasheelin - Ballinamore & Corraleehan
Office Phone: 071 9644039
Office Hours: Tue & Wed Closed Mon, Thur & Fri: 9am – 4pm
Email: ballinamore@kilmorediocese.ie
Website: ballinamoreparish.com
Fr. Seán Mawn P.P. Home 071 96 81992 Mob 087 686 9040
Fr. Malachy Moses C.C. Mob 087 490 4380
Fr. John Mc Mahon 049-4339610 Mob. 086-2126582 (Carrigallen)
RECENT DEATHS: We pray for Mary Harvey (Knockacullion), Mairead Wrynne (Fenagh and formerly High St.), and Padraig Donohoe (Ballyconnell, brother of Sheila O’Brien).
WAYS OF SUPPORTING the PARISH FINANCIALLY: The traditional way to support your parish is by contributing through your weekly envelope collection. Thanks to all who do so, so generously each week. In recent times some people set up a SO/EFT to pay, please contact parish office at 071 964 4039 / ballinamore@kilmorediocese.ie,
MEMORIAL MASS FOR GARDA GARY SHEEHAN AND PRIVATE PATRICK KELLY:
Chief Superintendent Aidan Glackan wishes to thank the parish community for their support throughout the recent ceremony. Your presence and participation was a testament to the strength and unity of the community during such a poignant time.
CHURCH ENVELOPES 2025 are now available for collection in all churches. It would be appreciated if you would kindly collect your box of envelopes at your earliest convenience as they are in use from 5th January. Perhaps you would like to take one for your neighbour. If you are new to the parish please call the Parish Office on 071-9644039 or email, ballinamore@kilmorediocese.ie and we can assign you your own church envelopes. Please complete your CHY3 forms (enclosed in last annual acknowledgement letter) and return to the parish office, thank you.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2025:
Confirmation: will be celebrated Sat 15th of March in Ballinamore Church @ 11am.
First Holy Communion: Aughawillan: Sun 4th May @ 9.45am. Ballinamore: Sat 17th May @ 12pm. And Aughnasheelin: Sun 18th May @ 12 pm.
THE SACRED HEART MESSENGER MAGAZINE is always a pleasant and thoughtful read with Items on scripture and prayerful reflection sitting beside those with a focus on the Jesuit priorities of social and climate justice and creating a hope-filled world for our young people. Subscribe here https://www.messenger.ie/product/sacred-heart-messenger-subscription/
BOOKING ANNIVERSARIES MASSES: As you are aware we have shared mass intentions in our churches at the weekends. We try to limit the number of intentions to a maximum of three. To maintain this arrangement please book anniversary masses well in advance of your preferred time. Priests are allowed one mass stipend or donation per day, when we have shared intentions the extra donation is sent to retired or missionary Priests, who celebrate the extra Masses. Please book your Masses via email ballinamore@kilmorediocese.ie or phone 071 964 4039
ATHLETIC CLUB: The weather affected the resumption of training last week but we plan to resume on 7th Jan, Tues night at 7 00 p.m. in the Sports Hall, when new members will also be enrolled.
AUGHNASHEELIN CHOIR: are looking for an organist. If you or anyone you know might be interested please contact Cáit on 087 212 3703 or Sheila on 087 652 7815. New choir members always welcome.
AUGHNASHEELIN COMMUNITY CENTRE: Social Dance Friday 17th Jan, music by Eamon Jackson dancing 9.30 to 11.30pm. Doors open 9pm. Refreshments served.
AUGHAWILLAN WHIST: Whist drive in Aughawillan community centre on Tuesday 14th January at 8.30pm.
SCOIL CHLANN NAOFA, BALLINAMORE: are accepting applications for admission to our school for the 2025/26 school year. Please contact 071 964 5001 or email info@scoilchlannnaofa.com for enrolment pack. Thank you.
BALLINAMORE WHIST DRIVE: first Thurs of each month at 8:30pm in the Island Theatre. New members welcome.
COMMUNITY SERVICES HUB in the Den, N41R522: Join us every other Tuesday from 10am-12pm. Featuring information and signposting, free refreshments, a space to talk and socialise, sewing and mending clothes, basic bike repairs and a swap shop (clothes, toys, books and plants). The event is free and everyone is welcome. Upcoming dates: 14th & 28th Jan, 11th & 25th Feb, 11th & 25th March.
WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR IRISH? Ballinamore Library will again be running a Ciorcal Comhrá every Tuesday where people meet to practice their Irish and to improve their use of the language. The Ciorcal Comhrá starts Tuesday 14th January 2025 in Ballinamore Library at 8.00pm. Please text to book a place at 087 6821 566. Admission is free. Beidh Fáilte romhat.
FIDDLE LESSONS: Resuming on Friday 17th Jan 5.30 – 6.15pm in Sean O’Heslins. Contact Sarah, 087-7620523.
UNDERAGE HURLING: will take place in the Sports Complex starting Wed 15th Jan for 6 weeks. 2nd, 3rd and 4th class @ 7pm. 5th and 6th class @ 8pm. Hurls and equipment are provided, just bring €2 to cover the cost of the hall. Please text Ruairi on 087 248 8875 to register interest. Include name, school and class in your text.
SEAN O HESLINS - NEW YEAR DRAW:
Congratulations: to Desmond Wisley, a recipient of the 2025 Connacht GAA bursary awards. Desmond was presented with his award at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence last weekend.
Membership 2025
Membership is now open on SOH Foireann platform. Please register early as this is an important source of funding for all activities within the club. Please read the options available carefully and ensure you select the correct option pertaining to your requirements. This is particularly important when selecting LGFA membership.
SENIORLINE: a national telephone service for older people open every day 10am-10pm, Freephone 1800 80 45 91. SeniorLine’s older volunteers are trained to listen, to support, to discuss options and to other helpful services.
TEMPLEPORT SOCIAL SERVICES-DAY CENTRE: on Wednesdays. Usual transport schedule. Any queries contact Ann Maguire 087 765 5096 or Anne Smith 087 285 7471. Looking forward to seeing you all
LEITRIM CALLING’- befriending visitation project seek Volunteers to provide a home visit for one hour per week. The Volunteer will be matched with an older person (client) in the Ballinamore area and through mutual interests. The Volunteer will be provided with full training. The Volunteer will be introduced to the client by the Coordinator on the first visit and then will continue as suits all. Please apply on www.ivol.ie or contact Claire @ claire@volunteerleitrim.ie
QQI LEVEL 4 - GROWING FRUIT: Weds 10am-2pm in Ballinamore at the Old Tech. Gain the skills and competence to plan, prepare, plant, maintain, prune, propagate and harvest many fruits. Call Seamus 087 916 8087
THE RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME: has vacancies in the local Area. To participate in the Scheme an individual must be in receipt of an eligible Social Welfare payment such as Farm Assist, Job Seekers Allowance or Disability Allowance, The Individual or Family Member must have access to an active Herd Number. Please contact Gerry on 086 771 6896 or Leitrim Development Company on 071 964 1770 or Email schemes@ldco.ie for more information.
FAMILY CARERS IRELAND: Are you caring for a loved one at home with additional needs? A spouse, partner, child, close relative or neighbour? Then you are a family carer! Become a member of Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting Ireland’s 500,000+ family carers nationwide. Contact 057 93 70221 and hear how we can support you or for more info visit. www.familycarers.ie
HOME INSTEAD CARERS are you looking for a career in caring for the elderly? Have you recently retired or have your children now left home? Home Instead are always looking to recruit Caregivers. Whether you can work a couple of hours a week or want to work full time, we would like to hear from you. Experience and FETAC/QQI level 5 qualification in healthcare is an advantage but not compulsory, as training is provided. Please contact Seyi or Ciara on (071) 9317051 for further information or email recruitment.sligo@homeinstead.ie
'THE LEITRIM GATHERING' is a celebration of Leitrim, which takes place from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th May 2025. The event promises a weekend of exciting activities for all the family with a series of literary, cultural, heritage, music and dance events taking place. The event is designed to connect with the Leitrim Diaspora all over the world and encourage as many as possible to attend the event or alternatively to organise an event to celebrate their Leitrim roots wherever they reside. A warm welcome awaits everyone who calls Leitrim home. For those living abroad, check out a competition for free flights home to 'Lovely Leitrim' - visit www.theleitrimgathering.com/compeition
