Fr Michael McCaughey PP: (028) 71882274 / (028) 71883293
Fr Eddie Gallagher CC: (074) 914202 Fr Declan Boland (Priest in Residence)
Welcome We welcome Bishop McKeown to our parish this weekend for the Ceremony of Induction of our new Parish Priest. He will celebrate Mass in St Patrick’s Church today (Sunday) at 10 am. All are welcome. You are asked to continue to pray for the parish and the new pastoral area at this time.
Fr. Michael McCaughey will be inducted as Parish Priest in Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road today (Sunday) at 11.30am. All welcome.
Fr. Michael McCaughey will be inducted as Parish Priest in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Monday 23rd September at 7pm. All welcome.
We pray for each other in those words of St Patrick:
“God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s word to speak for me,
God’s shield to protect me … afar and anear, alone or in a multitude.”
Mass Schedules:
St Patrick’s Church, Lifford
Monday @ 10.00am
Tuesday @ 9.30am
Thursday & Friday @ 10.00am
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road
Monday – Friday @ 8.00am Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday 8.30 am – 5.30 pm
Saturday @ 11.30am
Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday @ 10.00am (Please note change for this week)
Wednesday @ 7.00pm
Last Sunday’s Collection amounted to €1,219.27. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you also to those who contribute by standing order. Please note that these contributions each week are for the maintenance and upkeep of
the Parish of Clonleigh. Thanks also for your generosity to the Retired Priests’ Collection last week. Total: €415.70.
Visitation of the Sick and Housebound will take place this week as follows:
Monday: Ballindrait, Tober, Cloughfin
Thursday: Rossgier, Coolatee, Porthall, Cavan Hill
Friday: Murlog, Lifford, Coneyburrow, Letterkenny Road, Croaghan Heights, Drumbuoy.
Please note visitation will not start until 2pm. I ask that you let your family member, relative or neighbour who is attended know that I will be calling. Thank you
Feasts of the Week:
Monday: St Pius of Pietrelcina, priest; Wednesday: St Finbarr, bishop;
Thursday: St Cosmas and St Damian, martyrs; Friday: St Vincent de Paul, priest;
Saturday: St Lawrence Ruiz and companions, martyrs; St Wenceslaus, martyr
Anniversaries:
James Mc Gowan, The Diamond, George Mc Gowan, The Diamond, Peggy O Doherty,Coneyburrow,
Hugh Mc Ginley, Ballindrait, Danielle Melaugh, Liskey, John James Mc Dermott, Rossgier,
John & Margaret Buchanan, Mullinaveigh, James Hegarty, Coolatee. May they rest in peace.
Parish Envelopes:
The New Parish Envelopes are due to commence on October 6th. If you are new to the Parish
and wish to have a box of envelopes, please contact the Parish Office on 074 9142001.
Vocations:
In this weekend’s Gospel Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” We pray for those called to serve the people of God as priests of the diocese of Derry, especially our five seminarians and the three men who have applied to begin their seminary studies this year.
If you are considering a vocation, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan by email: pgoh2111@gmail.com
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock – Saturday 28th September. Mass with Anointing of the Sick takes place at
3 pm in the main Basilica. Bus departs St Eugene’s Cathedral at 8.30 am. Evening meal included. Cost £60 per
person. For further information contact 028 71262894 or cathedral@derrydiocese.org
ACCORD:
Derry Marriage Preparation Course on October 18th/19th 2024. Visit http://www.accordni.com/
Thoughts on the Gospel In this Gospel reading, Jesus teaches a powerful lesson on humility, service, and the true meaning of greatness in God’s Kingdom. As He and His disciples travel through Galilee, Jesus takes a moment to privately teach them about His impending death and resurrection. However, the disciples do not fully understand His words and are afraid to ask for clarification. Instead, as they continue their journey, they fall into an argument about who among them is the greatest.
When Jesus asks what they were arguing about, the disciples remain silent. Jesus knows their hearts and uses this moment to teach them about true greatness. He says, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” To further illustrate His point, Jesus takes a child and places him in their midst, saying, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
This passage challenges our worldly understanding of success and greatness. In society, greatness is often associated with power, status, and recognition. But Jesus flips this perspective on its head. In the Kingdom of God, greatness is found not in self-promotion or seeking personal glory but in humility and service. The path to true greatness is found by serving others, especially those who are often overlooked or considered insignificant.
Jesus points out that greatness in God’s eyes involves caring for those who cannot repay us, those who are vulnerable and dependent. By welcoming and caring for such people, we are welcoming Christ Himself.
This message is inspiring because it reminds us that God’s values are different from the world’s. We are called to serve with humility, to place others’ needs above our own, and to seek greatness not through pride but through love and compassion. True leadership in the Kingdom of God is servant leadership. Just as Christ came not to be served but to serve, we too are invited to live lives marked by humility, selflessness, and service to others. When we live this way, we reflect the heart of Jesus and bring His Kingdom to earth.
Parish Email Addresses:
We ask you to note that
the email address for Camus Parish is now strabaneparish@derrydiocese.org
the email address for Leckparish Parish is now leckpatrickparish@derrydiocese.org
the email address for Clonleigh Parish (Lifford) is now clonleigh@derrydiocese.org
Please note If you have any queries in regard to weddings, baptisms, sick visitation or request for prayer, please contact any of our parochial houses – in person, by telephone or by email. You are most welcome to do so.
SVP Convoy is Actively Recruiting New Volunteers. SVP will host an Information Meeting in SVP NW Regional Office, Raphoe on Tuesday 24th September from 7 – 8.30 pm for people interested in joining the Conferences in the following areas: Raphoe, Convoy, Drumkeen, Manorcunningham, Newtowncunningham, Lifford, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Killygordon, Castlefinn, St Johnston and Doneyloop, For more information, please contact Membership Support Officer, Orla Beirne on 0877757426 or orla-beirne@svp.ie
Lifford Health Centre:
Flu /Covid Booster Clinic Date and Times
Please book your appointment at reception or by phone on 074 9141024
Wednesday 25th September 9am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 4.30pm
Thursday 26th September 2pm – 4.30pm Friday 27th September 2pm – 4.30pm
Monday 30th September 9am – 12.30pm Tuesday 1st October 9am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 2nd October 2pm -4.30pm Friday 4th October 2pm – 4.30pm
If any of these clinics do not suit please speak to one of the receptionists about an alternative appointment.
Catholic Mothers Ireland Retreat Day:
Join us for a day of Spiritual Restoration, Inspiring Talks, Holy Mass, Prayer and Confession on Lough Derg, Pettigo, Donegal on Saturday 5th October 2024. This all day retreat will run from 10am – 5pm. Email catholicmothers@outlook.ie for more information or to book.
Irish Pilgrimage Trust Easter 2025:
Pilgrimage Applications are invited from young people with additional social, emotional, physical and learning needs aged 11 – 30 who are interested in travelling as guests to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Applications are also sought for carers 18+ who would be interested in accompanying the guests on the trip. The trip is free for guests as volunteers complete fundraising and carers pay their own fare. Guests complete online applications at https://form.jotform.com/212932685135054. Carers’ applications at https://form.jotform.com/211793062891056. Visit: https://www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com or tel Sian +44 (0) 7960211352.
SMA Novena in honour of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Patroness of the Missions: 23rd September – 1st October. Daily Mass & Novena Prayers at 10am & 7.30pm, SMA Chapel, Dromantine. You can participate via webcam (www.sma.ie).
Sharing the Good News, the weekly newsletter of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, is available at https://catholicnews.ie
A Guided Walk in the Beautiful Grounds of Ards Friary on Saturday 28th September from 2 – 3.30 pm. Discover the many different trees to be found in the grounds and their many benefits to us. Learn how we can all take action to protect and enhance our natural environment. Refreshments afterwards. Visit ardsfriary.ie
Care Of Creation Lord, help us to discern how even small changes in our lifestyle can benefit the wellbeing of the world and strengthen commitment to persevere with our efforts.
Safeguarding Notice If you have any concerns with regards to Safeguarding Children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at 0044 7596500793, or at The Safeguarding Office, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop St, BT48 6UJ 048 71362475 or Garda Síochána, Buncrana 074 9320540, Letterkenny HQ 074 9123672 or TUSLA Family & Child Agency Buncrana 074 9320420 or Letterkenny 074 9123672