Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B – 27th October 2024
Parish Clergy
Fr Michael McCaughey, PP: (028) 71882274 / (028) 71883293
Fr Eddie Gallagher, CC: (074) 91 42022 Fr Declan Boland (priest in residence)
Email: leckpatrickparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.leckpatrickparish.com
Email: strabaneparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.camusparish.com
Email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.clonleighparish.com
Thoughts on the Gospel
The story of the healing of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, brings to a close the section of Mark that began in 8:27 (the 24th-Sunday of the year). As we have seen the focus has been on the meaning and demands of discipleship. Just prior to this incident Jesus has spoken to James and John saying to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Now he uses the same words, not to one of his closest companions but to a blind beggar sitting by the road who is crying out to him in desperation. James and John were seeking glory, Bartimaeus just wants to see and to gain that he throws away the only thing he owns, his cloak, lest it impede him in his journey to Jesus. His prayer is granted, he receives perfect sight and his response is to follow Jesus along the way. Jesus is leaving Jericho and heading for Jerusalem and so Bartimaeus is presented to us not simply as a recipient of the healing ministry of Jesus but as the model disciple who begs for sight so that he can follow Jesus to the cross and beyond. In the gospel, sight is often used as a metaphor for faith, being able to see God at work and to follow in the steps of Jesus. Lord, that we may see!
Lord Jesus, grant me a simple and humble faith which is unashamed to approach you in
need and humility. Give me the courage, perseverance and tenacity of Bartimaeus
so I too may approach you with freedom and confidence.
All Saints’ Day Friday 1st November is the Feast of All Saints. It is a holy day of obligation. On this day, the Church celebrates all the saints: canonised or beatified, and the multitude of those who are in heaven enjoying the beatific vision that are only known to God.
Mass Times for the Holy Day are as follows:
Immaculate Conception, Strabane: Thursday: Vigil Mass: 6 pm; Friday: 10.00 am
Sacred Heart, Derry Road: Friday: 7.45 am
St Mary’s. Cloughcor: Friday: 11.00 am
St Joseph’s, Glenmoran: Friday: 7.00 pm (Confessions as announced)
St Patrick’s, Lifford: Thursday Vigil Mass: 7 pm; Friday: 11 am
God our Father, source of all holiness, the work of your hands is manifest in your saints, the beauty of your truth is reflected in their faith. May we who aspire to have part in their joy be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, that having shared their faith on earth we may also know their peace in your kingdom. Grant this through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Requiescant in Pace As a parish faithful community, we offer our sympathy to the family of
Gerry Strawbridge, Curly Hill Road;
Columba McCauley, Bridge St & Mount Carmel Heights;
Don Brolly, Coneyburrow Rd, Lifford;
Lena McGranaghan, Louth Village
Anniversaries Lena Lynn, Pat Quinn, Michael Conway, Paschal McCallion,
Hugo Quinn, Catherine Devlin, Katie McLaughlin, John James McCrossan,
Kathleen Morris, Catherine (Kathleen) Hegarty, Fran Ward, Margaret Devine,
Catherine Hannigan, Tony Hannigan, Bridie McMenamin, Patrick Kennedy,
Margaret Tourish, Sean Carlin, Toni Stewart, Kathleen McGill, John Doherty,
Raymond Foley, Alex McDonald, Stim Hughes , Betty McDermott
Mass Intentions for St Patrick’s Church Lifford on
Saturday 2nd November at 6.30 pm: Angus Stewart, The Roughan
Sunday 3rd November at 10 am: Aidan Foley, Rossgier
Thank You for your generosity to the offertory collections last weekend:
Leckpatrick: £1,422; Clonleigh: €1,728.36 (Euro); Camus: £1,683.
Thank you also to those who contribute by standing order.
Readings for the Feast of All Saints (1st November): Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14.
Psalm 23:1-6, R/ cf. V 6. 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
Readings for Sunday 3rd November: Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Psalm 17:2-4, 47,51, R/ v 2.;
Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34
Baptism Dates in St Patrick’s Church, Lifford November 2nd & 9t , December14th, 21st & 28th & January 2025 11th & 25th
Visitation of the Sick and Housebound for Clonleigh Parish willtake place on
Monday 28th October: Ballindrait, Tober, Cloughfin
Thursday 31st October: Rossgier, Coolatee, Porthall, Cavan Hill
Friday 1st November: Murlog, Lifford, Coneyburrow, Letterkenny Road, Croaghan Heights, Drumabuoy.
Please note visitation will not start until 2 pm.
Fr Gallagher asks that you let your family member, relative or neighbour who is attended know he will be calling. Thank you.
Remembering our Deceased Loved Ones As we approach the month of November and pray for all our holy souls, we think in a special way of those who have died through the past year. We pray for them and so too, we think of their loved ones who grieve at this time.
Mass will be offered for all those who have died in our parish area in the past year. A prayer is offered too for all those who remember those loved ones. We invite you to join us at a Mass of Remembrance on
Monday 4th November at 7.00 pm in St Patrick’s Church, Lifford
Tuesday 5th November at 7.00 pm in Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane
Thursday 7th November at 7.00 pm in Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road.
Please note: A list of loved ones whose names will be read out and a candle lit for them, will be placed in each of our respective parish churches. The list will include those whose funeral took place within that parish over the past year.
If you wish to add another name(s), you are welcome to do so. Please contact any of our parish offices during office hours.
Feast of All Souls Next Saturday, on the Feast of All Souls, we are encouraged to remember and pray for the faithful departed, those members of our families and dearly beloved who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.
Masses for All Souls’ Day will be as follows:
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road: 9.00 am
Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane: 10.00 am
St Patrick’s Church, Lifford: 11.00 am
St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor: 11.00 am
St Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan: 12 noon
Indulgences For The Holy Souls 1) From 12 o’clock noon on 1st Nov until midnight on 2nd Nov, all who have confessed, received Holy Communion, and prayed for the Pope’s intentions (one Our Father and Hail Mary, or any other prayer of one’s choice) can gain one plenary indulgence by visiting a church or oratory, and there reciting one Our Father and the Apostles’ Creed. This indulgence is applicable only to the souls of the departed. Confession may be made at any time within the week preceding or the week following 1st Nov. Holy Communion may be received on any day from 1st to 8th Nov. 2) faithful who visit a cemetery and pray for the dead may gain a plenary indulgence applicable only to the Holy Souls on the usual conditions once per day from 1st to 8th November. The conditions mentioned above apply also for this.
Prayer for All the Deceased
God our Father, Your power brings us to birth, Your providence guides our lives, and by Your command we return to dust. Lord, those who die still live in Your presence, their lives change but do not end. I pray in hope for my family, relatives and friends, and for all the dead known to You alone.
In company with Christ, who died and now lives, may they rejoice in Your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Do This in Memory Programme Mass for children attending St Catherine’s Primary School, Strabane
takes place today (Sunday) at 12 noon in Immaculate Conception Church. We welcome children,
their families and as a parish community we pray for all our young people.
Saints of the Coming Week:
Monday: St Simon & St Jude, Apostles;
Tuesday: St Colman of Kilmacduagh, bishop;
Friday: All Saints;
Saturday: All Souls
Vocations Our 2nd Reading reminds us that priests are chosen from among the People of God, to help us, their brothers and sisters, in our weakness and our uncertainty, in our relationship with the Lord. We pray for the men in our parish communities who are being called to serve the Church as priests of this diocese.
Contemplative Prayer Group meets on Mondays at 8.00 pm in the Meditation Room at the Parochial House, Barrack St, Strabane. Newcomers very welcome.
Mass Cards / Mass Bouquet Cards available at the parish office, Ballymagorry.
St Charbel Retreat led by Fr Terry O’Connell will take place in Termonbacca, Derry on Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd Nov from10am-5pm, praying in particular for healing of the family tree. Blessing with a first class relic of St Charbel available. Each day costs £15 (includes lunch). Accommodation available. Tel 028 71262512.
St Vincent de Paul Helpline Tel: 0771156924
Holy Hour Prayerful reading of the Scriptures & Rosary every Tuesday from 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm in St. Mary’s Church, Sessiaghoneill, Ballybofey and every Thursday from 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm in St Patrick’s Church, Crossroads, Killygordon.
‘What is God’s Dream for your Life’ Retreat takes place at Ards Friary on6th November 10 am – 3.30pm. Additional dates 11 December; 22 January and 19 February. This day will be welcoming of everyone, wherever they find themselves on life’s journey. It will be particularly useful for individuals and teams who want to take time away from the busyness of life and discover or rediscover a sense of direction and purpose in their lives. Facilitated by Jim Deeds. Cost €65 (includes light refreshments & lunch). Contact 00353 74 913 8909 / info@ardsfriary.ie
Advent Reflection Retreat at Ards Friary: Preparing for the Birth of the Christ Child: Sunday 10 November, 1pm-6pm. Join us for a day of Scripture, song and silence that will equip us to go into Advent with plenty to fill our minds and hearts as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus once more, Facilitated by Jim Deeds. Cost €65 (includes refreshments & lunch) Contact 00353 74 913 8909 / info@ardsfriary.ie
Halloween Arts and Crafts Friday 31st October from 2 – 4 pm in Alley Theatre. Halloween play and fun with monster and witch characters, peg puppets, colourful hair, google eyes and spooky ghosts and bats to get you into the Halloween Spirit! Free no booking required.
Faith Formation & Tea for everyone every Monday 7.30 – 8.30 pm at the parochial house, Crossroads, Killygordon.
Parish Schedule
Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.30 pm; Sunday: 10 am & 12 noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10.00 am; Wednesday: 7.00 pm
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place all day, every day, in the Adoration Chapel (Oasis of Peace), which is situated at the back of the Church.
Leckpatrick St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor: Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6 pm; Friday: 11am; Sat: 11 am
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Rd: Mass: Sunday: 11.30 am; Monday – Thursday: 7.45 am; Wednesday: 6.00 pm; Friday: 7.45 am
St Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan: Mass: Sunday: 10am; Fri 7.00 pm; Sat: 12 noon
Eucharistic Adoration in Sacred Heart Church: Wednesdays from 8.30 am–5.30 pm
St Patrick’s Church, Lifford Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.30 pm; Sunday: 10.00 am Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9.00 am, 7.00pm (Vigil Mass); Friday: 11.00 am Rosary: 8.40am Confessions: Saturday: 6.00 pm – 6.15 pm
Weddings Please contact any of our parish offices. At least 6 months notice required. Baptisms: Parent(s) are asked to contact any of our parish offices.
Safeguarding If you have any concerns with regard to safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church, please contact Maire Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at tel: +447596 500 793 or email: mairegormley@derrydiocese.org or PSNI (Police Service of N Ireland) 101 or Social Services: Western HSC Trust, +442871314090 (Ask for the Duty Social Worker) or Garda Síochána, Buncrana 074 9320540, Letterkenny HQ 074 9123672 or TUSLA Family & Child Agency Buncrana 074 9320420 or Letterkenny 074 9123672.