Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C – 9th February 2025
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
In today’s gospel, Luke links the call of the first disciples with the story of a miraculous catch of fish. In so doing he introduces us not only to Peter but also to the ‘mission of the church‘. Just as Peter’s call comes out of his experience of the power of Christ at work, so too all who wish to be followers of Jesus must first come to know that their faith is not in a creed or a code but in a person, Jesus the Son of the living God, and it is he who is the source of whatever good we may do.
Isaiah, Paul and Peter all experienced the living God although in very different ways. Whether the experience is one of mystical visions, an appearance of the risen Christ, or a miraculous catch of fish, each of these men finds it a profoundly humbling moment. They all become aware of their own limited and even sinful nature but this is only the first step because each of them, while very aware of their own weakness, knows that they are called to make God known to their contemporaries.
‘The paradox of faith is that even though an authentic experience of God
makes us aware of our nothingness, it is also the very moment
when God makes it known that he needs us.’
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First Holy Communion Preparation Children of St Catherine’s Primary School will be present at 12.15 pm Mass in Church of the Immaculate Conception today (Sun). We pray for all those in preparation for the sacraments.
Service of Light – Confirmation Pupils of Sixth class and their families are invited to join the parish community for Mass today (Sun) at 11am in St Patrick’s, Murlog during which a Service of Light in preparation for Confirmation will take place.
Lourdes Hospitalité Collection, which helps those who wish to go to Lourdes and require care and assistance will take place at Masses this weekend. As in previous years, we appeal to your generosity for this worthwhile cause as we take the pilgrimage forward facing many new challenges.
Sister Benedict’s 100th Birthday: 14th February 2025 With great love and affection, the past pupils of Strabane Convent of Mercy Primary School, wish Sr Benedict a very Happy 100th Birthday. Thank you for all our wonderful memories.
Visitation of the Sick and Housebound Fr McCaughey will visit the sick and housebound of the area through the coming week.
Contemplative Prayer Group meets each Monday at 8 pm in the Meditation Room at the Parochial House, Barrack St, Strabane. All welcome.
Requiescat in Pace As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Sean McGrane, Glenevish Hill.
Anniversaries Felix McCrossan, Barney Forbes, Helen McGilloway, James McShane, Cassie Doherty, John Quinn, Teresa Burke, Margo McColgan, Paddy McGarrigle, Anna McCauley, Brigid McCauley, Albert McCauley, William Devine, Marie Maguire, Maureen McGinley, Jimmy McGinley, Gertie McDaid, Conal McGill, Solly McGhee, John Devenney, Bridget Huston Clarke, Vincent Doherty, Brendan & Phonsie Brolly, Frances McGinley, Brian Anderson, Frances & Edmund Devenney, Olive McCullagh, Bridie Canny, Andy Browne, Tommy Molloy Snr, Rosemary Molloy McGillian, Brian McDonagh, Hugh Gallagher, Charlie Caulfield, Mary Conway, Teresa May McCusker, Mickey McGirr. May they rest in peace.
Mass Intentions for St Patrick’s, Murlog on
Saturday 15th February at 6.30 pm: Madeline McMenamin & Marie Laird, Cloughfin
Sunday 16th February at 11 am: Mary McBrearty, Letterkenny Road (1st anniversary)
Thank You for your generosity to the collections on Sunday 2nd February
Leckpatrick: £1,419 (offertory), £360 (restoration)
Clonleigh: €1,862 (Euro)
Camus: £1,680 (offertory)
Thank you also to those who contribute by standing order.
Readings for Sunday 16th February
1st reading: Jeremiah 17: 5-8
Psalm: 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6
2nd reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Gospel: Luke 6: 17, 20 –26
Saints of the Coming Week
Monday: St Scholastica, virgin
Tuesday: Our Lady of Lourdes; St Gobnait, virgin
Friday: St Cyril, monk and St Methodius, bishop.
Baptism Dates in St Patrick’s, Murlog Feb 22nd / March 1st/15th/29th at 2pm.
Baptism Leaves – Clonleigh Parish The remaining Baptism Leaves from children baptised in St Patrick’s
Church, Murlog in 2024 can be collected from the sacristy either before or after any Mass or from the
parish office during office hours.
Invitation to Mass – Concluding The 33 Days Of Family Prayer As you may be aware, Bishop McKeown has been leading the diocese in 33 days of Family Prayer towards Consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary, as part of the diocesan programme for the Jubilee year of 2025, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The 33 days concludes on Tuesday 11th February, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Each evening of the 33 days, Bishop McKeown and priests of the diocese have been broadcasting online a short reflection and prayers of the Rosary. Bishop McKeown now extends an invitation to those who have participated in this journey of prayer to join him in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry on Tuesday 11th February at 7 pm. The bishop will pray the final prayers of this journey and lead people in making the Prayer of Consecration. This will be followed by the celebration of Mass at 7.30pm. Certificates to mark the Consecration will be available after Mass. If you are unable to attend, certificates will be available to download at derrydiocese.org/consecration . Details of the Family Prayer programme available at https://derrydiocese.org/news/invitation-33-days-of-family-prayer
Vocations This weekend’s Gospel tells us that the fishermen who met Jesus “…left everything and followed Him.” We invite men aged 18+ who may be considering following the Lord as diocesan priests to a Vocations Weekend in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne from 7-9 March. Anyone interested can contact Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan, at pgoh2111@gmail.com
Strabane Pastoral Area – Camus / Leckpatrick Parish Draws 2025
(Immaculate Conception, Strabane, Sacred Heart, Derry Rd,
St Mary’s, Cloughcor, St Joseph’s, Glenmornan)
A draw will take place in each parish this year with the following prizes in both draws:
February – October 2025 10th Month: November 2025
9 Monthly Prizes Star prize: car
1st prize: £1,000 2nd prize: £1,000
2nd prize: £300 3rd prize: £300
3rd prize: £200 4th prize: £200
5 prizes @ £100 5 prizes @ £100
Limited number of members for each draw. Voluntary subscription: £10 per month.
Total subscription £100 for each draw. All proceeds in aid of parochial funds.
Thank you to our promoters and many volunteers who support the draws.
11th February will be marked by the Universal Church as the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick. In his message for 33rd World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis calls attention to the profound challenges faced by individuals battling illness, and offers hope, faith, and divine strength in times of suffering. The annual observance inspired the Pope to reflect on how God remains close to the suffering through the themes of encounter, gift, and sharing. In his closing remarks, for this year’s World Day of the Sick message, Pope Francis extended heartfelt gratitude to those who are suffering, acknowledging their crucial role in the upcoming Jubilee Year. He described their journey as a “hymn of dignity, a song of hope,” and thanked them for their witness to the enduring power of hope and grace. The Pope assured the faithful of his continued prayers for the sick and their caregivers, invoking the intercession of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, and offering his blessing to all. To read the Pope’s message in full visit Pope Francis speaks of dignity and hope in message for sick – Catholic News
Prayer For The Sick
Father in heaven, we pray for our sick brothers and sisters. Grant them comfort in their sufferings. When they are afraid, give them courage, when afflicted, give them patience, when dejected,
give them hope, and when alone, assure them of the support of your people.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Derry Diocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes 30th June – 4th July 2025. Fare £849 (+£144 single supplement). The Lourdes Pilgrimage Office is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am – 1pm in The Pastoral Centre 164 Bishop St, Derry, BT48 6UJ. Tel 02871260293. Application forms available at these times or by emailing derrypilgrim@outlook.com. We also have a Youth Pilgrimage coming with us and any young person 16 -18 years in any parish may contact us by phone or email for more information. We are also asking any nurses, doctors or care staff who are interested in joining our Care Team to make contact with the Pilgrimage Office.
SPARK: A weekend of fun, faith and friendship for 12-16 year olds takes place from 21st – 23rd February at Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry. To book or for information, please text or WhatsApp Brendan on +353 86 8067973 or Vivienne on +44 7935 007351.Cost: €80/£70 per person (covers food/board).
NI Blood Transfusion Service will collect blood donations at The Guildhall, Guildhall St, Derry, BT48 6DQ on Monday 24th Feb from 1 – 4pm & 5 – 8 pm & Tuesday 25th Feb from 12.30 pm – 4 pm & 5 pm – 7.30 pm. Visit https://nibts.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/6 or tel 08085534653 to book.
Mass cards / Mass bouquets are also available from the parish office.
St Vincent de Paul Leckpatrick Helpline: 07711 156924.
Donegal County Council seeks photos of Donegal people at work in Scotland from 1940-1990 for an upcoming exhibition. Participants are encouraged to share images, stories, documents or objects that reflect the working lives of Donegal people in Scotland. Contact: donegalscotland@donegalcoco.ie or (074) 9163824.
Divine Mercy Conference Bus leaves Letterkenny on 22nd Feb going to conference in RDS, Dublin. Tel 08777488174. Visit wwww.divinemercyconference.com
Accord Marriage Preparation Workshops April 11th / 12th, May 30th / 31st, June 20th / 21st. Please visit www.accordni.com
Finn Valley FM broadcasts 11am Mass from St Patrick’s, Murlog each Sunday.
Our Lady of Montligeon Prayer Group, praying for the holy souls in purgatory, will meet on Wed 26th Feb from 12.30 – 1.30 pm in Termonbacca, Derry. All welcome.
‘Pilgrims of Hope Pilgrimage’ to Rome, led by Thornhill Ministries takes place on 16th October 2025 x 4 Nights £1095 stg pp sharing. Text: 07736832458 with name and address for forms and details.
Rosary on the Coast takes place on Sunday 16th February at 3pm at Benone Strand, praying for peace, Ireland and our unborn children. Everyone welcome.
‘Do not be afraid to become saints. Follow Jesus Christ who is the source of freedom and light. Be open to the Lord so that He may lighten all your ways.’ Pope St John Paul II
Parish Schedule
Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.00 pm; Sunday: 9.45 am & 12.15 pm
Monday – Friday: 10.00 am; Saturday: 11.00 am* (*Month’s Mind Mass)
Eucharistic Adoration: 10.30 am – 1 pm
Leckpatrick
St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 5 pm
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Rd
Mass: Sunday: 11.15 am; Monday – Friday: 7.45 am
St Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan:
Mass: Sunday: 9.45 am
Eucharistic Adoration in Sacred Heart Church: Wednesdays from 8.15 am–5 pm
St Patrick’s Church, Murlog
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.30 pm; Sunday: 11 am Mass:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9.30 am
Rosary: 8.40 am Confessions: Saturday: 6.00 pm – 6.15 pm
Eucharistic Adoration: 9.30 am – 12.30 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.