Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and LeckpatrickThird Sunday of Lent – Year C – 23rd March 2025 Parish Clergy Fr Michael McCaughey, PP: (028) 71882274 / (028) 71882215Fr Eddie Gallagher, CC: (074) 91 42022 Fr Declan Boland (priest in residence)Email: leckpatrickparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.leckpatrickparish.comEmail: strabaneparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.camusparish.com Email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.clonleighparish.comLifford Parish Office: tel: 003537491 42001Thoughts on the GospelThe scene presented in today’s gospel is one in which Jesus challenges the traditional view that if something bad happens to you then it must be some form of punishment from God. Jesus rejects this idea and instead tells his listeners that any experience of hardship should be a reminder to us of the need to repent. This idea is then put beside the image of God as the gardener who wants to give his plants all the help they need to mature and bear fruit.God has created us for a purpose and that is, to know and love Him forever. He has planted in us the seed of goodness and love. He has provided us the means to grow and develop. He has given us three important gifts (time, talent and treasure) to use to serve Him and our fellowmen. God is the God of second chances. He invests time, love, and effort into us, believing in the potential within. May we not waste the time God has given us. May we respond to His mercy, repent where needed, and allow Him to cultivate fruitfulness in our lives. When we do, not only are we transformed, we also become a blessing to others. Thank God for giving you another chance. ____________________ Time of Change In a time of change for our parish pastoral area and how we administer various aspects to help each other, please offer a prayer for guidance and discernment. This is so important for all of us.Thank You In a review of administration for the pastoral area, with the guidance of Diocesan Trust HR consultant, Ms Rita Devine, secretary in Leckpatrick Parish has accepted a redundancy offer. We thank her for her commitment to the parish through many years and we wish her every blessing for the future. So too, Mrs Lorna Porter, secretary in the Parish of Murlog has accepted a redundancy offer. We thank her for her service to the parish through many years and we wish her every blessing for the future. Mrs Amanda Cairns retired from Camus parish office last August. Once again, we take this opportunity to thank her for her commitment to the parish through the years. We wish her every blessing. _____________________ Please note: For anyone who has any enquiries in regard to baptism / wedding bookings or indeed any enquiry, please contact the parochial house tel numbers (as above). So too, on sending an email, please also include a contact telephone number. Thank you for your understanding at this time.Requiescant in Pace As a parish community we offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Patsy O’Donnell, Ballindrait, Lifford Cecilia (Sheila) Doherty, Orchard Road Aine Fawcett, 4 Evish Heights, StrabaneAnniversaries Joanie McCaul, Bernie McBride, Rose McDermott, Patsy McCormick, Anne Meade, Phonsie Quinn, Desmond McDermott, Pat Gibbons, Hugo Hannigan, Kathleen Keeney, Mary McGinley, Patrick Brennan, Garrett Brennan, Mary O’Kane, Ellen Boyle, Margaret McDaid, William Doherty, Anne Connolly, William Duffy, Mary O’Neill, Martha Parker, Bernie McDermott, Shane Caldwell, Jordan Gallagher, Mollie Dunne, Ronan McGowan, Dympna Devine. May they rest in peace. Mass Intentions for St Patrick’s, Murlog on Tuesday 25th March: Mary McGinley (Germany / Ballindrait) Thursday 27th March: Patrick Brennan, Coneyburrow (50th anniversary) Garrett Brennan, Coneyburrow Saturday 29th March at 6.30 pm: Seamus O’Donnell, St Columba’s Grove (Month’s Mind) Hugh & Margaret Crossan, PorthallThank You for your generosity to the collections last weekend: Leckpatrick: £1,783 Clonleigh: €1,565 (Euro) Camus: £1,845 Thanks also to those who pay by standing order.Visitation of the Sick and Housebound will take place this week as follows:Monday 24th March 2pm: Ballindrait, Tober, Rossgier, CloughfinFriday 28th March 2pm: Murlog, Lifford, Coneyburrow, Letterkenny Rd, Croaghan Heights, Drumbuoy.Monday 31st March 2pm : Coolatee, Porthall, Cavan HillPlease note those visited on a Thursday will be visited on Monday 31st March from 2pm. Fr Gallagher asks that you let your family member, relative or neighbour who is attended know that he will be calling. Thank you.Readings for Sunday 30th March: 1st reading Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 33: 2-7 2nd reading 1 Corinthians 5:17-21 Gospel Luke 15:1-2, 11-32Saints This Week: Monday: St Macartan, bishop; Tuesday: The Annunciation of the Lord.Baptism Dates in St Patrick’s, Murlog March 29th; April 5th, 12th, 26th @ 2 pmContemplative Prayer Group meets each Monday at 8.00 pm in the Meditation Room at the Parochial House, Barrack St, Strabane. All welcome.Termonbacca Silent Retreat from Fri 28 – Sun 30 March led by Fr Stephen Quinn, OCD. Cost £90 includes meals and accommodation. For booking and queries contact Aoife on 71262515 or email: termonbaccaderry@gmail.com Vocations In our first reading this weekend God calls Moses to lead His people from exile into the Promised Land. We pray for those being called by God today to lead His people in the ways of faith as priests of the diocese of Derry. Hearing Aid Support takes place on Thursday 27th March from 10 am – 12 noon at Ballycolman Community Centre, 339 Ballycolman Rd, Strabane, BT82 9EH. ______________ Our Lenten JourneyPlease note that weekday Masses in Lent are as follows:Church of the Immaculate Conception: Monday – Friday 7.00 am, 10 am; Saturday: 11.00 amSacred Heart Church, Derry Rd: Monday – Friday 12 noonSt Patrick’s Church, Murlog: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9.30 am, Wednesday 7.00 pm, Friday 7.00 am, 9.30 amLenten Prayer Cards available. You are invited to join in prayer each day, praying for various areas, schools, ministries associated with our parishes.Murlog Wednesday Evening Lenten Mass Each Wednesday at 7.00 pm Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Murlog, a little reflection from an invited speaker will be spoken on the theme of hope. Please join us as we continue to journey through Lent this Jubilee Year of Hope.A Short Time of Prayer & Reflection with Taizé Chant each Sunday of Lent at 7 pm in Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road. Prayer focuses on the theme of hope.Stations of the Cross are recited publicly each Friday after10.00 am Mass in Immaculate Conception Church9.30 am Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Murlog12.00 noon Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Derry RoadTrócaire Loving God, we pray that individuals, communities and policymakers can work together to build a just world where all people have access to their basic needs, such as food, water and education. You can support Trócaire’s vital work by taking a Trócaire box and using it at home or visit https://www.trocaire.org/ An Exploration into Theology – Reading the signs of the times: a theology course presented by Fr Brian Brady takes place on the Tuesdays of Lent, at 7.00 pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, Derry (a few yards outside the cathedral grounds). Pioneer Total Abstinence Association Pope Francis has invited us this Lent to ‘journey in hope together’. A short-term pledge is available via www.pioneerassociation.org for parishioners who wish to become a ‘pilgrim of hope’ for people who are living under the shadow of addiction. ______________ Parish Financial Statement in accordance with diocesan guidance and best practice, a copy of the financial statement for each of our three parishes is available in each of our churches at this time. People are invited to view each statement. If you wish to have any further discussion on any matters, please contact Fr McCaughey. Every contribution to the financial upkeep of our parishes is so important and so much appreciated. As you may read, the weekly envelope collection and our parish draws are such an important part of our financial income. So too, thank you to those who support the parish bingo. Please be assured of great appreciation for your ongoing generous support on a weekly basis. Thank you to our collectors and counters of weekly collection and also to all our promoters of parish draw. The support of every individual, every contribution is so important. One other means of income to our parish is Gift Aid. Please note if you pay tax, please consider joining the Gift Aid scheme. It is very easy – you just sign a form. There is no cost to you, but 25% of every pound you donate can be reclaimed by the parish from HMRC. There is absolutely no intrusion of one’s privacy and financial affairs by parish or HMRC. Please consider joining this scheme. Boxes of envelopes will be distributed to the areas within parishes of Camus and Leckpatrick through the next two weeks. If anyone wishes to join the offertory giving and to have a box of envelopes, please send an email with your name, address and contact tel no. Again, the support of each individual and family in respect of financial support is very much appreciated. Parish Draw The March draws will take place on Thursday 27th March at 7.30 pm in the parochial house, Ballymagorry. All promoters are welcome to come along to witness the draws.Praying for the Holy Souls Our Lady of Montligeon Prayer Group meets in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on the last Wednesday of the month. Next meeting is on Wednesday 26th March from 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm.Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025, led by Bishop Donal McKeown, from 30th June – 4th July, leaving from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 pps. Enquiries can be made to derrypilgrim@outlook.com Mary’s Meals – Emergency in Southern Africa To help Mary’s Meals keep providing life-changing meals and reach more children in need, please keep our work in your prayers and consider donating to this appeal. 10p provides a school meal. Visit www.marysmeals.org.uk / freephone 0800 6981212.Termonbacca Pilgrimage Fr Stephen Quinn o.c.d. will lead a pilgrimage to Krakow and Wroclaw from 17th-24th September 2025. Price: £1,079 per person sharing. Daily trips to various places including Krakow – Auschwitz – Czestochowa – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Czerna – Stary Sacz. For further information please contact Joe Walsh Tours on 00353 12410800.A Support Group for Family Carers of People Living with Dementia meets on the last Wednesday of the month from 12 noon – 1.30 pm in the Pastoral Centre, Letterkenny, F92 HP66. Contact Maria on 0876294065 / Dean on 087 3802957. Gamblers Anon Tel 71351329. Alcoholics Anonymous Tel 90351222.Parish ScheduleImmaculate Conception Church, Strabane Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6 pm; Sunday: 9.45 am & 12.15 pmMonday – Friday: 7.00 am, 10.00 am; Saturday: 11.00 amConfessions: Saturday 11.30 am; 5.15 pmEucharistic Adoration: Tuesday 10.30 am – 1.00 pmLeckpatrick St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor Mass: Saturday Vigil: 5 pm Sacred Heart Church, Derry Rd Mass: Sunday: 11.15 am; Monday – Friday: 12 noon Confessions: Monday 12.30 pmEucharistic Adoration: Wednesday 9 am – 11.45 am & 12.30 — 5 pmSt Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan: Mass: Sunday: 9.45 amSt Patrick’s, MurlogMass: Saturday Vigil: 6.30 pm; Sunday: 11.00 amMass: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9.30 am; Wednesday: 7.00 pm; Friday: 7 am, 9.30 amRosary: 8.40 am; Confessions: Saturday: 5.30 pmEucharistic Adoration: Friday 7.30 am – 9.15 am & 10 am — 12.30 pmWeddings 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.