Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and LeckpatrickFourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare) – Year C – 30th 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 42001Gospel ReflectionToday we read the story of Jesus healing a man who had been blind from birth. Jesus saw the man, and took the initiative to heal him. The man did not ask for healing; Jesus simply chose to touch his life with grace. Sometimes, we feel unseen in our struggles and overlooked in our pain. But Jesus sees us. He knows our condition and extends His love and mercy, even when we do not expect it. Jesus then put the mud on the man’s eyes and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeyed, and his sight was restored. This moment teaches us the importance of obedience. The miracle happened when the man followed Jesus’ instruction. In our own lives, God may ask us to step out in faith – to trust Him even when we do not understand His methods. Our healing, breakthrough, or answer to prayer often come when we act in faith and obedience.After the man was healed, people were amazed. Some questioned whether he was truly the same man who had been blind. Others brought him to the Pharisees, who were more concerned that the healing happened on the Sabbath than about the miracle itself. The Pharisees had perfect physical vision but were spiritually blind. They refused to see Jesus as the Son of God, even when a miracle was right before them. Sometimes, our own spiritual blindness prevents us from recognising God’s work in our lives. We may become too focused on traditions, doubts, or the opinions of others that we fail to see God’s presence and power. Then the healed man boldly testified about Jesus. Even when he was thrown out of the synagogue for standing by the truth, he remained firm in his faith. Jesus later found him and revealed His true identity. The man responded, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him (John 9:38). This is the response God desires from us – not just to receive His blessings, but to fully believe and worship Him. Like the blind man, we may face opposition, rejection, or trials because of our faith. But when we choose to see Jesus for who He truly is, we will find a deeper relationship with Him, one that goes beyond temporary miracles into eternal salvation. This story challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual vision. Are we like the blind man who received healing and faith? Or are we like the Pharisees, resistant to seeing the truth?If you are facing darkness in your life whether in the form of doubt, sin, or suffering, know that Jesus sees you. He is reaching out to heal you, to guide you, and bring light into your situation. But the key is to trust Him, to obey Him, and to open your heart to His truth. Today, may we ask Jesus to open our eyes so that we may see Him more clearly, follow Him more closely, and worship Him more fully. “Lord, I believe!” May this be our declaration every day.Requiescant in Pace As a parish community we offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Aine Fawcett, Evish Heights Deirdre Harkin, Townsend Street Vera Corry (nee Boyle), Strabane & AchillAnniversaries Hugh & Margaret Crossan, Margaret Mary McHugh, Vera & Seamus Lyons, Brian Devine, Dominic McCloskey, John Bogle, Kathleen Carolan, Gretta Massey, Donna Murphy, Nellie Kelly, Willie McDermott, Thomas McGarrigle, Donna Murphy, Kathleen Wood, Ronan McGowan, Anna Devine, John Charles McMenamin, Daniel Hegarty, Michael Maguire, Mary Meehan. May they rest in peace.Please Note In Immaculate Conception Church next Sunday, 6th April, Mass will be celebrated at 10.00 am. Bishop McKeown will be the main celebrant. We welcome him to the parish pastoral area. Mass Intentions for St Patrick’s, Murlog on Saturday 5th April: Helena Chaney, Gortin North (1st anniversary) Sunday 6th April Paul Friel, Braide; Tessie & Celly Melaugh, Gallows Lane;Natasha Mc Closkey, LetterkennyThank You for your generosity to the collections last weekend: Leckpatrick: £1,214 Clonleigh: €1,869 (Euro) Camus: £1,766. Thanks also to those who pay by standing order.Parish Offertory Scheme Thank you for your ongoing support. Boxes of envelopes for Camus and Leckpatrick parishes are presently being delivered to homes. Again, thank you. If someone doesn’t receive a box of envelopes, please make contact with office by phone / email. Also, anyone wishing to be part of the scheme – please contact by phone or email. St Pio Mass will be celebrated on Wed 2nd April at 7 pm in Immaculate Conception Church. We ask God’s blessing on all through St Pio’s intercession.First Confessions The children of Second Class in schools in Clonleigh Parish will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Thursday 3rd April at 6.30 pm in St Patrick’s Church, Murlog. Children from other schools in the parish pastoral area will receive the sacrament over the next two weeks. Please keep the children and their families in your prayers as they continue their preparation for First Holy Communion. May God bless them.Visitation of the Sick & Housebound will take place on Monday 31st March 2pm at Coolatee, Porthall & Cavan Hill. Fr Gallagher asks that you let your family member, relative or neighbour who is attended know that I will be calling. Thank you.Visitation of the Sick & Housebound Fr McCaughey hopes to visit the sick and housebound of the area through the coming week.Services of Intercession for the Dead will take place in various cemeteries within our parish pastoral area as follows. We take this opportunity to thank people for their ongoing commitment in remembering their loved ones by visiting and maintaining their graves.St Patrick’s Church, Murlog – 23rd May at 7.00 pmSt Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan – 30th May at 7.00 pmSacred Heart Church, Derry Road – 1st June at 3.00 pmSt Mary’s Church, Cloughcor – 1st June at 7.00 pmStrabane Cemetery & Camus – 8th June at 3.00 pm______________ 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 We pray for mothers and all who are in a mothering role. We remember especially mothers living in situations of war, conflict and climate change. May God give them the strength they need to support and guide their families through difficult times. You can support Trócaire’s vital work by using a Trócaire box at home or visit https://www.trocaire.org/ The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Sunday 13th April at 6 pm in Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane. All welcome.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). Dromantine Holy Week Retreat led by the SMA community takes place from Wednesday 16th (5 pm) – Sunday 20th April (AM). Cost £385.00/€455.00 Please contact Leanne or Louisaadmin@dromantineconference.com or 028 30821964. Baptism Dates in St Patrick’s, Murlog April 5th, 12th, 26th @ 200 pm.Readings for Sunday 6th April: 1st reading Isaiah 43:16-21Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 2nd reading Philippians 3:8-14 Gospel John 8:1-11 Saints This Week: Tuesday: St Ceallach, bishop Wednesday: St Francis of Paola, hermit Friday: St Isidore, bishop & doctor of the Church Saturday: St Vincent Ferrer, priestVocations In our first reading for the Fourth Sunday of Lent the Lord chooses David out of all the sons of Jesse. As David is anointed he is “seized” by the spirit of the Lord who stays with him from that day on. We pray for those chosen by the Lord to be priests of the Diocese of Derry, that they will know and be faithful to the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and ministry among God’s people. Contemplative Prayer Group meets each Monday at 8.00 pm in the Meditation Room at the Parochial House, Barrack St, Strabane. All welcome.The Annual Sister Clare Crockett Retreat will take place in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Derry from Monday 31st March – Sunday 6th April. Theme this year: ‘Reflecting on the Eucharist with Sr Clare’. There will be Mass at 7am & 10am (Monday – Friday). Evening prayer service with Benediction and guest speaker each evening at 7pm (Monday-Friday). A healing service with anointing of the sick will take place on Thursday 3rd April at 7pm. On Saturday 5th April, Service with Benediction led by Archbishop Eamon Martin at 3pm. The retreat will conclude on Sunday 6th April at 3pm with Mass celebrated by Bishop McKeown. Everyone is welcome to attend in person or you can also stream the services online at www.longtowerchurch.org.We Invite You to Join us for ‘Sing for Joy!’ – A Day of Music and Ministry on Sat 26th April at Lough Derg. Boat departs at 9:30am, concluding with Celebration of the Eucharist at 5pm. This day is open to young people aged 18-35 and is free to attend (supported by Knights of St Columbanus). Registration via: https://bit.ly/SingforJoy Contact info@knightsofstcolumbanusomagh.co.uk / +447759496677.The Corrymeela Long–Term Volunteer Programme are now taking applications for 2025/26. Our Long–Term Volunteer Programme offers you the opportunity to spend a year living at our Ballycastle Centre, assisting our teams as they deliver programmes for groups from different backgrounds and enabling participants to nurture deeper relationships and explore how to live well together. We hope you For more information visit www.corrymeela.org 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.Gamblers Anon Tel 71351329. Alcoholics Anonymous Tel 90351222.‘Pilgrims of Hope Pilgrimage’ to Rome led by Thornhill Ministries takes place 16th October for 4 nights. Cost: £1,095 stg pps. Please text: 07736832458. 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.