Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) – Year C – 27th April 2025
Parish Clergy Fr Michael McCaughey, PP: (028) 71882274 / (028) 71882215
Fr Declan Boland (priest in residence)
Lifford Parish Office: tel: 003537491 42001
Email: leckpatrickparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.leckpatrickparish.comEmail: strabaneparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.camusparish.com Email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org;
Website: www.clonleighparish.com
Thoughts on the Gospel
Today’s Gospel presents us with the one disciple who is named: Thomas. In his hesitation and his efforts to understand, this disciple, albeit somewhat stubborn, is a bit like us and we find him likeable. Without knowing it, he gives us a great gift: he brings us closer to God, because God does not hide from those who seek him. Jesus shows Thomas his glorious wounds; he makes him touch with his hand the infinite tenderness of God, the vivid signs of how much he suffered out of love for humanity.For us who are disciples, it is important to put our humanity in contact with the flesh of the Lord, to bring to him, with complete trust and utter sincerity, our whole being. As Jesus told Saint Faustina, he is happy when we tell him everything: he is not bored with our lives, which he already knows; he waits for us to tell him even about the events of our day (cf. Diary, 6 September 1937). That is the way to seek God: through prayer that is transparent and unafraid to hand over to him our troubles, our struggles and our resistance. Jesus’ heart is won over by sincere openness, by hearts capable of acknowledging and grieving over their weakness, yet trusting that precisely there God’s mercy will be active. What does Jesus ask of us? He desires hearts that are truly consecrated, hearts that draw life from his forgiveness in order to pour it out with compassion on our brothers and sisters. Jesus wants hearts that are open and tender towards the weak, never hearts that are hardened. (Pope Francis, Poland 2016) Lord, I believe in your presence with me and within me.Strengthen my belief. Today,
Divine Mercy Sunday, is a day to celebrate God’s endless mercy and compassion. It is a time to reflect on Jesus’ love and compassion for sinners, and to share in His resurrection. A common prayer for this occasion is: “Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion is inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is love and mercy itself”. Divine Mercy Devotions will take place in St Mary’s Church, Creggan, Derry, BT48 9QE today at 3.00 pm. Everyone is welcome or you can take part at https://www.churchservices.tv/creggan
Trócaire Boxes can be returned to our churches this week. Thank you.First Holy Communion of children from Strabane Primary School will take place on Friday 2nd May in Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road.
We pray for all our children and their families. Pope Francis We are told that the final words of Pope Francis were ‘thank you for bringing me back to the square’. Pope Francis told his nurse, Massimilliano Stranetti after what would be his final pope mobile ride on Easter Sunday. It was remarkable how he was to travel through St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, Day of the Resurrection and then to hear of his death on Easter Monday.Today, as parish communities our prayer too is one of gratitude for the life and witness of Pope Francis – of course the motto on his coat of arms roughly translates ‘having mercy, he called him’ and today we pray God’s gifts of grace and mercy for the soul of Pope Francis. Today, we acknowledge that great ministry of Pope Francis – his papal encyclical, ‘Laudato Si’ (Praise be to You) which addressed the climate crisis and championed environmental stewardship. His efforts to promote unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians, his historic apologies to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. His sense of people and their struggles and challenges are remarkable – a man of compassion who was non-judgemental.We can say that Pope Francis was human. ‘He was a Pope who admitted his mistakes, didn’t hide his flaws and presented himself as simply human’. That allowed us to see him as a father figure and today we thank God for that great quality in Pope Francis. For Pope Francis, significant was his humility. It was nearly as if he was saying – I am not superman, I am just a person. Indeed, we can recall the first thing he said in the Sistine Chapel after accepting the role was, ‘I accept, even though I am a sinner’. That closeness to people was central to who he was. It is also interesting to note that he was the first Pope to take the name Francis. Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose that name and humility is the first virtue of St Francis of Assisi. ‘Knowing how small we are, recognising our human dignity while realising how little we truly are’ that was his message.We can say that Pope Francis brought a sort of revolution to the Church. In one of his first interviews, when asked what he wanted to do in the Church – he answered clearly – ‘I want to take Christ out of sacristies and into the streets.’ That is a return to the Christianity of Christ. We can say that he strove to do so.Pope Francis was first and foremost a pastor. He allowed himself to be touched, above all by those who were vulnerable.Of course, his last major document was on the Sacred Heart. For him it was all about the heart and allowing the heart to speak. Pope Francis was constant in his witness of trying to create a more caring and compassionate Church. Of course, the Synod will be his lasting contribution.It was fitting that Pope Francis’ final message on Easter Sunday, read by a papal aide, was in many ways a reflection of the great theme of his papacy. God created us for life and wants the human family to rise again. In his eyes, every life is precious – the life of a child in the mother’s womb, as well as the lives of the elderly and the sick.He, then in praying for peace, reminded us, ‘Christ my hope, has risen’ – He calls upon all of us to turn our gaze to the empty tomb. He spoke of the Resurrection, not as an abstract idea but as a living force – one that challenges, leads and empowers’.Our calling in memory of Pope Francis is to be Easter people. Announcing his death, the Vatican statement simply stated he had returned to the father’s house.We pray that God will reward this loyal and faithful servant. In many ways, he taught us not just how to live, but actually how to die. And as Easter people, let us try to make Christ real in our daily life – joys and challenges, strength and weakness. He calls us to be pilgrims of hope.As we prepare to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, let us ponder on those words of Pope Francis, ‘The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking his forgiveness.’‘A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just’.May he rest in peace. May Mary, Mother of Jesus, intercede for him.
Requiescant in Pace
As a parish community we offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Kathleen Gibson, Ballyduff Road, Lifford Josephine Boyle, Guystown, BallindraitAnniversaries Julia McCloskey, Sharon Conaghan, Fionnuala Boyle, Sarah Jane Quigley, Annie Clarke, Eddie Gallagher, Patrick Stewart, Paddy McCullagh, Josephine Clarke, Dan McKane, Christine McKane, Julia McSorley, John McGill, Rose Dunne, Lily Nelson, Jimmy McBride, Margaret Kennedy. May they rest in peace.
Thank You for your generosity to the collections last weekend: Leckpatrick: £2,595 Clonleigh: €1,849.64 (Euro) Camus: £2,545
Thanks also to those who pay by standing order.
Baptism Dates in St Patrick’s, Murlog Saturday May 3rd & 10th.
Readings for Sunday 4th May: 1st Reading Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 Psalm 29: 2, 4-6, 11-13 2nd Reading: Revelation 5:11-14 Gospel John 21:1-19
First Saturday Rosary takes place on Saturday 3rd May at 12 noon at Market Square, Letterkenny (please note change of time). Please bring a friend or two.
Saints of the Coming Week: Monday: St Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest; St Peter Chanel, priest and martyr Tuesday: St Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church Wednesday: St Pius V, pope Thursday: St Joseph the Worker Friday: St Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church
Country Music Night with Hugo Duncan and Friends in St Patrick’s Hall on Monday 28th April from 8 pm featuring Brendan Shine, Declan Nerney, David James, Curtis Magee, Boxcar Brian, Shawn Cuddy & Country Harmony. Tickets £15. All proceeds going to The Rory Carlin Memorial Fund Koram Centre.
Mass Cards / Mass Bouquets are available from the parish office.
Give Blood, Save Lives NI Blood Transfusion Service will collect blood donations at Glendermott Presbyterian Church, 1 Millbrook Park, Altnagelvin, BT47 5SG on Tues 13th May from 12.30 – 5 pm – 7.30 pm. Visit: https://nibts.hscni.net/online-booking–for-blood-donation-appointments/ 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 30th April from 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm.
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.
Lough Derg Quiet Day takes place on Saturday 10th May. Cost: €40. Visit Lough Derg – Sanctuary of Saint Patrick Accord Marriage Preparation May 30/31st, June 20/21st. Visit www.accord.com
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.
Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima We invite young people aged 16 + to join us on pilgrimage to Fatima from 14 – 18th July. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with their peers from around the world in a faith context. Cost: £700. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible. Please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org 00 44 2871264087.
Young People Doing Exams This Year and their families are invited to a Mass in Christ the King Church, Strathroy, Omagh, on Thursday 1st May at 7.30 pm, when prayers will be offered for the young people’s needs and intentions. Youth-led music and liturgy at this Mass. All are very welcome.
Jubilee Year 2025 – ‘A call to action!’ The celebration of Jubilee 2025 has now begun throughout the universal Catholic Church on the theme: ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Everyone is invited to participate in this special year of faith. Specifically, Pope Francis encouraged each of us to be messengers of hope in our very troubled world during this holy year. In our Christian tradition, the Jubilee has a strong focus on reconciliation and renewal, including reaching out to people on the margins. It is normally celebrated every 25 years, so that more people can experience it at least once in a lifetime. For details of Jubilee 2025 Year of Hope, visit https://www.catholicbishops.ie/jubilee-year-2025/
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.