Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) – Year C – 11th May 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.com
Email: strabaneparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.camusparish.com Email: clonleighparish@derrydiocese.org; Website: www.clonleighparish.com
Thoughts on the Gospel
John’s Gospel is sometimes referred to as the ‘spiritual Gospel,’ as it has beautiful, reflective passages. During the Easter season, we read and hear mostly from John. It is a lovely opportunity to meditate more deeply on the Word. Today, we are given the image of Jesus as the Shepherd and of his people as the flock. We hear the words ‘I know them.’ Jesus knows each person intimately. He knows our deepest desires, our worries and fears, our insecurities and pain. Jesus is as close to us as our own breathing. Nobody can interfere with this intimate friendship, even though at times we may feel differently. We may experience discrimination because of our faith, or be attacked in some way. When things are not going so well, we may feel as if Jesus has abandoned us; sometimes we simply want to give up on the whole thing. We become distant. Let this passage be a reminder to us that Jesus is always very close to us and knows our struggles. We simply need to share those struggles and fears with Him, for ‘no one will snatch them [you] out of my hand.’ We may forget this from time to time. This week, can you spend five minutes each day meditating on this passage? Focus on the breath. A phrase to repeat might be: ‘Jesus, I know that you are as close to me as my own breathing.’ ________________________
Vocations Sunday Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter or Good Shepherd Sunday is a special day for everyone in our parish. We celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We ask that we may be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit as we carry on the mission of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Let us pray for one another that we may be strengthened in our Christian vocations as married and single people, priests, deacons and religious. May our young people listen to God’s call and be encouraged to respond generously. Visit https://derryvocations.org/
Diocesan Prayer for Vocations
God our Father, you call us by name, and ask us to follow you. Help us to grow in the love and service of your Church today. Grant us the courage to embrace Christ’s mission of love and justice. Bless the Church here in the diocese of Derry by raising up generous and dedicated leaders from among our families and friends, who will serve your people as priests, sisters, brothers, deacons and lay ministers. Bless those who have already answered your call and who are now preparing for service in your Church. Inspire us to know you better, and open our hearts and minds to the guidance of your Holy Spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Requiescat in Pace
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Myra Friel, Rossgier, Lifford Anniversaries James McCormick, Margaret Tinney, Anna McShane, Mac McCauley, Billy Melly, Christopher Kerrigan, Jonny White, Elsie Duncan, Hugh McGeehan, Triona Hannigan, Jim & Gerard McNamee, Tony O’Connor, Mary McGonigle, Christine McMenamin, Rosaleen Brolly, Bridget McLaughlin, Susan & Edward McCrory, Thomas Kelly.
Thank You for your generosity to the collections last weekend: Leckpatrick: £1,310 Clonleigh: €1,263 (Euro) Camus: £1,800 Thanks also to those who pay by standing order.
Readings for Sunday 18th May: 1st Reading Acts 14:21-27 Psalm 144: 8-13 2nd Reading: Revelation 21:1-5 Gospel John 13:31-35Saints of the Coming Week: Monday: St Nereus & St Achilleus, martyrs, St Pancras, martyr Tuesday: Our Lady of Fatima Wednesday: St Matthias, Apostle Thursday: St Carthage, bishop Friday: St Brendan of Clonfert, abbotMass Cards / Mass Bouquets are available from the parish office.
A Gathering for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers will take place in St Pat’s Hall on Saturday 17th May. Everyone is welcome to 10 am Mass in Immaculate Conception Church and then gather in the hall, concluding at 1 pm. All are encouraged to come along to this time to meet and pray.
Derry Diocesan 3-Day Pilgrimage to Lough Derg takes place from Friday 25th – Sunday 27th July. For those wishing to avail of transport, a bus will depart after 10 am Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral on the Friday travelling via Lifford / Ballybofey. Cost: £95/€110 (including transport). Pre-booking required. Please contact tony.brennan@derrydiocese.org or the Diocesan Office: 0044 28 71262302 for a booking form. Alongside Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg is one of three esteemed traditional pilgrimage locations to be designated by the Irish Bishops’ Conference as national places of pilgrimage in the present Jubilee Year.
Meditating with Mary in the Month of May This prayer resource is available to view at https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/meditating-with-mary-in-the-month-of-may The texts provide an opportunity to understand more deeply Mary as the model of discipleship for the Church.
‘Called’: A Young Adult Residential Retreat will take place at Lough Derg from Friday 16th – Monday 19th May. Every life is a calling – a vocation to love and serve. This retreat is for 18 – 35 year olds on their journey of Christian faith, with questions about their calling in life. Contact marcus@loughderg.org, tel: 00353 719861518 or visit info@loughderg.org‘
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.
First Holy Communion We pray for the children in our parish pastoral area who will receive First Holy Communion as follows: Lifford NS and Cloughfin NS today (Sun) in St Patrick’s, Murlog; St Mary’s PS, Cloughcor on Friday 16th May in St Mary’s, Cloughcor;Murlog NS on Sunday 18th May in St Patrick’s, Murlog.
The Little Way Novena in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux will take place at St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, from Saturday 10th May until Sunday 18th May 2025. The Novena begins with Mass at 7.30 pm on 10th May with Anointing of the Sick. Sunday 11th May at 6.00 pm there will be Devotions and a talk. Monday – Friday (12th – 16th May) Novena Masses will be celebrated at 6.30 am & 10.00 am each morning and an evening service with a guest speaker at 7.30 pm. On Saturday 17th May 10.00 am Mass will be offered up for those who have died. The Novena will close on Sunday 18th May at 3.00 pm. This will be an opportunity to pray for a special intention and to ask St Thérèse to intercede for us. Everyone is welcome to St Eugene’s Cathedral for this time of prayer and petition.
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 pm Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road – 1st June at 3.00 pmSt Mary’s Church, Cloughcor – 1st June at 7.00 pm Strabane Cemetery & Camus – 8th June at 3.00 pm ______________________________________________________ Encounters with the Heart of Jesus Retreat that dives deeper into the Sacred Heart Spirituality, led by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, takes place from 16th – 18th May. Join us at the peaceful Termonbacca Retreat House in Derry. Time for prayer/chat. Cost: £90 (full board). Email: termonbaccaderry@gmail.comMass in Memory of Sister Clare Crockett will be celebrated today (Sunday) at 7 pm in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry. Mass will be streamed live on Termonbacca YouTube channel.
A Prayer Before Exams
Lord Jesus, as I prepare for my exams, I ask you to grant me peace of mind. Take from my heart all fear, anxiety, regret and distraction. May your gift of the Holy Spirit guide and enlighten my thoughts. At this difficult time give me the confidence that you will hear my prayer as you continue to guide me on life’s journey.
Habemus Papam
Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago who was elected the 267th pope on 8th May 2025, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. We pray that Pope Leo XIV be strengthened in his ministry. Faithful God, You guide us on the path of life and your goodness is our constant companion. Be with our new Shepherd, Pope Leo XIV, in his service of the Church. Fill him with the power of your Spirit, the peace of your presence and the compassion of Christ.May he walk with you, in wisdom and humility, and lead us, together with all God’s people, to embody your love for the world. Amen. …‘I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian, who said: “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop.” In this sense, we can all walk together toward the homeland that God has prepared for us.’ (Words of Pope Leo)
Accord Marriage Preparation May 30/31st, June 20/21st. Visit www.accord.com
Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima for young people aged 16 + from 14 – 18th July. Cost: £700. Names and deposit of £100 required. Please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or 00 44 2871264087.
Sharing the Good News The weekly newsletter of the Irish Bishops’ Conference can be viewed at https://catholicnews.ie/Lough Derg One Day Retreats take place on May 11th, 13th, 17th, 24th & 26th. For information please contact info@loughderg.org, tel: 0035371 9861518 or visit https://www.loughderg.org/1dayretreat.htmlApril Edition of ‘The Net’, the monthly publication sharing the fruits of the faith in our parish communities within the Diocese of Derry and beyond, is available at https://www.derrydiocese.org/publications/the-net/the-net-april-2025.pdf
Flame of Love – North of Ireland is launching on Monday 12th May at 7 pm in Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry, BT48 9AH. Weekly Cenacles on Mondays at 7 pm. To join online please visit https://meet.jit.si/folirlcar23 Visit www.flameoflove.ie
Annual SMA Knock Pilgrimage takes place on Saturday 24th May. Bus going through the following parishes: Cookstown, Kildress, Carrickmore/Loughmacrory, Greencastle, Killyclogher, Omagh and Dromore. Bus Fare: £20 Meals (optional); €40. To book, contact Mona: 02886737954 or Una: 07743575969.
Servant Sisters The Sisters of the Home of the Mother are hosting weekly formation meetings on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm, in the Parochial House at Cross, Killygordon, (F93PN0X), and the weekly Holy Hours on Thursdays at 7 pm.
The Strabane / Lifford Half Marathon is taking place on Sunday 18th May. The half marathon will take place along roads which will be subject to traffic disruption. This will help to ensure the safety of both runners and motorists. People are asked to note that various guidelines in regard to road closures and traffic disruption will be in place.
NI Blood Transfusion Service will collect blood donations at Artigarvan Community Hall on Tuesday 3rd June from 1.30-4pm & 5-7.30pm.Visit https://nibts.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/6 or tel 08085534653 to book. 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.