Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
Sixth Sunday of Easter – Year C – 25th 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
In today’s Gospel, when Jesus offers peace to his disciples, the word He uses is the Hebrew word shalom, which means welfare and wholeness. Shalom is used as both a greeting and a farewell – usually between two friends wishing the best for each other. But Jesus doesn’t simply wish his disciples peace; he gives it to them – the peace of salvation. The tranquility of knowing that he has restored them to his Father in heaven, the joyful certainty that everything has been put in its proper order, and all hindrances to peace have been removed.
Jesus gives that peace to you also. It starts internally, as you come to know the mercy, love, and salvation you have received in Christ. Every time you go to Confession, every time you pray before the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus’ peace takes a greater hold in your life. It matures every time you stop yourself from getting agitated by what you see around you or within you. Every time you pray “Come, Holy Spirit”, you are reaching out to the One who speaks peace into your heart. Gradually, your heart opens up to trust that God’s love for you can overcome any conflict you see.
As you cultivate that internal peace, it will begin to extend out from you into your relationships. You’ll be less likely to respond in kind if someone blows up at you. You’ll find it easier to keep smiling when someone cuts you off in traffic. You might even seek reconciliation with an estranged relative or show kindness to an unfriendly neighbour. And from there, who knows? As each of us cultivates peace, it will make the world a more and more peaceful place.
Jesus, thank you for the gift of your peace!
A Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in
St Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan on Friday 30th May at 7.00 pm
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road on Sunday 1st June at 3.00 pm
St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor on Sunday 1st June at 7.00 pm.
Everyone is most welcome. Thank you for your commitment to respect and care for the graves of your deceased loved ones. Please bring holy water with you to the cemetery to sprinkle on your family grave. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Congratulations to the children of our parish pastoral area who received their First Holy Communion over the past few weeks. May God continue to bless them and reward their families and teachers for helping them prepare for this special day in their lives.
Requiescat in Pace
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of John Madden, Glenview Park.
Anniversaries Neil McDaid, Jennie McDaid, Brendan McDaid, George Potts, Dominic Hegarty, Pat Lafferty, Frances Woods, Letitia Crotty, Mary Simpson, Michael Flanagan, Joe Brennan, James McCaughey, Rose Ann Doherty, Maureen McShane, James McGinley, James Conway, Brendan Kelly, Gerard & Nellie McShane, Rose McGowan, Nellie Doherty, Bridie O’Donnell, Brendan & Isa Porter, Rose Ellen McNulty
Readings for Sunday 2nd June:
1st Reading Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9
2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23, 22-23
Gospel Matthew 28: 19a,20b
Saints of the Coming Week:
Monday: St Philip Neri, priest
Tuesday: St Augustine of Canterbury, bishop
Thursday: St Paul VI, pope
Saturday: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thank You for your generosity to the collections last weekend:
Leckpatrick: £938
Clonleigh: €1,652 (Euro)
Camus: £1,715
Thanks also to those who pay by standing order.
Mass Cards / Mass Bouquets are available from the parish office.
Novena To The Most Sacred Heart Of Jesus is being held on nine consecutive Fridays in different churches across Ireland between Friday 2nd May – Friday 27th June. The seventh Novena Mass will be celebrated by Bishop McKeown on Friday 13th June 2025 at 7.00 pm in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Derry Road, Strabane. Additionally, the relics of St Margaret Mary Alacoque & St Claude la Colombiere from Paray-le-Monial, France, will be present. A period of Adoration and Benediction will follow Mass, with an opportunity to venerate the relics. All are welcome. The relics will remain in the Church until Thursday 19th June. Times of Masses, Veneration and Evening Devotions will be published in due course. For more information, visit https://sacredheartcrusade.ie/
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage 2025 to Knock Shrine, led by Bishop McKeown, will take place on Sunday 15th June, commencing with Rosary at 2.00 pm, followed by Anointing of the Sick at 2.30 pm and concluding with Mass and Eucharistic Procession at 3.00 pm. Confessions available throughout the day. Bus departs St Eugene’s Cathedral at 8.30 am. Evening meal included. Cost £50 per person and places confirmed on receipt of completed form. For further information please contact the parish office, St Eugene’s Cathedral on 02871262894 or email the parish office at cathedral@derrydiocese.org In conjunction with the pilgrimage, St Eugene’s Cathedral, is running a two-night pilgrimage to Knock from 15th – 17th June. Cost £280 per person sharing. For more information and full itinerary, contact Anne Marie on amhickey@derrydiocese.org or tel 028 71262894.
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.
Trócaire boxes can be returned to our chapels this week. Thank you.
Long Tower Parish is Organising a Columban Camino in Derry and Donegal from 5th – 7th June. Participants will walk from Derry to Buncrana, from Rathmullan to Milford and from there to Gartan. All sponsorship raised will go to Children in Crossfire. Accommodation at Inishowen Gateway and Mulroy Woods Hotel. Contact Aishling: 028 71278955 or Aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org
Vocations Is God calling you? Visit derryvocations.org If this is of interest to you, please contact Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan on 07703444280.
All Ireland Rosary Rally at Knock Shrine takes place on Saturday 7th June. Events begin at 9.30 am with a Marian Conference and conclude with a Pentecost Vigil and Healing Service from 8–10 pm. Highlights include a Rosary making workshop, a 250-person Rosary formation for filming. Keynote at 1.00 pm by Monsignor Steve Rossetti, USA. Rosary Procession led by children follows the Stations of the Cross at 2.30 pm, with Holy Mass at 3.00 pm celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown. Music by Dana. A youth conference runs from 6-7.30 pm. Rosary Rally ends with a Croagh Patrick climb and Mass on Sunday at noon. Full schedule and bus information available at www.allirelandrosaryrally.com
The Friends of Lifford Hospital will hold their AGM on 4th June at 7 pm in the Old Court House, The Diamond, Lifford. All welcome.
Gamblers Anonymous Tel 71351329
Alcoholics Anonymous Tel 90351222
Pilgrimage to Fatima 30th July – 6th August 2025 flying from Belfast International Airport for 7 nights. Full board. Spiritual Director Fr Martin Graham, Adm., St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast. Cost £885 pps. Contact Joe Catney on 07776425631.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje Seats are still available on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje leaving Belfast International Airport on 2nd July 2025. Cost £765 pps. For more details contact John Murray on 07801105575.
‘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.
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 28th May from 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm.
Support Group for Family Carers of People Living with Dementia If you are caring for someone / have cared for someone living with dementia, The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland are running a monthly support group for family carers of people living with dementia on the last Wednesday of the month from 12 noon – 1.30 pm in the Pastoral Centre, Letterkenny, F92 HP66. Contact Maria McGill on 0876294065 / Dean Thompson on 087 3802957.
Parish Draw The May draws will take place on Thursday 29th May at 7.30 pm in the parochial house, Ballymagorry. All promoters are welcome to come along to witness the draws.
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.
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.
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.
Sharing the Good News The weekly newsletter of the Irish Bishops’ Conference can be viewed at https://catholicnews.ie/
Lough Derg 3 Day Pilgrimages from Friday 30th May – Friday 15th August. Admission €85. Booking is advised. Pilgrims can begin their pilgrimage on any day until Wednesday 13th August. One Day Retreats during May 24th, 26th. August: 19th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th. September: 3rd, 6th, 7th, 9th, 13th, 20th, 21st. Admission €50. Booking essential. For more information and booking telephone 00353 7198 61518 or email: info@loughderg.org
Hearing Aid Support takes place on Thursday 29th May from 10 am – 12 noon at Ballycolman Community Centre, 339 Ballycolman Rd, Strabane, BT82 9QB.
Donegal County Council is seeking your help to record the stories of Donegal people who worked in Scotland between 1940 and 1990. As part of the Working Over By Smartphone Competition, you are invited to record a short video on your phone sharing a memory of your work. One participant will win a return flight for two between Donegal and Glasgow. Closing date for entries is Friday 30th May. For more information contact donegalscotland@donegalcoco.ie
Rosary on the Coast takes place on Sunday 1st June at 3.00 pm at Lisfannon Beach, praying for peace, Ireland and our unborn children. Everyone welcome.
Aware (Overcoming Depression, Changing Lives) Living with depression, anxiety or bipolar can be very isolating. AWARE’s support groups provide an opportunity to meet others going through similar experiences as you. This peer-led support can help you understand your illness, allow you to speak freely about how you are feeling and make you realise that you are not alone. Support group members share information, discuss options and support each other to move forward. If you have any queries about attending a support group, please email info@aware-ni.org. The next meeting takes place on Wednesday 28th May at 6.30 pm in the Koram Centre, 12 Railway St, Strabane, BT82 8BG.
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.