Parish Newsletter for Sunday 29th September 2024


Parishes of Clonleigh, Leckpatrick and Camus
Sunday 29th September 2024 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time


Fr Michael McCaughey PP: (028) 71882274 / (028) 71883293

Fr Eddie Gallagher CC: (074) 914202 Fr Declan Boland (Priest in Residence)


Thoughts on the Gospel Jesus is such a wonderful, but also disturbingly challenging teacher who moves us into the world of God’s ways and thoughts. If ever we are tempted to squabble about our position in the community, let us remember that Jesus, the pre-eminent one, humbled himself to be less than a slave.

Whenever we get caught up in issues of control, let us remember that God does not intervene with control into every moment of our lives. Jesus let go of control, and surrendered to the absolute demands of self-giving love. Whenever we want things our way, let’s remember that Jesus put himself last – and surrendered entirely to his Father’s way and his Father’s will.
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve.


Mass Schedules:

St Patrick’s Church, Lifford
Monday @ 10.00am
Tuesday @ 9.30am
Thursday & Friday @ 10.00am

Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road
Monday – Friday @ 8.00am Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday 8.30 am – 5.30 pm

Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane
Monday – Friday @ 10.00am
Wednesday @ 7.00pm


Mass Intentions for the Week:

Beginning 30th September 2024
Saturday 5th October 6.30 pm: Don Porter, St Columba’s Grove (1st anniversary)
Sunday 6th October 10.00 am: Margaret Friel, Braide


Last Sunday’s Collection amounted to €1,540.12. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you also to those who contribute by standing order.
Fund for Retired Priests amounted to €295.50. Thank you.


Feasts of the Week
Monday: St Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church; Tuesday: St Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church; Wednesday: The Holy Guardian Angels; Thursday: Blessed Columba Marmion, priest;
Friday: St Francis of Assisi, religious; Saturday: St Faustina Kowalska, virgin


Anniversaries:

Donal McCaughey, Rossgier; Fr William McGaughey; Eleanor Clarke, Porthall;
Robert Clarke, Raphoe; Cassie Murray, Tamnawood; Jimmy Lawrence, Drumleen;
Christopher Laurence, Drumleen; Patrick Devine. May they rest in peace.


Parish Envelopes:

The New Parish Envelopes are due to commence on 6th October. If you are new to the parish and wish
to have a box of envelopes, please contact the parish office on 074 9142001.


Thank You:

Fr McCaughey offers a word of thanks to people throughout the parish areas for their attendance and kind
welcome at the various Induction Masses. A special thank you to those from our schools and various parishioners who
took part in the three Masses to contribute to that prayerful atmosphere. Please pray for the intentions of all in the weeks
to come as we discern God’s guidance and wisdom in various and necessary changes.


St Pio (Padre Pio):

Mass in honour of St Pio will be celebrated on Wednesday 2nd October (Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels) at 7.00 pm in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane. All are welcome to attend. A relic of St Pio will be available if people wish to pray for themselves or someone else.


‘Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good’:

Celebrating the Creation of God A Harvest Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 6th October at 10 am in St Patrick’s Church to give thanks for those who work on the land, on farms and on the seas, our call to stewardship of the earth and the abundant fruits of the harvest. We recognise and give thanks for God’s generous love in creation. Everyone welcome.


Catholic Mothers Ireland Retreat Day:

Join us for a day of Spiritual Restoration, Inspiring Talks, Holy Mass, Prayer and Confession on Lough Derg, Pettigo, Donegal on Saturday 5th October 2024. This all day retreat will run from 10am – 5pm. Email catholicmothers@outlook.ie for more information or to book.


A Blessing of Animals for the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals will take place on Saturday 5th October in St Patrick’s Church grounds at 2.00 pm and at Immaculate Conception grounds, Strabane at 2 pm. We gather to say thank you to God for what the animals and various pets bring to our lives. You are welcome to come along and bring your pet(s) with you and also any representative of animals on fields throughout the parish. We give thanks to God and we ask God’s blessing. All welcome.


The St John Vianney Branch will meet on Tuesday 1st October in the Immaculate Conception Church with Rosary after 10 am Mass and continue in St Pat’s Hall. New members welcome.


Vocations As the Liturgy of the Word for this Sunday’s Mass challenges us all to be “prophets” and to work for the Lord, no matter what we do, we pray for those called to serve the Lord and the Church as priests of the diocese of Derry – our five current seminarians, those who hope to begin seminary studies in January, and all those who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
If you are considering a vocation, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan by email: pgoh2111@gmail.com


ACCORD Derry Marriage Preparation Course on October 18th/19th 2024. Visit http://www.accordni.com/


Lifford Health Centre:

Flu /Covid Booster Clinic Date and Times
Please book your appointment at reception or by phone on 074 9141024
Monday 30th September 9am – 12.30pm Tuesday 1st October 9am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 2nd October 2pm -4.30pm Friday 4th October 2pm – 4.30pm
If any of these clinics do not suit please speak to one of the receptionists about an alternative appointment.


Visit of the Relics of St Bernadette to the Diocese of Derry:

The holy relics of St Bernadette are on pilgrimage from Lourdes to Ireland for the first time, visiting every diocese in Ireland during September / October. The relics will visit St Eugene’s Cathedral from 2 pm on Sunday 13th October – Monday 14th October. This very special, once-in-a-lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes in their own diocese. Full programme at derrydiocese.org


Sharing the Good News, the weekly newsletter of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, can be viewed at https://catholicnews.ie


Mission Month of October begins on Tuesday 1st October. ‘Go and invite everyone to the banquet’ (cf. Matthew 22:9) is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for World Missions Day 2024 which will be observed on Sunday 20th October.


Pope’s Monthly Prayer Intention for October You are invited to answer the Holy Father’s request and to join many people worldwide in praying for this intention: For a shared mission We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people.


Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh Healing Service takes place on Sunday 6th October. Rosary at 2.45 pm followed by Mass / Healing Service at 3 pm. Confessions 2 pm – 5 pm.


Today is The World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Established in 1914, the day is an occasion of prayer and expression of concern for the people who have to flee conflict and persecution, remembering in a special way migrants and refugees who have come to Ireland.


The Net’ September edition of the monthly publication sharing the fruits of faith in parish communities within the Derry Diocese, is available at https://www.derrydiocese.org/publications/the-net/the-net-september-2024.pdf


Irish Pilgrimage Trust Easter 2025 Pilgrimage:

Applications are invited from young people with additional social, emotional, physical and learning needs aged 11 – 30 who are interested in travelling as guests to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Applications are also sought for carers 18+ who would be interested in accompanying the guests on the trip. The trip is free for guests as volunteers complete fundraising and carers pay their own fare. Guests complete online applications at https://form.jotform.com/212932685135054. Carers’ applications at https://form.jotform.com/211793062891056. Visit: https://www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com or tel Sian +44 (0) 7960211352.


Pilgrimage to Fatima Ex Dublin Easter 2025, Flying with TAP airlines, also 13th June 2025 for Feast of Saint Anthony and also 13th October 2025. Contact James Tracey 00353 61921470 or jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com Payments by instalments acceptable.


Season of Creation Prayer:

God of all life, we give thanks for the gift of the earth, our common home. At this time, many people,
the oceans, and the eco-systems of the earth are struggling to survive. Help us to change our ways,
to join this river of justice and guide us to live a life which is not centred exclusively on ourselves
but on the needs of others and the worship of you as our ultimate concern.


Safeguarding Notice If you have any concerns with regards to Safeguarding Children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at 0044 7596500793, or at The Safeguarding Office, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop St, BT48 6UJ 048 71362475 or Garda Síochána, Buncrana 074 9320540, Letterkenny HQ 074 9123672 or TUSLA Family & Child Agency Buncrana 074 9320420 or Letterkenny 074 9123672.