Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
First Sunday of
First Sunday of Advent – Year C – 1st December 2024
Parish Clergy
Fr Michael McCaughey, PP: (028) 71882274 / (028) 71883293
Fr Eddie Gallagher, CC: (074) 91 42022 Fr Declan Boland (priest in residence)
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, Jesus describes the signs and events that will herald His second coming and cautions us to be expectant, optimistic, vigilant and prepared.
As we enter Advent, we are invited to turn our attention to our inner preparation for Christmas. We are waiting ‘in joyful hope’ both for Christ’s birth and his return at the end of time.
On the first Sunday of Advent in 2021, Pope Francis reminded Christians that an essential ingredient for living an alert and joyful life is prayer.
“Be awake, guard your heart,” the pope said in his message before the Angelus. “And let’s add an essential ingredient: the secret to being watchful is prayer.”
“In fact, Jesus says: ‘Keep awake at all times praying’ (Luke 21:36). It is prayer that keeps the lamp of the heart burning. Especially when we feel that enthusiasm is cooling, prayer rekindles it, because it brings us back to God, to the centre of things,” he added.
The pope also emphasised that “prayer awakens the soul from sleep and focuses it on what matters, on the end of existence.”
“Even on the busiest days, let’s not neglect prayer,” he urged, recommending an easy prayer to say during Advent: “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” “Let’s repeat this prayer throughout the day, and the soul will remain alert,” he said.
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Revised Mass Schedule from Saturday 30th November (First Sunday of Advent)
In consideration of our three parishes working together, the following changes to our Mass schedule will take place this weekend. Please be assured that this new arrangement will be reviewed in due course. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
Vigil Mass in St Mary’s, Cloughcor: 5.00 pm
Vigil Mass in Immaculate Conception, Strabane: 6.00 pm
Vigil Mass in St Patrick’s, Murlog will remain at 6.30 pm
Sunday Masses in Immaculate Conception, Strabane: 9.45 am & 12.15 pm
Sunday Mass in St Joseph’s, Glenmornan: 9.45 am
Sunday Mass in Sacred Heart, Derry Road: 11.15 am
Sunday Mass in St Patrick’s, Murlog: 11.00 am
St Patrick’s Hall Annual Christmas Bazaar on Sunday 1st December at 6.30 pm. We welcome you to this fun-filled evening. Many prizes to be won. Your support to the parish on this occasion is greatly appreciated.
Requiescant in Pace As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy to the family of Esther Casey, Five Acres, Strabane and Gwen McGettigan, Dennett View
Anniversaries Catherine Hunt, Annie Hegarty, Harold Hamilton, Danny McGinley, Barney Blee, Margaret Dunne, Margaret Tighe, John Brennan, Kathleen King, Eoin Franey, Patrick Duffy, John Stevenson, Mary Hegarty, Mary Hurley, Catherine Hannigan Susan O’Brien, Frances Gallagher, Ann (Nan) Sharkey, Johnny Mullan, Danny Doherty, Fionnuala Devine, James Devine, Mary Harley. Josephine Coyle, Nora Rooney, Betty McColgan, Seamus Lynch, Joseph McCauley, Johnny Mullan
Mass Intentions in St Patrick’s Church, Lifford Saturday 7th December at 6.30pm James Woods, Ballymonaster (1st anniversary); Anne Stewart, The Roughan; John McMenamin, Croaghan Heights; Danny & Annie Donnelly, Ballylennon.
Thank You for your generosity to the offertory collections last weekend:
Leckpatrick: £622; Clonleigh: €2,194.22 (Euro); Camus: £1,765
Thank you also to those who contribute by standing order.
Leckpatrick Restoration Collection: £1,032; Leckpatrick Stipend Collection: £834
Camus Restoration Collection: £1,005. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Readings for Sunday 8th December: 1st reading: Baruch 5: 1-9; Psalm: 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6; 1;
2nd reading: Philippians 1: 4-6: 8-11; Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6
Baptism Dates in St Patrick’s, Murlog Dec14th, 21st & 28th & Jan 11th & 25th
Mass Cards / Mass Bouquet Cards available at the parish office, Ballymagorry.
Thornhill Ministries’ Crib Festival is this year is in ‘The Den’ 37 Melmount Rd, Strabane on Saturday 30th Nov & Sunday 1st Dec from 11 am – 5.30 pm. A unique event inviting us into the Story of Christmas through a truly inspirational display. Everyone welcome.
The St Vincent de Paul Annual Church Collection will be taken up at Masses next weekend (7th / 8th December). This special collection will help us meet the increased spending required to help the many families in need, from our own parish community over the Christmas period. Thank you for your support.
A Meeting of St Vincent de Paul, Leckpatrick will take place on Monday 2nd December at 7.30 pm at St Vincent de Paul, Barrack Street, Strabane.
St Vincent de Paul Helpline 07711156924.
Pope’s Prayer Intention for December – For pilgrims of hope We pray that this Jubilee Year may strengthen our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
Preparing through Advent & Christmas We welcome people to join in a time of prayer on Wednesdays 4th, 11th, 18th Dec from 8 – 9 pm in Sacred Heart Church, Derry Rd. The theme of Leckpatrick Parish Mission earlier this year was ‘reach’. Once again, we reach out to each other and invite you to a time of prayer, to reflect on this special time of year. As we celebrate Advent Season, we also think of the Jubilee Year to come. Aware that we are all ‘pilgrims of hope’, we journey together in prayer through Advent in preparation for Christmas and in turn the Jubilee Year. Please take time to come along.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are available through our parish for a Triduum of Masses in the Christmas Season. Donation is £2.
Mass in Honour of St Pio will be celebrated on Wednesday 4th December at 7 pm in Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane. We ask God’s blessing on all through the intercession of St Pio. Everyone welcome.
Padre Pio, pure in heart, you, who lived fully in prayer and in the love of God, teach us, too, humility, obedience, and generosity. Loving Padre Pio, help us give thanks to and praise the Lord, never failing in prayer, because His love is forever. Secure for us the help to be good Christians. Grant us a faith that is loving and tranquil.
Leckpatrick Parish Draw The final of the parish draw will take place on Tuesday 10th December. Draw cards and money are due in on Monday 2nd / Tuesday 3rd December between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm.
Strabane Parish / Christmas Draw will take place on the same night.
Please note, draw returns should be made to the new Parish Office in St Patrick’s Hall no later than Tuesday 3rd December.
Vocations Society of St Joseph The St John Vianney branch meets on Tuesday 3rd December in Immaculate Conception Church with rosary after 10 am Mass.
Glenside ATC Christmas Carol Service takes place within the main centre, 45 Derry Road, Strabane on Wednesday 4th December at 7 pm. Everyone welcome.
Rosary on the Coast takes place today (Sunday) at 3pm at Lisfannon Beach, praying for peace, Ireland and our unborn children. Everyone welcome.
Advent Retreat Emmanuel – He meets you where you are. This Advent season, step away from the busyness of life and enter a Community for their retreat on Sunday 8th December at 11 am in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, Co Donegal, F93NF76. Find stillness, experience guided prayer, with Adoration and Eucharist. Deepen your spiritual journey during this holy season as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. Booking essential. Tel: 00353 749384866. A light lunch is provided. Suggest donation: £20.
Saints of the Coming Week:
Tuesday: St Francis Xavier, priest
Wednesday: St John Damascene, priest and doctor of the Church
Friday: St Nicholas, bishop
Saturday: St Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church
Contemplative Prayer Group meets on Mondays at 8.00 pm in the Meditation Room at the Parochial House, Barrack St, Strabane. Newcomers very welcome.
The Mayor’s Christmas Tea Dance Tuesday 17th December from 2 pm – 4 pm in St Pat’s Hall, Strabane. Music by The Band Friends. For tickets, please contact the Mayor’s office – tel: 028 71376508 or Mayor@derrystrabane.com
Trocaire Gifts of Change will be on sale at:
Leckpatrick – St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor Vigil Mass Saturday 7th December
St Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan 8th & 15th December
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road 8th & 15th December
Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane 10th – 15th December inclusive
St Patrick’s Church, Murlog 21st & 22nd December.
When you buy a Trocaire Gift of Love, you are not just giving, you are helping communities in some of the world’s poorest places to work their way out of poverty. Gift brochures are at the back of the chapel for you to take home and decide which gift is appropriate for you. Please bring along correct cash, if possible. Thank you.
St Catherine’s Nursery School Attention parents / guardians If you have a child who will be ready to start nursery school in September 2025, come to our Open Afternoon on Tuesday 3rd December at 1.30 pm in the Senior School site, Barrack Street.
St Catherine’s Primary School – ‘A family school in the Heart of Strabane’. If you have a child who will be ready to start Year One in September 2025, come to our Open Afternoon on Wednesday 4th December at 1.30 pm in the Junior School site, Newtownkennedy Street. All applications for places must be made online.
Webcam Please note that our webcam is now operated through Church Services TV, You do not need a password to access it. Please visit Church Services TV and in turn the church which you want to view. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Give Blood, Save Lives NI Blood Transfusion Service will collect blood donations at Gym 1, Holy Cross College, 35 Melmount Rd, Strabane, BT82 9EF on Thursday 5th December from 12.30-4 pm & 5-7.30 pm. Tel 08085534653 to book.
Christmas Parish Draw
Tickets for our Pastoral Area Draw are now available at the parish offices. This is an ideal Christmas gift. Subscription: £5. Twenty-five prizes will be drawn on 5 days through the 12 days of Christmas. The final draw will take place on 6th January 2025. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Day 1: Christmas Day – 25th Dec 2024 1st Prize £325; 2nd Prize £225; 3rd Prize £125; 4th Prize £75; 5th Prize £50 Gift Voucher for McBride’s Spar, Strabane
Day 2: St Stephen’s Day – 26th Dec 2024 1st Prize £325 2nd Prize £225; 3rd Prize £125; 4th Prize £75; 5th Prize: £50 Gift Voucher for Fir Trees Hotel
Day 3: 1st January 2025 1st Prize: £325; 2nd Prize £225; 3rd Prize £125; 4th Prize £75;
5th Prize: Gift Voucher for a Treatment at the Gift Lodge, Derry
Day 4: 2nd January 2025 1st Prize £525; 2nd Prize £425; 3rd Prize £325; 4th Prize £225; 5th Prize £125
Day 5: 6th January 2025 1st Prize £2,025; 2nd Prize £1,025; 3rd Prize £425; 4th Prize Midweek break for two at the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran 2 nights B&B and Evening Meal; 5th Prize £225.
Various Promoters’ Prizes
Parish Schedule
Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.00 pm; Sunday: 9.45 am & 12.15 pm
Monday – Friday: 10.00 am; Wednesday: 7.00 pm
Eucharistic Adoration: 10.30 am – 1 pm
Leckpatrick
St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 5 pm
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Rd
Mass: Sunday: 11.15 am; Monday – Friday: 7.45 am
St Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan:
Mass: Sunday: 9.45 am
Eucharistic Adoration in Sacred Heart Church: Wednesdays from 8.15 am–5 pm
St Patrick’s Church, Murlog
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.30 pm; Sunday: 11 am Mass: Monday, Thursday, Friday: 11 am;
Tuesday: 9.30 am
Rosary: 8.40 am Confessions: Saturday: 6.00 pm – 6.15 pm
Eucharistic Adoration: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
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.
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