Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C – 23rd February 2025
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
A Radical Kind of Love
Jesus presents one of the most challenging yet transformative teachings in the Bible – loving our enemies. He calls us to a higher standard of love, one that goes beyond human instinct and reflects the very heart of God.
It is easy to love those who love us. We naturally care for family, friends, and people who treat us kindly. But Jesus calls us to something greater. He commands us to love even those who mistreat us. This kind of love is radical because it does not depend on emotions or circumstances. It is a love that chooses to do good, even when it is undeserved.
Blessing and praying for those who hurt us is not natural. It requires supernatural grace. When we pray for our enemies, we surrender our pain to God and allow Him to work in their hearts and in ours. Prayer changes things – it softens our hearts and invites God’s justice and mercy into the situation.
God has shown us incredible mercy. Despite our sins, He loves us unconditionally. When we show mercy to others, we reflect the character of our Heavenly Father.
Jesus promises that a heart filled with love, mercy, and generosity will be blessed abundantly: When we give love, kindness, and forgiveness, we will receive the same, often in greater measure.
How can we apply this teaching in daily life?
1. Choose Love Over Revenge – When someone wrongs you, resist the urge to retaliate. Instead, respond with patience and grace.
2. Pray for Your Enemies – Make it a habit to pray for those who have hurt you. Ask God to bless them and change their hearts.
3. Be Generous in Kindness – Go beyond what is expected. Offer help to those in need, even if they have not been kind to you.
4. Reflect God’s Mercy – When faced with a difficult person, remember how much mercy God has shown you. Extend that same mercy to others.
Loving our enemies is not easy, but it is the way of Christ. When we follow His example, we not only transform our hearts but also become a light in a world that desperately needs His love. Let us love beyond limits, just as He has loved us.
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Confirmation 2025 We ask God’s blessing on primary 7 children of St Catherine’s PS who will receive the sacrament of Confirmation next Friday, 28th February. Ceremonies will take place at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm in Church of the Immaculate Conception. We welcome parents, guardians, sponsors and all who have helped and supported the boys and girls to prepare for this special occasion in their lives. Please note: Mass on Friday 28th February in Immaculate Conception will be at 9.30 am.
Requiescant in Pace As a parish faith community, we offer our sympathy to the family & friends of Celine Gillespie, St Colman’s Dr (formerly of Dysart)
Raymond Kirk, Newtownkennedy Street
Lorna Kildea, Olympic Drive
Tricia Devine, Rossgier Close
Annie May Harte, Corner House, Lifford
Maureen Quinn, Raphoe
Maureen Hegarty, Mulvey House
Anniversaries Francis & Sally Conwell, Packie Rowe, Betty Maxwell, Geraldine McGill, baby Geraldine McGill, Lizzie Devlin, Jamsie Devlin, Jamie McLaughlin, Terry Kirk, Teresa McKee, Kathleen Brennan, Tony Kelly, Nora Gallagher, Seamus Devenney, Billy Brown, Edward Crawford, Sally McDonald, Liam Arthur, Nellie McDermott, Jimmy Crawford Snr, Kathleen Friel, Noel Gallagher, Tommy McGranaghan, Lauren Gallagher, Charlie & Sadie McGowan, John Anthony Madden
Mass Intentions for St Patrick’s, Murlog on
Friday 28th February at 9.30 am: Terry O’Doherty, Coneyburrow;
Saturday 1st March at 6.30 pm: Martin McBrearty, Croaghan Heights; John & Mary Rose Colhoun, Ballindrait; Sadie Gallagher, Liskey;
Sunday 2nd March at 11.00 am: Patrick McGill, Waterford, formerly of Cavan (Month’s Mind).
Thank You for your generosity to the collections on 15th / 16th February
Leckpatrick: £1,503; Clonleigh: €2,370.63 (Euro); Camus: £1,960.
Thank you also to those who contribute by standing order.
Readings for 2nd March:
1st reading: Sirach 27: 4-7
Psalm: 91:2-3,13-16
2nd reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 54-58
Gospel: Luke 6:39-45
Saints of the Coming Week:
Thursday: St Gregory of Narek, abbot and doctor of the Church
Saturday: St David of Mynyw, bishop
Baptism Dates in St Patrick’s, Murlog March 1st / 15th / 29th at 2.00 pm.
Contemplative Prayer Group meets each Monday at 8 pm in the Meditation Room at the Parochial House, Barrack St, Strabane. All welcome.
Visitation of the Sick and Housebound will take place this week as follows:
Monday: Ballindrait, Tober, Rossgier, Cloughfin
Thursday: Coolatee, Porthall, Cavan Hill
Friday: Murlog, Lifford, Coneyburrow, Letterkenny Rd, Croaghan Hts, Drumbuoy.
Please note visitation starts at 2.00 pm on Monday & Thursday & 11.00 am on Friday. Fr Gallagher asks that you let your family member, relative or neighbour who is attended know that he will be calling and change of time on Friday. Thank you.
Vocations In this weekend’s gospel Jesus reminds us of the challenge to love without discrimination or counting the cost. We pray for those called to preach the Gospel of love as priests of the diocese of Derry.
Vocations Weekend for men aged 18+ in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, 7th – 9th March. Please contact Fr Pat O’Hagan, Diocesan Vocations Director at pgoh2111@gmail.com
Pilgrimages to Fatima flying from Belfast. 7 Nights Full Board. Avenida Hotel. From 28 May – 4 June Cost £849 pps. Spiritual Director Fr. Antony CP. Please contact Joe Catney on 07776425631. Pilgrimage also available on 30 July – 6 August.
Strabane History Society Meeting on Thursday 27th Feb at 7.30 pm in The Music Room, John Wesley St. This month’s talk will be ‘History of Urney’. The speaker is Chris McNulty, the author of ‘Urney, Portrait of an Irish Parish’ (1994). All welcome.
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Please join us in continued prayer for Pope Francis as he continues his stay in hospital.
May God grant him healing, strength, and comfort during this time.
We petition God in prayer, seeking His loving care and guidance for Pope Francis.
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 15th June 2025.
NI Blood Transfusion Service will collect blood donations at The Guildhall, Guildhall St, Derry, BT48 6DQ on Monday 24th February from 1 – 4 pm & 5 – 8 pm & Tuesday 25th February from 12.30 – 4 pm & 5 – 7.30 pm. Visit https://nibts.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/6 or tel 08085534653 to book.
Mass cards / Mass bouquets are also available from the parish office.
The Sister Clare Rosary continues every Monday at 8.30 pm in St Joseph’s Room at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry. Everyone welcome.
Our Lady of Montligeon Prayer Group, praying for the holy souls in purgatory, will meet on Wed 26th Feb from 12.30 – 1.30 pm in Termonbacca, Derry. All welcome.
‘Pilgrims of Hope Pilgrimage’ to Rome, led by Thornhill Ministries takes place on 16th October 2025 x 4 Nights £1095 stg pp sharing. Please contact 07736832458.
The Priory Institute Study Theology Online – is this for you? The Priory Institute provides online theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures in Tallaght or from the comfort of your own home. Please visit prioryinstitute.com
Mary’s Meals – Emergency in Southern Africa Southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years, with an estimated 21 million children in the region suffering from malnutrition. Mary’s Meals works in 4 of the worst effected countries (Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe) providing vital daily school meals to 1.5 million hungry children. To help Mary’s Meals keep providing these life-changing meals and reach more children in need, please keep our work in your prayers and consider donating to this appeal. 10p provides a school meal. Find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212.
Strabane Pastoral Area – Camus / Leckpatrick Parish Draws 2025
(Immaculate Conception, Strabane, Sacred Heart, Derry Rd,
St Mary’s, Cloughcor, St Joseph’s, Glenmornan)
A draw will take place in each parish this year with the following prizes in both draws:
February – October 2025 10th Month: November 2025
9 Monthly Prizes Star prize: car
1st prize: £1,000 2nd prize: £1,000
2nd prize: £300 3rd prize: £300
3rd prize: £200 4th prize: £200
5 prizes @ £100 5 prizes @ £100
Limited number of members for each draw. Voluntary subscription: £10 per month.
Total subscription £100 for each draw. All proceeds in aid of parochial funds.
Thank you to our promoters and many volunteers who support the draws.
Parish Schedule
Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.00 pm; Sunday: 9.45 am & 12.15 pm
Monday – Thursday: 10.00 am; Wednesday: 7.00 pm; Friday: 9.30 am* (* due to Confirmation)
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–5.30 pm
(Please note that Eucharistic Adoration ends at 2.30 pm this Wednesday)
St Patrick’s Church, Murlog
Mass: Saturday Vigil: 6.30 pm; Sunday: 11 am Mass:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 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.