Parishes of Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick
The Ascension of the Lord (World Communications Sunday) – Year C – 1st June 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 the Gospel today, we find a moment of divine transition, a bridge between the earthly ministry of Jesus and the mission of His followers. These verses serve not only as a conclusion to the Gospel of Luke; they are an ignition point for every believer, a call to live with resurrection power and kingdom purpose. Jesus reminded His disciples that His death and resurrection were not accidents of history, but the fulfilment of God’s eternal plan. His suffering was not defeat; it was victory in disguise. His resurrection was not just an event; it was a declaration that life, not death, has the final word.
There is a lesson here for us. When Christ is our focus, even moments of transition become opportunities for worship. When we trust His promises, we can face the unknown with peace. When we live in the power of His Spirit, we become bold witnesses not just in words but in love, in forgiveness, in justice, and in hope. Luke’s Gospel ends not with fear, but with faith. Not with silence, but with praise. And that is our invitation today. To live as people of the resurrection. To speak as people of the promise. To serve as people filled with power.
Whatever season we are in — waiting, stepping out, or watching something end, let us take heart from this moment in Scripture. Christ is alive. His promises are true. His Spirit is with us. And His mission is ours. Let us go forward, clothed with power from on high, witnesses of His grace, and worshippers filled with joy.
Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours,
yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world,
yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world…
Christ has no body now on earth but yours. (St Teresa of Avila)
A Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in
Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road today (Sunday) at 3.00 pm
St Mary’s Church, Cloughcor today (Sunday) 1st June at 7.00 pm
Strabane Cemetery & Camus on Sunday 8th June at 3.00 pm
All 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. A voluntary collection will be taken up at each of our cemeteries in respect of maintenance and upkeep. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Thank you to those who were present to remember their loved ones in Lifford last Friday. It was an incredible turnout: so encouraging to see so many people.
Requiescat in Pace We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Bernadette Cranley, St Columba’s Grove
Anniversaries Maesi Gilloway, Kathleen Gilloway, Joe Campbell, Joe McShane, Darren Edwards, David Colhoun,Michael Hannigan, Cassie Melaugh, Liam Maguire, May Stewart, Agnes McCallion, May McLaughlin, Don Sweeney, Patrick & Elisha McNamee, Katie & Mary Slevin, Rosie Gallagher, Eddie Patton, Dominic Hegarty, Fr James Clerkin, Fr John Farren
Readings for Sunday 8th June:
1st Reading Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104: 1,24, 29-30, 31,34
2nd Reading: 1 Cor 12 3b-7; 12-13
Gospel John 20: 19-23
Saints of the Coming Week:
Monday: St Marcellinus & St Peter, martyrs
Tuesday: St Kevin, abbot
Wednesday: St Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs
Thursday: St Boniface, bishop & martyr
Friday: St Jarlath, bishop; St Norbert, bishop
Saturday: St Colman of Dromore, bishop
Thank You for your generosity to the collections last week:
Leckpatrick: £1,467 (offertory), £596 (restoration)
Clonleigh: €2,412 (Euro)
Camus: £1,900 (offertory), £1,205 (restoration).
Thanks also to those who pay by standing order.
St Pio Mass will be celebrated on Wed 4th June at 7 pm in Immaculate Conception Church. All welcome to come along and invoke the intercession of St Pio.
St Vincent de Paul, Leckpatrick will meet on Monday 2nd June at 7.30 pm at SVdP, Barrack St, Strabane. New members welcome. Helpline: 07711156924.
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/
Our Parish Pastoral Area Annual Pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Saturday 26th July led by Fr Michael McCaughey, PP. Luxury coach to and from Knock. Bus departs St Patrick’s Church car park, Murlog at 7.30 am. Mass will be celebrated by Fr Michael in the Apparition Chapel at 12.30 pm. Cost for bus and evening meal €30 per person. To book your seat please contact James: 0858767999, Mary: 0877625237 or Bernie: 07853272541.
First Saturday Rosary takes place at the Market Square, Letterkenny on Saturday 7th June at 1 pm. Please bring a friend or two. Everyone welcome.
Pope’s Prayer Intention for June You are invited to answer the Holy Father’s request in praying for this intention: That the world might grow in compassion. Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.
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 7pm. All welcome.
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.
Irish Bishops Call for Prayer & Fasting for Gaza The bishops offered prayers for peace in the Holy Land, for Ukraine, Sudan and in other troubled parts of the world at their Standing Committee meeting in Maynooth on 26th May. “We in Ireland must pray for a change of heart. Throughout the month of June – the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – we call on everyone to pray for an outpouring of the compassion of God on a heartless world… In particular, we call on all Catholics to make Friday 6th June a day of prayer and fasting in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are suffering at this time in the Holy Land.”
Sharing the Good News The weekly newsletter of the Irish Bishops’ Conference can be viewed at https://catholicnews.ie/
St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Derry: Celebrating the Jubilee Year, 2025 as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ Sunday 8th June Pentecost Sunday: All-Night Vigil of Adoration beginning after 12 noon Mass, until Monday 9th before 7am Mass. Monday 9th June: 7.00am Mass at the Hawthorn Tree (beside Fr Lynch’s Grave at the Grotto), concluding all-night Adoration. 7.30pm: Mass of St Columba celebrated by Bishop Philip Boyce, retired Bishop of Raphoe, followed by procession to St Columba’s Well, led by St Colmcille’s Pipe Band. Refreshments and traditional music session in Lower Long Tower PS Hall with Parish Draw. Everyone welcome.
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
All Ireland Rosary Rally at Knock Shrine on Sat 7th June. Events begin at 9.30 am with a Marian Conference and conclude with a Pentecost Vigil / Healing Service from 8–10 pm. Mass at 3 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. Visit www.allirelandrosaryrally.com
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage 2025 to Knock Shrine, led by Bishop McKeown, will take place on Sunday 15th June, with Rosary at 2 pm, followed by Anointing of the Sick at 2.30 pm and concluding with Mass and Eucharistic Procession at 3 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. Please contact 02871262894 /cathedral@derrydiocese.org In conjunction with the pilgrimage, St Eugene’s is running a 2-night pilgrimage to Knock from 15th – 17th June. Cost £280 pps. For information / full itinerary, contact amhickey@derrydiocese.org / 028 71262894.
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.
Accord Marriage Preparation June 20/21st. Visit www.accord.com
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.
Mass Cards / Mass Bouquets are available from the parish office.
An Open Day at Tulacorr Allotment Project takes place on Saturday 7th June from 11 am – 3 pm at the Tulacorr Allotment & Community Garden Project, Tulacorr Heights, Strabane, BT82 8RD. An opportunity to showcase veg, flowers and herb produce grown over the last few months. A variety of produce including hanging baskets, flower pots, surfinias, lobelias, jam and honey will be for sale with all proceeds being re-invested into the Koram Centre. Everyone welcome.
Derry Concern are hosting the annual ‘Hike of Hope’ for humanitarian causes on Scalp Mountain today (Sunday) from 12 noon – 4 pm starting at McLoughlin’s Farm, Brae Rd, Burnfoot, Donegal. Enjoy breathtaking views of Derry City, Buncrana, Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and Inch Island. This family friendly charity challenge (approx 5 miles) is in aid of helping families around the world who are experiencing conflict, displacement and extreme poverty. Suitable for age 7+. Dogs on leads welcome. Celebration with kite flying at summit. Refreshments provided. Adults: £10 / Family: £20. For details contact getinvolved@concern.net
NI Blood Transfusion Service will collect blood donations at Artigarvan Community Hall on Tuesday 3rd June from 1.30 – 4 pm & 5 pm – 7.30 pm.
Visit https://nibts.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/6 or tel 08085534653 to book.
Lough Derg 3 Day Pilgrimages from 30th May – 15th August. Admission €85. Booking is advised. Pilgrims can begin their pilgrimage on any day until 13th August. Contact 00353 7198 61518 / info@loughderg.org
Rosary on the Coast takes place today (Sunday) at 3.00 pm at Lisfannon Beach, praying for peace, Ireland and our unborn children. Everyone welcome.
Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh Healing Service today (Sunday). Rosary at 2.45 pm followed by Mass / Healing Service at 3 pm. Confessions 2 pm – 5 pm.
Foyle Hospice Female Walk / Run takes place on Sunday 8th June at 11.30 am from the Catalyst Building, Bay Road, Derry. You are invited to join us in memory, for fun or in support. Foyle Hospice is celebrating 40 wonderful years of providing vital specialist palliative care and support to patients and families across the North West community. Register now at www.foylehospice.com For more information tel the Fundraising Centre on 028 71359888.
Gamblers Anonymous Tel 71351329. Alcoholics Anonymous Tel 90351222.
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.