EASTER
MESSAGE
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all
our parishioners every blessing, joy and peace on
this Easter Sunday. May the life of the risen Christ
remain forever in your hearts.
A heartfelt thanks for the way you witnessed to your
faith during Lent. It was most heartening to see the
great number of people who attended daily Mass. The
7.00am, 10.00am and 7.00pm Masses were very well attended.
The early morning Mass witnessed a large increase
this year and a very special thanks to Bishop Francis
who was up like a lark every morning to celebrate
the early Mass. To Hugo, and Columba his assistant
we are also very grateful. Our gratitude also to all
those who attended the Eucharistic Healing Services.
A special thanks to Nuala and Ciara for once again
looking after the Mass for Children on Holy Thursday
afternoon. Ciara and her schools choir will be available
once a month for the Sunday Mass at 10.00am and that
is a very welcome development This has now become
a very important feature of our Holy Thursday. To
Ronan and the choir, (Ronan returns every Sunday morning
for the 12.00noon Mass) Noel, who leads our very talented
Traditional Irish Group, St. Joseph’s Brass
Band, readers, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist,
altar personnel, those who cleaned the chapel, Marian
and her team for the magnificent Easter garden in
the sanctuary and for her beautiful Easter flowers
a very big “Thank You.” Hayley designed
the tomb and additions have been made again this year.
The overall effect is superb.
Well done everyone.
Srs Carmel and Benedict continue to do great work
for the parish in many obvious and not so obvious
ways. Selling the Easter and Christmas Mass cards,
helping with the liturgy, assisting with the confirmation
meal at the parochial house and other such occasions,
leading the Contemplative Prayer Group, Eucharistic
Services, participating in the Parish Pastoral Council,
bringing comfort to the those bereaved, St. Vincent
de Paul, hospital visits, looking after the altar
linen, and many other smaller things besides. They
bring a wealth of experience, wise counsel and a whole
range of contacts to the pastoral scene in our parish
and we owe them both a great debt of gratitude. Long
may they have the health to continue their invaluable
work.
Since this time last year our PA system has been
installed and people continually tell us how it makes
a huge difference at Mass. Michael Kielty is always
at hand to help and assist and we are very grateful
to him as well. Brian, Jimmy, Ted, John and Declan
have painted the porch and will touch up areas in
the church after Easter that need attention. Stephen
Mc Gonagle has arranged an original light fitting
in the porch which is now also flood lit. Again many
thanks. There is no news whatever about parish savings
so we are as far forward now as we were at Christmas.
I know that former sites of the Convent Grammar and
Our Lady of Mercy schools are causing great concern
by their state of dereliction and ongoing vandalism.
The OLOM site is owned by the diocese of Derry and
the Covent Grammar site is owned by the Sisters of
Mercy. We can assure you that we have been in constant
contact with both parties and steps are underway to
implement the demolition of both buildings. We have
impressed on them the urgency of the situation and
look forward to progress on both sites in the not
too distant future.
The Parish Pastoral Council is now in its second
year and the members are working very well together
for the good of the community. We are very grateful
for their commitment. We would like our parishioners
to avail more of the superb facilities in St. Patrick’s
Hall and after Easter we will run a campaign to attract
further custom.
In the meantime enjoy the Easter break with your family
and friends. May the light of this season shine forever
in your hearts.
Declan Boland PP.
PRAYER GROUP
There will be no prayer meeting this Monday evening.
The prayer group will resume after the Easter break.
ANNIVERSARIES
Rebecca Doherty, Mary Caulfield,
Eddie Devlin, Katie Quinn,
Paddy Kelly, Sarah Conroy,
Ruby Casey, Ann McAteer,
Sarah McNamee, Jeannie McCabe,
Alfred Vaughan, Margaret Vaughan,
Mary McGinley, Claire Boyle,
George Doherty Snr.
DEATHS
We offer our deepest sympathy to the
family and friends of:
Catherine Holland,
Laurel Drive
Philomena Adair,
Bridge Street
May they rest in peace
PRAY FOR PRIESTS
The diocese published a prayer card
with the names of all the Derry diocesan priests.
Every day a specific priest is named. This week we
ask you to pray for:
Fr. Colm Morris, Retired, 12 April
Fr. Joseph Morris, Retired, 13 April
Fr. Aidan Mullan PP, Waterside, 14
April
Fr. Kevin Mullan PP, Drumquin, 15
April
Fr. Michael F Mullan CC, Dungiven,
16 April
Fr. Patrick J Mullan PP, Faughanvale,
17 April
Fr. Francis Murray CC, Cappagh, 18
April
PARISH ENVELOPES
The new boxes of envelopes have now been distributed.
The parish envelope weekly collection is the main
source of income for our parish and it is vital that
as many as possible use them. If it has not been your
custom to use the weekly envelopes why not begin this
year? If you would like a box of envelopes please
contact the parish office, Tel., 71882215 .
This is also a time to register a very sincere "THANK
YOU" to all our parishioners and friends of the
parish who support us by their generosity and presence.
This witness is deeply appreciated and we ask you
for your continuing support at this time.
Gift Aid is a very simple method of helping the parish
financially. If you are using a parish envelope and
pay tax, for every £1 you pay to the Church,
if you are in the scheme, the Church recoups 28p.
There are no hidden snags and it doesn't interfere
whatsoever with any other financial arrangements you
may have. If you would like to contribute to the Gift
Aid Scheme please contact the parish office, Tel.,
71882215.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
The annual ceremony of the blessing
of graves for the parish of Camus will be held on
Sunday 14 June at 3.00pm.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Holy Communion for all P.4 pupils
will take place in the parish on Saturday 30 May.
First confessions will be arranged at a later date.
PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of April will take place in
the parish office on Thursday 30 April at 2.30pm.
Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the
parish office as soon as possible. We remind all our
subscribers that all those who are fully paid members
by April will be entered into an extra Draw.
THORNHILL CENTRE
Who is St. Paul?: This 4 week course
will be held in the Thornhill Centre on Mondays beginning
4 May from 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Cost £30.00 (payable
in instalments). To book phone 71351233.
Working with Dreams: An exploration
of the Dream World from the Christian perspective
begins Thursday 23 April from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. For
more details phone 71351233.
Poetry Workshop: These Wednesday
Workshops led by Mary Murphy will examine poetry and
help develop poetry techniques as an aid to writing
poetry. Dates: 22 April, 6 & 20 May, 3 June, 7.30pm
- 9.30pm. Cost £5.00 per night. Phone 71351233
to reserve a place.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
There will be a meeting of the Alzheimer’s
Support Group on Wednesday 15 April at 7.30pm in Melmount
Manor Care Home, 1 Orchard Road, Strabane. The guest
speaker will be Liz Mitchell, University of Ulster,
Course Director, speaking on, Course Training For
Nurses and Health Care Workers. Everyone welcome.
CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS -
ST. PATRICK'S NATIONAL SCHOOL,
MURLOG, LIFFORD
The celebrations will take place on Saturday 23 May
with an open day in the School from 12.00noon until
4.00pm. There will be a Mass of celebrations at 7.30pm
in St. Patrick's church Murlog. At 9.30pm we will
meet up in St. Patrick's Hall, Strabane and continue
our celebrations with a night of craic, fun and food.
Tickets are €10 and can be purchased from Dympna
McCauley Murlog, Bridget McKinney Murlog, Marie Porter
Cavan, Olive McConnell, Spring Hill, Michael McKinney,
Lifford, or from the school. The Centenary Book will
be launched in Ballyduff Park on Friday 8 May at 8.00pm.
The Book can be purchased for €10 at the book
launch or on the day of the celebrations.
ST. PATRICK’S
HALL
Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this
Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.
LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 2 match 3 winners in last week's Draw
Eileen Porter and Kay Bradley
The numbers drawn were:
8, 16, 23, 24
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £1150.00
LIFFORD PLAYERS
The Lifford Players with their award-winning
play, "The Black Stranger" will be appearing
in St. Patrick's Hall on 19 April. Admission £6.00
or £5.00 concessionary. Doors open at 7.30pm.
N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE
A team from the N.I. Blood Transfusion
Service will be in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday
22 April from 1.30pm - 4.00pm and 5.15pm - 8.00pm.
The Blood Transfusion Service would appeal for the
support of all existing blood donors and welcome new
donors.
ST. PATRICK'S LUNCHEON CLUB
St. Patrick's Luncheon Club are having a Social/Dance
on Monday 20 April in St. Patrick's Hall. Music is
by Country Storm. Doors open at 9.00pm. Admission
£5.00 (includes a light supper).
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LUCKY LOTTO DRAW
The numbers drawn were 9, 19, 22,
23.
There was no Jackpot winner. 10 matched
3 numbers: May Brolly, Joe McCosker, Sean Crawford,
Sarah Quinn, Jude Maguire, Kathleen Gillespie, Michael
Gormley, Linda McGinley, Kathleen Hoynes, Charles
Doherty. Jackpot for May is £1200.00. Next Draw
will take place on Sunday 3 May at 9.00pm at Melmount
parish bingo.
PRAYER CORNER
AWAKEN ME
Risen One, come, meet me in the garden
of my life.
Lure me into elation. Revive my silent hope.
Coax my dormant dreams. Raise up my neglected gratitude.
Entice my tired enthusiasm.
Give life to my faltering relationships.
Roll back the stone of my indifference.
Unwrap the deadness in my spiritual life.
Impart heartiness in my work.
Risen One, send me forth as a disciple of your unwavering
love, a messenger of your unlimited joy.
Resurrected One, may I become ever more convinced
that your presence lives on, and on, and on, and on.
Awaken me! Awaken me!
PARISH BULLETIN
Please note there will be no parish bulletin until
Sunday 26 April.
NOTICES FOR PARISH BULLETIN
In order to facilitate printing we
ask that all notices and anniversaries for the parish
bulletin are either given to the sacristan or left
at the parish office by Wednesday morning at the latest.
