Second Sunday In Ordinary Time 17th January 2020
Anniversary & Month’s Mind Masses
Mass will be offered for the following people on the occasion of an Anniversary or Month’s Mind. We remember them, their families and loved ones in our prayers.
Tuesday 19th January 7.30pm Gerry Hegarty
Wednesday 20th January 7.30pm Geraldine McBride
Thursday 21st January 7.30pm Patrick Doherty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Denis McMonagle -Mount Vernon, Anthony O’Sullivan- Kingsfort Park, Thomas Hanley- Alexander House & Kieran Brady- Formerly Shantallow
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Adoration Chapel Pump Street: Will be closed until further notice.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Weekly Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 18th January at 7.30pm Via Webcam.
We shall share in a spiritual network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. While we may still be apart in person, we remain heartfully present with everyone and wish to further connect with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer for all. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal our brokenness at this time of isolation, suffering and loss. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Spiritual Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio. We ask everyone’s assistance to help others connect with this Mass through our webcam – especially the elderly, frail and vulnerable. Please share as best you can knowledge of this Mass with your family & friends. You can access the Mass via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18-25 January. The Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on Monday next, 18th January until Monday the 25th January. The theme this year is “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, based on John 15:1-17. The resources for this year have been provided by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. Obviously, the Covid-19 pandemic has limited our options for marking this week in 2021 but we are encouraged to pray together in our homes and, if possible, via online means. For prayer and other resources visit Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 – Irish Council of Churches and Irish Inter Church Meeting (irishchurches.org).
Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated from 24th-31st January 2021. The theme this year is Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith and Resilience. To launch Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of Derry, Bishop Donal Mc Keown will celebrate Mass on Thursday 21st January at 10 am in St Eugene’s Cathedral, via the webcam. http://steugenescathedral.com/webcam.html The Mass can also be viewed on Saint Eugene’s Cathedral Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/StEugenesCathedral/
Foyle Foodbank, Springtown, Industrial Estate, is open from 11am until 4pm Monday to Friday to help those in food crisis. Telephone 71263699.
Children in Crossfire Advent boxes/Donations be returned to the Parish Office. Alternatively you can send them to the Children in Crossfire office, 2 St Joseph’s Avenue Derry BT48 6TH. If you didn’t get a box and would like one you can still pick them up at the back of the chapel if you are in for private prayer. You can also donate online: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/advent-appeal. The current campaign aims to provide hand washing and sanitation facilities in 700 schools in Tanzania, benefiting up to 80,000 children. Thank you so much for your ongoing support at this challenging time.”
The January edition of The Net, the monthly publication sharing the fruits of faith in the Derry Diocese, is now available on the Diocesan website and Facebook Page – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-january-2021. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the January edition will only be available on the Diocesan website. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. Enquiries to – editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Preparing for Marriage? Catholic Engaged Encounter: A ‘Zoom’ online Marriage Preparation course is planned for 27-28 March 2021. This 2-day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship. Information/Booking: marriageencounter.ie or 028276 38512.
Greater Shantallow Area Partnership and local Churches have come together, to appeal for new or used ipads/tablets, to be given to older members of our communities. Donations towards the campaign would also be greatly appreciated. All ipads/tablets or donations can be left at the Long Tower Sacristy or at Parish Office.
Simon Community: A safe place to call home has never been more important. But for many this winter will be their first without a home. Each day approximately another 50 people become homeless here in Northern Ireland, and we only expect this to rise with the economic impact of coronavirus. They will be adults, children and families, all anxious and frightened for their future. We will provide them with vital shelter and support when they need it most, saving and rebuilding lives. If you would like to make a donation to help someone without a home, please send a cheque payable to Simon Comunity C/o Mrs Amanda Scott, Simon Community NI, 25-27 Franklin Street, Belfast BT2 8DS or go to https://www.simoncommunity.org and donate or phone 028 9023 2882. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact; amandascott@simoncommunity.org.
Priory Institute Online Open Day- Our next semester starts on February 13, 2021 and the Open Day is a chance to look into what it would be like to study with us. People attending our online Open Day here in Tallaght will have the opportunity to meet with current students and staff over Zoom, attend a short introductory lecture on theology and find out if studying theology with us is the right thing for you.
To find out more about the schedule or to register please go to: https://prioryinstitute.com/events/january-priory-institute-open-day.
Accord Derry Virtual Interactive Marriage Preparation Programme. Course Dates, January 12th and 13th 2021, February 9th and 10th 2021 & March 9th and 10th 2021. Booking now online at www.accordni.com.
Accord’s free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ for marriages, families and relationships offers support to those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three numbers are: Accord CLG – 01 531 3331, Accord Dublin – 01 905 9555, Accord NI – 028 9568 0151 or 00353 1 531 3331.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can accessed on the following websites; https://www.churchservices.tv/churches/
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras
https://www.parishwebsites.ie/
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station. Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – Listen via TV on Saorview – Channel 210 and Freeview – Channel 826; Download our FREE APP – “Radio Maria Ireland”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by telephoning +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Please join our growing faith family.
Volunteering opportunity with the British Red Cross. The Red Cross are looking for volunteers to help in their community by joining our Meals on Wheels team. The team provide much needed meals to members of the community on a Mon, Tue, Wed and Thurs which are delivered from 12 noon each day. If you have an hour or two each week to spare, have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle and are interested in joining our team we would like to hear from you. For more information please contact us on the details provided below. Email: Patrickwalker@redcross.org.uk or Tel: 07725205487.