Sixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time 19thJuly 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 family and loved ones in our prayers.
Sunday 19th July 12 Noon Peter Gallagher
Monday 20th July 7.30pm Bridie Kavanagh
Tuesday 21st July 7.30pm Michelle Green
Wednesday 22nd July 10.00am Maurice & Peggy Brennan
Wednesday 22ndJuly 7.30pm Geraldine Arnott
Thursday 23rd July 7.30pm Liam McSwine
Saturday 25th July 6.00pm John Bryson
Baptisms: We welcome: Martin McConnellogue, Anna Tracey, Katie Dunlop, Kaida Connor- Brown & Ryleigh McCreadie
Confessions: Monday – Friday 7.00-7.25pm, Saturday 11.30am- 12.30pm & 5.15pm-5.50pm
Visitation of the Sick: Due to the Coronavirus visitation of the sick and housebound within our parish is postponed until further notice. For urgent sick calls please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Mass Guidance
Over the last number of days on the news we have heard of confirmed localised cases of the virus and are awaiting news from the NI Executive on mandatory wearing of face masks in all shops and supermarkets. As a result we are now also asking that everyone who can (apart from those with certain health conditions) attending Mass to wear a face covering. We need to redouble our efforts in keeping each other safe, the virus is still very much with us. We must all continue to observe social distancing, use the hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the Church and to receive Holy Communion only in the hand.
We will also continue to have stewards and ushers giving direction as you enter and leave the Church, please follow the guidance given by stewards and ushers, they are acting for the wellbeing of everyone. Entrance and exit doorways must be kept totally free at all times, we do not want to create pinch points. We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to gather together in these uncertain times.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Weekly Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 20th July at 7.30pm.
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
The Gathering
To gather seems to be an intrinsic component built into the wiring of our hearts – from our earliest conception within the divine mother, through eons of time, we long to be together. As everything in nature is governed by opposing forces we too need to be vigilant for the presence of this duality in our lives. It feels, Jesus is helping us become aware of this, showing us the presence of the powerful weed that tries to uproot us from our common home, sabotaging all that is love and good within and between us. Let us not fall into the charms of the one that will take us ‘into the blazing furnace’ – for once we lose our primal bonds we become lost and alone in the dark fields of emptiness. But do not fear, the book of wisdom advises us to hold firm and hope in God’s mercy – for ‘you only have to will, and your power is there.’ May we prepare our hearts for a hallowed harvest, with the Spirit and Angels helping us into the light of the ultimate gathering – together again. Reference and further reading: Wisdom 12:13,16-19, St Paul to Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 13:24-43
Schedule of Masses (Week Beginning Monday 20th July)
& Other Devotions until Further Notice
Monday-Friday
10am – Mass
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions
7.00pm- Rosary
7.00pm- 7.25pm Confessions
7.30pm- Mass
Saturday
10am – Mass
11.30am – 12.30pm – Confessions
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions
5.15pm- 5.50pm – Confessions
6.00pm- Vigil Mass
Sunday
8.00am- Mass
10.00am – Mass
12Noon- Mass
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions
Adoration:
Monday & Friday from 10.30am – 1.00pm & Wednesday 10.30am -7.00pm
New Webcam
Access to Church Services: You can access the webcam via the www.longtowerchurch.org website & clicking on webcam or directly via www.churchmedia.tv and clicking into to St Columba’s Church, Long Tower. https://churchmedia.tv/camera/st-columbas-church-longtower. We would ask that parishioners assist one another where possible to access these resources.
DERRY YOUTH COMMUNITY, a faith-based Gap Year opportunity for young adults aged between 18–25, is now open for applications for the year starting September 2020. DYC offers the opportunity to live in community, to develop and be formed in faith and be involved in youth ministry in parishes. The three main aspects of DYC are: Accompaniment, Community and Encounter. If you are interested in this Gap Year or would like some more information, please email: dyc@derrydiocese.org
The Net– July-August 2020. With the Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the July-August edition of ‘The Net’ will only be available on the Diocesan website at this stage – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-july-august-2020. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. For inclusion of your faith related news in future editions just email: editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Lough Derg Lakeshore and Ancient Pilgrim Path reopens for visitors. Walk & Pray the Ancient Pilgrim Path with the Prior on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th July. Guided Contemplative Walk begins at noon. Approx. 4hr, 12k moderate loop. Booking essential, full details www.loughderg.org or email info@loughderg.org
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.
RTÉ will air Mass every weekday at 10.30am from St Eunan’s and St Columba’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, on RTÉ News Now. RTÉ News Now can be accessed on Saorview (channel 21), Sky (521), Virgin Media (200), Eir (517) as well as via the RTÉ Player, the RTÉ News Now app and via RTÉ.ie/news.