The Ascension of The Lord 17th May 2026
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.
Sunday 17th May 10.00am John Carlin
Sunday 17th May 12Noon Jim Smith
Monday 18th May 10.00am Magdalen Nelis
Monday 18th May 7.30pm Edgar & Ian McCormick & Rosemary Gallagher
Tuesday 19th May 10.00am Billy McDowell
Tuesday 19th May 7.30pm Tony Logue
Wednesday 20th May 7.30pm Davy Page
Thursday 21st May 7.30pm Johnny Doherty
Friday 22nd May 7.30pm Dessie Duffy
Saturday 23rd May 6.00pm Anna, Harry & Martha Burns
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Charlie Doherty- Harding Street, Sean Sheerin- Ivy Terrace & Pauline Kelly- Elmwood Street
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Daithí Feeney, Tara Carlin, Elliott Young- McCann & Tilly Doherty- Griffin.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates are 11th July, 5th & 19th September
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Visitation of the Sick at Home & in Hospital. For urgent sick calls to those at home please contact the parish office 02871262301. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask duty nurse on the ward to call hospital chaplain. Thank you.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2411.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £860.00
The Parish Office: Please contact the parish office during office hours to arrange all Anniversary and Months Mind Masses, as well as to book Baptisms & Weddings. Please call the parish office by 12Noon on Thursdays with names for weekend Anniversary list. The Parish Office is open Monday- Friday from 9am to 2.30pm, Tel: 028-71262301 or via email at longtower@derrydiocese.org. For urgent sick calls, please use the office telephone number at all times.
Fr. Gerard kindly invites all Sacristans, Altar Server Leaders, Secretaries, Eucharistic Minsters, Collectors, Readers, Children’s Liturgy Facilitators, Pope John Paul II Award Leaders & Parents (who are involved in programmes) Parish Council members, SVDP members, Choir members, Cleaners, Ground workers and all those interested in safeguarding to a safeguarding children information meeting in Aras Cholmcille on Monday 1st June, 6pm- 7pm, facilitated by Briege O’Neill, Diocesan Safeguarding office. Please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 if you are able to attend.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: On Ascension Sunday we celebrate World Communications Day. We pray for those who will be called as priests to preach the Gospel, to communicate the Good News of God’s love as God reveals it to us in His Word and in the person of Jesus Christ.
St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Annual Parish Draw 2026: Tickets are NOW ON SALE & SELLING FAST!!! Price £5/per ticket. The draw will take place 9th June, St Columba’s Feast Day. 1st prize £2600, 2nd prize £1000, 3rd prize £500, 4th prize £300, 5th prize £200. Promoters prize of £100. Anyone wishing to purchase tickets or to be a promoter can call at or contact the Parish office on 02871262301, Monday to Friday 9am – 2.30pm or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org. We would also ask promoters to make their ticket returns during office hours 9am-2.30pm Monday- Friday. Thank you for your support.
We congratulate P.4 pupils from Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir who celebrated the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in Long Tower on Friday 15th May. Thanks to all who made the occasion so special. We hope you all had a lovely day!
First Holy Communion dates 2026 – St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School & Ballougry
Primary School will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 1.30pm.
Job Opportunity- Derry Diocesan Trust
Temporary Administrative & Financial Officer (15 Hours per week for 6 months) in Doneyloop Parish of Urney & Castlefin, Co. Donegal, based in the Parochial House). Working Days & Times to be negotiated. Reporting to the Parish Priest, the role entails provision of administrative and financial support. For application packs please telephone 028 7126 2302 or email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12noon, on Wednesday 27th May 2026.
Caretaker, St Joseph’s Hall, Omagh: 20 Hours Per Week. One-year fixed term contract (with possibility of extension). Days and times in agreement with Parish Priest and to facilitate operational needs of the parish and may include evening and weekend work. For job description and application pack please telephone (028) 7126 2302 or email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to: Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12noon on Friday 29th May 2026. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
A Marian Evening of Prayer will be held in St Mary’s Church, Creggan, on Wednesday 27th May. event is hosted by Derry Youth Ministry, who are preparing for their diocesan pilgrimage to Fatima in August of this year. The night will begin at 7:00pm with a rosary procession (outdoors, weather permitting), followed by a short talk on Our Lady and the Eucharist, Adoration, and Benediction. Music will be provided by the Diocesan Youth music group, with refreshments following in the community room. All ages welcome! Contact Bethany at bethany.doherty@derrydiocese.org for more details.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: June 2026: June 19th/20th. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses in July or August.
The Columban Young Adults is a new group for those aged 18 – 30 in the diocese, who are seeking a community of like-minded young adults who have Christ at the centre of their lives. The next event will be a talk and meditation on Marian Devotion on Thursday 21 May at 7pm, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, delivered by Fr Declan McGeehan. The meditation will be followed by Solemn Benediction and finish with light refreshments.
Cemetery Sunday: The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 7 June 2026 at 3.00 pm.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Saturday 6th June 2026. In conjunction with the All Ireland Rosary Rally, we will join those gathered to celebrate at our National Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. For those for whom it is convenient, buses will leave St Eugene’s Cathedral, at 8am: cost £50, which includes dinner in Knock House Hotel following the conclusion of the Mass in the Basilica. For further information, please contact Karen in the parish office at St Eugene’s on 028 7126 2894 or by email at cathedral@derrydiocese.org. Full schedule to follow.
Derry Youth Fundraising Concert: Derry Youth Ministry will be holding a Fundraising Concert to raise money for their upcoming Fatima Pilgrimage. The concert will take place in St Anne’s Parish Hall, Brisland Road, Eglinton at 7.30pm on Saturday 6th June. Come and enjoy a great night of entertainment, raffle prizes and light refreshments, all while supporting our young people on their pilgrimage. Tickets are £10, for tickets and more info please call 02871264087 or email ddcc@derrydiocese.org.
Diocese Of Derry Lough Derg Pilgrimage 2026: Diocese of Derry Three-Day Pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place from Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July 2026. Lough Derg continues to welcome people seeking prayer, peace, reflection and renewal in the midst of busy lives. A bus will travel from St Eugene’s Cathedral, via Strabane and Lifford. Cost: £95 / €110 including bus transport. You are welcome, of course, to use your own means of transport. Booking form and full details available at: derrydiocese/lough-derg.
DEEDS – Supporting the Carer Series. The third talk in our supporting the carer series focuses on how to get a social worker, accessing care and support available for carers. This is a great opportunity! For more information, contact Eilish on 02871 373870 or eilish@olt.ie.
Encounter Weekend, Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. 6pm – 10.30pm Friday 5th June. 9am – 10.30pm. Saturday 6th June. Expect to experience the presence of God through the celebration of the Sacraments, Spirit-led worship, inspiring talks, healing service, and fellowship. Keynote Speakers: Patrick Reis & Fr. Patrick Gonyeau. Bookings at https://encounterschoolofministrydoneg.regfox.com/encounter-conference-donegal For more info, email donegal@encounterschool.org.
Silent Retreat: Venue: Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, Date: 13th – 19th July 2026, Theme: “If you but knew the gift of God…” Preached by: Fr. Kilian Byrne, Foyer of Charity. Cost: £395/ €450 Full Board Contact: Helen 00353 86 1678027/ hellywilliams@gmail.com www.foyerofcharity.ie
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 17th May at 3pm on Benone Strand, Magilligan. Everyone welcome.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
