|
“Do not be afraid; He has risen from the dead” These are the sacred words that the Angel of Light declared to the women at the sepulchre where Jesus had been buried three days before. He had defied death’s power and all human means to hold him in the tomb with the ‘great stone’ sealed with mortar. As Saint Paul remarks, Jesus was beyond human flesh, his former self destroyed and glorified by his Father, never to die again, “his life now with God”. Insightfully, he also reveals how we are connected to the death and resurrection of Jesus through our baptism, which helps reassure and soothe any fears we have of dying. Because in baptism, “we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death” so that we would be given a second chance to live a new life through his resurrection. In other words, a lifetime of wrong thoughts, words and actions will be crucified and wiped out to allow us to rise and unite with His glorified body. Therefore, do not be afraid, for Jesus is waiting to greet us all on our return to ‘Galilee’. Matthew 28:1-10, St Paul to the Romans 6:3-11. Fr. Gerard, Fr. John, Fr. Peter & Carmelite Fathers would like to wish everyone a very Happy & Holy Easter Season. Sincere thanks to everyone who has helped and to all who have participated in any way with the Easter Ceremonies, it is very much appreciated.
|
EASTER WEEK
Mass Times: Morning Mass at 10.00am, Monday 6th April to Friday 10th April
Please note there will be NO Evening Mass from Monday 6th April to Friday 10th April (inclusive). Normal Masses resume on Saturday 11th April.
Confessions: Confessions will resume on Saturday 11th April at 5pm.
Adoration: There will be NO Adoration on Wednesday 8th April.
Support Trocaire This Lent: Please return your donations as soon as possible
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 5th April 12Noon Eddie Ryan
Tuesday 7th April 10.00am Lily Sweeney
Wednesday 8th April 10.00am Stephen Quigley
Friday 10th April 10.00am RMA Mass
Saturday 11th April 6.00pm Danny & Richard Quigley
Sunday 12th April 10.00am Billy Green
Sunday 12th April 12Noon Carol McShane
Thursday 16th April 7.00am Elizabeth O’Hagan
Saturday 18th April 6.00pm Angela McLaughlin
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates are 9th & 30th May
13th & 27th June & 11th & 25th July 2026
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 £3112.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £906.00
The Parish Office: Please contact the parish office during office hours to arrange all Anniversary/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, 9am to 2.30pm, Tel: 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org. For urgent sick calls, please use the office number at all times. Please note: The parish office will be closed during Easter week & re-open Monday 13th April at 9am. The next parish bulletin will be Sunday 19th April.
Children’s Liturgy: There will be NO Children’s Liturgy next Sunday 12th April. The Children’s Liturgy will resume on Sunday 19th April at 12Noon Mass.
Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday and finishes on Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April. There will be Divine Mercy Devotions in St Mary’s Church, Creggan led by Bishop Donal McKeown on Sunday 12th April at 3pm.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray for an increase in vocations to the diocesan priesthood, that the men called to be priests will preach and live by the gospel, the Good News of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, risen from the dead, our hope of resurrection and everlasting life.
Derry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026: All places on the pilgrimage are filled. However, if places become available through cancellations these will offered to those on the waiting list. All pilgrims are asked to complete final payment as soon as possible. The Pilgrimage office will be closed during Easter Week 6th – 11th April inclusive.
The New Parish Collection Envelopes which start on Sunday 12th April have now been issued. If you still have not received your envelopes, please in the first instance check with Tommy or Patrick at the Sacristy during Mass times, alternatively telephone the parish office during office hours 9am -2.30pm Monday-Friday, Tel: 028-71262301. Please note the parish office will be closed for Easter and re-open on Mondy 13th April at 9am. If you would like to Gift Aid your donations or set up a standing order, please also contact the parish office. We also have a donate button on our parish website which can also be used to make weekly contributions. Thank you for your ongoing support it is very much appreciated.
St Columba’s Church, Long Tower -The Annual Sr Clare Retreat- Monday 13th – Sunday 19th April.
“I prefer Paradise” – Remembering Sr Clare’s 10th Anniversary. Pardon and Peace: Reflecting on the Gift of Reconciliation, ‘Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord’ (Psalm 84).
Monday 13th April – Friday 17th April –Daily Mass at 7am & 10am.
Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th & Friday 17th– 7pm– Evening Service with Benediction & Guest Speaker. Wednesday 15th – 7pm – Eucharistic Healing.
Thursday 16th – 7pm- Solemn Concelebrated Mass to mark 10th Anniversary of Sr Clare.
Saturday 18th – 10am – Mass with Anointing of the Sick, 3pm Service with Benediction and Guest Speaker.
Sunday 19th April: 3pm – Closing Mass celebrated by Most Rev Donal McKeown.
Guest Speakers: Monday – Sr Kristen Gardner, Tuesday – Fr Victor, Wednesday – Fr Declan Boland, Thursday – Fr Eamon Graham, Friday – Thomas Gallagher, Saturday – Marie Patton, Sunday – Bishop Donal McKeown.
Please note parking is available in the grounds of Lumen Christi College on Bishop Street (with access to Long Tower church via side gate on to Cook Street) and also in Long Tower Primary School (upper school off Bishop Street) each evening from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Please avoid parking outside the homes of residents in Charlotte Street, as well as surrounding residential areas & on the Flyover to prevent obstruction and congestion of traffic. Thank you for cooperation.
Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima: We are inviting young people aged 16+ to join us on pilgrimage to Fatima for 5 nights from 3rd – 8th August. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with their peers from around the world in a faith context. Cost is £820 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible to secure a place. For more info/ to book in please contact bethany.doherty@derrydiocese.org 02871264087.
The Padre Pio Prayer Group, Holy Family, Ballymagroarty. The next Mass takes place on Tuesday 7th April starting with Rosary at 6.45pm, celebration of holy mass at 7.15pm & blessing with a first class relic of St. Pio, while closing prayers are recited. All Welcome.
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 5th April at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. Everyone welcome.
Gamblers Anonymous: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
