Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time 2nd August 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 2nd August 10.00am Johnny Hegarty
Sunday 2nd August 12Noon Jim Gillespie
Friday 7th August 10.00am RMA
Saturday 8th August 10.00am Kathleen Armitage
Saturday 8th August 6.00pm John Bradley
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; James McMonagle-Elmgrove
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Malachy Harkin & Caelan Donnelly.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates 17th October & 7th & 21st November
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 £2960.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £811.00
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.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille & Parish Office. We stock a variety of gifts & cards, candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & mementos. The shop is open throughout the week after 10am Mass. There is also a selection of religious items, mass cards, mass bouquet cards and candles available from the parish office, 6 Victoria Place. Thank you for your support.
‘Cloisters Cafe’ – New Opening Times for July and August- Wednesday – Sunday, 9am to 3pm). Your Sunday breakfast favourites are served until 3pm. Whether you’re craving a full breakfast or something light we’ve got you covered.
Evening Masses-Please not there will be NO 7.30pm evening Mass (Monday- Friday) in Long Tower from 3rd to 28th August inclusive, the Church will close at 6pm on those days. The 7.30pm evening mass will resume on Monday 31st August. Thank you for your co-operation.
Wednesday Adoration in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower: Please note that throughout the Wednesday’s of August Adoration will finish at earlier time of 6.00pm. Thank you for your co-operation.
Parish Cell Prayer Meetings: Please note there will be NO meetings throughout August. The meetings will resume again on Monday 7th September after morning mass (in room above sacristy) and after evening mass (in the upper room, Aras).
The Long Tower Parish recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children and is committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing. We are committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church and recognise that we also have a special responsibility towards all vulnerable people who are members of our faith community. Our parish safeguarding representatives are Ms Josephine Brown and Ms Jennifer Kearney. If you have any concerns with regard to safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie O’Kane, Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Tel: NI 075 96500 793 / ROI (0044) 75 96500 793 or at mariegormley@derrydiocese.org. Additional contact numbers: N Ireland PSNI: 101 or Social Services WHSCT Tel +442871314090 (Ask for Duty Social Worker).
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray for the men called to priesthood. Like Jesus in today’s gospel, may they never turn away from the poor, the hungry, the most vulnerable, or those in need, but always reflect the love of Christ for them as they nourish and strengthen them with the Word of God.
An Audio-Visual tour of the Long Tower Church is available. The guide which is narrated by Bishop Donal McKeown, offers a great insight into the history and sacredness of our beautiful Church. If you’re hosting visitors or you simply want to deepen your own appreciation, why not try the audio guide, priced at just £2.00. For further details, call into Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of The Long Tower Church or email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com.
Fr. John Forbes has recently published a book of reflections through poetry entitled ‘Remembering the Floating Moments of Life’. The book costs £10 with net proceeds being donated to Children in Crossfire and to support the Cause for Sr Clare’s Canonisation. You can purchase the book in Siopa Cholmcille or from the Parish office during office hours. Thank you for your support.
Servant Sisters The Sisters of the Home of the Mother host weekly formation meetings on Tuesdays at 7.30pm, in the Parochial House, Cross, Killygordon, (F93PN0X), and the weekly Holy Hours on Thursdays at 7 pm. All welcome.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: September 25th & 26th & November 20th & 21st 2026: All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. There are still places available on these courses. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during October or December 2026.
Marriage and Relationship Counselling with Accord NI: Help us help you support your marriage and relationship. If you feel your relationship is in crisis or you need a little guidance and help, either face to face or online, contact your local ACCORD centre. Every year Accord help thousands of couples rebuild and sustain healthy relationships. For support, call 028 9023 3002 or visit accordni.com.
Mary’s Meals – Step by Step Walk: Mary’s Meals is currently feeding over 3 million children a daily school meal across 16 countries. Our Annual Step by Step to Feed the Next Child 2 Bridges walk (Foyle and Peace Bridges Derry) takes place on Sunday 9th August. Starting Point is at Sainsbury’s Car Park, Strand Road at 12 noon. All Welcome to participate even for a mile or two. For further details and to register online visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/step or contact Caoimhe on 07394564065. Please do keep all our walkers in your prayers.
Encounter School of Ministry Course is launching in All Saints Church, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal in September. If you would like to know more, we are hosting a Zoom Q&A Session on Thursday 6th August from 8 – 9pm. If you wish to attend this session, please email donegal@encounterschool.org. You can also get more information on the course at www.encounterschool.org.
Youth 2000 Summer Festival | 13th–16th August. Calling all young people aged 16–35! Join us at the Youth 2000 Summer Festival in Newbridge College, Co. Kildare. This is a donation-only event, with free buses available across the country and all meals included. Expect inspiring talks and workshops, Mass, music, prayer, and plenty of opportunities to chill out and meet other young Catholics. Whether you are new to the faith or looking to be refreshed, all are welcome. To register/find out more, visit youth2000.ie.
‘Embrace the Grace’ Young Adult Catholic Conference – 29th August 2026 – Legion of Mary: ‘Embrace the Grace’ is a conference on faith and culture for young adults (18-40) with talks, prayer, Mass, confession, workshops, food and social in the historic Legion of Mary headquarters at De Montfort House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7. It will be a chance to build faith in friendship with young adults from across the country. This event takes place on Saturday 30th August from 9.30am to 6.00pm with a social afterwards. Tickets cost €20 and can be booked on the eventbrite website by looking up ‘Embrace the Grace’. Any queries can be directed towards deusetpatria@gmail.com.
Treehouse Crèche: A few places have become available in the afternoon group for Treehouse Crèche (at the bottom of Westway Derry just behind McCloskey’s shop) for September, the times for the crèche are 12.30pm to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and 1.15pm until 3.30pm on a Friday. If your child is 2 yrs old after the 1st July this year you can contact us by messaging on our Facebook page or email crechetreehouse@gmail.com or ring or text us on 07864655522.
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy Commercial Free Broadcasting – Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting Music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies. Here’s How You Can Listen: Via Digital TV – Saorview Channel 210, Download Our FREE App “Radio Maria Ireland”, Streaming On Our Website – www.radiomaria.ie ,Via Our ‘Listen Live Radio’ Link On Our Facebook Page, Via PHONE – Get Live Radio Feed By Calling +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (No Extra Charges Apply).
Cancer Focus NI – Pink Colour Fun Run – Ebrington Square, 18th October. Details available at www.cancerfocusni.org/foyle-pink-run.
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 2nd August at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. Everyone welcome.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
