Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time 2nd March 2025
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 March 8.00am Mass Bouquet Intentions
Sunday 2nd March 10.00am Edward Muldoon
Sunday 2nd March 12Noon Ann Stack
Monday 3rd March 7.30pm Cathy Green & Margaret Pickett
Tuesday 4th March 7.30pm David Clifton
Thursday 6th March 7.30pm Monica McGowan
Friday 7th February 7.30pm Eamon Friel
Saturday 8th March 10.00am Philomena McQuaide
Saturday 8th March 6.00pm Gerry Henderson
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Kathleen Murray- Long Tower Court & Veronica Carr- Coshowen.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Tadhg Kelly & Anthony McConnell. To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
May 2025 – Saturday 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2331.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £670.00
The Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by phone on 028-71262301 (during office hours) or via 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 on 028-71262301 or 02871262894. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask the duty nurse on the ward to call the Hospital Chaplain. Thank you.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: With encouraging words for those contemplating a vocation to the diocesan priesthood, St Paul says in our second reading this weekend, “… keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.” We pray in particular for those attending the Vocations Weekend in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, this coming weekend.
Monthly Mass for Mental Health & Mini Vigil to Midnight -Thursday 6th March at 7.30pm. At this Mass we give thanks to God for positive mental health, and to pray for those who are struggling with mental health issues, and to pray for those who care for them. After Mass, Adoration will follow until midnight.
The next monthly Children’s Rosary will take place in Long Tower on Friday 7th March at 3.30pm. Children of all ages accompanied by parent(s)/guardian(s) are all welcome. This prayer group for children is led by Shelaine and Marcella and in accordance with the Diocesan safeguarding policy.
Walk with Me – A Journey of Prayer for Lent 2025. Booklets are available from Parish Office or from Jim Doherty at Church, cost £1.00. These booklets are a useful prayer format for the Holy season of Lent.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2025
‘When we entrust ourselves to the Lord,
We can overcome all obstacles that we encounter on the way.’ Pope Francis
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 5th March 2025
Ash Wednesday – a day of fast and abstinence – Catholics are asked to eat a maximum of one main meal and two collations (light meals) and to abstain from meat.
Ashes will be blessed at the 7am Mass and distributed at the 7am, 10am & 7.30pm Masses. Please note ashes will not be distributed at any other times and not from the Parochial House.
The Holy Land Collection will be taken up at all Masses on Ash Wednesday.
There will be a 7.00am Mass in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday during Lent, beginning Ash Wednesday 5th March and ending Wednesday 16th April, Holy Week.
Friday Penance during Lent:
(i) make a special effort at family prayer (ii) make the Stations of the Cross (iii) do something to help the poor, sick or lonely (iv) make a special effort to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, (v) abstain from meat or some other food.
Lectio Divina will take place on Tuesdays (after evening mass) and Thursdays (after morning mass) upstairs in Aras Cholmcille (excluding Holy Week). All welcome.
Schedule for Stations of the Cross During Lent: Stations of the Cross will be prayed each Monday & Friday before Evening Mass at 7.00pm. Confessions on those days will be at 6.30pm (except during Sr. Clare Retreat).
Lenten Healing Service/ Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Sundays at 5.00pm during the season of Lent, beginning Sunday 9th March with Vespers & Healing Service on alternate Sundays thereafter,
(except Sunday 6th April, close of Sr. Clare Retreat).
Sr. Clare Crockett Retreat: Monday 31st March – Sunday 6th April, details to follow.
Short Term Alcohol Free Promise for Lent: During Lent we try to engage in extra PRAYER, FASTING And ALMSGIVING. Last year quite a number of parishioners promised to stay off alcohol as an act of FASTING and we hope that this will happen again in 2025. If you choose to give up alcohol we ask you to sign up to this FAST in the Sacristy or Parish Office and to wear the special badge to signify your commitment to forego alcohol for the 40 days of LENT. Suggested offering for the badge is £2.00.
Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2025; This is a special year, a time to look back to celebrate all that has been achieved and inspired by the Year of Jubilee, and the 10th anniversary of Laudato Sí’, letting ourselves be renewed in our endeavours to protect our common home, to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si’, 49). This year, Trócaire’s Lenten campaign focuses on Guatemala, a country which is one of the least responsible for causing the climate crisis, yet is bearing the brunt of the consequences. We tell this story through, Ilma and Julio who have four children and depend on farming for their livelihood. Like many families, they are experiencing increasingly erratic weather patterns due to climate change. This is having life-changing consequences on their livelihoods, wellbeing and future. This Lent, may we, empowered to stand in solidarity with them. Find out more at trocaire.org.
LIFE Camp 2025: Living – In – Faith – Everywhere: LIFE Camp is a voluntary organisation staffed by teachers, students and experienced volunteers. It takes place in St. Mary’s College, Northland Road, Derry. We are calling all pupils currently in P3 – P7. Week 1: Tuesday 1st – Friday 4th July and Week 2: Monday 7th July – Friday 11th July. Cost for Week 1 is £35. Cost for Week 2 is £40. To register go to www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Life%20Summer%20Camp
Pioneer Total Abstinence Association: Pope Francis has invited us this Lent to “journey in hope together”. A short-term pledge is available via www.pioneerassociation.org for parishioners who wish to become a “pilgrim of hope” for people who are living under the shadow of addiction.
Mary’s Meals -Emergency in Southern Africa: Southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years, with an estimated 21 million children in the region suffering from malnutrition. Mary’s Meals works in four of the worst effected countries (Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe) providing vital daily school meals to 1.5 million hungry children. To help Mary’s Meals keep providing these life-changing meals and reach more children in need, please keep our work in your prayers and consider donating to this appeal. 10p provides a school meal. Find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212. Thank you for your support of Mary’s Meals.
A Theology Course for Lent: An exploration into Theology – Reading the signs of the times: a theology course presented by Fr Brian Brady will take place on the Tuesdays of Lent, at 7.00pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall. St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall is just a few yards outside the cathedral grounds. The first evening will take place on Tuesday 11th March. Everyone welcome.
Dromantine Retreat & Conference Centre, Newry: Upcoming events being hosted by Dromantine Retreat & Conference Centre:- Saturday 8th March, Workshop led by Fr Hugh Lagan, SMA – A Radical Welcome: Intercultural living and the future of religious life. Registration 9.00am – Cost (incl. lunch £43.00/€50.00. Saturday 15th March, Lenten Retreat Day led by Fr Paddy O’Rourke, SMA – Remain in my love. Registration 9.30am – Cost (incl. Lunch) £38.00/€43.00. Sunday 16th – Saturday 22nd March (AM), Silent Directed Retreat. Registration 4.00pm- Cost £610.00/€720.00. Sunday 16th – Saturday 22nd March (AM), Silent Preached Retreat led by Mr Philip McParland – Lent: Season of Wellbeing. Registration 4.00pm – Cost £610 / €720. Saturday 29th March, Lenten Retreat Day led by Rev Ruth Patterson – Treasures of the Wilderness. Registration 9.30am -Cost (incl. Lunch) £38.00/€43.00. Wednesday 16th – Sunday 20th April (AM), Holy Week Retreat led by the SMA Community. Registration 5.00pm – Cost £385.00/€455.00. Please contact Leanne or Louisa at admin@dromantineconference.com or call us on 028 (048 from ROI) 30 821 964.
Accord Derry – Marriage Preparation Courses: March- June 2025: March 28th/29th April 11th/12th, May 30th/31st & June 20th/21st. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person and NOT virtual.
‘Sing for Joy!’ – A Day of Music and Ministry- Are you involved, or keen to become involved in Church Music in your Parish, School, University etc.? We invite you to join us for ‘Sing for Joy!’ – A Day of Music and Ministry. Saturday 26th April at Lough Derg, Pettigo, Co. Donegal. Boat departs at 9:30am. In the prayerful setting of Lough Derg, this day will provide space for the power of music to nourish our spirit and allow us to give praise to God through the beauty of sound, song and silence. The day will conclude with the Celebration of the Eucharist at 5pm (open to the public). This day is open to young people aged 18-35 and is free to attend (supported by the Knights of St Columbanus). Registration is essential via https://bit.ly/SingforJoy.For further information please contact info@knightsofstcolumbanusomagh.co.uk / +447759496677.
