Eleventh Sunday In Ordinary Time 14th June 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 14th June 10.00am Margaret Gormley
Sunday 14th June 12Noon Sean Sheerin
Monday 15th June 7.30pm Jack McGill
Tuesday 16th June 7.30pm Eddie Crossan
Wednesday 17th June 7.30pm Annie McMenamin
Thursday 18th June 7.30pm Charlie Harkin
Friday 19th June 7.30pm Pauline Kelly
Saturday 20th June 6.00pm Rita Hegarty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Bregeen Campbell – Glenabbey Street, Helen Moore- Castleview Park & Rose Bradley- Lavery Fold.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates are 19th September & 3rd & 17th October
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 £3360.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £767.00
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.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: In today’s gospel Jesus encourages us to pray for vocations because there is a great need for workers in the abundant harvest of the Church and the world. We pray that those being called to do this work will respond generously. Here in the diocese of Derry we pray especially for Stephen Baxter who will be ordained as a priest for service in the diocese, in St Columb’s Church, Waterside, at 3pm today, Sunday 14 June. May the Lord of the harvest bless Stephen in his ministry among us.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille & Parish Office, Victoria Place: 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 morning Mass. Please note there is also a selection of religious items now available from the Parish Office at 6 Victoria Place. Thank you for your continued support.
💙 St Columba’s Day 2026 💙
What a fantastic few days it has been celebrating the patron saint of our city and Long Tower, St Columba. We are truly thankful to our faithful parishioners and people from all over who came along to participate in the various events and to all who made this year’s celebrations so memorable, particularly the 80th anniversary of the Long Tower’s Consecration.
We warmly thank Fr John Joe Duffy, PP Creeslough, for leading us all in prayer and in such a beautiful, concelebrated Mass with our beloved and most amazing Folk Group with such uplifting music and singing. Thank you to our fabulous Altar Servers who performed their duties so diligently and to so many young people representing our various Colleges in the City who took the time to be there and participate in the Mass.
To Tommy, Sacristan assisted by Martin who helped prepare the church and sanctuary so beautifully, to Louise, Niall and Laura for the beautiful arrangements of flowers on the Altar and to James Clarke for beautifully restoring the 12 candleholders that once were placed on the walls of the church at the Consecration 80 years ago. We thank St Colmcille Pipe Band, who led the traditional procession to St Columb’s Well and for adding so much joy to the celebration and also to Jim Crossan for looking after the proceedings at the well.
To Mrs Doherty and staff of Long Tower primary school for so kindly providing the use of the lower school hall for a most enjoyable Ceili last Friday night, for the Family Fun Day and for the Parish Party/Draw on St Columba’s night. To Annemarie and Sean for the lovely and lively music on St Columba’s evening and to Christine, Mary, Sheila, Lauren, Aileen, and her family for providing such a welcome cup of tea/coffee and the most delicious treats!
We also thank Mrs Doherty and her beautiful choir, the Gateway singers for their wonderful singing at the celebration of Corpus Christi and the Knights of The Blessed Sacrament for carrying the canopy and to Pat at Cloisters for providing the welcome ice cream to the children and their families who so reverently participated in the Blessed Sacrament procession.
St Columba Day 2026 Parish Draw Winners !
1st Prize– JJ Monaghan
2nd Prize– O Walsh
3rd Prize– J Hasson
4th Prize– M Carlin
5th Prize– N Walker
Promoters Prize– A Gallagher
A big thank you to all who supported the Draw, to Aileen our parish secretary assisted by Mary and all the team who helped to organise and promote the Draw. We thank all the promoters for their tireless generosity and time in selling tickets. And a final thanks to Ciara McDaid, Photographer for such beautiful pictures that captured in time wonderful people, places, and memories over the last few days of celebration. We are truly grateful.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026: Tickets and pilgrim packs will be distributed after a special Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes, Steelstown Road, Derry BT48 8EU on Monday 22 June at 7.00pm. Anyone unable to attend should ask someone to collect the pack for them.
Parish Cell- The weekly parish cell meetings continue on Mondays after 7.30pm mass and on Tuesday’s after 10am mass, in Aras Colmcille (Wee Nuns) on the 1st Floor. The sessions last approx. 1½ hrs. Everyone Welcome to attend.
From St Columba to Sr Clare – united in their calling for Christ, their missionary spirit, their devotion to the Eucharist…#SharedLegacy. Our next big event in the parish: Sr Clare Mass of Thanksgiving at the Brandywell Grotto – Saturday 20th June at 12 Noon. We join with the family and friends of Sr Clare in thanksgiving for the kindness and generosity of all who contributed to the recent fundraising for the school in Ecuador where Sr Clare taught and loved. All welcome!
THE PRAYER OF ST COLUMBA
Be a bright flame before me, O God
a guiding star above me.
Be a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me,
today, tonight, and forever.
Alone with none but you, my God
I journey on my way;
what need I fear when you are near,
O Lord of night and day?
More secure am I within your hand
than if a multitude did round me stand. Amen
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).
Diocese of Derry Lough Derg Pilgrimage 2026: The Three-Day Pilgrimage will take place from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July. Lough Derg welcomes people seeking prayer, peace, reflection and renewal. For those availing of the bus transport (from St Eugene’s Cathedral via Strabane and Lifford) the cost is £95 / €110, including bus transport. Booking form/full details are available at derrydiocese.org/lough-derg.
St Joseph’s Boys’ School will host a coffee morning on Monday 22nd June 9am – 11am for Olive Branch for Gaza appeal. All welcome to attend.
All-Ireland Rally for Life takes place in Belfast on Saturday 4th July. Please join us to make a stand to protect Ireland’s unborn babies. Coaches will be travelling from towns across Northern Ireland. To book your seat contact 02890278484/ 07592280522 or email info@preciouslife.com.
Sean Davis “4 Day Outdoor Summer Fun Soccer Academy” takes place at Templemore Sports Complex on Monday 6th to Thursday 9th July 2026. Boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years are welcome. Times: 10:00 am to 3.00 pm. For further details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 07787791880.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
