Feast of St Brigid, Abbess, Secondary Patron Of Ireland
Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time 1st February 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 1st February 10.00am Eamon Melaugh
Sunday 1st February 12Noon Brian McFeely
Monday 2nd February 7.30pm Mickey & May Hamilton
Tuesday 3rd February 7.30pm MaryAnn Devenney
Wednesday 4th February 7.30pm Kathleen Barber
Thursday 5th February 7.30pm Raymond Bradley
Friday 6th February 7.30pm RMA Mass
Saturday 7th February 10.00am Dylan Doherty
Saturday 7th February 6.00pm Don & Charlie Gormley & Peter Melarkey
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Gary Page- Rosemount Gardens & Brian Molloy- Ivy Mead
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Grace Moore, Teddy-James Tinney & Elijah Toalnd-Truckle. To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
The next available Baptism date is 25th April 2026
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 £2987.00
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 will visit the sick in his care in the following areas, the week beginning Monday 2nd February; Mountjoy Street, Long Tower Court, Abercorn Road, Bishop Street, Corporation Street, Belview Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Ardfoyle, Jack Allen Court, The Metropole, Bridge Street & Alexander House.
Fr. Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas beginning Monday 9th February; Meenan Drive, Dove Gardens, Lecky Road, Deanery Street, Bluebell Hill Gardens, Kerrigan’s Close, Quarry Street, Drumcliffe Avenue, Lone Moor Road, Nualamount, Old City Court, Old City Close & Mullenan Road.
This Sunday 1st February – Feast of St Brigid, Abbess, Secondary Patron of Ireland. St. Brigid was born in 451 in Dundalk in Ireland and died in 525. She is patron saint of many things, including poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock and dairy production. St Brigid is also well known for the Brigid’s Cross. Traditionally, crosses made from rushes, reeds, or straw are crafted on St. Brigid’s Eve to protect households from fire and evil. The crosses would be hung above doors or entryways, for the blessing and protection of the saint and to this day is one of the most popular ways to celebrate Brigid. It is said that the Brigid’s cross was designed by the saint to teach pagans about Christianity. Crosses will be blessed at all Masses. St. Brigid, pray for us.
Confirmation 2026 for St Columba’s Church, Long Tower: Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on this Thursday 5th February 2026 at 1.30pm. Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of the Long Tower Primary School, Nazareth House Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place this Friday 6th February 2026 at 1.30pm.
Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre & Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop: The shop is open after 10am morning Mass throughout the week. We have a new range of stock to include Confirmation & First Holy Communion cards and gifts, along with cards, candles and gifts for St Brigid’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and Mother’s Day. For all enquiries, please call -028 71368491.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church. The café is open Tuesday – Saturday 9am to 3pm and also on Sunday’s from 10am-3pm, with Sunday breakfast being served until 12Noon and Sunday lunches being served from 12Noon-3pm.
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. We invite you to gather with us in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower this Thursday 5th February at 7.30pm for Mass followed by Mini Vigil to 10pm for healing and intercession. At this Mass we will pray for the cause of Sister Clare in the Monastic site where St. Columba knelt and prayed. Everyone welcome.
Vocations Retreat Weekend for anyone (18+) interested in the diocesan priesthood, in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, Friday 6th – Sunday 8th March 2026. Please register using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/discernment-retreat-for-the-diocesan-priesthood-tickets-1980332502825?aff=oddtdtcreator. For further information, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan, at pgoh2111@gmail.com.
Job Opportunities Derry Diocesan Trust
Ardmore Parish: Sacristan – St Mary’s Church, Ardmore, Derry. Part-time – 16 hours per week. The Sacristan will ensure effective security of the church and associated maintenance and cleaning whilst organising all associated liturgical requirements in line with diocesan guidelines. 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 12 noon on Monday 9th February 2026. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: January to June 2026: January 23rd/24th, February 20th/21st, March 27th/28th, April 24th/25th, May 15th/16th & 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 during July or August 2026.
Job Opportunity: The Iosas Centre, Derryvane, Muff, Co Donegal, is seeking to employ a Programme Coordinator to organise and facilitate groups. The role involves welcoming and leading prayer experiences for schools and parishes, and tailored programmes for community groups in the natural beauty of the Celtic Prayer Garden. If you think this job is suited to you, you are asked to send your details to info@sanctuarydonegal.com
The Padre Pio Prayer Group, Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty will be celebrating their 20th year anniversary on Tuesday 3rd February. We will begin at 6.45pm with the rosary, followed by holy mass, then the priest will bless everyone with a first class relic of St. Pio. Everyone is welcome.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July. The Lourdes office in the Pastoral Centre, Bishop Street, Derry, is now open Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Tel: 02871260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com for more information. All applications welcome. We are also appealing to those who could volunteer to join our Medical Team as a Nurse or Carer to please contact the office, as soon as possible. Thank you.
The Lourdes Hosptalite Collection, which helps those who wish to go to Lourdes and require care and assistance, is due to take place at next weekend Masses 7th/8th February 2026. As in previous years, we appeal to your generosity for this worthwhile cause as we continue to provide the opportunity for people who need assistance, to travel to Lourdes.
A Divine Mercy Day retreat will be led by Fr O’Driscoll in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, on Saturday 7 February from 10.00am- 4:30pm. Light lunch will be provided, and a donation will be welcome on the day. Please call 028 7126 2512.
Matt Talbot Urban Mystic – A film about venerable Matt Talbot and his journey to freedom from addiction. Showing at 7.00pm, 23rd February 2026 at Brunswick Movie Bowl. Pre-booking tickets recommended at https://www.brunswickmoviebowl.com
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy commercial free broadcasting – Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – do join our growing faith family! 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) or Via DAB Radio in Leinster area. Why not drop a line to our Spiritual Director, Fr Des Farren by text on 089-4672000, by phone on 01-4123456, or come and pay us a visit at Radio Maria Ireland, St. Anthony’s Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 22. D22 R7W2.
Does your child struggle at school? Do they have meltdowns, anxiety or refuse to go to school? Do they struggle with reading and writing? Can they concentrate in lessons? Have they been diagnosed with ADHD, ASD or are you on a waiting list for assessment?. My name is Anne-Marie O’Kane and I am a neurodevelopmental therapist trained in the INPP (Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology) Method of Primitive Reflex Integration with a practice here in Derry. Briefly, the presence of primitive reflexes can indicate neuro-motor immaturity and act as barriers to learning. Using the INPP method, I can identify these underlying causes and devise an individual movement programme of exercises for your child. The INPP Method has been helping many thousands of children and young people in many countries worldwide since it was established in 1975. For more information, please contact me: www.kinectedmoves.com or 07546814664
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 1st February 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.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS:Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
