Feast of The Holy Family 28th December 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 28th December 12Noon William Fisher
Monday 29th December 10.00am Mass for Holy Innocents
Tuesday 30th December 10.00am William Healy
Wednesday 31st December10.00am Roisin McGowan
Thursday 1st January 10.00am Patsy McCarron
Friday 2nd January 10.00am Gavin & Darren McCormick
Saturday 3rd January 10.00am Bridget & Eddie McKeever
Saturday 3rd January 6.00pm Patrick Finucane
Sunday 4th January 10.00am Eileen McGuigan
Sunday 4th January 12 Noon James Harte
Monday 5th January 10.00am Connie Smith
Monday 5th January 7.30pm Tommy & Mary McCourt
Tuesday 6th January 7.30pm Muranna Moore
Wednesday 7th January 10.00am Kathleen Flowers
Wednesday 7th January 7.30pm Tony Lynch
Thursday 8th January 7.30pm William Blair
Friday 9th January 7.30pm RMA
Saturday 10th January 6.00pm Willie & Annie McCafferty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Brian McFeely- Lone Moor Road
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Féidhlim Johnston & Aoibh Grant. 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.
7th & 21st March 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 £2771.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £876.00
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. The Parish Office will re-open at 9.00am on Monday 5th January 2026.
Novena Thanks
St Columba’s Church Long Tower, Novena 2025: What a powerful, prayerful and peaceful 9 Sundays it has been – and you came from far and near to be here so faithfully each night. A surge of prayer has surely reached Heaven with all the prayers, pleadings and petitions for people and life’s situations that you brought with you in your heart. We pray Our Mother of Perpetual Help will intercede for each one of us.
Our sincere thanks to all our guest speakers: Bishop Donal McKeown, John Connors, Sylvia Lester, Fr Dermot Harkin, Hannah Best, James Tourish, Roisin Doherty and Michael Kelly. We were very blessed to have them all and their inspiring talks on finding hope and healing in a hurting world as pilgrims of hope in this Jubilee Year. To all who helped in any way – a special word of deep gratitude to Mr Ben McGonigle, organist. Ben’s phenomenal playing, effortlessly and expertly leading the fantastic congregational singing of all those beautiful hymns for most Sunday nights and Mr Aidan Watkins on one other night respectively, added so much to the spirit of the occasion. The Novena would not be the same without you!
To the Knights of the Blessed Sacrament who assisted during the Eucharist Healing Ceremony each Novena night. To Tommy, Paddy and assistants who helped prepare and clear the altar every Sunday night; to Jim and Sheila at Siopa Cholmcille for all their hard work and who were kept very busy thanks to everyone’s generosity. To Darinagh and team for providing the much welcome tea and coffee in the Aras Café.
To all our choirs who led the carols at the close of the Novena – to our wonderful Folk Group under the direction of Rita and Richard Moore, to the Long Tower Choir under the direction of Pat Campbell at the organ which altogether contributed to an incredible evening of music and song! To the children from Nazareth House PS who performed the most excellent Nativity pageant focusing on the hope and healing offered in the Christmas Nativity story narrated by Mrs Roisin Blackery, Principal, who put it all so beautifully together. And to Mrs Claire Doherty, Principal of Long Tower PS and her staff for the use of the Long Tower upper school carpark throughout the Novena and the lower school hall after the Carol Service; to all the ladies who provided the tea and festive treats, to our musicians, Santa and last but by no means least, Thomas the donkey provided by the Gallagher family who patiently stood outside posing for photos! And once again, most importantly, to you for coming so faithfully each night, whether in person or joining us online. Until next year again, may the peace of the Christ-child and His blessed Mother of Perpetual Help fill your hearts and homes this holy season.
Please note there will be No Parish Bulletin next Sunday 4th January 2026. The next Parish Bulletin will be Sunday 11th January. There will also be NO 7.30pm Evening Masses during the week of 12th – 16th January 2026 (inclusive).
Feast of the Epiphany of The Lord: Tuesday 6th January 2026, Vigil Mass Monday 5th January at 7.30pm, Masses on Tuesday 6th January at 10am & 7.30pm. The Epiphany is manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and saviour of the world. This great feast celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) form the East.
Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre & Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop: Siopa Cholmcille will re-open on Monday 12th January 2026 at 10am. We will have a new range of stock including Confirmation cards and gifts. Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre will re-open on Monday 2nd February 2026 at 10am.
Confirmation & First Holy Communion dates for 2026 for St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on 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 on Friday 6th February 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 15th May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 1.30pm
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church. Open Monday 29th December – Wednesday 31st December 9am – 3pm. Closed on New Years Day. Open Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd January 9am-3pm and Sunday 4th January from 10am-3pm with lunch being served.
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.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026: Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July (4 nights) ex City of Derry Airport. Cost £895 inclusive of local taxes but exclusive of single supplements and insurance. The Pilgrimage office will open for bookings on Saturday 17 January 2026 at 11am. However, Gift Vouchers to any value are now available (Monday to Thursday) from the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ.
Greencastle Parish Pilgrimages 2026: Poland: 16th – 23rd June 2026, £1275 Flights and Half Board- Salt Mines: (Optional) £55. Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine. Fatima: 23rd – 30th July, £879: Flights, Full Board, Coach to Dublin Airport. Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine. Medjugorje: 4th -11th September from Belfast: £849: Flights and Half Board, Spiritual Director: Fr. Pat O’Hagan. Please contact Maria at 02881648357 or 07768 395038 for special offer.
St Cecilia’s College: Open day Thursday 8th January 5pm – 8pm. Principal’s Address: 5pm & 6.15pm.
Saint Mary’s College, Northland Road, Derry: Open Day is on Saturday 10th January 2026 beginning at 9.00am. The principal’s address is at 9.15am and 10.30am. Tours of the school will begin immediately after each address. Open Day ends at 12.30pm. All are welcome.
Thornhill College Open Day: Saturday 17th January 2026, 10.00am–1.00pm. Address by the Principal at 10.00am and 12.30pm. For parents/guardians and prospective Year 8 students. Prospective Year 13 students are also welcome to come along and discuss A-level or Applied GCE courses. Visit our Website at: www.thornhillcollege.org.uk.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
