Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time 4th February 2024
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 4th February 10.00am John Patton
Sunday 4th February 12Noon Christy Green
Monday 5th February 7.30pm James & Margaret McCallion
Tuesday 6th February 7.30pm MaryAnn Devenney
Wednesday 7th February 7.30pm Betty Millar
Thursday 8th February 7.30pm Patrick Doherty
Friday 9th February 7.30pm Harry Curran
Saturday 10th February 10.00am Margaret Healy
Saturday 10th February 6.00pm Patrick McDaid
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Daniel McCafferty- Alexander House & William McMenamin- Lisfannon Park
To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 for available dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1877.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £521.00
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.
Confirmation & First Holy Communion 2024
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 1st March 2024 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 Thursday 7th March 2024 at 5pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Saturday 18th May 2024 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School will take place on Friday 24th May 2024 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 31st May 2024 at 1.30pm.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2024
‘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 14th February 2024
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 7.00am Mass and distributed at the 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.30pm Masses. Please note that 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 the season of Lent, beginning Ash Wednesday 14th February and ending on Wednesday 27th March, 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.
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.
Lenten Healing Service/ Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Sundays at 6.00pm during the season of Lent, beginning Sunday 18th February with Healing Service and Vespers on alternate Sundays thereafter up to and including Palm Sunday.
Divine Mercy & Rosary: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Rosary will be recited in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday at 3.00pm during the season of Lent.
Short Term Alcohol Free Promise for Lent: During Lent we always 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 2024. If you choose to give up alcohol we ask you to sign up to this and to wear the special badge we have made to signify our commitment to forego alcohol for the 40 days of LENT. The suggested offering to pay for the badge is £2.00.
Walk with Me – A Journey of Prayer for Lent 2024: Booklets will be 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.
Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2024
our Lenten campaign this year takes inspiration from the prophet Amos who says: “Let justice flow like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24). This Lent, we are called to join the river of justice and peace.
We remember the millions of people around the world who are in crisis, affected by conflict and climate change. Trocaire boxes are available at back of the Church, please take one.
Diocesan Vocations: Anyone interested in serving the Church as a priest of the diocese of Derry and/or attending a Vocations retreat weekend in Larne from 8-10 March 2024 is asked to contact the diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan, at pgoh2111@gmail.com or at (028) 7938 6259.
The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer Group will meet on Tuesday 6th February at Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty, Derry. Starting with the holy rosary at 1845, mass at 1915, and novena to St. Pio directly afterwards. The priest will bless each person, directly after mass, with a first-class relic of St. Pio.
Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Medjugorje: We are inviting young people aged 16 + to join us on pilgrimage to Medjugorje for 9 nights from 30th July to 8th August. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with peers from around the world, in a faith context. Cost is £800 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names & deposit of £100 are required to secure a place. For more information or to book, please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org 00 44 2871264087.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024: Monday 1 to Friday 5 July, ex City of Derry Airport. Led by Bishop Donal McKeown. Full board £799, single room supplement £150. The pilgrimage office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry, will open to the public 11am to 1pm on Thursdays and Saturdays, starting Saturday 10th February. Telephone number 028 71260293, email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
Rosary on the Coast. The next Rosary on the Coast will be at 3pm this Sunday 4th February at Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. We will pray for Ireland, world peace, martiage, families and the lives of our unborn children. Bring the family and friends and make this something special for Our Lady. For details, ring 00 44 77 303 30028.
Lent: Season of Well-Being Weekend Retreat at Ards Friary, 23rd -25th February, led by Philip McParland. This weekend will present Lent as a suitable time to practice the things that are good for our physical, mental and spiritual health. To book, contact Ards. Tel: 074 91 38909. Email: info@ardsfriary.ie
St Vincent de Paul is appealing for suites in good condition and bedroom furniture. All donations would be greatly appreciated. Please Tel:02871265489 to arrange collection.
Medjugorje Irish Centre Pilgrimages April – Oct 2024: 7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 per person sharing. Airport Transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you. Tel. 01 4434510 Or Website www.Med-Irishcentre.Com. Medjugorje: 00387 36 651 518. Ireland: 00353 1 443 4510. Email: Reservations@Med-Irishcentre.Com. Website: Www.Med-Irishcentre.Com.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
