Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time 9th February 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 9th February 10.00am Mary Quigley
Sunday 9th February 12Noon Denis Hannaway
Monday 10th February 10.00am Margaret Healy
Monday 10th February 7.30pm Patrick McDaid
Tuesday 11th February 7.30pm Hugh & Ellen Browne
Wednesday 12th February 7.30pm Maryanne Devenne
Thursday 13th February 10.00am Christina Harkin
Thursday 13th February 7.30pm Mark Brinkley
Friday 14th February 7.30pm Tony Horner
Saturday 15th February 6.00pm Johnny & Kevin McGowan
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Philomena McQuaid- The Diamond.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Bobbie Morrow. 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.
March 2025 – Saturday 15th
April 2025 – Saturday 12th
May 2025 – Saturday 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2857.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £746.00
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.
Lourdes Hospitalité Collection, which helps those who wish to go to Lourdes and require care and assistance, will take place at this weekend’s Masses on the 8th /9th of February 2025. As in previous years, we appeal to your generosity for this worthwhile cause as we take the pilgrimage forward facing many new challenges. Thank you for your support.
Fr. Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas, this week beginning Monday 10th February; Meenan Drive, Dove Gardens, Deanery Street, Bluebell Hill Gardens, Brandywell Road, Kerrigan’s Close, Quarry Street, Drumcliffe Avenue, Lone Moor Road, Nualamount, Old City Court & Mullenan Road.
Job Opportunities Derry Diocesan Trust
Diocesan Trust Officer- Diocesan Office-35 hours per week, Permanent
Job Role: The Diocesan Trust Officer reports to the Bishop of Derry and liaising with the Executive Director supports the aims and objectives of Derry Diocesan Trust. The main areas of responsibility will include finance, payroll, and HR administration.
Administrative Officer-Diocesan Office- 21 hours (3 days per week), Permanent
Job Role: Reporting to the Executive Director, Derry Diocesan Trust is recruiting an Administrative Officer to assist in the smooth running of Derry Diocesan Trust. The post requires the individual to be self-motivated, confident and competent in written and oral communication and to be an effective organiser. The postholder will be expected to demonstrate initiative and discretion whilst carrying out duties.
Parish of Templemore, St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Part Time Sacristan
12 Hours Per Week. Friday: 8.30am – 11am; 6.45pm – 8.15pm, Saturday: 4.30pm – 7.30pm & Sunday: 9.15am – 1.15pm. Plus one hour to cover extra funerals/retreat/novena.
For application packs please contact: Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP, 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 4.30pm on Friday 14th February 2025. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
Invitation To Mass – Concluding The 33 Days of Family Prayer: As you may be aware, Bishop McKeown has been leading the Diocese in 33 days of Family Prayer towards Consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary, as part of the diocesan programme for the Jubilee year of 2025, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The 33 days concludes on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Each evening of the 33 days, Bishop McKeown and priests of the diocese have been broadcasting online a short reflection and prayers of the Rosary. Bishop McKeown now extends an invitation to those who have participated in this journey of prayer to join him in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry on Tuesday, 11 February at 7:00pm. The bishop will pray the final prayers of this journey and lead people in making the Prayer of Consecration. This will be followed by the celebration of Mass at 7:30pm. Certificates to mark the Consecration will be available after Mass. If you are unable to attend, Certificates will be available to download at derrydiocese.org/consecration. Details of the Family Prayer programme can be found on the website.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: This weekend’s Gospel tells us that the fishermen who met Jesus “…left everything and followed Him.” We invite men aged 18+ who may be considering following the Lord as diocesan priests to a Vocations weekend in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, from 7-9 March 2025. Anyone interested should contact the diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan, at pgoh2111@gmail.com.
Accord Derry – Marriage Preparation Courses: February- June 2025: February 21st/22nd, 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 that all courses are in person and NOT virtual.
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 Safe-Guarding Representative is Ms Josephine Brown. If you have any concerns with regard to Safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the 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).
Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima: We are inviting young people aged 16 + to join us on pilgrimage to Fatima for 4 nights from 14th to 18th July. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with their peers from around the world in a faith context. Cost is £700 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible to secure a place. For more information or to book in please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org 00 44 2871264087.
Derry Diocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes Monday 30th June -Friday 4th July. Fare £849 (+£144 Single Supplement). We are delighted to announce that The Lourdes Pilgrimage Office will be opening on Saturday 1st February from 11am to 1pm in the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street Derry BT48 6UJ. Phone 02871260293. It will continue to be open each week on Thursdays and Saturdays 11am to 1pm. Application forms may be collected at these times and are also available by email to: derrypilgrim @outlook.com. We also have a youth pilgrimage coming with us and any young person 16 -18 years in any Parish may contact us by phone or email for more information. We also asking any Nurses, Doctors or Care Staff who are interested in joining our Care Team to make contact with the Pilgrimage Office. Thank you for your support.
SPARK: A weekend of fun, faith and friendship for 12-16 year olds: Do you know a young person who would like to build their faith and make new friends? Spark is a weekend experience which follows core themes from YouCat, as well as stories of role models such as Bl. Carlo Acutis and Sr. Clare Crockett, to help young people learn about their faith, while making friends and hopefully having a bit of fun in the process! When? February 21st – 23rd, 2025, Where? Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry. How to Book/ find out more? Text or WhatsApp Brendan on +353 86 8067973 or Vivienne on +44 7935 007351 Cost? €80/£70 per person (to cover food and board). Spark is fully endorsed by Bishop McKeown and supported by local diocesan priests. Our adult volunteers are fully vetted and we take safeguarding very seriously. Please note that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come basis.
St Columb’s School of Music- Gala Concert, Saturday 1st March in St Columb’ s Hall, Derry, at 7.30pm, Doors open at 7pm. Tickets £12.50/£7.50. Performances by Margaret Keys (Soprano), Thornhill College Chamber Choir, Ebrington Primary School Choir& St Columb’s School of Music tutors. Tickets available: www.stcolumbsschoolofmusic.com
Trócaire School Volunteers: Are you a retired teacher or someone who has experience presenting to groups of school children? Trócaire is looking for volunteers to support our 2025 Lent Appeal in the Derry Diocese. If you think you have the right skills and experience and will be available to help during school hours over Lent, then we would love to hear from you. Full training will be provided. For more info call Naomi Purnell on 028 9080 8033 or email naomi.purnell@trocaire.org.
Now Flying Direct From Belfast: Pilgrimage to Fatima, 7 Nights F/B Avenida Hotel 28th May/4th June. Spiritual Director Fr Antony CP. Full religious programme. £849pps. For further information contact Joe Catney 07776425631.
Pilgrimages To Medjugorje 2025: Bookings are now being taken for two Pilgrimages to Medjugorje. 7th May from City of Derry Airport, £745 per person sharing. 2nd July from Belfast International Airport, £765 per person sharing. Cost includes return flights, accommodation and meals. Additional charge for single room occupancy. Pilgrimages are organised through Marian Pilgrimages (Dublin). For more details, please contact John Murray on 0780 1105575.
Fully Escorted Pilgrimage- Shrines of Italy Pilgrimage- San Giovanni Rotondo, Loreto, Assisi And Cascia. 17th – 24th September 2025. 7 Nights flying from Dublin to Bari, including visits to the Tombs of Blessed Carlo Acutis, St Francis, St Clare and St Pio. Visit the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church in Lanciano. And the Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto, plus much more. Comprehensive Travel insurance is Extra. Cost £1,229 Per Person Sharing. Single room supplement is £350.00 Extra. Seats Are Limited. Spiritual Director: Fr Ciaran Dallat. £300.00 deposit secures a seat! For further details contact: Jean Reynolds 07729 402311 or email: jeanreynolds@hotmail.co.uk
