Fifth Sunday of Lent 22nd March 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 22nd March 10.00am Martin McGuinness
Sunday 22nd March 12Noon Helen, Alec & Paul Given
Monday 23rd March 7.30pm Joseph Earley & Nellie Doherty
Tuesday 24th March 7.30pm Ann Mellon
Wednesday 25th March 10.00am Adrian Bradley
Wednesday 25th March 7.30pm Kathleen & Jimmy Cassidy
Thursday 26th March 10.00am Denis Hegarty
Thursday 26th March 7.30pm Edward McLaughlin
Friday 27th March 7.00am Celine McCafferty
Friday 27th March 10.00am Pat Hamil
Friday 27th March 7.30pm Colbert Bryne
Saturday 28th March 6.00pm Margie McSherry
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates are 9th & 30th May
13th & 27th June & 11th & 25th July 2026
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 £2827.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £881.00
CLERICAL EDUCATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2050.00
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 over the next two weeks beginning Monday 23rd March 2026. Mountjoy Street, Long Tower Court, Abercorn Road, Bishop Street, Corporation Street, Belview Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Ardfoyle, The Metropole, Bridge Street & Alexander House. Meenan Drive, Dove Gardens, Iona Court, 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. Please note monthly sick visits are essentially for those who are confined to their homes.
Easter Mass Bouquets are now available from the parish office & sacristy, cost £2. All intentions will be included in the liturgies celebrated during Holy Week in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2026
There will be 7.00am Mass in Long Tower Church, Monday, Wednesday & Friday’s during the season of Lent, ending on Wednesday 1st April, Holy Week.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Lent: Wednesday’s 10.30am-7.00pm and Thursday’s (except Holy Thursday) 8.00pm-9.00pm.
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.
Stations of the Cross During Lent, will be prayed each Monday & Thursday before Evening Mass at 7.00pm. Confessions on those days will be at 6.30pm.
Lenten Vespers (Evening Prayer) with benediction on Sundays at 5.00pm during Lent.
Lectio Divina: Our Lectio Divina, prayful preparation for Lent continues upstairs, 1st floor, at Aras Cholmcille. There are 2 sessions weekly, one on Monday’s after 10am Mass and another on Tuesday’s after 7.30pm Mass. Everyone welcome.
Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2026 revolves around climate justice & urgent humanitarian aid in Gaza and Ukraine. Trocaire boxes are available in the Church.
Aras Cholmcille Heritage Centre, Síopa Cholmcille & Cloisters Café. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass during the week. We have a new range of stock to include Confirmation & First Holy Communion cards and gifts, as well as gifts for St Patrick’s Day and Mother’s Day. For enquiries, please call -028 71368491. The café is open Tuesday – Saturday 9am to 3pm and on Sunday’s from 10am-3pm, with breakfast being served until 12Noon and Sunday lunches being served from 12Noon-3pm.
Job Opportunity- Derry Diocesan Trust
Parish Catechist – Three Patrons Parish- 35 Hours per week Permanent – 3 years Fixed Term Contract. Reporting to the Parish Priest, Three Patrons Parish is recruiting a Parish Catechist. 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 12 noon on Tuesday 24th March 2026. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray for our seminarians and men who are considering service to the Church as diocesan priests, that their interests will be in the things of the Holy Spirit who will have made His home in them (cf. St Paul to the Romans).
Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima: We are inviting young people aged 16+ to join us on pilgrimage to Fatima for 5 nights from 3rd – 8th August. 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 £820 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 info/ to book in please contact bethany.doherty@derrydiocese.org 0 2871264087.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: April to June 2026: 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.
‘Shepherding Talent’ Online Programme – Aspire to Serve, Inspire to Lead: In partnership with St Mary’s University Twickenham, the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre is offering this programme. ‘Shepherding Talent’ is a pioneering programme from the university, in which teaching professionals with leadership potential are challenged to explore their vocation to lead. Aimed at all teaching professionals in Catholic schools, this programme is delivered in the context of Catholic School education. It will be delivered over five weeks, with each session taking two hours. The total cost is £250. The first session takes place on Wednesday 29 April 2026, 4.30pm – 6.30pm. For further information and registration please email: tferry@derrydiocese.org.
The Columba Community warmly invites you to its Palm Sunday Retreat on Sunday 29th March, 11am in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Co Donegal, F93NF76. This special time of retreat offers the opportunity to pause, reflect on the Passion of the Lord, and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. The programme will include teaching, guided meditation, adoration and Eucharist. Please book by telephoning: 0035374 9384866.
Alcoholics Anonymous, Public Information Meeting Rosemount Resource Centre, 1A Westway, Derry, Sunday 22nd March 3pm. The meeting is open to anyone who may be personally affected, have a family member or friend affected, or simply wish to learn more about recovery, community supports, and how people can access help.
DEEDS – Supporting the Carer Talk Series- The second talk in our carers information sessions will focus on the costs associated with Residential Care. It will take place at the Old Library Trust Healthy Living Centre, Creggan, Thursday 26th March at 12noon. For further info please contact Eilish on 02871 373870 or email eilish@olt.ie.
Foyle Hospice ‘Make A Will Month’: During the month of March local solicitors very kindly agree to waive their usual Will-writing fee in return for a suggested £100 donation to Foyle Hospice. A list of participating solicitors can be found at foylehospice.com/make-a-will/ or by calling Kathleen on 028 71 359888. The purpose of Make a Will Month is to encourage people to write their Wills, whilst also raising much-needed funds for Foyle Hospice. Money raised will ensure Foyle Hospice can continue to deliver high quality specialist palliative & end of life care to those in our community with life-limiting illness.
Accord Facilitators needed. Accord is inviting volunteers to train as facilitators for its Marriage preparation programmes, supporting couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Facilitators work as part of a small local team and help lead up to four programmes each year. Free professional training is provided. To find out more/ apply Tel:015053112,Email:marriagepreparation@accord.ie. Closing date is 29th May 2026.
The Parish Cell System is holding its national seminar on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, Co. Antrim. Everyone whether a member or not is very welcome and can attend on one or both days. The cost for both days inclusive of meals is £150. To book contact Drumalis on 02828272196 or 00442828272196 (RoI). For further information about parish cells please contact Anne Armstrong (07513848468).
Sean Davis 3 Day Indoor “Easter” 2026 Fun Soccer Academy” at Templemore Sports Complex from Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th April for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10am to 3pm daily. For bookings/details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 07787791880.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
