Fifth Sunday of Easter 10th May 2020
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 family and loved ones in our prayers.
Sunday 10th May 12.00Noon Bridget Healy
Monday 11th May 10.00am Barney Brady
Monday 11th May 7.30pm Madge Meehan
Tuesday 12th May 10.00am Philip Gallagher & Patricia Bullard
Tuesday 12th May 7.30pm Bernadette Collins
Wednesday 13th May 7.30pm David Hawkins
Thursday 14th May 7.30pm Eddie Breslin
Saturday 16th May 6.00pm Bob Thompson
Mass Offering: If you would like to request a Mass intention for a family member or friend on the occasion of their anniversary or months mind, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office on 028-71262301 between 9.00am & 2.30pm Monday- Friday or email longtower@derrydiocese.org. Please note (due to prior bookings or funerals) the date and time requested may not always be available.
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of: Philomena Duddy- Ardfoyle, Bridget Carroll- Alexander House (formerly Bishop Street),
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
There will be NO Weddings or Baptisms until further notice in line with government regulations. We thank you for your understanding at this difficult time.
Visitation of the Sick: Due to the Coronavirus visitation of the sick and housebound within our parish will be postponed until further notice. For urgent sick calls please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
The New Parish Collection Envelopes for 2020/21
During the past week, we have been delivering the new parish envelopes. At this time we do not expect you to return your envelopes weekly and would advise that you wait until a later date (when restrictions have been relaxed) and then return your envelopes either to the Church or Parish Office.
A number of parishioners have also enquired about making their contributions by Standing Order. If you would like to make your weekly envelope contributions by Standing Order please contact the Parish Office on 02871262301 (Monday-Friday between 10.00am-2pm) for more information. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and your continued support.
Mass Cards: Mass cards are available from the Parish Office. Please contact us on 028-71262301 between 9.00am & 2.30pm Monday – Friday or email longtower@derrydiocese.org and arrangements can be made for collection. Please also note that Mass cards continue to be made available from the usual retail outlets as normal.
Wednesday 13th May- Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
O Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima
and reveal a glorious message.
We implore you,
inspire in our hearts a fervent love
for the recitation of the Rosary.
By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption
that are recalled therein
may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask,
through the merits of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Redeemer.
Amen.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
St Columba’s Church, Long Lower, Derry is sending an invitation to everyone in the Community to join in a weekly webcam Mass for Healing in Mind & Body. We shall share in a spiritual network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. While apart in person, we remain heartfully present with everyone and wish to further connect with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life.
We particularly wish to invite our elderly loved ones, their families and friends – in nursing and care homes, those alone at home, our cherished ones in hospices and hospitals. Also, for those caring for our families and friends, workers and groups – tirelessly acting for, and with us. We ask the children to help in our Wednesday Mass possibly preparing a family drawing of a candle to display in the window at home or writing a poem of loving kindness for everyone. Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer for all. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal our brokenness at this time of isolation, suffering and loss.
We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Spiritual Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio.
We ask everyone’s assistance to help others connect with this Mass through our webcam – especially the elderly, frail and vulnerable. Please share as best you can knowledge of this Mass with your family & friends.
You can access the Mass via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org. and then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.mcmedia.tv
Continues this Wednesday 13th May 2020 at 7.30pm and every Wednesday at 7.30pm until further notice.
Divine Mother
While pursuing graduate studies in Germany in the 1980’s Jesuit priest Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) visited a small church in Bavaria. There, he encountered a Baroque painting that moved him to write a devotional prayer and spread awareness of it in overcoming our difficulties in the world. The painting is called ‘Our Lady Untier of Knots’. This beautiful work of art has captured many hearts, inviting you into its presence to contemplate its message – to connect with our divine Mother. The painting shows Mary standing between heaven and earth wearing a crown of twelve stars that represent the apostles. A dove hovers above her head, symbolising the Holy Spirit’s outpouring of grace. Two angels sit on either side of Mary – one hands her our knots to unravel, the other is given our unraveled knots – as her foot presses on the head of a twisted snake. With each press of her foot Mary helps remove us from that which seeks to destroy our bonds of love – providing a healing balm to our brokenness and restoring our separation from holiness. May we feel the sacred imagery and words of Jorge Mario envelope us with compassion and mercy as our Mother helps untie the knots we have become entangled in.
Holy Mary, full of God’s presence during the day of your life, you accepted with full humility the Father’s will, and the devil was never capable of tying you up with his confusion. Once with your Son you interceded for our difficulties, and full of kindness and patience, you gave us example of how to untie the knots in our life. By remaining forever Our Mother, you put in order and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord.
Holy Mother, Mother of God and our Mother, to you who untie with a motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the name of the person), and to free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks.
Through your grace, your intercession and your example deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen.
In Memory Programme
The ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass for those children who are celebrating their First Communion this year will be postponed until further notice as a result of guidelines issued with regards to the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Prayer after Communion When everyone has received communion the priest will return to his chair and pray quietly for a few minutes. The choir may sing a song at this time. The priest then stands and prays the prayer after communion. During this prayer we pray that we can take what we have received during the Mass with us as we return to our daily lives. We also pray that we can use this to make a difference in our world.
Schedule of Masses (Week Beginning 10th May)
& Other Devotions until Further Notice
Monday-Friday
10am – Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions on Webcam
5.00pm- Rosary on Webcam
7.30pm- Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
Saturday
10am – Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
11.30am – 12.30pm – Confessions in Sacristy
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions on Webcam
5.00pm- Rosary on Webcam
6.00pm- Vigil Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
Sunday
8.00am- Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
10.00am – Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
12Noon- Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions on Webcam
5.00pm- Rosary on Webcam
Access to Church Services: All our Church Services can be viewed online via www.mcnmedia.tv or by logging on to our church website www.longtowerchurch.org and following the link to webcam. We would ask that parishioners assist one another where possible to access these resources.
The Net: The May edition of The Net will not be printed, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but it is available now online on the diocesan website, www.derrydiocese.org.
As always, it covers a wide range of events, there are loads of interviews and photos, and plenty of news from parishes and people from all around the diocese. There is also a great section devoted to youth news and activities.
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. The next intake will be Autumn 2020. If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
Dear Parishioners of St. Columba’s Church, Longtower, Children in Crossfire have launched a new home-based fundraising challenge which will take place on Saturday 16 May. Participants in the Climb Errigal at Home Challenge will be expected to climb up and down their stairs at home no fewer than 150 times. Money raised will support vulnerable people and communities in Ethiopia and Tanzania being adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Children in Crossfire Community Fundraiser Shauna O’Neill is encouraging people to take part:
“We know these are very challenging times for everyone. Ordinarily Children in Crossfire would be organising outdoor activities to raise funds but lockdown means that we have to come up with new events for people to take part in from the safety of their own homes. That’s why we’re encouraging people to climb the equivalent of Mount Errigal in Co Donegal up and down their stairs. We estimate that Errigal is 4,000 steps, which we reckon means 150 times up and down the average home’s staircase. This will be no mean feat for the people taking part but we believe plenty will want to challenge themselves while raising funds for us. Our Facebook group will also give everyone the opportunity to connect with new people, which is crucially important in these trying days. Above all, we are asking people to take on this challenge because we are raising funds to help counter COVID-19 in Ethiopia and Tanzania. When we consider the poverty and lack of health facilities throughout both countries, it becomes frighteningly clear just how severe an impact coronavirus will have. My direct appeal to anyone interested in signing up is this: by taking part in our Climb Errigal at Home Challenge you will be helping us and our partners in Ethiopia and Tanzania to save people’s lives during this terrible pandemic. Please do register now and take part on Saturday 16 May.”
We hope you can join us! Children in Crossfire.
Anyone wishing to sign up should:
- Join our Facebook group here
- Call Shauna O’Neill on 028 7127 8947 or 07597 747940; or
- Email shauna.oneill@childrenincrossfire.org
Accord’s free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ for marriages, families and relationships offers support to those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three numbers are:
– Accord CLG – 01 531 3331
– Accord Dublin – 01 905 9555
– Accord NI – 028 9568 0151 or 00353 1 531 3331
The Messenger: Messenger Publications are offering a free online copy of the May edition (and possibly further editions) of The Messenger, given that it is impossible to distribute the paper copy in the usual manner. To access the May edition, visit: https://issuu.com/messengerpublications/docs/05_messenger_may_2020. Even if you do not normally receive The Messenger, you are welcome to access this link. If you have any difficulty accessing the link or if you have any further queries please email c.henry@messenger.ie
NEW ROSARY PRAYER FOR MONTH OF MARY
O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.
“Protectress of the Roman people”,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always
from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Irish Chaplaincy offers contact service for anyone in Ireland with concerns about vulnerable older family or friends isolated in London: The Irish Chaplaincy in London is a registered charity which provides an outreach service to three main groups: elderly Irish people (the Seniors’ Project); prisoners and to Travellers. At this challenging time caused by COVID-19 social restrictions, the Chaplaincy is offering support to anyone in Ireland with concerns about an older family member or friend living in London. On their behalf the Chaplaincy can make direct contact with vulnerable older Irish living but isolated in London. The Chaplaincy is also a link to services and community groups on the ground local to where a person is living in London. This is a free service and contact can be made to the Chaplaincy from Ireland by post: PO BOX 75693 London NW1W 7ZT; by email seniors@irishchaplaincy.org.uk and by phone 0044 (0) 20 7482 3274. Please leave a message and a representative will contact you
Trocaire Donations: Please find below details of ways you can contribute/donate to Trocaire; Online banking, directly to Trocaire. Bank details: Sort Code: 93.80.92 Account No: 8822 7020 These details are for an account in NI. For people who do not use online banking, cheques can be posted to: Trocaire, 50-52 King Street, Belfast, BT1 6AD. Euro cheques can also be posted to the Belfast address. There is also a Northern Ireland freephone number, 0800 912 1200, through which people can donate.
Part-Time Certificate in Religious Education (Primary) with Online delivery: St Angela’s College, Sligo, is inviting applications for this course, which begins Autumn 2020. The course is open to: Qualified primary school teachers and Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching. Parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education may also apply. Closing date for Applications is Friday 15 May 2020. For further information and application forms contact Mary Kearns, Education Department, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie or visit Website: www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie
Across the Hedgerow: We provide older, vulnerable or isolated members of the farming community with listening support and companionship via telephone calls during this unsettling time. To avail of this service or to refer someone you care about please call Rural Support on our Freephone Helpline 0800 138 1678; or 028 86760040; email info@ruralsupport.org.uk. More information is available at www.ruralsupport.org.uk; www.facebook.com/ruralsupport Twitter: @ruralsupport
Helpline is available Mon-Fri from 9am-9pm with voicemail and support options available at all other times.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can accessed on the following websites;
https://www.churchservices.tv/churches/
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras
https://www.parishwebsites.ie/
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station. Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – Listen via TV on Saorview – Channel 210 and Freeview – Channel 826; Download our FREE APP – “Radio Maria Ireland”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by telephoning +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Please join our growing faith family.
RTÉ will air Mass every weekday at 10.30am from St Eunan’s and St Columba’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, on RTÉ News Now. RTÉ News Now can be accessed on Saorview (channel 21), Sky (521), Virgin Media (200), Eir (517) as well as via the RTÉ Player, the RTÉ News Now app and via RTÉ.ie/news.
Mass – RTÉ Radio 1. Welcome to RTÉ Religious Programmes. Nearly all of our radio Worship programmes on this station are shared with RTÉ One television, so viewers throughout Ireland can also watch our Masses and Services there or on the RTÉ Player. Start times vary slightly between 11.00am and 11.10am.
Vatican Television: During these days, Pope Francis has arranged for his celebration of Mass to be televised from the Vatican. The broadcast is simultaneously translated into the English language. For access please link to https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html
