Fifth Sunday of Lent 26th March 2023
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 26th March 10.00am John McSwiney
Sunday 26th March 12.00Noon Dessie & Irma Moore
Monday 27th March 10.00am Pat Hamill
Monday 27th March 7.30pm Colm Curran
Tuesday 28th March 7.30pm Robert McGilloway
Wednesday 29th March 7.30pm James Hegarty
Thursday 30th March 7.30pm John Coyle
Friday 31st March 7.30pm Mona Lestrade
Saturday 1st April 6.00pm Liam Nelis
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Emmet Coyle- Kylemore Park, Pauline Begley- Miller Street, Joseph Johnston- Northland Road, George Deane- Longtower Court, Theresa Merrigan- Culmore Manor Care Home, John Allen- Lisfannon Park, Ethna Shiels- Hatmore Park & Gerry Murray- Maureen Avenue
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Bodhi McGowan, Lola Millar & Daithí Kelly
To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2387.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £870.00
CLERICAL EDUCATION & FORMATION COLLECTION £1604.00
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Fr Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas, the week beginning Monday 27th March 2023; Deanery Street, Nualamount Drive, Lone Moor Road, Old City Court, Braehead Road, Mullenan Road & Alexander House.
Fr. Gerard gratefully acknowledges with thanks a donation of £200.00 towards the Church Renovation fund.
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.
‘GOD CLUB’ – Teenagers exploring their faith…Arás Colmcille (beside Long Tower church), Saturday mornings, 10.30am. All teenagers welcome!
The Glory of God
“But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him”.
Jesus wept; he was distressed and profoundly moved – Mary had fallen at his feet, weeping at the death of her brother Lazarus and his dear friend. His heart felt death’s agonising pain – for Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. However, in his pain, he remained strong and obedient to his father, for he knew a more significant purpose would unfold. God’s glory would be revealed to humanity through the resurrection of Lazarus to allow them to believe that He sent Jesus to help them. As he prayed, Jesus trusted his father would bring Lazarus back to life, which he did, when he commanded him to come out of his tomb. May we pray for the stone to be rolled back from the tomb in our hearts to allow the radiance of His love to heal our wounds and bring us back to life again. For he gives us whatever we ask of him. Do you believe this? Reference & further reading: John 11:1-45
The New Parish Collection Envelopes are now available. We would appreciate if the usual distributors could call and collect the envelopes for distribution in their areas at the Parish Office from Monday 27th March during office hours 9am-2.30pm. Anyone who lives outside the Parish and who receives collection envelopes should contact the parish secretary during office hours on 028-71262301 to make suitable arrangements for collection of same. If you don’t receive your envelopes in the coming week, again please telephone the parish office. Thank you.
GIFT AID
We would also like to ask you to consider Gift Aiding the donations you make to the Long Tower Church. This means we reclaim the tax on your donation from the Inland Revenue. Anyone who pays income tax, even those who are retired but who receive a taxable pension are able to take part in the scheme – it doesn’t cost you anything extra but is an invaluable additional source of income for the Parish. If you would like a form or further information please contact the Parish Office on 02871 262301 or email longtower@derrydiocese.org. Thank you.
The Sister Clare Retreat will take place in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Derry, 17th – 23rd April. There will be Mass at 7.00am & 10.00am (Monday to Friday). Each evening at 7.30pm there will be Benediction, with a guest Speaker (Monday-Friday). On Saturday 22nd there will be Benediction at 3.00pm, with a guest speaker. The retreat will conclude on Sunday 23rd April at 3.00pm with Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Bishop Donal McKeown.
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 Representatives are Mrs Rita Moore and 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).
Cemetery Sunday: The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 25th June 2023 at 3.00 pm.
Archbishop Eamon Martin is leading a pilgrimage to Fatima from 20th – 27th July 2023. Cost for 7 days is £799/€899 per person sharing. Flights depart Dublin at 6.05am Thursday 20th July arriving in Fatima 11.00am. For further information contact Joe or Maureen McLaughlin on 00442890701606 or 00447711808207.
FOSTER CARERS needed in the Western Trust area – a range of opportunities available that can work in with different lifestyles, including respite, emergency and long-term: Upcoming Information Events – Saturday 1 April, 2.00-4.00pm: Mellon Country Hotel, Beltany Road, Omagh; Thursday 20 April, 6.30pm-7.30pm: Guildhall, Derry; Saturday 22 April, 2.00-4.00pm: Westville Hotel, Enniskillen; Saturday 13 May, 2.00-4.00pm: Bethany Community Hall, Limavady. To register, email info@fostering.hscni.net or call 0800 0720 137.
The Sorrowful Mysteries: A dramatic presentation for Holy Week: St Mary’s Church, Creggan, on Monday 3rd April at 8.30pm; Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty on Wednesday 5th April at 8.30pm.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses: April 17th/18th 2023, May 22nd/23rd 2023. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. These courses are virtual. You can also contact Accord N.Ireland Marriage Care Service Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street Derry, Tel: (028) 71362475 (Ext 1), Email:derry@accordni.com.
The Rally for Life 2023, the biggest pro-life event of the year, is just months away now – and we need YOU to start helping to make this an even bigger and better pro-life demonstration with a special focus on young people and RETAINING the 3-day wait before abortion. Saturday, JULY 1st, Parnell Square in Dublin city centre. SAVE the DATE!! We are always looking for volunteers to help out with the Rally for Life. Can YOU help with promoting the Rally and/or on the day itself. Please get in contact to help – info@thelifeinstitute.net or 01 8730465
Want to learn about the rich wisdom and inspiration from our Celtic Spiritual Heritage? The IOSAS Centre, Derryvane, Muff, Co. Donegal is running a 3 week program on ‘How our Celtic past can help us today’?. These programs are made up of short videos & small group discussions; Building Welcoming Communities, Growing in Faith, Renewed in the Holy Spirit, Caring for God’s Creation & Evangelising with Love and Action. Starting Monday 27th March from 7pm -8.30pm / Tea & Coffee included. All Enquiries by Tel: 00353 74 93 84866 / by Email: info@sanctuarydonegal.com
Sean Davis 3 Day Indoor ‘Easter 2023 Fun Soccer Academy’ takes place at Templemore Sports Complex from Tuesday 11th April – Thursday 13th April 2023 for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10:00am to 3.00pm daily. For bookings and further details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 028 71263044.
