Fifth Sunday of Lent 17th March 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 17th March 10.00am Mary Doherty
Sunday 17th March 12Noon Pauline Begley
Monday 18th March 10.00am Agnes Tully
Monday 18th March 7.30pm Bernadette Roberts
Tuesday 19th March 7.00am Frankie Campbell
Tuesday 19th March 7.30pm Theresa Merrigan
Wednesday 20th March 7.00am Colm Quigley
Wednesday 20th March 7.30pm Fred Box
Thursday 21st March 10.00am Martin McGuinness
Friday 22nd March 10.00am Paul McWilliams
Friday 22nd March 7.30pm Helen, Alec and Paul Given
Saturday 23rd March 10.00am Gerry Murray & Aileen Dunne
Saturday 23rd March 6.00pm Joseph Earley & Nellie Doherty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Ann Long- Bishop Street & Bridget Cooley- Beechwood Street.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God; Corey Campbell & Mollie O’Brien. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 for available dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1721.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £500.00
The Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by phone on 028-71262301 (during office hours) or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org. The parish office closed on Monday 18th March and re-open at 9.00am on Tuesday 20th
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.
PRAYER OF SAINT COLUMBA
(Prayer of St. Columba in the Dubh Regles of Derry)
May the fire of God’s love burn brightly and steadfastly in our hearts like the golden light within the sanctuary lamp.
This month of March the Sanctuary lamp beside the Tabernacle in Long Tower Church will be lit for all our school children especially those who have/ are preparing for their Sacraments at this time.
We also pray for their families and all involved in our school communities.
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.
Lenten Healing Service/ Vespers (Evening Prayer): Please note there will be NO Healing Service this Sunday 17th March, St Patrick’s Day. Next Sunday 24th March, Palm Sunday at 5pm there will be a short Penitential Service with Exposition of Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for confessions with visiting priests available, concluding with Benediction.
Palm Sunday Procession (complete with Thomas the Donkey!!!) – Sunday 24th March beginning with blessing of palms at Brandywell Grotto at 11.30am, processing to Long Tower Church for 12 Noon Mass. Palms will also be blessed in the Church during the entrance procession. Everyone welcome to join us.
Legion of Mary– The Annual Acies Service for Members and Auxiliaries of the Legion of Mary will take place during the 7.30pm Mass on Thursday 21st March in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
Gala Concert in St Columb’s Hall: The Priests and soprano Margaret Keys are performing what promises to be a musical extravaganza on Sunday 24th March at 7.30pm in the magnificent St Columb’s Hall. The concert is a fundraiser for the restoration of the Church organ in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and for restoration of Christ Church in recognition of the kind financial support given by Bishop Hervey to the building of Long Tower Church 240 years ago this year.
Tickets on sale now, cost £25.00. Tickets can be purchased from the Long Tower website www.longtowerchurch.org, then clicking on the donate button (on the homepage) and proceed to option 5, Concert booking fee. Alternatively tickets will be sold after 6pm Saturday Vigil & 12 Noon Sunday Masses & also from the Parish Office (028-71262301) on Tuesday’s & Thursday’s from 2.30pm-4.00pm. For Further details, email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com or longtower@derrydiocese.org.
First Holy Communion 2024
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
St Columba’s Gift Shop: We have a large variety of cards and gifts for St Patrick’s Day, Confirmations & First Holy Communions available as well as candles and other mementos. The shop will be open before/after 10.00am Mass Monday-Friday and also before 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday’s. For further information/ enquiries please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty (via the Parish Office 028-7126230 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to assist you.
Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca– Ladies Weekend Retreat Fri 22nd – Sun 24th March. Led by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Cost £90 residential, £70 non-residential. For bookings e-mail termonbaccaderry@gmail.com or call 71 262512.
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).
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses April – June 2024: April 19th/20th 2024, May 17th/18th 2024 & June 14th/15th 2024. Venue: Please note that all courses are now in person & NOT Virtual. Courses can be booked online now at www.accordni.com.
March is Foyle Hospice Make a Will Month. During the month local solicitors have very kindly agreed to waive their Will Writing Fee in replace of a donation to Foyle Hospice. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to have their Will written by a professional. Participating solicitors can be found by visiting the Foyle Hospice website or calling Kathleen at the Foyle Hospice on 02871 359888.
St Vincent de Paul have now opened a Pop-up, pre loved Furniture Shop. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am – 2pm, 4 Elagh Buiness Pk, Buncrana Rd, Derry, BT48 8QH. We are looking for quality suites, bedroom furniture and Bric a brac: to arrange collection please call 02871 265489.
Lough Derg Retreat for Young Adults (18 – 30year olds): The Knights of Columbanus, Omagh, is organising a Retreat in Lough Derg for young adults, to take place on Saturday 27th April 2024, from 10.00am – 4.00pm. Guest Speakers, inspirational talks, reflective time and concluding with Mass. This event is FREE OF CHARGE. For further information email info@knightsofstcolumbansomagh.co.uk.
Fatima Pilgrimage 9th-14th August. Payments can be made by instalments. For further details please contact James Treacy 061921470 or email jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com
Sean Davis 3 Day Indoor “Easter” 2024 Fun Soccer Academy” at Templemore Sports Complex – Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th April 2024 for boys & girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10am to 3 pm daily. For bookings /further details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 028 71263044.
Marriage Encounter Ireland invite married couples to their next Marriage Enrichment Weekend in the Focolare Centre, Prosperous, Co Kildare, Friday 26th – Sunday 28th April. Register online.www.marriageencounter.ie
