Fifth Sunday of Lent 6th April 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 6th April 10.00am Liam Nelis
Sunday 6th April 12Noon Sheila McColgan
Monday 7th April 7.30pm Eddie Ryan
Tuesday 8th April 7.30pm Kevin Deehan
Wednesday 9th April 7.30pm Carol McShane
Thursday 10th April 7.30pm Rose Irvine
Friday 11th April 7.30pm RMA Mass
Saturday 12th April 6.00pm Danny & Richard Quigley
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Stephen Quigley- Joseph’s Place & Gerald Stewart- Lisfannon Park
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Saul McEleney. 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.
June 2025– 14th, 21st & 28th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2080.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £730.00
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.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: We have a variety of gifts, cards & other mementos available. The shop is open after 6pm Mass on Saturday’s and after 10am morning Mass during the week. For enquiries please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty via (parish office 028-7126230 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille (Wee Nuns building) in the grounds of Long Tower Church, a cosy place to relax and have a bite to eat or a cuppa and a cake! The café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Spread the word!
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.
Derry Diocesan Lourdes Office: Sincere thanks to the parishioners of St Columba’s Church, Long Tower for their very generous donation of £1130.00 to Lourdes Hospitalite Collection. We appreciate your support.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2025
Mass at 7.00am in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday during Lent, ending on Wednesday 16th April of Holy Week.
Friday Penance during Lent: (i) make a special effort at family prayer (ii) make the Stations of the Cross (iii) 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.
Lectio Divina continues on Tuesdays (after evening mass) and Thursdays (after morning mass) upstairs in Aras Cholmcille (excluding Holy Week). All welcome.
Stations of the Cross is prayed each Monday & Friday before evening Mass at 7.00pm. Confessions on those days will be at 6.30pm.
Lenten Healing Service/ Vespers (Evening Prayer) continues this Sunday at 5.00pm.
Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2025: This year’s campaign focuses on Guatemala.We tell the story of Ilma & Julio and how climate change is having life-changing consequences on their livelihood, wellbeing and future. This Lent, may we, empowered to stand in solidarity with them. Trocaire boxes are available at back of Church, please take one. Find out more at trocaire.org.
The New Parish Collection Envelopes have now been issued. If you still have not received your envelopes please telephone or call at the parish office during office hours 9.00am -2.30pm Monday-Friday, Tel: 028-71262301. Alternatively, please also check at the sacristy during Mass times, particularly if you live outside the parish. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Gift Aid- We would like to ask you to consider Gift Aiding the donations you make to the 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. Please contact the Parish Office on 02871-262301 or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Long Tower Parish are organising a ‘Columban Camino’ in Derry and Donegal between 5th – 7th June. Participants will walk from Derry to Buncrana, from Rathmullan to Milford and from there on to Gartan, overnight stay’s will be in the Inishowen Gateway and Mulroy Woods. All sponsorship raised will go to Children in Crossfire. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org or call Aishling on 028 7127 8955.
Masters in Catholic School Leadership: 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. If you are interested in registering for the Masters in September 2025 or require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
Job Opportunity Derry Diocesan Trust
Derry Diocesan Trust- Marriage Tribunal Official- 30 – 35 hours per week
Permanent- Job Role; Reporting to the Director, Derry Diocesan Pastoral Centre is recruiting a Marriage Tribunal Official,
- To oversee the administration and processes related to annulment applications within the Catholic Church
- To assist the Instructing Judge in the general co-ordination and direction of all Marriage Tribunal functions
- To manage the efficient running of the Derry Diocesan Pastoral Centre
The post requires the individual to be self-motivated, confident and competent in written and oral communication and to be an effective organiser with excellent leadership qualities. The postholder will be expected to demonstrate initiative and discretion whilst carrying out duties. 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 Thursday 10th April 2025.
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: That those called to serve the Church as priests of the diocese of Derry will, in their ministry, show the mercy and compassion (without condemnation) which Jesus shows to the woman in today’s gospel.
Derry Diocesan Youth Department, along with young people participating in the Pope John Paul II Award, invite you to a Lenten Reflection with music and prayer, in St Mary’s Church, Maghera, on Monday 14th April at 7.00pm. All welcome. The event will also be available on the Maghera parish webcam.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock: The Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 15th June. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.
The next Rosary on the Coast will be this Sunday 6th April at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana, and then on Sunday 20th at 3pm on Benone Strand, Magilligan. Everyone welcome.
Easter Monday Pilgrim Path Walk @ Lough Derg: Join the Team at Lough Derg for a guided walk along the ancient Pilgrim Path around Lough Derg on Monday 21st April at 10.30am (8km & 12km options available). Free event. Booking essential. More information www.loughderg.org
Cemetery Sunday: The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 22nd June 2025 at 3.00 pm.
Sean Davis 3 Day Indoor Easter 2025 Fun Soccer Academy: takes place at Templemore Sports Complex from Wednesday 23rd April to Friday 25th April 2025 for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times:10am to 3pm daily. For bookings and further 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.
