Fifth Sunday Of Lent 21st March 2021
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 21st March 12Noon May Sherlock
Monday 22nd March 10.00am Kathleen Doherty
Monday 22nd March 7.30pm Joseph Earley & Ellen Doherty
Tuesday 23rd March 7.30pm Sr. Gabrielle Porter
Wednesday 24th March 7.30pm Philip Gramt
Thursday 25th March 10.00am Christina Gillespie
Thursday 25th March 7.30pm Edward McLaughlin
Saturday 27th March 10.00am Pat Hamill
Saturday 27th March 6.00pm Margaret Doherty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Tony McQuaid- Old City Court & Patrick Campbell- Quarry Street
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Ronan Wray & Andi Nicell
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
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.
Adoration Chapel Pump Street: Will be closed until further notice.
Easter Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office, cost £2. All intentions will be included in the liturgies celebrated at St Columba’s Church, Long Tower during Holy Week.
Return to Public Worship in Church: Public worship may resume in Northern Ireland from Friday 26 March. There will however continue to be restrictions regarding the number of people attending Funerals & Weddings to 25 people. Weekday & Saturday Morning Masses will continue as usual at 10am with Funeral Masses at 11am. There will be no Funeral Masses on a Sunday.
It remains mandatory that everyone attending Mass & other Church Services wear a face covering at all times. We must all continue to observe social distancing, use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and to receive Holy Communion only in the hand. It is up to each of us individually and as a community to keep each other as safe as possible as we continue to live alongside the virus. We appreciate your understanding and support as we once again gather together. Further announcements will be made in the coming week with regards to Easter Ceremonies.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Weekly Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 22nd March at 7.30pm Via Webcam.
We shall share in a spiritual network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. While we may still be 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. 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 then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2021
‘When we entrust ourselves to the Lord, We can overcome all obstacles that we encounter on the way.’ Pope Francis
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.
Schedule for Stations of the Cross During Lent
Stations of the Cross will be said each Monday-Friday before Evening Mass at 7.00pm & on Sundays at 6.00pm during the season of Lent.
Divine Mercy & Rosary
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Rosary will be said each day at 3.00pm during the season of Lent.
Lent 2021 in the parishes of the Diocese of Derry
Throughout Lent resources & parish events will be published on the diocesan website & its social media channels. You are encouraged to follow and share these resources; Web: www.derrydiocese.org, Instagram:DioceseOfDerry, Twitter@DioceseOfDerry, Facebook:@derrydiocese. You are also asked to recite daily the Diocesan Lenten Prayer
Diocesan Lenten Prayer 2021
Loving Father,
To prepare for His mission of proclaiming Your
kingdom to the world
Your Son Jesus was guided by Your Holy Spirit to the
quiet of the desert.
In these Lenten days, I pray that I will be guided by
that same Spirit,
to a place of renewal in my heart and mind, so that I
will seek opportunities for
daily personal prayer, personal sacrifices and acts of
kindness.
With Your help, may I too be truly prepared to share in the story of the passion,
death and resurrection of Jesus Your Son, our Lord. Amen.
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2021
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem” (Mt 20:18)
Lent: A Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love
In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.
Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving. The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father. May Mary, Mother of the Saviour, ever faithful at the foot of the cross and in the heart of the Church, sustain us with her loving presence. May the blessing of the risen Lord accompany all of us on our journey towards the light of Easter.
The full text of Pope Francis Lenten message can be found on https://www.catholicbishops.ie.
Trocaire Lent 2021: Trocaire Donations we would appreciate in the coming weeks that Trocaire boxes/Donations are returned to Parish Office (were possible) either in notes or by cheque, rather than coin. Donations can also be made online at www.trocaire.org/donate or via NI freephone no. 0800 912 1200. Thank you for your support.
Parish of Templemore Health Promotion Talks: 4 courses will take place during Lent. Anyone in the Parish who is interested in signing up has to email emmet.thompson@derrydiocese.org. The courses will be delivered by the Western Health and Social Care Trust. Details of each of the four courses (which should be approx. 30minutes each) are as follows;
1. Recognising and strengthening your resilience (Thursday 4th March) at 3.30pm
2. Top tips for Anxiety (Thursday 11th March) at 3.30pm
3. Managing Setbacks (Thursday 18th March) at 3.30pm
4. Getting A Good night’s sleep (Thursday 25th March) at 3.30pm
Sr Clare Crockett Retreat
19-25th April 2021 in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
Booking begins this Tuesday & Wednesday 23rd & 24th March between 6-9pm Only. Please Telephone 07594849704/ 07754360176 or 07594849689 (see posters at entrance Church for further details).
Please DO NOT call the Long Tower Parish Office Or Church regarding tickets.
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 2021. If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
Foyle Foodbank, Springtown, Industrial Estate, is open from 11am until 4pm Monday to Friday to help those in food crisis. Telephone 71263699.
The March edition of ‘The Net’, the monthly publication sharing the fruits of faith in the Derry Diocese, is now available on the Diocesan website and Facebook Page – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-march-2021. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the March edition will only be available on the Diocesan website. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. Enquiries to – editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Greater Shantallow Area Partnership and local Churches have come together, to appeal for new or used ipads/tablets, to be given to older members of our communities. Donations towards the campaign would also be greatly appreciated. All ipads/tablets or donations can be left at the Long Tower Sacristy or at Parish Office.
Michael Kelly: Defending the faith without raising your voice; CK19, The Knights of St Columbanus at Queen’s University Belfast, is delighted to facilitate an online talk delivered by Michael Kelly, Editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper.
Michael will be speaking to us on the subject of ‘Defending the faith without raising your voice’. This was the subject of a book which was co-authored by Michael in 2012 and should give us an insight into how we can respond to Catholic hot-button issues when they arise in our lives. The talk will take place on Tuesday 23rd of March at 6.30 pm. For details, please email council19.qub@gmail.com or message us on social media (@KSCQueens).
Aid for the Children of Yemen: Fr Neal Carlin’s new book, The Eagle, The Tiger and Covid, is now on sale at €10/£10 and can be purchased by contacting goldenagecentre@hotmail.com. All proceeds are being sent via a direct contact to aid the Children of Yemen.
Mini-Lenten Retreat in Preparation for Holy Week 2021. In preparation for the Easter Triduum, ‘The Hook of Faith’ is happy to offer a ‘Mini-Lenten Retreat in Preparation for Holy Week’ on Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th March. The retreat will be held on Zoom and will be led by Fr Billy Swan. Each conference begins at 8pm. The three conferences will anticipate the Triduum and will therefore focus on the Eucharist (Tues. 23rd); the Cross and the Mystery of Suffering (Wed. 24th); the Resurrection, Joy and Hope (Thurs. 25th). To take part, all you need to do is send an email to: thehookoffaith@gmail.com All are welcome.
The Priory Institute: This Holy Week, the Priory Institute offers an online Open Access retreat reflecting on the Passion of Christ. This retreat is offered entirely online with fifteen-minute video reflections focusing on the verses of the psalm that is contained in the liturgical readings for each day of Holy Week. The first reflection will be available on Palm Sunday and all reflections will remain to watch until 11 April. https://prioryinstitute.com/events/holy-week-retreat-2021. There is no charge for this retreat, but you must register with your email address and have access to the internet to participate. All are welcome.
Knock Shrine: This year Knock Shrine will host a new series of online discussions to help engage Christians during Lent, under the title ‘Living Christian Faith – Lenten Conversations’. What nurtures our faith and what challenges it today? Where do we find hope and joy in our lives? How can our faith build mental strength, wellbeing and resilience? How has the Covid pandemic impacted upon our faith? These are just some of the questions that will be explored over the 6 weeks of Lent during a new series of online discussions on the topic of ‘Living Christian Faith’. The conversations will explore a different theme each week and guest speakers will discuss some of the important questions we all face in living out our faith. The talks will be streamed at 8.30pm every Thursday during Lent. Please join us at www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live or on Facebook @knockshrine.
Accord Derry Virtual Interactive Marriage Preparation Programme Course Dates: July 6th/7th 2021, August 10th/11th 2021, Sept 14th/15th 2021, Oct 12th/13th 2021 Nov 9th/10th 2021, Dec 7th/8th 2021. Booking now online at www.accordni.com.
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.
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.
