First Sunday Of Advent 27th November 2022
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 27th November 12.00Noon Peggy O’Donnell
Monday 28th November 7.30pm Mary Fraser
Tuesday 29th November 10.00am Kathleen McCormick
Tuesday 29th November 7.30pm Eileen Breslin
Wednesday 30th November 7.30pm Nana & Jim Melly
Thursday 1st December 7.30pm George Kalkman & Martin Hegarty
Friday 2nd December 7.30pm RMA Mass
Saturday 3rd December 10.00am Maureen Breslin
Saturday 3rd December 6.00pm Toland & Sweeney Families
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Jax McCallion, Joel McCallion, Rosie Coyle, Feena Murtagh & Ríah O’Kane
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S MISSION SUNDAY COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2336.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £677.00
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 28th November 2022; Corporation Street, Belview Avenue, Ferguson Street, Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Moat Street, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Alexander Memorial Cottages, Ardfoyle, Lower Bennett Street, Jack Allen Court & The Metropole.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office or Sacristy, cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards are also available from Parish Office or Sacristy, cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards.
Adoration Chapel Pump Street: The Adoration Chapel will be open Monday- Friday from 9am-5pm. Everyone is welcome to visit.
Long Tower Parish together with a Local Charity have launched a Cost of Living Appeal:- Items we are collecting are: Toys for all ages, Toiletries, Food for hampers, Gift sets, PJ’s/ Clothes (Must be in good condition/new). Items /Donations can be left at the Parochial House, 6 Victoria Place, Monday-Thursday from 2-4pm. Please note the last date for donations to be left in the Parochial House will be Thursday 1st December at 4pm. Thank you for your support.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Continues this Sunday 27th November at 6.00pm. The theme of our Novena this year is ‘What do I believe’? Exploring our Faith. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by guest speakers and a ceremony of healing with Benediction. Our guest speaker this week is Stephen Doherty who is currently on the staff of Lumen Christi College, teaching Religious Studies, History and responsible for Faith Development. Stephen was a member of the Diocesan Vocations Council from 1994 to 2000. He led the Diocesan Youth Overland Pilgrimage to Lourdes from 2001 to 2006. Stephen took up the role of Director of the Iosa Community in 2006, organising parish retreats, talks and pilgrimages. He continues in this role to the present day. We wish him and our Parish every blessing as we continue our Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing to join us.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues this Thursday 1st December, in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower from after the 7.30pm Mass until 12 Midnight. According to the Book of Lismore, a medieval manuscript, “Columbkille used, moreover, to go to Heaven every Thursday while he was alive”. Fr Willie Doherty translated this ‘quaint extract’ to mean that on Thursdays, St Columba was ‘more than usually fervent in his visits to the Blessed Sacrament’. During this time, we will gather with St Columba and all our ancestors who knelt and prayed where he knelt and prayed for all our families, particularly the sick, those suffering from mental health and living with addictions, for healing in our city and in reparation. All welcome to come and pray throughout the evening.
‘Casting a Long Shadow’ is a new book charting the People’s History of the Long Tower Church. It will be on sale in Aras Cholmcille daily from 10.30am to 11.30am. Price £20.00.
Pilgrimage to San Giovanni & Rome: As part of St Eugene’s Cathedral 150th Anniversary Celebrations, Bishop Donal McKeown will lead a pilgrimage to San Giovanni & Rome from 25th – 30th September 2023. Visiting the birthplace of Padre Pio, Shrine of St Michael Archangel, St Peter’s Basilica and other important sites. Price is £879pps (Single room supplement £150). For more details, email info@marian.ie or call Belfast on (028) 956 80005 or Dublin on (01) 878 8159.
Children in Crossfire Advent Appeal boxes are now available at the back of the chapel. As we all know, drinking dirty water costs lives – particularly children’s lives. Our 2022 Appeal aims to build 6 new wells in rural communities in Ethiopia, providing clean safe water for thousands. Children in Crossfire’s Christmas gift cards can be purchased via: Our online shop, Veritas stores in Derry/Londonderry, Newry and Letterkenny or you can contact Aishling on 028 71269898 or email aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org. Thank you for your support.
Lumen Christi College musical, “Cinderella” by Rodgers & Hammerstein -: Lumen Christi College’s production of the musical, “Cinderella” will be held on Wednesday 30th November, Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the college reception: Adults £12; Concession £9; Family (2 adults, 2 children) £40.
St Cecilia’s College Christmas Fayre; Rickety Wheel, Santa’s Grotto & Christmas Stalls, Thursday 1st December 2022 from 6pm-8pm. Everyone Welcome.
St Eugene’s Primary School 5th Annual Rickety Wheel; Thursday 1st December, Pilot’s Row, Rossville Street, Derry. Doors open at 7pm.
Advent Weekend Retreat: In the Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca, beginning at 7.30p.m. on Friday 2nd December and ending after lunch on Sunday 4th December. Cost including meals £90 residential. Non-residential £60. For bookings and further details contact 71262512.
Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Workshops January – March 2023, January 9th/10th 2023, January 30th/31st 2023, February 6th/7th 2023, February 20th/21st 2023, March 6th/7th 2023 & March 27th/28th 202. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. All of the above courses are VIRTUAL.
Mary’s Meals –If you are struggling to find the perfect present for a loved one this Christmas, look no further! Our gift cards and life-changing gifts make a real difference to the 2.2 million children who eat our meals every school day. You can place your order online www.marysmeals.org.uk or by calling us on 0800 698 1212.
Advent Reflection at Dromantine Retreat Centre, Tuesday 13 December, 4pm, to Wednesday 14 December, 5pm, in preparation for Christmas. Hosted by the SMA Community, it includes Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick. Cost £120/€145. To book call 02830821224 or email admin@dromantineconference.com
The Youth 2000 Christmas retreat will be taking place in Newbridge College, Newbridge between 9th-11th December. This retreat is for anyone aged 16-35. Great CRAIC!!, Excellent Speakers, Inspiring Talks & Workshops,Fantastic music, Group activities, Youth Masses, Adoration, Reconciliation, prayer, Drama, Games & plenty of time to chill out, meet new people and find out what it means to be young & Catholic today!! Donation only. Free buses leaving from all over Ireland. Register now on www.youth2000.ie
The Columba Community invite you to our Advent Retreat entitled “It is The Lord.” being held at St Anthony’s Retreat Centre on Sunday Dec 4th 11am-4pm. Holy Mass will be celebrated by Fr Michael Sweeney and lunch is included. Suggested donation £20. Booking Essential. Contact Jacklyn on 02871262407 or email columbacommunity@hotmail.com for more info.
Iosas Centre, Derryvane, Muff, Co Donegal: Upcoming events – Tuesday 29 November 1.30 – 4.30pm, Card-making class with the festive theme of Christmas Cards, with refreshments served. All card-making supplies will be provided, €25.00 per person. If you would like to book, call 074 93 84866 or email info@sanctuarydonegal.com . Coming up – Christmas party dinners / afternoon teas / wreath making classes /another card-making class and children’s story-telling & craft making, with a chance to meet Santa Claus. All information can be found on Facebook page @IOSAS Centre & Celtic Prayer Garden.
Verbal Arts Centre will be transforming the front, open-plan foyer/reception area into a welcoming ‘drop-in’ facility for the local community and the broader public in general from 5th December, with tea, coffee, biscuits, daily newspapers, as well as a warm, convivial environment to sit and chat to others. The Public Living Room will be open from 9.30am to 12noon Monday to Friday. A Children’s playroom area will also be available although parental supervision is required. You can find us on Stable Lane, off Bishop Street (by Bishop’s Gate). Feel free to contact us on 028 7126 6946 or email info@theverbal.co.
Upcoming Blood Donation Sessions in Guildhall Building, Derry on Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th August from 12.30pm – 4pm & 5pm –7.30pm. Booking by appointment only, please call-08085 534 653 to book.
Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding it’s monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 8th December at 7:15pm in the Raddison Blu Hotel, Letterkenny Co.Donegal. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. For more info call 01 4045378
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
