First Sunday of Advent 30th November 2025
Advent Pastoral Letter from Bishop McKeown: This weekend Bishop Donal McKeown shares his Advent Pastoral Letter, Moving Forward Together in Changing Times, inviting all of us to a renewed focus on prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit, and working together in mission. He reflects on the challenges faced by families and communities today and reminds us that Advent assures us of God’s closeness and hope. The bishop highlights the importance of parish collaboration — supporting one another in sacramental life, outreach, and faith formation — while recognising the vital role of our priests, parish leaders, coordinators, and volunteers whose dedication sustains parish life. Bishop McKeown goes on to state his intention that ongoing discussions about forming pastoral areas – bringing parishes together in shared mission – will be completed before Easter 2026. He also points to the existing encouraging signs of renewed prayer and growing youth involvement across the diocese. We are encouraged to walk forward in faith: Christ is with us and continues to lead His Church. You are encouraged to read the full letter at derrydiocese.org/pastoral-letter.
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 30th November 10.00am Oran McShane
Sunday 30th November 12Noon Moira Rogan
Monday 1st December 7.30pm Cecilia Barr
Tuesday 2nd December 10.00am Joseph McArdle
Tuesday 2nd December 7.30pm Martin Francis
Wednesday 3rd December 10.00am Maureen Breslin
Wednesday 3rd December 7.30pm Sarah Gillespie
Thursday 4th December 10.00am Bridie Brinkley
Thursday 4th December 7.30pm Christopher Hegarty
Friday 5th December 7.30pm Paddy McCallion
Saturday 6th December 6.00pm Eamonn Friel
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Nuala Kelly- Woodfield, Prehen & William Fisher- Formerly Orchard Row
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Eve Coyle, Zac McCallion & Adam McDevitt. To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
6th & 20th December 2025 & 21st February 2026
Visitation of the Sick at Home & in Hospital. For urgent sick calls to those at home please contact the parish office 02871262301. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask duty nurse on the ward to call hospital chaplain. Thank you
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £3673.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1702.00
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Our Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help continues in Long Tower Church at 6pm, this Sunday 30th November. The theme of our Novena this Jubilee Year 2025 is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’- Finding Hope and Healing in a Hurting World. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and Eucharistic Healing Ceremony with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This Sunday, we welcome James Tourish, a student at Queen’s University in Belfast and locally known for his role in promoting devotion to St Carlo Acutis. James founded the ‘Youth of Acutis’ group and regularly gives talks about the Italian teenager. James has also participated in events to share Acutis’s message, which focuses on faith and technology, and his work aims to inspire young people to live Christ-like lives, like St Carlo Acutis. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing to join us. Please note, there will be parking available at Long Tower Primary School (upper school building) via Bishop Street from 5pm – 7.30pm, each Sunday of the Novena. We hope that this will significantly ease the congestion around Charlotte Street and the Flyover and would kindly ask that as many of you as possible, consider using this facility.
A collection will be taken up next Sunday 7th December to help with Novena Expenses. Thank you for your support.
The Parish Office: Please contact the parish office during office hours to arrange all Anniversary and Months Mind Masses, as well as to book Baptisms & Weddings. Please call the parish office by 12Noon on Thursdays with names for weekend Anniversary list. The Parish Office is open Monday- Friday from 9am to 2.30pm, Tel: 028-71262301 or via email at longtower@derrydiocese.org. For urgent sick calls, please use the office telephone number at all times.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: As we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent we pray for our seminarians and the men discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood, that they will prepare their hearts and minds to welcome the Lord Jesus into their lives
Holy Hour for Vocations: The December Holy Hour for Vocations has been brought forward to Tuesday 2nd December at 8pm in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside. All are welcome to come and pray for this special intention.
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. We invite you to gather with us in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower this Thursday 4th December at 7.30pm for Mass followed by Mini Vigil to Midnight for healing and intercession. At this Mass we will pray for the cause of Sister Clare in the Monastic site where St. Columba knelt and prayed. Please note the next Mass will be 5th February 2026 at 7.30pm.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: Chritsmas gifts including our very own Long Tower Christmas Pillar Candles at £2 & LED Christmas candles at £10. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass throughout the week and also after the Novena each Sunday evening. Thank you for your support.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available to purchase from the Parish Office Sacristy or each Sunday of Novena, cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards are also available cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards. Long Tower 2026 Calendars are also available cost £3 each or 2 for £5. They would make an ideal Christmas gift especially for those living away from home.
Christmas Toy Appeal: Long Tower Parish will be a drop off point for anyone who would like to donate toys etc on wish list of families on Christmas list of local charity ‘Free Uniform Scheme’ run by Jemimah Armstrong. If anyone needs support in the Long Tower area you can leave info with Fr Mongan or contact Jemimah directly: on 07873882301Jemimah198630@hotmail.com. Items can be left at Parochial House, Tuesday to Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Thank you for your support.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church, the café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am to 3pm and also on Sunday’s from 10am-3pm, with Sunday lunch being served from 12Noon-3pm.
Children in Crossfire Advent Appeal 2025: Children in Crossfire are asking parishioners to support their Advent Appeal. From this weekend, you can collect a box pack from the back of the church. Please then return donations to the church in January. The focus of the appeal is on children living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, whose days are split between going to school and scavenging on a huge rubbish dump nearby, searching for items to sell for food. Children in Crossfire’s goal is to give those children the better future they deserve. You will learn more about the work in the pack or see our video here: https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/addis-ababa-25/. Thank you for your support.
Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, this Sunday 30th November at 7pm there will be an evening of praise and worship featuring many talented artists from Carnhill and Ballymagroarty folk groups and many others. The evening is a fundraiser which will generate funds for the Anam Og youth ministry group and also Rachel’s Vineyard post abortion healing ministry. Tickets are priced at £10 each and can be purchased from Termonbacca. On the night there will also be a raffle with many prizes up for grabs. Your support for these important ministries is greatly appreciated.
The Padre Pio Prayer Group, will take place on Tuesday 2 December at the Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty. After the 7.15pm mass and the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the priest will bless everyone with a first class relic of St. Pio.
Special Mass for Mothers and Grandmothers: Catholic Mothers Ireland are hosting a special Mass on Tuesday, 9 December at 6:30pm in St Malachy’s Church, Armagh, to mark the end of their 10-year Anniversary celebrations. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin. All are warmly invited to attend and join in prayer for mothers and grandmothers. For more information, please email: catholicmothers@outlook.ie
The Magic of Christmas Concert – 14th December St Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn, 7.30pm: Join international Chart-topping and Classical Brit winners, soprano Margaret Keys, Fr Eugene and Martin O’Hagan for a night of festive celebrations. They will perform in the beautiful ambience of St Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn with String Orchestra, guests, choirs and musicians. A night not to be missed! Tickets available (eventbrite.ie or Pennyburn parish office on 02871262360).
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026: Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July (4 nights) ex City of Derry Airport. Cost £895 inclusive of local taxes but exclusive of single supplements and insurance. The Pilgrimage office will open for bookings on Saturday 17 January 2026 at 11am. However, Gift Vouchers to any value are now available (Monday to Thursday) from the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ.
Dungiven Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026: Pilgrimage Details: Departing from Belfast International on Mon. 10th August for 6 nights*. We will be in Lourdes for the Feast of The Assumption. (*may be reduced to 5 nights – this will be confirmed at a later date). Cost per person based on twin/double sharing, including full board, is £975. Single supplement is £39 per night. Insurance is optional and costs an extra £45. There are only a limited number of seats remaining. Contact the parish office: dungivenparish@derrydiocese.org or tel 028 7774 0702.
Muff Community Development are hosting a Fashion Show on Friday 5th December at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Hall, Muff. Entry €8 and 5 fashion retailers will be showcasing on the evening. Refreshments served. Pay at the door and everyone very welcome. Santa’s Grotto returns to Muff Community Playpark on Sunday 7th November at 4.30pm. Facepainting, sleigh ride, chocolate fountain, visit to see Santa and photo opportunity all on the evening. Kids €7 and adults FREE.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
