First Sunday of Lent 18th February 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 18th February 12Noon Dervla Curran
Monday 19th February 7.00am Mary Mooney
Monday 19th February 10.00am Annie Healy
Monday 19th February 7.30pm Anne Cregan
Tuesday 20th February 7.30pm Magdalene McCay
Wednesday 21st February 7.30pm Bridget Duffy
Thursday 22ndFebruary 7.30pm Athás Deehan
Friday 23rd February 7.30pm Leon O’Laifeartaigh
Saturday 24th February 6.00pm Thomas Coyle
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Denis Hannaway- Dunraven Park, Eileen McDaid- Formerly Union Street.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God; Záde McNulty, Fionn Murphy Níbhá McLoone & Orlá McCracken- Hawkins. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 for available dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1811.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £532.00
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.
Aras Cholmcille Heritage Centre: A FREE half-day course in Basic Food Hygiene and Safety will be delivered by a professional tutor in Aras Cholmcille cafe (i.e Wee Nuns in grounds of Long Tower Church) on Thursday 22nd February. We have a limited number of places available, please text Darinagh on 07789850793 if you are interested in this very valuable introductory course.
Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2024: Our Lenten campaign this year takes inspiration from the prophet Amos who says: “Let justice flow like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24). This Lent, we are called to join the river of justice and peace. We remember the millions of people around the world who are in crisis, affected by conflict and climate change. Trocaire boxes are available at back of the Church, please take one.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2024
Mass at 7.00am in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday during the season of Lent.
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 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): on Sundays at 6.00pm during the season of Lent, beginning this Sunday 18th February with Healing Service and Vespers on alternate Sundays thereafter up to and including Palm Sunday.
Divine Mercy & Rosary: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Rosary will be recited in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday at 3.00pm during the season of Lent.
Lectio Divina: During Lent we are invited to journey with the Lord much in the same manner as he did for forty days and nights in the desert. One of the ways in which we can accompany him is through encountering the Word in a prayerful manner. This is given to us by the Church (through the Rule of Benedict that forms the basis for the Benedictine and Cistercian Religious Orders) as a form of praying with the scriptures called Lectio Divina (divine reading). Fr Stephen will facilitate this downstairs in the Aras Colmcille, each Wednesday after mass from 11am-12pm during Lent & focus on the Gospel for the Sundays of Lent. All are welcome. Handouts will be provided.
Confirmation & First Holy Communion 2024
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 1st March 2024 at 1.30pm.
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of the Long Tower Primary School, Nazareth House Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Thursday 7th March 2024 at 5pm.
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.
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).
Children in Crossfire wish to extend their gratitude for all donations received during their Advent Appeal 2023. The total amount raised in our Parish was an amazing £2400.06. Your support will help many children access vital education, nutrition & healthcare in inner city Dar es Salaam this year. Thanks again for your generosity. www.childrenincrossfire.org.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024: Monday 1 to Friday 5 July, ex City of Derry Airport. Led by Bishop Donal McKeown. Full board £799, single room supplement £150. The pilgrimage office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry, will open to the public 11am to 1pm on Thursdays and Saturdays, starting Saturday 10th February. Telephone number 028 71260293, email derrypilgrim@outlook.com.
Diocesan Vocations: The annual inter-diocesan Vocations Retreat will take place in Drumalis, Larne, from 8th -10th March. Anyone aged 18 or older, interested in attending should contact Fr Pat O’Hagan at pgoh2111@gmail.com or on (028) 79386259.
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.
Lent: Season of Well-Being Weekend Retreat at Ards Friary, 23rd– 25th February, led by Philip McParland. This weekend will present Lent as a suitable time to practice the things that are good for our physical, mental and spiritual health. To book, contact Ards. Tel: 074 91 38909. Email: info@ardsfriary.ie
Living Disciples – Franciscan Friars of The Renewal, Derry: Healing Nights every First Friday in St Joseph’s Chapel, Galliagh, Derry from 7.00pm – 10.00pm.
Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbaca, Derry: Meeting every Sunday at 3.00pm, for adult children of alcoholic and dysfunctional families. This is an anonymous programme for those 18 years and over who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes.
