First Sunday Of Lent                9^th March 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 9^th March 10.00am             Pauline Clifton

Sunday 9^th March 12Noon              John Higgin

Monday 10^th March 7.30pm            Raymond Kelly

Tuesday 11^th March 7.30pm           David & Kathleen Keaveney

Wednesday 12^th March 7.30pm     Philomena McQuaide

Thursday 13^th March 10.00am      Sarah Rogers

Thursday 13^th March 7.30pm        Elma McMonagle

Friday 14^th February 7.30pm         James Tonner

Saturday 15^th March 6.00pm        Rosaleen Nevarez

 

Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Julian Daly- Larkhill & John Slevin- Jospeh’s Place.

 

 

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.

May 2025 – Saturday 10^th, 17^th & 24^th       

June 2025– 14^th, 21^st & 28^th   

 

 

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO              £2267.00

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO          £805.00

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

St Patrick’s Family Trad Night and Ceili on Friday 14^th March in Nazareth House Primary School. Proceeds in aid of Nazareth House P.S. Tickets are priced at £5.00 for an adult, £6.00 for an adult & child and £12 for a family ticket. Refreshments will be served. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Live music from 7.30pm to 10 pm. Tickets available (cash only) from Nazareth House P.S., Long Tower Parochial House & Aras Cholmcille. Everyone is welcome.

 

 

St Patrick’s Day Masses– Monday 17^th March, Masses will be at 8am, 10am & 12Noon. Please note there will be NO 7am Mass on St Patrick’s  Day.

 

 

Shamrock Boxes: Boxes of Shamrocks will be available this weekend as you leave the Church, suggested donation £2. Sr Consillio founded Cuan Mhuire in 1966, to help those suffering from addiction to alcohol, gambling, drugs etc.  Cuan Mhuire has grown to become one of the leading treatment centres in Ireland, especially catering for the less-well-off, who need help.  The money raised from the Shamrock Fundraiser will go directly to Cuan Mhuire.  Thank you.

 

 

 

PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2025

There will be a 7.00am Mass in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday during Lent, ending on Wednesday 16^th April of Holy Week.

 

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.

 

Lectio Divina will take place on Tuesdays (after evening mass) and Thursdays (after morning mass) upstairs in Aras Cholmcille (excluding Holy Week). All welcome.

 

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 (except during Sr. Clare Retreat).

 

Lenten Healing Service/ Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Sundays at 5.00pm during the season of Lent,

beginning this Sunday 9^th March with Vespers & Healing Service on alternate Sundays thereafter, (except Sunday 6^th April, close of Sr. Clare Retreat).

 

 

Sr. Clare Crockett Retreat: Monday 31^st March – Sunday 6^th April, details to follow.

 

 

Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2025; This year’s campaign focuses on Guatemala, a country which is one of the least responsible for causing the climate crisis, yet is bearing the brunt of the consequences.

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.

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Diocesan Vocations Intercession: As we pray for the men attending the Vocations Retreat in Larne this weekend we ask the Lord to bless all those who are discerning their vocation at this time. May God give them the grace to follow whatever path in life He wants them to take and, like Jesus in today’s gospel, in times of temptation or trial, to draw courage and inspiration from the words of Scripture.

 

 

 

 

Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: We have a variety of Confirmation/ First HolyCommunion gifts & cards as well as candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & 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 (parish office 028-7126230 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.

 

 

 

A Theology Course for Lent: An exploration into Theology – Reading the signs of the times: a theology course presented by Fr Brian Brady will take place on the Tuesdays of Lent, at 7.00pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall.  St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall is just a few yards outside the cathedral grounds.  The first evening will take place on Tuesday 11th March. Everyone welcome.

 

 

 

 

Accord Derry – Marriage Preparation Courses: March- June 2025: March 28^th/29^th April 11^th/12^th, May 30^th/31^st & June 20^th/21^st. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person and NOT virtual.

 

 

 

March is Foyle Hospice Make a Will Month. During the month of March local solicitors very kindly agree to waive their usual Will writing fee in return for a suggested £100* donation to Foyle Hospice. A list of participating solicitors can be found at www.foylehospice.com or by calling Kathleen at the Foyle Hospice on 02871 359888. The purpose of Make a Will Month is to encourage people to write their Wills, whilst also raising much-needed funds for Foyle Hospice. Money raised will ensure Foyle Hospice can continue to deliver high quality specialist palliative care and end of life care to those in our community with life-limiting illness.

 

 

Pro-life Day:  Advancing the Culture of Life, Through Prayer, Love and Service.  With Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life & Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Saturday 15th March 10am – 4pm, at St Pio House, Galliagh, Derry.  Will include Mass and Adoration, Talks and Prayer.  Free admission.  Bring your own Lunch.

 

 

 

Poor Clares Galway, Monastic Experience Day for Women from 18-35 years old. An opportunity to explore and experience Poor Clare life and spirituality. The event will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday the 15^th of March. Contact: vocations@poorclares.ie. For more information: poorclares.ie/monastic-experience-days.

 

 

 

Dromantine Retreat & Conference Centre,  Newry: Upcoming events being hosted by Dromantine Retreat & Conference Centre:- Saturday 8^th March, Workshop led by Fr Hugh Lagan, SMA – A Radical Welcome: Intercultural living and the future of religious life.  Registration 9.00am – Cost (incl. lunch £43.00/€50.00. Saturday 15^th March, Lenten Retreat Day led by Fr Paddy O’Rourke, SMA – Remain in my love. Registration 9.30am – Cost (incl. Lunch) £38.00/€43.00. Sunday 16^th – Saturday 22^nd March (AM), Silent Directed Retreat. Registration 4.00pm- Cost £610.00/€720.00. Sunday 16^th – Saturday 22^nd March (AM), Silent Preached Retreat led by Mr Philip McParland – Lent: Season of Wellbeing. Registration 4.00pm – Cost £610 / €720. Saturday 29^th March, Lenten Retreat Day led by Rev Ruth Patterson – Treasures of the Wilderness. Registration 9.30am -Cost (incl. Lunch) £38.00/€43.00. Wednesday 16^th – Sunday 20^th April (AM), Holy Week Retreat led by the SMA Community. Registration 5.00pm – Cost £385.00/€455.00. Please contact Leanne or Louisa at admin@dromantineconference.com or call us on 028 (048 from ROI) 30 821 964.

 

 

 

Mary’s Meals -Emergency in Southern Africa: Southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years, with an estimated 21 million children in the region suffering from malnutrition. Mary’s Meals works in four of the worst effected countries (Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe) providing vital daily school meals to 1.5 million hungry children. To help Mary’s Meals keep providing these life-changing meals please keep our work in your prayers and consider donating to this appeal. 10p provides a school meal. Find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212. Thank you for your support of Mary’s Meals.

 

 

 

St Paul’s Bookshop and Gifts:  Join us at 20 Shipquay Street, Derry, on Friday 14^th  March as we celebrate the Grand Opening of St Paul’s Bookshop & Gifts from 10am-5pm.  Discover a beautiful selection of books, inspirational gifts, and unique treasures to nourish your faith and spirit. All welcome.

 

 

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS:  Is Gambling affecting your life?  Perhaps we can help.  Tel 028 7135 1329.