Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time 6th July 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 6th July 10.00am Joe O’Kane
Sunday 6th July 12Noon Kathleen Edwards
Monday 7th July 7.30pm Neil & Margaret Barr
Tuesday 8th July 7.30pm Danny McGowan
Wednesday 9th July 7.30pm Margaret Gormley
Thursday 10th July 7.30pm Martin O’Kane
Friday 11th July 7.30pm John Breen
Saturday 12th July 6.00pm Ellen McCafferty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Michael Roddy- Alexander Memorial Cottages, Teresa Bradley- Templegrove & Lena Coyle- Moore Walk.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Cuisle Doherty, Fiadh Duffin, Harlow Gill-McIntyre & Ada Shearman.
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.
August 2025– 9th, 16th & 23rd
LAST WEEK’S PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2500.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £781.00
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.
The Silent Rescue
“This doctrine on the angels should not be considered imaginative, but one of truth. It is what Jesus said, “I send an angel before you, to guard you, to accompany you on the way, so you will not make a mistake” (Pope Francis). Last week, we read how God sent an angel to silently rescue Peter from Herod. Held by four squads of four soldiers and secured with double chains, Peter thought this was a dream and not really happening. Today, we reflect on how we struggle to understand God’s angels in our virtual world—a world where the quiet voice of our heart is silenced by the voices of influencers and streams of data that chain us to our devices. Even so, we continue to struggle and suffer in our personal and public lives. However, Pope Francis reminds us that no one walks alone, as we each have an angel who guards us and whispers, “Do it this way… this is not good… be careful.” At the same time, he warns against resisting the advice of the angels, as no one can advise themselves without our Father in heaven. Like Peter, may we wake up from our dream state and contemplate the reality of God’s angels, sent in silence to rescue us into divine freedom. By Teresa McDaid Reference: Acts 12:1-11, Francis, P. (2014) ‘We All Have an Angel,’ L’Osservatore Romano, n.14. The Holy See. Available at:https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/cotidie/2014/documents/papa-francesco-cotidie_20141002_we-all-have-an-angel.html.
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 Ms Josephine Brown and Ms Jennifer Kearney. 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).
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: New stock recently arrived. We stock a variety of gifts & cards, candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & mementos. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass during the week. For enquiries please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty via (parish office 028-71262301 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church, a cosy place to relax and have a bite to eat or a cuppa and a cake! The café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am to 3pm. Spread the word! ‘Meet & Bite’ is housed in Cloisters Café on a Tuesday between 4pm-6pm and is available to those in need at no cost. We aim to provide a listening ear, as well as a warm meal and some goodies to take away where we can. Have a look at Cloisters social media Meet & Bite for more information.
Job Opportunities- Derry Diocesan Trust
Diocesan Youth Coordinator – 1 Year Fixed Term Contract (with possible extension), 35 hours per week. Job Role:- The main focus of the post will be working with young people, schools and parishes to help them develop their knowledge and understanding of youth ministry in the context of the Catholic Church. For application packs, Tel: 028 7126 2302 or email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12Noon Monday 7 July 2025.
Administrative & Financial Officer, Parish of Ballinascreen, Co Derry. Permanent post, 28hours per week (working pattern to be agreed with Parish Priest). Reporting to the Parish Priest, the role entails provision of administrative & financial support. For application packs, Tel: 028-71262302 or email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12Noon on Monday 14 July 2025. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: In the gospel Jesus invites us to “…ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His harvest…” because “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.” As we thank God for our seminarians and the men currently discerning a vocation we pray that many more will hear, and respond positively, to the Lord’s call to serve the Church as priests of the diocese.
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. We invite you to gather with us in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on 1st Thursday of each month, beginning on Thursday 4th September 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. Everyone welcome.
An Audio-Visual tour of the Long Tower Church is available. The guide which is narrated by Bishop Donal McKeown, offers a great insight into the history and sacredness of our beautiful Church. If you’re hosting visitors or you simply want to deepen your own appreciation, why not try the audio guide, priced at just £2.00. For further details, call into Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of The Long Tower Church or email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com.
Pilgrims of Hope at Lough Derg & Knock this July: Pioneers and friends of the PTAA are invited to mark the Jubilee of Hope on pilgrimage at Lough Derg from Friday 11 July – Sunday 13 July. The three days of prayer, keeping Vigil and fasting, will allow us to connect in prayer with all who live under the shadow of addiction. Details from www.pioneers.ie.
The annual Pioneer pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday 20th July. Prayers will be offered at Our Lady’s Shrine for all who work in alcohol and drug treatment centres around Ireland. Contact Fr Robert McCabe via prayer@pioneers.ie for further details.
St Vincent De Paul Notice: The SVP Office will close for summer holidays on Friday 11 July @ 1pm, reopening on Monday 28th July. Please note all volunteers will be on holidays during this time.
Diocese of Derry: 3-Day Pilgrimage to Lough Derg; Friday 25th July to Sunday 27th July. For those wishing to avail of transport, a bus will depart after 10am Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral, on the Friday; it will travel via Lifford and Ballybofey. Cost: £95/€110 (including transport). Pre-booking is required. Please contact Tony Brennan on tony.brennan@derrydiocese.org or phone the diocesan office on (+44) 028 7126 2302 for a booking form. We look forward to welcoming you.
Mary’s Meals Walk: ‘Two Bridges Walk’ on Sunday 3 August, over the Foyle Bridge and Peace Bridge. We will meet in Sainsbury’s car park at 11.45am to begin the walk at noon. The distance is approximately 5 miles. The walk is part of a series of walks taking place across Ireland in early August to raise awareness of Mary’s Meals and the work they do. You can register for the walk at https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/step . If you have any questions please contact Helen Quinn, telephone 07814441701.
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 6th July at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. Everyone welcome.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
