Fourth Sunday of Advent 19th December 2021
Laudato si Quote
” We need to take up an ancient lesson, found in different religious traditions and also in the Bible. It is the conviction that “less is more”. A constant flood of new consumer goods can baffle the heart and prevent us from cherishing each thing and each moment.” Laudato Si’ 222
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 19th December 12Noon Kelly Family
Monday 20th December 10.00am Terence Crawley
Monday 20th December 7.30pm Ellen Barr
Tuesday 21st December 7.30pm Maureen, Lena & Seamus Donohoe
Tuesday 21st December 7.30pm Mary McLery
Wednesday 22nd December 10.00am Nora, Johnny & Frankie Duffy
Wednesday 22nd December 7.30pm Ralley, Hofmeister & Smyth Families
Thursday 23rd December 10.00am Rosemary Harkin
Thursday 23rd December 7.30pm Frances Nash
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of: Colm Fox- WhitehousePark, Rosemarie Kyle- Beallachmor Upper
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Lucas Gardiner, Odin Kennedy & Fiadh Kavanagh
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
Mass Guidance
We would like to remind everyone attending Mass & other Church Services that under current guidance there remains a legal requirement to wear a face covering on the way into a place of worship and on the way out. Despite this change in the legal position Bishop Donal McKeown has asked that we strongly continue to recommend & encourage the use of face coverings during all services of worship. We also kindly ask that you continue to observe social distancing & use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and that you receive Holy Communion only in the hand. It is up to each of us individually and as a community to keep each other as safe as possible as we continue to live alongside the virus. We thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to gather together as a parish community.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
This Sunday 19th December 2021 will conclude the Solemn Novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help with our Annual Carol Service at 6pm. On the evening you can bring and leave your donations or vouchers for St Vincent De Paul. We look forward to seeing you.
Resources created for families and parishes at Christmas, available on the Diocesan website. Prayers at the Crib: Prayer card, poster and a booklet with a series of prayers and scripture for use at the Crib at home or in the church is available to download, to print or view on a mobile device at: https://www.derrydiocese.org/christmas The 12 Days of Christmas; A family prayer booklet has been specifically compiled with families in mind. The Gospel for each day of Christmas is accompanied by a Gospel reflection and prayers. The booklet can also be downloaded at: https://www.derrydiocese.org/christmas Christmas Prayers for Children; Thoughts, ideas and resources to help children and families to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to celebrate and share the gift of the Baby Jesus with others available at: https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/christmas/
The Diocese of Derry Privacy Notice: The Diocese of Derry complies with GDPR regulations. A privacy notice is available on the Parish website or by contacting the Parish Office. Live stream and recordings of Mass and Services in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and are available online. Parishioners should note that the first 4 rows of seats are visible online in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
Safeguarding Notice: If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding of children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at 07596500793/07707311358 or at the Safeguarding Office, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ or PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) 101 or Social Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust, 71314090 and ask for the Duty Social Worker.
The Net – December 2021:Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the December edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-december-2021 For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Children in Crossfire Advent Appeal packs are now available as you leave the Church. We thank you in advance for your support again this year, your donations really do go a long way in Ethiopia to prevent and treat malnutrition in Children. This work is even more crucial now as conflict spreads throughout the country. Please return your donations to the Church after Christmas.
Children in Crossfire have launched our 2021 Christmas gift cards. This year’s cards focus on our work to both prevent and treat malnutrition in Ethiopia. By purchasing from our range of Christmas gift cards, which feature the pharmacy and well, you make it possible for us to continue this life-saving work. We believe this is a beautiful gift to share with your loved ones this Christmas. It’s so simple to get our beautifully designed A6 gift cards. They can be purchased via: Our online shop, Veritas stores in Derry/Londonderry, Newry and Letterkenny, or Contact Aishling on 028 71269898 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm) or email aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org.
SVP – Christmas Appeal 2021: If you are looking for help we are here to help you in whatever way we can. Please ring us on 028 71265489 or online https://svp.ie/get-help/request-help-online.aspx Christmas time is the busiest time for the SVP giving out lots of toys and food parcels kindly donated by the public. However this Christmas is going to be different with COVID-19 and government restrictions. The safety of the public and our members is paramount. Therefore we are asking the public that instead of buying a physical toy or items of food that they buy a voucher or make a donation for the amount they were going to spend. Derry Area also have a fundraising page for donations on our SVP website; Current fundraisers – St Vincent De Paul (svp.ie)
Trócaire Gifts of Love: Buy a Trócaire gift of love & send some love around the world this Christmas. All gifts available at Trocaire.org/gifts or call 08009121200. We thank you for your support.
Each night this December, Simon Community will provide 464 warm, safe beds for those with no home. They will be adults, children and families, all anxious and frightened for their future. We will provide them with vital shelter and support when they need it most, saving and rebuilding lives. We need your help to make their Christmas a little brighter. If you can, please consider donating to our Christmas Appeal. £10.00 could give the gift of a Christmas dinner to someone spending the festive period in our hostels. £15.00 could give the gift of emergency food, clothes or heating to those who need it most this winter. £47.00 could help provide the gift of one night’s shelter and support for someone who becomes homeless this Christmas time. All your donation is used here in Northern Ireland and for each £1 you give, 94.8p goes directly to our front-line service delivery. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me; email; amandascott@simoncommunity.org or by phone, 028 9023 2882.
Mary’s Meals- Double the Love Thanks to your support, Mary’s Meals are now bringing joy to over 2 million children with a daily meal in their place of education. Our Double the Love campaign runs until 31st January 2022, all donations up to a total of £1.6 million will be matched by a generous group of private donors. Every little act of love will go that little bit further during this period to help us reach the next child waiting, so please consider supporting this campaign and praying for its success. There are many ways to get involved including choosing one of our Mary’s Meals gift cards or setting a place at our Big Family Christmas table- find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk
Afghanistan Crisis Appeal – On Tuesday 21 December, CONCERN WORLDWIDE Derry group will operate a pop-up donations office in the Millennium Forum, Derry, from 10 am to 5pm in support of the desperate situation of many in Afghanistan. Donations may also be left at the Concern Bookshop , Ferryquay Street, or via justgiving.com/derryconcern
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help: call us on 028 7135 1329.
Foyle Foodbank, Springtown, Industrial Estate, is open from 11am until 4pm Monday to Friday to help those in food crisis. Telephone 71263699.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops 2022: January 25th/26th 2022, February 8th/9th 2022, February 22nd/23rd 2022, March 8th/9th 2022, March 22nd/ 23rd 2022, April 5th/6th 2022. All of the above courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. They are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm-9pm. Booking online www.accordni.com. Due to demand an extra course is being facilitated on November 23rd/24th 2021.
Accord’s free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ for marriages, families and relationships offers support to those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three numbers are: Accord CLG – 01 531 3331, Accord Dublin – 01 905 9555, Accord NI – 028 9568 0151 or 00353 1 531 3331.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can accessed on the following websites; https://www.churchservices.tv/churches/
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras
https://www.parishwebsites.ie/
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station. Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – Listen via TV on Saorview – Channel 210 and Freeview – Channel 826; Download our FREE APP – “Radio Maria Ireland”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by telephoning +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Please join our growing faith family.
