Fourth Sunday of Advent 21st December 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 21st December 10.00am Helen- Marie Toland
Sunday 21st December 12Noon Debbie Kelly
Monday 22nd December 10.00am Patrick Logue
Monday 22nd December 7.30pm Mary McLoone
Tuesday 23rd December 10.00am Mary McLery
Tuesday 23rd December 7.30pm Frances & John Nash
Wednesday 24th December 10.00am Norah, John & Frankie Duffy
Saturday 27th December 6.00pm Vincent McCauley
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Anna McIntyre- Bishop Street, John (Liam) Sheerin & Patsy Farren- Westland Street
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Leo O’Donnell. 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.
7th & 21st March 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 £2625.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £895.00
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.
The Parish Office will be closed from 3.00pm on Tuesday 23rd December and will re-open at 9.00am on Monday 5th January 2026.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: In both the First Reading and the Gospel this weekend we hear Jesus called “Emmanuel” – a name that means “God-is-with-us!” We pray for an increase in vocations to the diocesan priesthood, and that the future priests of our diocese will be modern-day Emmanuels – the loving, healing, forgiving, and merciful presence of God in the Church and in the world.
A Triduum of Masses will be offered for the intentions of all those who received Long Tower Christmas Mass Bouquets at the 6pm, 8pm & 10pm Masses on Christmas Eve.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, concludes this Sunday 21st December with the Annual Carol Service, followed by refreshments and traditional music in the Long Tower Primary School in the grounds of the Church. All welcome.
Notice of Christmas Masses & Confession Times: Wednesday 24th December – Christmas Eve: Family Vigil at 6pm with Long Tower Folk Group, Evening Vigil at 8pm with Long Tower Senior & Candlelight Christmas Mass at 10pm with Margaret Keys Soprano. Thursday 25th December- Christmas Day: 8am, 10am & 12 Noon Masses. Please note there will be NO 10am Mass or 7.30pm Mass on Friday 26th December (Boxing Day) and also NO 10am Mass on Saturday 27th December. Vigil Mass will take place as normal on Saturday 27th December at 6pm. Christmas Confessions: The last Confessions for Christmas will be Tuesday 23rd December from 10.30am to 12Noon and from 5.30pm-7.15pm. There will be NO Confessions after this date until the evening of Monday 5th January at 7.00pm when Confessions will resume as normal. A printed Christmas & New Year Schedule is available as you leave the Church, please take one as you leave.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are still available to purchase from the Parish Office Sacristy or in Aras Chomcille cost £2.00 until Tuesday 23rd December. Long Tower Christmas Cards also available cost £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards & Long Tower 2026 Calendars are also available cost £3 each or 2 for £5.
Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre & Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: We will be closed from 3.00pm on Tuesday 23rd December. Siopa Cholmcille will re-open on Monday 12th January 2026 at 10am. We will have a new range of stock including Confirmation cards and gifts. Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre will re-open on Monday 2nd February 2026 at 10am.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church. Christmas hours for the café: No Sunday dinners this weekend, we will be open for brunch closing at 1.30pm. We will be closed from Monday 22nd December – Sunday 28th December (inclusive). Reopening Monday 29th December- Wednesday 31st December 9am – 3pm. Closed on New Years Day. Open Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd January 9am-3pm and Sunday 4th January from 10am-3pm with lunch being served. Thank you for all your support in 2025 and we look forwarding to welcoming you back in 2026.
St Columba’s Church-Children’s Liturgy at 12Noon Sunday Mass is now finished for the Christmas holidays and will restart again on Sunday 11th January. We thank Sophie & both Eva’s and wish them and all the children a very happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you back with us again in January 2026.
Trócaire ‘Gifts of Change’ are gifts that transform lives, bringing real hope and opportunities to families and communities living in poverty. There are 24 Gifts to choose from starting at £5 for the ‘Gift of Soap’ for families in war-torn South Sudan. All the gifts are real items, sourced in-country which go to families in need of our support. You can buy a Gift and help change lives this Christmas by going online at www.trocaire.org/gifts, calling 0800 912 1200 or visiting our office at 60 Berry Street, Belfast, BT1 1FJ.
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 safeguarding 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, 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).
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: January to June 2026: January 23rd/24th, February 20th/21st, March 27th/28th, April 24th/25th, May 15th/16th & June 19th/20th. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person. Please note that Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during July or August.
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.
Greencastle Parish Pilgrimages 2026: Poland: 16th – 23rd June 2026, £1275 Flights and Half Board- Salt Mines: (Optional) £55. Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine. Fatima: 23rd – 30th July, £879: Flights, Full Board, Coach to Dublin Airport. Spiritual Director: Fr. James Devine. Medjugorje: 4th -11th September from Belfast: £849: Flights and Half Board, Spiritual Director: Fr. Pat O’Hagan. Please contact Maria at 02881648357 or 07768 395038 for special offer.
Sean Davis- 2 Day Indoor Christmas Fun Soccer Academy, takes place at Templemore Sports Complex from Monday 29th to Tuesday 30th December 2025. For boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10am to 3.00 pm daily. For further details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 07787791880.
St Cecilia’s College Open Day: Thursday 8th January 2026 from 5pm – 8pm. Principal’s Address: 5pm & 6.15pm. All Welcome.
Saint Mary’s College, Northland Road, Derry Open Day: Saturday 10th January 2026 beginning at 9.00am. The Principal’s address is at 9.15am and 10.30am. Tours of the school will begin immediately after each address. Open Day ends at 12.30pm. All are welcome.
Thornhill College Open Day: Saturday 17th January 2026, 10.00am–1.00pm. Address by the Principal at 10.00am and 12.30pm. For parents/guardians and prospective Year 8 students. Prospective Year 13 students are also welcome to come along and discuss A-level or Applied GCE courses. Visit our Website at: www.thornhillcollege.org.uk
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 21st December at 3pm on Benone Strand, Magilligan. Everyone welcome.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
