Fourth Sunday of Easter 26th April 2026
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 26th April 10.00am Barney McGowan
Sunday 26th April 12Noon Michael McKee
Monday 27th April 7.30pm Robert McGilloway
Tuesday 28th March 7.30pm Susie McLery
Wednesday 29th April 7.30pm Brian Deehan
Thursday 30th April 7.30pm Kathleen & Seamus Page & Rose Harkin
Friday 1st May 7.30pm Gertrude Butler
Saturday 2nd May 6.00pm Kathleen, Denis & Denis (Jnr) Williams
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Philomena Gormley- Abercorn Road
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Ruben McDaid & Connládh Doran-Quigley.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates are
27th June & 11th & 25th July 2026
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or 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 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 £2892.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £850.00
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.
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 27th April at 7.30pm
Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal us at this time. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio. The Mass will be streamed via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org.Everyone is welcome to attend.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: The Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is a Day of Prayer for Vocations. We thank God for those He has called, and is calling, to diocesan priesthood, and we pray that many more will respond to that call to become spiritual guides and shepherds to the people of God in our time.
Sister Clare Crockett Retreat
What a special week it was. A big thank you to every single person who helped to organise it and all who participated in it – we are deeply grateful. In particular, we thank Shauna, Megan and the Crockett Family, Fr Stephen Quinn and the Carmelite Fathers, the Sr Clare Retreat Committee, The Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother, all our Schools and Colleges who participated with their teachers and beautiful choirs, our visiting priests who led the various liturgies, our Guest Speakers, Soloists and Musicians, Long Tower Folk Group, Readers, Collectors, Cleaners, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Stewards, Photographers, Altar Servers and to Louise Payne for the most beautiful floral displays. And most importantly, to you all who came so faithfully each morning and evening or joined us online in such huge numbers. Next year’s Sr Clare Retreat will take place from Monday 12th April to Sunday 18th April, 2027. Save the dates!
St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Annual Parish Draw 2026: Tickets are NOW ON SALE!!! Price £5/per ticket. The draw will take place 9th June, St Columba’s Feast Day. 1st prize £2600, 2nd prize £1000, 3rd prize £500, 4th prize £300, 5th prize £200. Promoters prize of £100. We would ask that anyone interested in becoming a promoter or wishing to purchase tickets to please call at or contact the Parish office on 02871-262301, Monday to Friday 9am – 2.30pm or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org. We would also ask promoters to make their ticket returns during office hours 9am-2.30pm Monday- Friday. Thank you for your support.
First Holy Communion dates 2026 – St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 15th May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 1.30pm.
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).
The Columban Young Adults is a new group for those aged 18 – 30 in the diocese, seeking a community of like-minded young adults who have Christ at the centre of their lives. The first event will be a talk on Thursday 30th April at 7:30pm in our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, Derry, delivered by the Servant Sisters of Home of the Mother. It will be on the question, ‘ Why be a Young Catholic in 2026’, in which they will also reflect on the life of Sr. Clare Crockett. The talk will be followed by Solemn Benediction and light refreshments.
Job Opportunity- Derry Diocesan Trust
Temporary Administrative & Financial Officer (15 Hours per week), Parish of Urney & Castlefin, Co Donegal, based in the Parochial House in Doneyloop. Working Days & Times to be negotiated. Job Role: Reporting to the Parish Priest, the role entails provision of administrative and financial support. For application packs please contact: Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP, telephone 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 12 noon Thursday 7th May 2026. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: May to June 2026: May 15th/16th & June 19th/20th. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during July or August.
Accord Facilitators needed. Accord is inviting volunteers to train as facilitators for its Marriage preparation programmes, supporting couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Facilitators work as part of a small local team and help lead up to four programmes each year. Free professional training is provided. To find out more/ apply Tel:015053112,Email:marriagepreparation@accord.ie. Closing date is 29th May 2026.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Saturday 6 June 2026. In conjunction with the All Ireland Rosary Rally, we will join those gathered to celebrate at our National Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. For those for whom it is convenient, buses will leave St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, at 8:00am: cost £50, which includes dinner in Knock House Hotel following the conclusion of the Mass in the Basilica. For further information, please contact Karen in the parish office at St Eugene’s on 028 7126 2894 or by email at cathedral@derrydiocese.org. Full schedule to follow.
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy commercial free broadcasting – Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies. Here’s how you can listen: Via Digital TV – Saorview Channel 210, Download our FREE App “Radio Maria Ireland”, Streaming on our website – www.radiomaria.ie ,Via our ‘Listen Live Radio’ link on our Facebook Page, Via PHONE – get live radio feed by calling +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply)
It’s Easy To See What Alcohol Is Doing To The Drinker But Can You See What It Is Doing To You? If your answer is yes, Al-Anon Family Groups can help. For further information contact the Al Anon confidential helpline on 0800 0086 811 or email helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk . Alternatively, Tel 028 9068 2368.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is gambling affecting your life? We would like to help. Pick up the phone and ring 028 7135 1329.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
