Fourth Sunday of Lent 19th March 2023
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 March 10.00am Sharon Wallace
Sunday 19th March 12.00Noon Frankie Campbell & Colm Quigley
Monday 20th March 7.30pm Christy Green
Tuesday 21st March 7.30pm Martin McGuinness
Wednesday 22nd March 7.30pm Lily Lyttle
Thursday 23rd March 7.30pm Helen, Alec & Paul Given
Friday 24th March 10.00am Thomas Coyle
Friday 24th March 7.30pm Jean Meehan
Saturday 25th March 6.00pm Edward McLaughlin
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Patrick Hume- Iona Court, Kay McFadden (nee Henderson)- Beechwood, Emmet McCourt- Kylemore Park
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Rían Brady & Michael McKee
To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1996.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £707.00
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.
Fr Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas, the week beginning Monday 20th March 2023; Long Tower Court, St. Columb’s Wells, Meenan Drive, Dove Gardens, Cable Street, Bluebell Hill Gardens, Celtic Court, Kerrigan’s Close & Quarry Street.
Easter Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office & Sacristy, Cost £2. All intentions will be included in the liturgies celebrated during Holy Week.
The Loop system in St Columba’s Church has been checked by a sound engineer who has confirmed it is working properly. If anyone continues to find difficulty hearing in the Church, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301.
Fr Gerard kindly invites all Sacristans, Secretaries, Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Children’s Liturgy Facilitators, Parish Council Members, SVDP Members, Legion Members, Church Cleaners, Grounds workers and anyone else working or volunteering in Long Tower Parish who are interested in Safeguarding to attend a Safeguarding Information meeting in Arás Cholmcille on Tuesday 21st March at 3.30pm.
Spiritual Blindness
From the beginning, the story of Jesus restoring the sight of the ‘man born blind’ is full of misunderstandings and prejudice. Based on traditional understandings of blindness, ritual and Divinity, many of these ideas, passed down through generations, formed the basis of social groups surrounding Jesus during his ministry. Indeed, it was these belief systems which Jesus tried to dismantle as they caused fear, oppression and injustice towards the ‘Others’ on the outside of society’s norms and values. For example, when the disciples asked, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?’ indicated the belief that his blindness was a punishment for sin. On the contrary, Jesus explained that the man shunned as a beggar was created to reveal his Father’s wish to heal our spiritual blindness. And just as the Pharisees perceived Jesus as ‘not from God’ and a sinner because he healed the man on the sabbath day, we also misunderstand the identity of the ‘Others’ in our world. Be that race, sex, gender or religion. Thereby diminishing their uniqueness and dignity as human beings with equal rights in the Kingdom of God as we have. May the ‘light of the world’ remove our spiritual blindness, allowing us to see each other with love & compassion again. John 9:1-41.
The Sister Clare Retreat
The Sr Clare Retreat will take place in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Derry, 17th – 23rd April. There will be Mass at 7.00am & 10.00am (Monday to Friday). Each evening at 7.30pm there will be Benediction, with a guest speaker (Monday-Friday). On Saturday 22nd there will be Benediction at 3.00pm, with a guest speaker. The retreat will conclude on Sunday 23rd April at 3.00pm with Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Bishop Donal McKeown.
‘GOD CLUB’ – Teenagers exploring their faith…Arás Colmcille (beside Long Tower church), Saturday mornings, 10.30am. All teenagers welcome!
Cemetery Sunday: The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 25th June 2023 at 3.00 pm.
Space for Lent at Lunchtime – Would you like to spend a little time each Wednesday of Lent preparing for the Sunday Gospel?. ‘Space for Lent at Lunchtime’ will provide you with a wonderful opportunity to gather with others to pray, share and reflect on the Sunday Gospels during Lent leading up to Palm Sunday & Holy Week. Delivered via Zoom and facilitated by Ursula Doherty, Lectio Divina Guide, & Tony Brennan, Pastoral Coordinator, Diocese of Derry. Wednesdays of Lent, 1:00pm – 1:50pm, and will continue until Wednesday 29th March 2023. Registration and details can be found at: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/space-for-lent-at-lunchtime
World Youth Day – Derry Diocesan Youth is taking a group on Pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Lisbon, from 25th July to 7th August 2023. This pilgrimage is for over 18s. Limited places available: if you would be interested in travelling on the pilgrimage, or finding out more, please contact Lizzie Rea on lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org.
Pope John Paul II Award Youth Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, takes place on Tuesday 28th March, starting at 11.00am and concluding with Mass at 2.30pm. Mass will be celebrated by the Award patron, Bishop McKeown. Many young people from this diocese, with others from across the country, attended this youth pilgrimage last year. Open to all 16-18 year olds. The pilgrimage, including transportation, is being organised through schools. Parental consent is required. The pilgrimage theme is ‘Pilgrimage for Peace’. Prayer intentions can be sent with any young person you know attending. For more information, visit www.jp2award.com or contact the Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 00 44 (0)28 7126 4087.
The Sorrowful Mysteries: A dramatic presentation for Holy Week: St Mary’s Church, Creggan, on Monday 3rd April at 8.30pm; Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty on Wednesday 5th April at 8.30pm.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses: April 17th/18th 2023, May 22nd/23rd 2023. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. These courses are virtual. You can also contact Accord N.Ireland Marriage Care Service Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street Derry, Tel: (028) 71362475 (Ext 1), Email:derry@accordni.com.
Thornhill Ministries: Thursday 23rd March 7:30pm – 8:30pm – ‘Let’s start at the very beginning’. An introductory workshop for those who sing in Church covering basic techniques re: breathing, posture, vocalisation etc. 15th October 2023 Pilgrimage Retreat to the Holy Land. Direct flights ex Dublin 9 Nights Staying in Bethlehem and Nazareth. To register/for details, please contact thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org / 07736832458 or visit thornhillministries.co.uk website. Today is gift. Life is gift. Let gifting be the energy that I bring to my family, my friends, my work, my home. www.thornhillministries.co.uk
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje 17th May 2023: Bookings are now being taken for a Pilgrimage to Medjugorje leaving from Dublin Airport on 17th May. Cost is £655 per person sharing which covers return flights, accommodation and meals. There is an additional charge for single room occupancy. The Pilgrimage is organised through Marian Pilgrimages in Dublin. For more details, please contact John Murray on 0780 1105575 or 02882 841265.
Millennium Forum-Energy of Light Discos: Our next 15+ Energy of Light Disco on Friday 31st March @ 8.30pm. We now also have a Kids (0-6 Yrs) at 4-5pm and Juniors (6-14 yrs) 5-6pm on Saturday 18th March, please note age is a guidance. Our discos are aimed at those experiencing limited physical, sensory and or learning disability. Tickets are £3 with carers and parents going free – complimentary tea/coffee provided. Tickets for this performances are on-sale through our box office (02871 264455 choose option 1) or on our website www.millenniumforum.co.uk
Want to learn about the rich wisdom and inspiration from our Celtic Spiritual Heritage? The IOSAS Centre, Derryvane, Muff, Co. Donegal is running a 3 week program on ‘How our Celtic past can help us today’?. These programs are made up of short videos & small group discussions; Building Welcoming Communities, Growing in Faith, Renewed in the Holy Spirit, Caring for God’s Creation & Evangelising with Love and Action. Starting Monday 27th March from 7pm -8.30pm / Tea & Coffee included. All Enquiries by Tel: 00353 74 93 84866 / by Email: info@sanctuarydonegal.com
Faith Renewal – Knock Shrine Lenten Reflections – Weekly talks with guest speakers, taking place online and at St John’s Welcome Centre, Knock Shrine, Time: 8.15pm -9.15pm, March 21st – John Connell, ‘Living more simply in a complex world’. A concert to celebrate Saint Patrick; Celebrate Lá Fhéile Pádraig, at Knock Shrine by joining us for a special concert on Thursday 16th March. Celebrating Irish music, heritage and culture with many well-known Irish favourites performed on the night. The concert will take place in Knock Basilica at 8.30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
