Fourth Sunday of Lent 10th March 2024
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.
Monday 11th March 10.00am Billy Swail
Monday 11th March 7.30pm Lawrence Crossan
Tuesday 12th March 10.00am Kathleen Doherty
Tuesday 12th March 7.30pm Paddy & Bridget Hume
Thursday 14th March 7.30pm James Tonner & Sebastian Bowles
Saturday 16th March 6.00pm Malcolm Adams
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God; Mallaidh O’Kane, Dáithí Holden & Éabha McBrearty. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 for available dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1716.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £496.00
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.
Fr. Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas on Tuesday 12th & Friday 15th March; Long Tower Court, Abercorn Road, Bishop Street, Corporation Street, Belview Avenue, Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Ardfoyle, Lower Bennett St, Jack Allen Court, The Metropole Bridge Street & Alexander House.
Fr. Stephen will visit the sick in his care in the following areas on Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th March; Meenan Drive, Dove Gardens, Deanery Street, Bluebell Hill Gardens, Celtic Court, Kerrigan’s Close, Quarry Street, Lone Moor Road, Old City Court, Ballougry Road, Mullenan Road & Creevagh Road.
We congratulate the P.7 pupils from Long Tower, Nazareth House & Ballougry primary schools who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in Long Tower on Thursday 7th March. Thanks to Fr. Christopher McDermott who officiated and to all who made the occasion so special. We hope you all had a lovely day!
In celebration of St Patrick’s weekend, you are invited to a Trad Night and Ceili Dancing on Friday 15th March in the Assembly Hall of Nazareth House Primary School. Celebrations begin at 7.30pm and tea/coffee and refreshments will be served. The event is a joint fundraiser for Aras Cholmcille & Nazareth House Primary School. Entry Fee £6.00/per adult. Limited parking available. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
(Prayer of St. Columba in the Dubh Regles of Derry)
May the fire of God’s love burn brightly and steadfastly in our hearts like the golden light within the sanctuary lamp.
This month of March the Sanctuary lamp beside the Tabernacle in Long Tower Church will be lit for all our school children especially those who have/ are preparing for their Sacraments at this time.
We also pray for their families and all involved in our school communities.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2024
Mass at 7.00am in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday during the season of Lent.
Friday Penance during Lent: (i) make a special effort at family prayer (ii) make the Stations of the Cross (iii) do something to help the poor, sick or lonely (iv) make a special effort to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (v) abstain from meat or some other food.
Schedule for Stations of the Cross During Lent: Stations of the Cross will be prayed each Monday & Friday before Evening Mass at 7.00pm. Confessions on those days will be at 6.30pm.
Lenten Healing Service/ Vespers (Evening Prayer): on Sundays at 6.00pm during the season of Lent, continues this Sunday 25th February with Vespers (evening prayer).
Divine Mercy & Rosary: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Rosary will be recited in Long Tower Church, Monday- Friday at 3.00pm during the season of Lent.
First Holy Communion 2024
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Saturday 18th May 2024 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School will take place on Friday 24th May 2024 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 31st May 2024 at 1.30pm.
Gala Concert in St Columb’s Hall: The Priests and soprano Margaret Keys are performing what promises to be a musical extravaganza on Sunday 24th March at 7.30pm in the magnificent St Columb’s Hall. The concert is a fundraiser for the restoration of the Church organ in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and for restoration of Christ Church in recognition of the kind financial support given by Bishop Hervey to the building of Long Tower Church 240 years ago this year.
Tickets on sale, cost £25.00 and would make an ideal gift for Mother’s Day!. Tickets can be purchased from the Long Tower website www.longtowerchurch.org, then clicking on the donate button (on the homepage) and proceed to option 5, Concert booking fee. Alternatively tickets will be sold after 6pm Saturday Vigil & 12 Noon Sunday Masses & also from the Parish Office on Tuesday’s & Thursday’s from 2.30pm-4.00pm. For Further details, keep an eye on Longtower facebook page or email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com or longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Derry Diocesan Youth Synod Gathering: Lizzie and Niamh of the Diocese of Derry Youth Team are inviting all young people or those who work with young people in parishes and schools in the diocese to an evening of sharing faith along with Tea, Chat and Prayer. This event will be held in the Cathedral hall, in the grounds of Saint Eugene’s Cathedral, Tuesday, 12th March, 6:30pm- 8:00pm and in Maghera Pastoral Centre, Wednesday, 20th March 6:30pm-8:00pm. If you would like to register for any of these events, please email Lizzie on lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or phone 02871264087.
Spring Activities Programme at Áras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church. March begins the rollout of affordable classes for adults in guitar for beginners (tutor Danny McGilloway), art classes in watercolour, oil and acrylics (tutor Phil Kelly), classes in crafting, quilting and embroidery (tutor Louise Kelly) & crafting with willow. See our facebook page ‘The St Columba Heritage Centre’ for schedule & details. To book a place on any of these courses, please email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com or a send text message/ whatsapp on 077 898 50793.
Fr. Terence O’ Connell will conduct a Day Retreat in honour of Saint Charbel on Thursday 14th March, in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost for the day, including light lunch £20. A first class relic and Blessed Oil of St. Charbel will also be available on the day. For bookings, please contact 71 262512.
A St Patrick’s Way pilgrimage experience in Downpatrick on 16th March, led by pilgrim guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. Visit The Saint Patrick Centre, see IMAX film, & receive passport to walk with guides to Inch Abbey and Saul Church & St Patrick’s grave. Lunch and bus transfers inc £35 pp. 9am-3pm More info contact the Centre 02844 619000 (The walk is approx 6 miles).
Parents and Grandparents of boys in St Joseph’s Boys’ School are invited to a Mass in the school to celebrate St Joseph on Wednesday 20th March at 1.30pm. Please ring the school office on 02871262923 to confirm your attendance.
March is Foyle Hospice Make a Will Month. During the month local solicitors have very kindly agreed to waive their Will Writing Fee in replace of a donation to Foyle Hospice. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to have their Will written by a professional. Participating solicitors can be found by visiting the Foyle Hospice website or calling Kathleen at the Foyle Hospice on 02871 359888.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses April – June 2024: April 19th/20th 2024, May 17th/18th 2024 & June 14th/15th 2024. Venue: Please note that all courses are now in person & NOT Virtual. Courses can be booked online now at www.accordni.com.
Lough Derg Retreat For Young Adults (18 – 30-year olds): The Knights of Columbanus, Omagh, is organising a Retreat in Lough Derg for young adults, to take place on Saturday 27th April 2024, from 10.00am – 4.00pm. Guest Speakers, inspirational talks, reflective time and concluding with Mass. This event is FREE OF CHARGE. For further information email info@knightsofstcolumbansomagh.co.uk.
Smoking Cessation Clinic. It starts on the 12th of March in Long tower youth club @ 7pm and for more information contact Lorraine 02871 365330.
