Nineteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time 10th August 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 10th August 12Noon Susan Colton-Smith
Tuesday 12th August 7.30pm The Casey Family
Wednesday 13th August 10.00am Maggie Brady
Wednesday 13th August 7.30pm Mairead Doherty
Thursday 14th August 7.30pm Willie Green
Friday 15th August 5.30pm William McShane
Saturday 16th August 6.00pm Edward & Bridget Tunney
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Phyllis McDermott- Braehead Road, Kathleen Armitage- Buncrana Road
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Freddie Gallagher, Gianna McDaid & Céala Miller-Brown
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
4th & 18th October, 8th & 22nd November & 6th & 20th December
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2392.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £760.00
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. Thank you.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: We stock a variety of gifts & cards, candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & mementos. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass. For enquiries please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty via (parish office 028-71262301 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church, a cosy place to relax and have a bite to eat or a cuppa and a cake! The café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am to 3pm. For more info, view Cloisters social media.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: In our second reading this weekend Abraham and Sarah are held up as models of faith. We pray for our seminarians and for those considering the diocesan priesthood, that they will be good examples of faith and trust in God for the people they will be called to serve.
Accord Derry-Marriage Preparation Courses: September – November 2025: September 26th/27th, October 17th/18th & November 7th/ 8th. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person.
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary- Friday 15th August 2025
The Immaculate Virgin preserved free from all stain of original sin, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, when her earthly life was over, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, that She might be the more fully conformed to Her Son, the Lord of Lords and the conqueror of sin and death. (Vatican Council II, “The Church”, 59). The Assumption of Mary honours the fullness of blessedness that was her destiny, the glorification of her Immaculate soul and virginal body that completely conformed her to the risen Christ. This is a celebration that offers to the Church and all humanity an exemplar and a consoling message, teaching us the fulfilment of our highest hopes.
It is a Holy Day of Obligation- Holyday Masses: Friday 15th August – 10am in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower & 5.30pm at Our Lady’s Grotto, Lecky Road, Brandywell
(Please note there will be NO 7.30pm Evening Mass in Long Tower).
Everyone is invited to join the local community at the Mass at Our Lady’s Grotto. A collection will be taken up after Mass for the upkeep of the Grotto. Thank you.
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 Safe-Guarding 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, the 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).
An Audio-Visual tour of the Long Tower Church is available. The guide which is narrated by Bishop Donal McKeown, offers a great insight into the history and sacredness of our beautiful Church. If you’re hosting visitors or you simply want to deepen your own appreciation, why not try the audio guide, priced at just £2.00. For further details, call into Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of The Long Tower Church or email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com.
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. We invite you to gather with us in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on 1st Thursday of each month, beginning on Thursday 2nd October at 7.30pm (Please note there will be no Mass on 4th September as previously advertised) for Mass followed by Mini Vigil to Midnight for healing and intercession. At this Mass we will pray for the cause of Sister Clare in the Monastic site where St. Columba knelt and prayed. Everyone welcome.
Knock National Novena to Our Lady of Knock takes place 13th– 21st August 2025. Daily ceremonies at 3pm and 8pm in Knock Basilica. Daily workshops take place at 12.45pm and themed guided prayer sessions will be available in Knock Prayer Centre. Please note that the Novena ends on 21st August, the anniversary of the Apparition at Knock in 1879. For further information email: info@knockshrine.ie or Tel:00353949388100
ACN Pilgrimage to Knock: Papal charity Aid to the Church in Need Ireland invites people to join their national pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on Saturday 30th August to highlight the plight of Christians who suffer persecution for their faith in many parts of the world. Mass is in the basilica at 3pm – all welcome. For more info, see www.acnireland.org.
Give Blood-Save Lives: Book now for local community donation session. Venue: Foyle College, Derry, Date & Time: Friday 15th August 12.30pm – 7.00pm. N. Ireland needs 1200 blood donations every week. Please call-08085 534 653 or visit www.nibts.org.
Jubilee Year Opportunities at Lough Derg this August & September: One Day Retreats – Guided Days of Prayer and Reflection – places available on August 19, 23, 24, 25, 30; September 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 20, 21. National Sacred Heart Crusade – a Sacred Heart Statue blessed by Pope Francis will be present for the Day Retreats on 23, 24 & 25 August. Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis on Sunday 7 September – special devotions and blessing with Carlo Acutis Relic. Admission €50. Group discounts available. Advance Booking Essential. Thursday 21 August to mark National Heritage Week 2025 Lough Derg offers a day to immerse yourself in the story and heritage of the ancient Sanctuary. Guided Tour of Station Island and Boat Trip at 11am & 2.30pm. Admission €15. Concessions for students, children & families. Advance Booking Essential. Pilgrim Path Lake Shore Pilgrimage – In the footsteps of pilgrims through the centuries: Sunday 31 August. Guided 8km & 12km walk options available. Admission €25. Advance Booking Essential. Quiet Day Retreat – Come apart by yourself, and rest for a while – Friday 12 September. Admission €40 includes refreshments and lunch. Advance booking essential. Contact by email: info@loughderg.org / Tel. 0(0353) 719861518. There is still time to collect your Lough Derg Pilgrim Passport Stamp www.pilgrimpassport.ie.
The Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains Association (NIHCA) is the professional body for healthcare chaplains in Northern Ireland, and aims to support and to equip healthcare chaplains. The NIHCA have commissioned Queen’s University Belfast to undertake a study regarding experiences of people who have used healthcare chaplaincy services in Northern Ireland. The research team is keen to hear from people who have accessed the healthcare chaplaincy service. You could have experience as a patient, family member of / someone close to a patient, or an employee of the healthcare setting. This survey is a welcomed opportunity to share your views and experiences anonymously. To find out more information about the brief survey and to take part: https://forms.office.com/e/YFbeb2Zcjm Please feel free to get in touch should you have any queries: Dr Patricia Carlisle (Lead Researcher, QUB). p.carlisle@qub.ac.uk / 02890971379
DEEDS- local dementia charity- 4 Week FREE Dementia Education Programme for Informal Carers, starting Wednesday 3rd September at 7pm in the Old Library Trust, Creggan. This course is for those looking after someone at home who has received a dementia diagnosis. It teaches what is dementia and helps carers to gain an understanding about different types of dementia, their signs and symptoms, about communication, different behaviours and coping strategies etc. The course is taught weekly with time for carers to talk and make connections as well as learning together. We do encourage family members to come together and support each other, so places are open for several members of the same family to come at the same time and share the learning. Please note, this course is not suitable for individuals who either have dementia or are currently going through a process of diagnosis. Booking is essential via eilish@olt.ie or contact 02871 373870.
Could you help nurses of tomorrow learn about Dementia? Join Time for Dementia – an innovative award-winning training programme, coming to University of Ulster. The programme is designed to educate undergraduate healthcare students to improve their knowledge, attitude, and empathy towards people with dementia and their carers. Students are paired up with a family affected by dementia and will arrange to visit them at home. This is a unique learning opportunity for the students but also a great chance for a family affected by dementia to share their experiences of living with the condition. If you would like to find out more information, please contact Anouska Noble on 07860331648 or anouska.noble@alzheimers.org.uk.
Save the Date: Abide in His Love Women’s Conference November 21st -23rd 2025. The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran Co. Donegal. An Amazing event for women exploring the beauty & gift of their feminine identity in Christ. Guest Speakers include: Sr. Mary Madeline Todd OP (USA), Megan Madden from ‘A Mother’s Lace’ (USA/UK), Fr. Barry Braum, Fr. Mark Wharton (UK), Fr. Francesco Mary Gavazzi, CFR, the Nashville Dominican sisters, & Mass with Archbishop Eamon Martin. More speakers to be announced. Check out Eventbrite for tickets & more information. Not to be missed!Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abide-in-his-love-womens-conference -2025-tickets- 1283997654549?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse.
The Iosas Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden, Muff, is a vibrant and welcoming place for all the family, with something special happening every day of the week. Enjoy the buzz of Fish & Chip Friday, treat yourselves to a hearty all-day breakfast on Saturdays, or gather around the table for a delicious Sunday lunch made with our own organic produce. During the week, our farm shop is open Monday to Friday until 4.30pm, bursting with fresh organic fruit and vegetables, homemade jams, chutneys, free-range eggs, and other tasty treats. Take time to explore the Celtic Prayer Garden – a peaceful and magical space where children can explore and adults can reconnect with nature and enjoy a moment of calm. It’s a little haven of joy, nourishment, and tranquillity, right on your doorstep: Eircode F93F104 will bring you straight to our door in Co. Donegal. Tel 0(0353)74 91 848 66.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
