Feast of Christ the King 21st November 2021
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 November 12Noon Tilly Evans
Monday 22nd November 7.30pm Teresa McGeehan
Tuesday 23rd November 10.00am Liam Muldoon
Tuesday 23rd November 7.30pm DDS
Wednesday 24th November 10.00am Patrick Gorman
Wednesday 24th November 7.30pm Kate Kennedy
Thursday 25th November 7.30pm Sarah Harkin
Friday 26th November 7.30pm Peggy O’Donnell
Saturday 27th November 6.00pm Dan Callaghan
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of: Mary Josephine Keenan- Iona Court, Magdalen Donnelly- Rockfield & Charlie Coyle- Westway
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Reeva Mohamat-Jackson, Ollie Doherty, Cillian Houston, Conn Coyle, Ronan Carlin, Alayiah Gilloway & William Cowan
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org
Visitation of the Sick: Fr. Baker had hoped to visit the sick in his care before Christmas, however due to the current increase in COVID numbers in the area which recently directly affected the Parish Office it has been decided that this will be delayed and will be reviewed again in the New Year. We understand some of you will be disappointed by this, but feel as a Parish community we have to act responsibly and keep each other as safe as possible as we continue to live alongside the virus. Please be assured that urgent sick calls will continue to be attended. We thank you for your continued understanding and support.
For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office or the Sacristy, cost £2.00.
Long Tower Christmas Cards are now available from Parish Office or the Sacristy. Cost is £4.00 for a packet of 12 cards each containing 4 different images of the Long Tower Church.
Mass Guidance
We would like to remind everyone attending Mass & other Church Services that under current guidance there remains a legal requirement to wear a face covering on the way into a place of worship and on the way out. Despite this change in the legal position Bishop Donal McKeown has asked that we strongly continue to recommend & encourage the use of face coverings during all services of worship. We also kindly ask that you continue to observe social distancing & use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and that you receive Holy Communion only in the hand. It is up to each of us individually and as a community to keep each other as safe as possible as we continue to live alongside the virus. We thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to gather together as a parish community.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church continues this Sunday 21st November at 6.00pm. The theme of our Novena this year is ‘The gifts of hope and joy in a time of darkness’. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and a ceremony of healing with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Our speaker this week is Kieran Griffiths. Kieran is from the top of the hill area of Derry City. He currently works in the Playhouse and has directed many fantastic plays. He is married 6 years and has two beautiful children. We welcome him to the Long Tower as we continue our Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing in their lives to join us.
FAMILY PRAYER AT HOME – NOVEMBER A MONTH TO REMEMBER – This booklet contains prayers for November, a family prayer service for use at home and information about a remembrance event at Knock Shrine. This booklet may be of particular interest to families and those who are housebound. All these resources can be found at Diocese of Derry website: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/november-family-prayer-at-home
COVID-19 Memorial Prayer Garden; The Garden of Remembrance has now been constructed in the Cathedral grounds, behind the Lourdes Grotto. It names all the parishes of the diocese and includes prayers for the deceased. The rose plants that were brought forward to the sanctuary on the night of the Stations of the Cross remembrance vigil (held in St Eugene’s Cathedral on 26th & 27th March 2021) have been planted there. The Garden will not be officially dedicated until later, however, people are welcome to come and pray or reflect, especially in this Month of the Holy Souls.
Derry Diocesan Youth will be holding a Youth Event in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on 21 November, from 12:00noon -3:30pm. This event is for young people in the diocese ages 14 and up to come and get involved with their faith and celebrate world youth day in preparation for World Youth Day in Lisbon 2023. If any young person would like to book, please email lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or message any @derryyouth social media pages. Cost £5 to secure a place at this event; all deposits to be paid before the 16 November.
Derry Diocesan Trust Job Opportunities:-
Position– Junior Pastoral Ministry Co-ordinator (Youth), 20 hours per week (inc. evenings and weekends) with possibility of extension to 35 hours per week. 1 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension, Parish of Templemore: St Eugene’s & St Columba’s, Derry, Closing Date-02.12.2021.
Position- Housekeeper, 10 Hours per week, (possible extension to 12 hours per week), Long Tower Parochial House, 6 Victoria Place, Abercorn, Derry, BT48 6TJ, Closing Date- 02.12.2021
For a job description and application form please: Write: Personnel, Derry Diocesan Office, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP, Email: payroll@derrydiocese.org or Telephone: 028 7126 2302.
Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities
The Diocese of Derry Privacy Notice: The Diocese of Derry complies with GDPR regulations. A privacy notice is available on the Parish website or by contacting the Parish Office. Live stream and recordings of Mass and Services in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and are available online. Parishioners should note that the first 4 rows of seats are visible online in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
Safeguarding Notice: If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding of children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at 07596500793/07707311358 or at the Safeguarding Office, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ or PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) 101 or Social Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust, 71314090 and ask for the Duty Social Worker.
The Net – November 2021:Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the November edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-november-2021 For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.
THE MYSTERY UNFOLDS: Advent Oasis mornings offered by Thornhill Ministries (Saturdays 27 Nov & 11 Dec: 11:00 am – 12:00 noon). Led by Fr Paschal, each gentle hour helps us touch into the mystery of life and God-with-Us. To register and for zoom link contact 07736832458 email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org
SERVICE OF LIGHT: The ‘North West Bereaved by Suicide’ Support Group is holding its annual Service of Light, on Sunday 5 December, at 5.30 pm, in the Foyle Search & Rescue HQ, Prehen, Derry. All are welcome to attend.
Mary’s Meals- Double the Love Thanks to your support, Mary’s Meals are now bringing joy to over 2 million children with a daily meal in their place of education. Our Double the Love campaign runs until 31st January 2022, all donations up to a total of £1.6 million will be matched by a generous group of private donors. Every little act of love will go that little bit further during this period to help us reach the next child waiting, so please consider supporting this campaign and praying for its success. There are many ways to get involved including choosing one of our Mary’s Meals gift cards or setting a place at our Big Family Christmas table- find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk
PRIORY INSTITUTE Online ‘Theology’ Open Evening: The Priory Institute invites you to attend a short introductory lecture on theology to find out if studying theology with them is right for you. This Open Evening takes place on Thursday 2 December, at 7.00pm. Question and Answer time available. For further information, or to register, visit : https://prioryinstitute.com/events/priory-institute-open-evening / Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com / telephone 003531 4048124. The Priory Institute provides online Theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures from the comfort of your own home.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help: call us on 028 7135 1329.
Foyle Foodbank, Springtown, Industrial Estate, is open from 11am until 4pm Monday to Friday to help those in food crisis. Telephone 71263699.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops 2022: January 25th/26th 2022, February 8th/9th 2022, February 22nd/23rd 2022, March 8th/9th 2022, March 22nd/ 23rd 2022, April 5th/6th 2022. All of the above courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. They are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm-9pm. Booking online www.accordni.com. Due to demand an extra course is being facilitated on November 23rd/24th 2021.
Accord’s free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ for marriages, families and relationships offers support to those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three numbers are: Accord CLG – 01 531 3331, Accord Dublin – 01 905 9555, Accord NI – 028 9568 0151 or 00353 1 531 3331.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can accessed on the following websites; https://www.churchservices.tv/churches/
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras
https://www.parishwebsites.ie/
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station. Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – Listen via TV on Saorview – Channel 210 and Freeview – Channel 826; Download our FREE APP – “Radio Maria Ireland”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by telephoning +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Please join our growing faith family.