Palm Sunday Of The Lord’s Passion 24th 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.
Sunday 24th March 10.00am Cathy McKinney
Sunday 24th March 12Noon Robert McGilloway
Monday 25th March 7.00am Paddy Nolan
Tuesday 26th March 7.30pm Edward McLaughlin
Wednesday 27th March 10.00am Pat Hamill
Wednesday 27th March 7.30pm Mona Lestrade
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Danny Kelpie- St Mary’s Crescent, Pennyburn & Lisa Ryan- Ferndale Drive
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God; Ruby Cooley, Niamh McGilloway & Éidin Page. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 for available dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2250.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £696.00
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.
Padre Pio Intercede for us: Please note there will be NO Padre Pio Healing Mass this Monday 25th March. The next Padre Pio Mas for Healing will be on Monday 29th April at 7.30pm
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.
Palm Sunday Procession (complete with Thomas the Donkey!!!) – Sunday 24th March beginning with blessing of palms at Brandywell Grotto at 11.30am, processing to Long Tower Church for 12 Noon Mass. Palms will also be blessed in the Church during the entrance procession. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Penitential Service this Sunday 24th March, Palm Sunday at 5pm- There will be a short penitential service with exposition of Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for confessions with visiting priests available, concluding with Benediction. Confessions will also be available Monday – Wednesday of Holy Week at 7.00pm each evening and on Good Friday morning for 1 hour after Morning Prayer. Please note there will be no Confessions on Holy Saturday. Confessions will resume the week after Easter.
HOLY WEEK
Confessions:
On Sunday 24th March, Palm Sunday there will be a short Penitential Service with Exposition of Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for Confessions with visiting priests available. Benediction will follow Confession. Confessions will also be available Monday – Wednesday of Holy Week at 7.00pm each evening and on Good Friday morning for 1 hour after Morning Prayer. Please note there will be no Confessions on Holy Saturday. Confessions will resume the week after Easter.
Ceremonies
Holy Thursday
10.00am Mass of Chrism in St Eugene’s Cathedral
Bishop McKeown will celebrate the Mass of Chrism, on Holy Thursday morning (28th March) at 10.00am. During Mass the Holy Oils for Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Ordination are blessed. Also, the priests renew their Ordination promises.
7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration at the Altar of Repose until Midnight.
Good Friday (Day of Fast and Abstinence)
10.00am Morning Prayer, followed by Confessions for 1 hr
3.00pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
7.30pm Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday
10.00am Morning Prayer
9.00pm Easter Vigil (No 6.00pm Vigil Mass)
Easter Sunday Masses
8.00am, 10.00am & 12 noon.
Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday and finishes on Divine Mercy Sunday 7th April.
There will be Divine Mercy Devotions in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on Sunday 7th April at 3pm, preceded by Confessions from 1.30pm – 2.30pm.
Fr. Gerard, Fr. Stephen, Fr. John & Fr. Peter would like to wish everyone a very Happy & Holy Easter Season.
The Parish Office will be closed from Good Friday 29th March at 1.30pm and will re-open on Monday 8th April at 9.00am.
Mass Of Chrism: Bishop McKeown will celebrate the annual Mass of Chrism with the priests of the diocese in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, on Holy Thursday morning (28th March) at 10am. During Mass the holy Oils for Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Ordination are blessed. Also, the priests renew their Ordination promises. It is the only Mass celebrated in the diocese on Holy Thursday morning. Everyone is welcome to attend the Chrism Mass, or to join us via the St Eugene’s parish webcam: www.steugenescathedral.com/webcam.html.
The New Parish Collection Envelopes are now available from Parish Office. If you still have not received your envelopes please telephone or call at the parish office, during office hours 9am -2.30pm Mon-Friday, or Tel: 028-71262301. We would also ask that anyone who lives outside the parish and who receives collection envelopes to call at Sacristy with Tommy. Gift Aid- We would like to ask you to consider Gift Aiding the donations you make to the Long Tower Church. This means we reclaim the tax on your donation from the Inland Revenue – it doesn’t cost you anything extra but is an invaluable additional source of income for the Parish. Please contact the Parish Office on 02871-262301 or email longtower@derrydiocese.org. 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. 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).
St Columba’s Gift Shop: We have a large variety of cards and gifts available as well as candles and other mementos. The shop will be open before/after 10.00am Mass Monday-Friday. For further enquiries please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty (via the Parish Office 028-7126230 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.
Masters in Catholic School Leadership: The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. If you are interested in registering for the Masters in September 2024 or require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org
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.
Divine Mercy Conference, with Fr Pat Collins C.M and Fr. Issac John MSFS on Saturday 6th April 2024., Knock Shrine, St John’s Welcome Centre, 11.00am- 4.00pm. The Conference will begin at 11.00am, with welcome from Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector, Knock Shrine. Everyone welcome.
Healing our Wounds Weekend Workshop at Ards Friary, 12th -14th April. This workshop offers a way to transform our wounds. It will include input, time for personal reflection, opportunities for sharing and some social time. Cost €220, includes retreat, accommodation and all meals. Limited to 12 people. To make a booking contact Ards on 00353 74 9138909 or by email info@ardsfriary.ie
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.
St Vincent de Paul have now opened a Pop-up, pre loved Furniture Shop. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am – 2pm, 4 Elagh Buiness Pk, Buncrana Rd, Derry, BT48 8QH. We are looking for quality suites, bedroom furniture and Bric a brac: to arrange collection please call 02871 265489.
The Walled City Passion returns this Easter to the historic walls of Derry-Londonderry, from Thursday 28th until Saturday 30th March. Showtimes are 12.00Noon and 3.00pm, and tickets are available via the Millennium Forum Box Office 02871 264455 or online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk
National Eucharistic Adoration Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday, 14 April (weekend after Divine Mercy Sunday). To enquire or book a seat, call: 07738873492 (from Donegal, dial 004477…). Details of buses, nationwide, on www.eucharisticadoration.ie
Lough Derg Retreat for Young Adults (18 – 30year 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.
Fatima Pilgrimage 9th-14th August. Payments can be made by instalments. For further details please contact James Treacy 061921470 or email jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com
