Palm Sunday of The Lord’s Passion 29th March 2026
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 29th March 10.00am John Cassidy & Cassidy Family
Sunday 29th March 12Noon Kathleen, Denis & Denis (Jnr)Williams
Monday 30th March 7.00am Celine McCafferty
Monday 30th March 7.30pm Joseph Gallagher
Tuesday 31st March 10.00am John Coyle
Tuesday 31st March 7.30pm Liam Nelis
Wednesday 1st April 7.00am Mona Lestrade
Wednesday 1st April 10.00am Tim & Joe Meehan
Wednesday 1st April 7.30pm Charlie Meehan
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Betty McCallion- Formerly Glencaw Park, Bernadette Kelly- Brewsters Close.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Callie-Rose Beattie, Layla McCallion, Éala Nelis, Rory Park & Fíadhna Ferguson
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates are 9th & 30th May
13th & 27th June & 11th & 25th July 2026
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or 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 02871262301. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask duty nurse on the ward to call hospital chaplain. Thank you.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2830.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £797.00
The Parish Office: Please contact the parish office during office hours to arrange all Anniversary and Months Mind Masses, as well as to book Baptisms & Weddings. Please call the parish office by 12Noon on Thursdays with names for weekend Anniversary list. The Parish Office is open Monday- Friday from 9am to 2.30pm, Tel: 028-71262301 or via email at longtower@derrydiocese.org. For urgent sick calls, please use the office telephone number at all times.
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 in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on Holy Thursday at 7.30pm, Holy Saturday at 9pm (Easter Vigil) at 10.00am Mass on Easter Sunday.
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 (2 April) 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. It is the only Mass celebrated in the diocese on Holy Thursday morning. Everyone is welcome to attend the Chrism Mass, or to join it via the St Eugene’s parish webcam: www.steugenescathedral.com/webcam.html
Schedule for Holy Week
Palm Sunday: Sunday 29th March – Palms will be blessed at all Masses: 6pm Saturday Vigil, 8am, 10 am & 12 Noon.
11.30am: The Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem – assembling at Brandywell Grotto for Procession to Long Tower Church for Mass at 12 Noon. All welcome to come and join in the procession carrying palms.
Confessions: Palm Sunday: 5pm – Evening Prayer followed by Exposition of Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for Confessions concluding with Benediction. Monday – Wednesday of Holy Week: 7.00pm. Good Friday: After Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion for 1 hour and again after 7.30pm Stations of the Cross until 9pm. Please note there will be NO Confessions on Holy Saturday or during Easter week. Confessions will resume on eve of Divine Mercy, Saturday 11th April at 5pm and will also be available during Sr Clare Retreat Monday 13th to Sunday 19th April.
Holy Thursday: 10.00am Mass of Chrism in St Eugene’s Cathedral Bishop McKeown will celebrate the Mass of Chrism, on Holy Thursday morning (2nd April) 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, 3.00pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, followed by Confessions for 1hr. 7.30pm Stations of the Cross, followed by Confessions until 9pm.
Holy Saturday: 10.00am Morning Prayer, 9.00pm Easter Vigil, (Please note there will be NO 6.00pm Vigil Mass).
Easter Sunday Masses: 8.00am, 10.00am & 12Noon
All dates and times of services/Masses throughout Holy Week are detailed on a leaflet, please take a copy as you leave the Church. Details can also be found on the parish website www.longtowerchurch.org & Facebook page.
Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday and finishes on Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April. There will be Divine Mercy Devotions in St Mary’s Church, Creggan led by Bishop Donal McKeown on Sunday 12th April at 3pm.
The New Parish Collection Envelopes are now available. We would appreciate if the usual distributors could call and collect the envelopes for distribution in their areas at the Parish Office during office hours 9am-2.30pm Mon- Friday. If you do not receive your envelopes during the next week, please telephone or call at the parish office, during office hours Tel: 028-71262301 to make arrangements for collection. Anyone from outside the parish who received collection envelopes in previous years should call at the Sacristy with Tommy or Patrick. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who contributes in any way to the weekly collection, your ongoing and unwavering support of the Long Tower Parish is very much appreciated.
Gift Aid- We would like to ask you to consider Gift Aiding the donations you make to the Church. This means we reclaim the tax on your donation from the Inland Revenue – Anyone who pays income tax, even those who are retired but who receive a taxable pension are able to take part in the scheme – 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.
First Holy Communion dates 2026 – St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 15th May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 1.30pm.
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 safeguarding 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, 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).
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: For an increase in vocations, and for the future priests of our diocese, that they will follow the example of Jesus, the humble, faithful, and suffering Servant who gave His life for God’s people.
Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima: We are inviting young people aged 16+ to join us on pilgrimage to Fatima for 5 nights from 3rd – 8th August. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with their peers from around the world in a faith context. Cost is £820 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible to secure a place. For more info/ to book in please contact bethany.doherty@derrydiocese.org 0 2871264087.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: April to June 2026: April 24th/25th, May 15th/16th & June 19th/20th. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during July or August.
‘Shepherding Talent’ Online Programme – Aspire to Serve, Inspire to Lead: In partnership with St Mary’s University Twickenham, the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre is offering this programme. ‘Shepherding Talent’ is a pioneering programme from the university, in which teaching professionals with leadership potential are challenged to explore their vocation to lead. Aimed at all teaching professionals in Catholic schools, this programme is delivered in the context of Catholic School education. It will be delivered over five weeks. Cost is £250. The first session is on Wednesday 29th April, 4.30pm – 6.30pm. For further info/registration please email: tferry@derrydiocese.org.
Accord Facilitators needed. Accord is inviting volunteers to train as facilitators for its Marriage preparation programmes, supporting couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Facilitators work as part of a small local team and help lead up to four programmes each year. Free professional training is provided. To find out more/ apply Tel:015053112,Email:marriagepreparation@accord.ie. Closing date is 29th May 2026.
Sean Davis 3 Day Indoor “Easter” 2026 Fun Soccer Academy” at Templemore Sports Complex from Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th April for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10am to 3pm daily. For bookings/details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 07787791880.
This Easter, the Walled City Passion returns to Derry- Londonderry from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th April (12.30pm and 3.30pm daily). This outdoor production presents the Passion story from the perspective of Judas, reflecting on the realities of manipulation and forgiveness within the Easter message. Beginning at the Diocesan Centre on London Street, the performance unfolds along the city walls. Tickets available from millenniumforum.co.uk.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329
