Second Sunday In Ordinary Time 19th January 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 19th January 8.00am Margaret McDermott
Sunday 19th January 10.00am Ann Bradley
Sunday 19th January 12Noon Geraldine McBride
Monday 20th January 10.00am Mary Ellen Berry & Berry Family
Monday 20th January 7.30pm Evelyn & Peter Lancaster
Tuesday 21st January 10.00am Annie Healy
Tuesday 21st January 7.30pm Patrick Doherty
Wednesday 22nd January 7.30pm Siobhan McKinney
Thursday 23rd January 7.30pm Christopher Hegarty
Friday 24th January 7.30pm Edward McLaughlin
Saturday 25th January 6.00pm Anna & Jim Green
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Chris Harkin- North Meadows, Betty McGeehan- Clonliffe Park, Culmore.
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
March 2025 – Saturday 15th April 2025 – Saturday 12th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2770.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £785.00
PARISH MISSION OVERSEAS COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £775.00
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.
Derry Diocesan Trust: Cook- Parish of Templemore – St Columba’s, Long Tower 12 hours per week – Permanent Part Time. (Monday – Thursday 11am to 2pm). For job description and application pack please contact: Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP, telephone (028) 7126 2302 or email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to: Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 4.30pm on Monday 20th January 2025.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: As we pray for the grace to use our God-given gifts as God would wish us to use them, we pray in particular for those called to use them as priests in the service of the parishes and people of our diocese.
Sr Clare Crockett, Servant of God
We are still in a state of euphoria after such a powerful weekend in Madrid. The extensive media coverage captures the spirit and joy of so many people in Derry and various parts of the Derry Diocese who made the journey to be with Shauna and Megan and the Crockett family on their beloved, beautiful Sr Clare becoming a Servant of God and the opening of her Cause for Canonisation. Also, that joy was captured in the many people who watched the ceremonies in Brunswick Moviebowl and at home. We are truly privileged and blessed.
We now look forward to celebrating a Mass to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit for the Cause of Sr Clare on Sunday 26th January at 3pm in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, presided by Bishop Donal McKeown. Everyone is welcome to attend. For those unable to attend in person the Mass will also be streamed live via the Church webcam which can be accessed from our website www.longtowerchurh.org and also via the Longtower facebook page.
Please note: Lumen Christi College, on Bishop’s Street have very kindly agreed to offer parking space on their grounds to avoid parking on the Flyover if possible. The side gate from the College to Cooke Street will be open to allow for more convenient walking to Long Tower Church. Once again, we appeal to everyone in advance not to double-park or block residents from accessing their homes in the Long Tower area. Thank you for your co-operation.
Catholic Schools Week 2025 begins this Sunday 19th January until Saturday 25th January. The theme for this year is ‘Catholic Schools: Alive in Christ’. During Catholic Schools Week families, parishes and schools are invited to participate in a week of celebration of Catholic schools, reflecting on their contribution to the common good of society. The national resource pack with ideas, is available online at Catholic Schools Week 2025 – Alive in Christ! | Catholic Education Partnership.
Children in Crossfire – Children in Crossfire are thrilled with the kind support received so far for their Advent Appeal and extend their sincere thanks to everyone who donated or volunteered to help. They will now count up all contributions and let us know how much was raised soon. If you missed the collection and would still like to help, you can donate via this link. Please note our parish name in the comment section. www.childrenincrossfire.org/donate-advent
“Come Follow Me” Eucharistic Procession on Saturday 1st February, departs from St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower, at 1pm, going through Derry City. ALL WELCOME! Led by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima: We are inviting young people aged 16 + to join us on pilgrimage to Fatima for 4 nights from 14th to 18th July. 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 £700 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 information or to book in please contact lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org 00 44 2871264087.
Accord Derry – Marriage Preparation Courses: January – June 2025; January 24th/25th, February 21st/22nd, March 28th/29th, April 11th/12th, May 30th/31st & June 20th/21st. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note that all of these courses are in person and NOT virtual.
Accord is now seeking marriage preparation facilitators. Might this be you? Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service CLG is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. If you are supportive of marriage in the Catholic Church and have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team that supports couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage then Accord wishes to hear from you!. Successful applicants will receive professional training in the Accord marriage preparation programme and be part of a team delivering programmes locally. Contact Aisling on 01 505 3112 or by email to marriagepreparation@accord.ie and for further information see www.accord.ie.
To mark Christian Unity Week 2025, City Centre Churches are holding a Walking Service on Monday 20th January, starting at First Derry Presbyterian Church at 7 pm. We will visit several areas of the city’s business and residential sectors before finishing at Carlisle Road Methodist Church, approximately an hour later, with light refreshments. In the event of the weather being unsuitable, we will meet in First Derry Presbyterian Church at 7 pm and hold our event there. The Waterside Christian Unity event will take place on Wednesday 22nd January, starting at 7pm in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road and ending in Ebrington Presbyterian Church. Everyone is most welcome at one or both of these events.
To celebrate Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025, St. Eugene’s Cathedral, & Christ Church along with The Association of Iconographers Ireland, invite you to an Exhibition of Icons in St. Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, Infirmary Road, Derry, BT48 7ER from Monday 20 January to Wednesday 22 January 2025 from 10.30am to 8.30pm. Entry to the exhibition is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
St Mary’s College – if you missed our Open Day you can book a tour of the school on the following dates: Wednesday 22nd January, Wednesday 29th January, Wednesday 5th February. Tours will begin at 4pm and end at 5pm. Please contact the school to book a tour on (028) 71362154.
Trócaire School Volunteers: Are you a retired teacher or someone who has experience presenting to groups of school children? Trócaire is looking for volunteers to support our 2025 Lent Appeal in the Derry Diocese. If you think you have the right skills and experience and will be available to help during school hours over Lent, then we would love to hear from you. Full training will be provided. For more info call Naomi Purnell on 028 9080 8033 or email naomi.purnell@trocaire.org.
Now Flying Direct From Belfast: Pilgrimage to Fatima, 7 Nights F/B Avenida Hotel 28th May/4th June. Spiritual Director Fr Antony CP. Full religious programme. £849pps. For further information contact Joe Catney 07776425631.
Pilgrimages To Medjugorje 2025: Bookings are now being taken for two Pilgrimages to Medjugorje. 7th May from City of Derry Airport, £745 per person sharing. 2nd July from Belfast International Airport, £765 per person sharing. Cost includes return flights, accommodation and meals. Additional charge for single room occupancy. Pilgrimages are organised through Marian Pilgrimages (Dublin). For more details, please contact John Murray on 0780 1105575.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
