Second Sunday of Lent 5th March 2023
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 5th March 12.00Noon Frances, Stephen & Kathleen Healy
Tuesday 7th March 7.30pm Damien McShane
Wednesday 8th March 7.30pm Stephen Radcliffe
Thursday 9th March 7.30pm Pauline Clifton
Friday 10th March 7.30pm Harry Curran
Saturday 11th March 6.00pm The Cassidy Family
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Thomas Coyle- Bishop Street & Andy Hegarty- Lecky Road
Baptisms: To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2215.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £692.00
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
‘GOD CLUB’ – Teenagers exploring their faith…Arás Colmcille (beside Long Tower church), Saturday mornings, 10.30am. All teenagers welcome!
A Mass in memory of Sr Annette O’Gorman, formerly Nazareth House, Derry will be celebrated in Long Tower church on Tuesday 14th March at 1pm. The children and choir of Nazareth House Primary School will also participate to honour Sr Annette’s years of service to the school and community which she loved so much. Refreshments afterwards in Aras Colmcille. All welcome
Cemetery Sunday: The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 25th June 2023 at 3.00 pm.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 6th March at 7.30pm when we will share in a network of prayer, love and support. Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal us at this time. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio. The Mass will be streamed via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv Everyone is welcome to attend.
Iconic Transformation
Following the collapse of communism in Serbia the art of iconography began to rise as people were drawn to the Church in their transformation. As a lecturer at a local Art School explained, “one must take into account the role of the icon. The primary role of the icon is truthfulness, not its artistic value.” Sometimes we find it difficult to discern what our primary role is, not fully understanding what our real purpose is. Like Solomon, we too are asked, ‘what would you like me to give you’ – but inadvertently ask for more worldly things. It seems, our lack of wisdom may cause us to be deceived and misled into other places by the influence of false artistry – losing our identification and shared imagery with the Divine. May we return to wise judgment and allow His truth to reveal itself in our iconic transformation – rediscovering our primary role and a new life in the hidden treasure of our hearts.
Diocesan Vocations: The next monthly Holy Hour for Vocations will take place in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, at 8pm on Friday 10th March. It will be led by the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan. Everyone is welcome to attend or to follow the devotions via the Cathedral webcam.
Diocesan Pioneer Council; Masses will be offered in the following churches during the Lenten season. They will highlight the virtue of Temperance, focusing on the Pioneer promises of moderation in all things, particularly in the use of alcohol. St. John the Baptist Church, Swatragh, Saturday 11th March at 12.00 noon, Church of the Sacred Heart, Carndonagh, Tuesday 14th March at 7.00pm, Church of the Sacred Heart, Omagh, Monday 20th March at 7.30pm. All, especially Pioneers, are invited to attend these Masses.
The Holy Family Padre Pio Prayer Group will meet on Tuesday 7th March at Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty, Derry. Starting with the Holy Rosary at 6.45pm, Mass at 7.15pm, and Novena to St. Pio directly afterwards. There will be a first-class relic available for veneration. Everyone Welcome.
Archbishop Eamon Martin is leading a pilgrimage to Fatima from 20th – 27th July 2023. Cost for 7 days is £799/€899 per person sharing. Flights depart Dublin at 6.05am Thursday 20th July arriving in Fatima 11.00am. For further information contact Joe or Maureen McLaughlin on 00442890701606 or 00447711808207.
Into Great Silence – The 2005 Documentary Film by Director Philip Growing, which illustrates the life of the Carthusian Monks of the Grand Chartreuse Monastery in France will be shown at 7:00pm on Thursday 9th March, at the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry. All are welcome to attend.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses: April 17th/18th 2023, May 22nd/23rd 2023. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. These courses are virtual. You can also contact Accord N.Ireland Marriage Care Service Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street Derry, Tel: (028) 71362475 (Ext 1), Email:derry@accordni.com.
Faith Renewal – Knock Shrine Lenten Reflections – Weekly talks with guest speakers, taking place online and at St John’s Welcome Centre, Knock Shrine, Time: 8.15pm -9.15pm, March 7th – Kieran Cronin, ‘Laudato Si: St Francis and prayer for ecological conversion.’ March 14th – Jane Mellett, ‘Almsgiving: responding to the cry of the earth and the poor through care for creation.’ March 21st – John Connell, ‘Living more simply in a complex world’.
A concert to celebrate Saint Patrick; Celebrate Lá Fhéile Pádraig, at Knock Shrine by joining us for a special concert on Thursday 16th March. Celebrating Irish music, heritage and culture with many well-known Irish favourites performed on the night. The concert will take place in Knock Basilica at 8.30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 9th March at 7:15pm in the Raddison Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. For more info call 01 4045378.
The Catholic Chaplaincy QUB in association with Order of Malta QUB invites you to join us in our Conversations for the Common Good initiative on Tuesday 7th March, at 7pm at the Catholic Chaplaincy QUB, 28 Elmwood Ave, Belfast. We welcome Caroline Haughey OBE KC – ‘The Evolution of Modern Slavery in the 21st Century and the Church’s Response’. Caroline is a lawyer based in London who prosecutes and defends across a wide variety of the most serious and high-profile criminal cases.
March sees the beginning of the Foyle Hospice Make a Will Month campaign. 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.
Concern Charity bookshop in Ferryquay Street is receiving donations for the Turkey/Syria Earthquake appeal. You may leave them in the church and we can arrange to collect them. You can also call up to the shop with cash or use our debit card machine. Concern, a member of the DEC, is currently providing food, shelter, clean water and emergency toilets in both Turkey and Syria. Thank you for your support.
Rally for Life – Saturday 11th March 2023 gathering in Custom House Square, Belfast, at 2pm. Buses leaving from various locations. For further information contact Precious Life on 07592280522 /02890278484 or email: info @preciouslife.com.
SMA Dromantine, Newry: Lenten Reflection Day, Saturday 4th March 9.30am – 5.00pm, Kindfulness… A gifted way of living my life. an opportunity for time aside to reflect on the season of Lent and to open our minds and hearts afresh to celebrate Holy Week and Easter, led by Fr. Damian Bresnahan SMA, cost (including lunch) £35/€40. Dance of Life Retreat: Friday 17th March (5.00pm) – Sunday 19th (2.00pm). In this retreat the opportunity to dance may bring a renewed awareness. In your sense of self, connection with others and connection with God, led by Sr. Mary Taylor, Ola and Fr. Damian Bresnahan SMA, cost £220/€250. Tel; 02830821964, Email: Admin@dromantinecomference.com
Mary’s Meals – Syria Earthquake Appeal:- We invite you to join us in prayer for those affected by the two devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and for the success of emergency response efforts. Mary’s Meals have now launched an emergency appeal to provide urgent support for children and vulnerable adults in and around Aleppo who are in desperate need. To find out more or donate, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk or call us for free on 0800 6981212.
Trócaire Earthquake Appeal- Tea Dance in An Grianan Hotel, Burt, Co.Donegal on Sunday 19th March from 8-10pm, Admission €10.00. Everyone Welcome.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
