Second Sunday Of Advent 4th December 2022
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 4th December 10.00am The Strain Family
Sunday 4th December12.00Noon Frankie McFeely
Monday 5th December 10.00am Patrick Mooney
Monday 5th December 7.30pm Raymond Donnelly
Tuesday 6th December 7.30pm Paddy McCallion
Wednesday 7th December 10.00am Bridie McGill
Wednesday 7th December 7.30pm Charles McDaid
Thursday 8th December 10.00am James McDaid
Thursday 8th December 7.30pm Myra Barr
Friday 9th December 10.00am Jim Harkin
Friday 9th December 7.30pm Cormac Wilson
Saturday 10th December 6.00pm Jackie McLaughlin
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2837.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £615.00
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Fr Gerard will visit the sick in his care on the following dates in the areas specified; The week beginning Monday 5th December 2022: Long Tower Court, St. Columb’s Wells, Meenan Drive, Drumcliffe Avenue, Abbots Walk, Dove Gardens, Cable Street, Bluebell Hill Gardens, Celtic Court, Lecky Road, Kerrigan’s Close & Quarry Street. The week beginning Monday 12th December 2022: Deanery Street, Southend Park, Iona Court, Nualamount Drive, Lone Moor Road, Old City Court, Braehead Road, Mullenan Road & Alexander House.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 5th November at 7.30pm. The celebrant will be Fr Frank Trias CP of the Passionist Order accompanied by Brendan Rodgers who will give a talk after Mass followed by individual veneration of a first-class relic of St Pio. Brendan will share his extraordinary story of how he was gifted a relic from Padre Pio and the ministry and miracles that have happened since, recalling memories and stories from the past 40 years. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Mass will also 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.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Continues this Sunday 4th December at 6.00pm. The theme of our Novena this year is ‘What do I believe’? Exploring our Faith. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by guest speakers and a ceremony of healing with Benediction. We wish our Parish every blessing as we continue our Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing to join us.
Thursday 8th December, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holyday of Obligation. Masses are as follows; Wednesday 7th Vigil at 7.30pm, Thursday 8th at 10.00am & 7.30pm. We celebrate Mary who, from the first instant of her existence in the womb of her mother Anne, was ‘by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, preserved free from all stain of original sin’.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office or Sacristy, cost £2.00.
Long Tower Christmas Cards are also available from Parish Office or Sacristy, cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards.
Adoration Chapel Pump Street: The Adoration Chapel will be open Monday- Friday from 9am-5pm. Everyone is welcome to visit.
Fr Gerard would like to thank most sincerely all those who donated in any way to the Cost of Living Appeal. The kindness and support shown was overwhelming and will help so many families who are struggling this Christmas.
‘Casting a Long Shadow’ is a new book charting the People’s History of the Long Tower Church. It will be on sale in Aras Cholmcille daily from 10.30am to 11.30am. Price £20.00.
The next monthly Holy Hour for Vocations will take place in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Friday 9th December at 8pm, and will be led by the Diocesan Vocations Director Fr Pat O’Hagan. Those unable to attend are invited to follow the service on the Cathedral webcam at: www.steugenescathedral.com
Pilgrimage to San Giovanni & Rome: As part of St Eugene’s Cathedral 150th Anniversary Celebrations, Bishop Donal McKeown will lead a pilgrimage to San Giovanni & Rome from 25th – 30th September 2023. Visiting the birthplace of Padre Pio, Shrine of St Michael Archangel, St Peter’s Basilica and other important sites. Price is £879pps (Single room supplement £150). For more details, email info@marian.ie or call Belfast on (028) 956 80005 or Dublin on (01) 878 8159.
The Matt Talbot Mass will be celebrated in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Monday, 5th December at 7.30 pm. The Matt Talbot Prayer Society – Praying for those suffering from Addiction: This Prayer Society has been created to pray for people who are suffering from any form of addiction, to pray for those recovering from addiction, and to pray for all those affected by addiction, especially family members. Mass will be offered for those enrolled on the first Monday of every month in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, at 7.30pm. To enrol someone in the Matt Talbot Prayer Society please email vita@matttalbotprayersociety.com or private message St Eugene’s Cathedral Facebook page or phone St Eugene’s Cathedral at 028 71262894/71365712.
Children in Crossfire’s Christmas gift cards are now available. They can be purchased via: Our online shop, Veritas stores in Derry/Londonderry, Newry and Letterkenny or you can contact Aishling on 028 71269898 or email aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org. Thank you for your support.
Mary’s Meals – Our gift cards and life-changing gifts make a real difference to the 2.2 million children who eat our meals every school day. You can place your order online www.marysmeals.org.uk or by calling us on 0800 698 1212.
‘Living in the Divine Will’: the writings of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta. Termonbacca, Mon 5 Dec, 6pm, all welcome.’
Advent Reflection at Dromantine Retreat Centre, Tuesday 13 December, 4pm, to Wednesday 14 December, 5pm, in preparation for Christmas. Hosted by the SMA Community, it includes Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick. Cost £120/€145. To book call 02830821224 or email admin@dromantineconference.com
The Youth 2000 Christmas retreat will be taking place in Newbridge College, Newbridge between 9th-11th December. This retreat is for anyone aged 16-35. Great CRAIC!!, Excellent speakers, inspiring talks & workshops, fantastic music, group activities, youth masses, adoration, reconciliation, prayer, drama, games & plenty of time to chill out, meet new people and find out what it means to be young & Catholic today!! Donation only. Free buses leaving from all over Ireland. Register now on www.youth2000.ie
Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Workshops January – March 2023, January 9th/10th 2023, January 30th/31st 2023, February 6th/7th 2023, February 20th/21st 2023, March 6th/7th 2023 & March 27th/28th 202. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. All of the above courses are VIRTUAL.
Upcoming Blood Donation Sessions in Guildhall Building, Derry on Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th December from 12.30pm – 4pm & 5pm –7.30pm. Booking by appointment only, please call-08085 534 653 to book.
Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 8th December at 7:15pm in the Raddison Blu Hotel, Letterkenny Co.Donegal. 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.
Derry Playhouse: Shirah of Bethlehem first presented as Abby’s song, an off Broadway show in New York, now reimagined in a concert version, Shirah of Bethlehem will have a world premiere in a performance by Allegri Junior and Youth Choirs at The Playhouse today (Sunday 4 December) at 3pm and 6pm. Street Talk Showrooms Local young people will transform part of the North West Transport Hub on Wednesday December 7 from 4pm to 6pm as part of a new exploratory art project. The Street Talk Showrooms public art showcase is organised by young people from The Bytes Project, Currynieirin Community Association and Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) For more info and tickets call (028)71 268027 or www.derryplayhouse.co.uk.
Iosas Centre, Derryvane, Muff, Co Donegal: Upcoming events – Christmas party dinners / afternoon teas / wreath making classes /another card-making class and children’s story-telling & craft making, with a chance to meet Santa Claus. All information can be found on Facebook page @IOSAS Centre & Celtic Prayer Garden.
Verbal Arts Centre will be transforming the front, open-plan foyer/reception area into a welcoming ‘drop-in’ facility for the local community and the broader public in general from 5th December. The Public Living Room will be open from 9.30am to 12noon Monday to Friday. A children’s playroom area will also be available (parental supervision is required). You can find us on Stable Lane, off Bishop Street. Feel free to contact us on 028 7126 6946 or email info@theverbal.co.
