Second Sunday of Advent 8th December 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 8th December 10.00am James McDaid
Sunday 8th December 12Noon Mary Clarke & Family
Monday 9th December 7.30pm Cormac Wilson
Tuesday 10th December 7.30pm Jack & Agnes Downey
Wednesday 11th December 10.00am McConomy, Brown, Harkin & Carlin Families
Wednesday 11th December 7.30pm Anna Doherty
Thursday 12th December 7.30pm Joe McLaughlin
Friday 13th December 7.30pm Sadie Campbell
Saturday 14th December 6.00pm Dympna Armstrong- O’Donnell
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Stephen Donnelly- John Street
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Jacob Lyons & Conall Kennedy. 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.
January 2025- 11th, 18th & 25th
February 2025- 8th & 15th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2180.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £651.00
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.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church at 6.00pm, continues this Sunday 8th December The theme of our Novena this year is ‘The Power of Prayer’- Reflecting on the prayer Jesus taught us in this Year of Prayer.. Our guest speaker this Sunday is Fr Brendan McManus who is originally from Co Fermanagh and is a Jesuit priest based in Manresa, Jesuit Centre of Spirituality in Dublin. Fr. Brendan works in the area of spirituality and spiritual accompaniment. He is the author of ‘Redemption Road: Grieving on the Camino’, a highly praised personal reflection on healing and recovery. It deals with Brendan’s experience on the Camino pilgrimage as part of his effort to come to terms with his brother’s suicide. He has also co-authored ‘Finding God in the Mess’, ‘Emerging from the Mess – finding hope in Life’s storms’ and ‘Deeper into the Mess – praying through tough times’. At our Novena, Fr Brendan will reflect on the line from the Lord’s Prayer: ‘and lead us not into temptation’. Given Fr Brendan’s experience of spiritual direction and expertise on the power of prayer, we look forward to hearing him and assure him of a warm welcome back as our guest speaker this Sunday evening. We wish him and 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 in their lives to join us.
Christmas Toy Appeal: Long Tower Parish will be a drop off point for anyone who would like to donate toys etc.., on Christmas wish list of local charity ‘Free Uniform Scheme’ run by Jemimah Armstrong. If anyone needs support in the Long Tower area you can leave info with Fr Mongan or contact Jemimah directly: on 07873882301/Jemimah198630@hotmail.com. Items can be left at Parochial House, Monday to Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Thank you for your support.
St Vincent De Paul (SVDP) Annual Christmas Collection will be taken up this coming weekend after Masses (Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December). Your support is much appreciated and will help those in need in our local community this Christmas. Thank you.
Sunday 15th December- The Blessing of the Bambinelli (Baby Jesus) is a tradition which began in Rome. Each year on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), the Holy Father invites children to bring the figurine of the Baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from their family Nativity scene to Mass for a blessing. We would like to encourage parents and grandparents to join with their grandchildren in this simple but beautiful tradition. The blessing of the figurines will take place at the 12 Noon Mass on Sunday 15th December. Don’t forget to bring the Bambinelli! After the blessing the children are invited to wrap up their baby Jesus at home and to place him under their Christmas Tree. On Christmas morning the Bambinelli is the first Christmas gift to be unwrapped and placed in the family crib with a prayer.
Praying with the Scriptures – Lectio Divina: As we continue our preparation for the coming of Christ this Christmas, Fr Stephen will lead pray with the Scriptures using the method of Lectio Divina for the remaining Sunday Gospels of Advent in Aras Cholmcille from 8pm on Tuesday 10th & 17th December & also from 10.45am on Thursday 12th & 19th December. All welcome, leaflets will be provided!.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available to purchase from the Parish Office, Sacristy or each Sunday of Novena in Síopa Cholmcille cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards & Long Tower 2025 Calendars are also available cost £3 each or 2 for £5. Thank you for your support.
Holy Hour for Vocations: There will be a Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood in the Diocese of Derry on Wednesday 11th December, beginning at 8.00pm in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Derry. Everyone welcome.
Divine Child Novena- On Sunday 8th December the Termonbacca 9 day Novena praying to the Divine Child in preparation for Christmas begins. On Monday 9th December, the child Jesus will be coming to Long Tower and we would like to invite all parishioners to come along and take part in this advent preparation for Christmas. Mass and Novena prayers will be celebrated at 7:30pm. The baby Jesus will stay until the next day where it will journey on to the next parish. This is a lovely opportunity for our parish to join others throughout the city in prayer and preparation for Christmas. Parishioners can submit prayer intentions which will be written on a ‘straw’ strip and placed in the empty manger to prepare a bed for the Child Jesus.
Join us for creative play and Christmas crafting: You are invited to join our Christmas Crafting Session for Children in Áras Cholmcille (aka Wee Nuns) in the grounds of Long Tower Church on Monday 9th December. Come along and enjoy a cuppa while your little one plays, socialises and crafts! We are also gathering in toys in good condition for a Pre-Christmas Toy Swap on Monday 16th December. Both events run from 10.15am to 11.45am and everyone is welcome.
Long Tower Senior Choir- New members very welcome, (we are short of Men!) We rehearse every Tuesday from 8pm to 9.30pm and lead the singing at the 12Noon Sunday Mass. Whether you’re an experienced singer or simply love to sing, the choir offers a place to grow musically and spiritually. If you’ve ever considered joining a choir, now is the perfect time. If interested please contact Aimee Grace Doherty, choir director via the parish office on 028-71262301 or via email; longtower@derrydicoese.org.
Gaza Appeal- Thank you again for your support with the talk and collection last month. The total money raised, by your very generous congregation/parishioners, was £4,719.73 (cash, cheque and online donations) and €82.70. This money has been sent to ‘Fund a Food Drop’ who have distributed flour, money and water to those most in need within Northern Gaza.
Derry Diocesan Trust- Diocesan Youth Coordinator- 35 hours per week (including evening & weekend work). 1 Year Fixed Term Contract with possible extension. For Job Description & Application Pack please contact the Diocesan Office on 71262302 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 11th December 2024. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025: led by Bishop Donal McKeown, 30th June to 4th July, from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required. The pilgrimage office, 164 Bishop Street, will not be open for booking until Saturday 1 February 2025, However, gift vouchers are now available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street. Enquiries via email to derrypilgrim@outlook.com.
Evening of Mercy: This Sunday, December 8th, in St Marys Creggan, prepare your heart for Christmas with the Sacrament of Confession available from 6 PM to midnight. As John the Baptist proclaimed: “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight…. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.” (Lk 3:4,6). Take this opportunity to experience God’s mercy, clear the way for Christ, and welcome Him with a renewed heart. Don’t miss this special time of grace!
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.
Christmas Carols by Candlelight followed by Live Crib at 5pm, at St Patrick’s Church, Crossroads, Killygordon, on Sunday 15th December. Hot Chocolate will be served! Everyone is welcome.
Mary’s Meals – Double The Love: Amongst the many challenges we see in today’s world, your little acts of love can bring hope to desperately hungry children with a daily school meal with Mary’s Meals. At this time, all donations made to Mary’s Meals are being doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £900,000. Please keep us in your prayers during this Advent season that we can reach even more children around the world with our life-changing school meals this Christmas. There are many ways to give, including our gift cards and online Christmas Trees of Hope. Find out more at marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212 .
Give Blood-Save Lives: Venue- Carlisle Road Methodist Church, Date & Time: Monday 9th & Tuesday 10th December, 12.30pm – 7.30pm. N. Ireland needs 1200 blood donations every week. Please call-08085 534 653 or visit www.nibts.org.
Goal Mile Walk: Why not go the extra mile this Christmas and invite your friends and family to join you on the annual Goal Mile Walk? The Derry Goal Mile takes place on St Stephen’s Day, 26th December. Meet at Sainsburys car park at 12.00noon. Walk, run or jog to save humanity one step at a time!
Sean Davis 3 day Indoor Christmas Fun Soccer Academy – takes place at Templemore Sports Complex from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th January 2025. For boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10am to 3pm daily. For further details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 07787791880.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
