Second Sunday of Advent 7th December 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 7th December 10.00am Cormac Wilson
Sunday 7th December 12Noon Peter McShane
Monday 8th December 10.00am James McDaid
Monday 8th December 7.30pm Siobhan McKinney
Tuesday 9th December 7.30pm Joe McLaughlin
Thursday 11th December 10.00am McConomy, Harkin & Brown Family’s
Thursday 11th December 7.30pm Elizabeth Connor
Friday 12th December 10.00am Cathy Berry
Friday 12th December 7.30pm Jack, Aggie & Jackie Downey
Saturday 13th December 10.00am Marjorie Taggart
Saturday 13th December 6.00pm Bridie McGill
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Roisin McGowan- Stanley’s Walk.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Vania Pessu. To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
20th December 2025, 21st February & 7th & 21st March 2026
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 £3231.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £810.00
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.
This Monday 8th December is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holyday of Obligation. Masses are at 10am & 7.30pm on Monday. 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’.
Do This In Memory Mass: The next Do This In Memory Mass for the children of the parish preparing for their First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 13th December at 6pm Vigil Mass.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Helpcontinues in Long Tower Church at 6pm, this Sunday 7th December. The theme of our Novena this Jubilee Year 2025 is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’- Finding Hope and Healing in a Hurting World. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and Eucharistic Healing Ceremony with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This Sunday, we welcome Roisin Doherty who is co-host of the Radio Maria Show, ‘God’s Healing Power Hour’ and is also part of the Divine Mercy healing nights Network in Dublin with Deacon Don Devaney and Fr John Keane. Roisin has an incredible story to share. She is a mother of 5 children and has dedicated a lot of time to help many people through different apostolates & works in the Church and community. We look forward to hearing her share how God has completely turned her life around and brought so much hope and healing into her life. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing to join us. Please note, there will be parking available at Long Tower Primary School (upper school building) via Bishop Street from 5pm – 7.30pm, each Sunday of the Novena. We hope that this will significantly ease the congestion around Charlotte Street and the Flyover and would kindly ask that as many of you as possible, consider using this facility. A collection will be taken this Sunday 7th December to help with Novena Expenses. Thank you for your support.
Sunday 14th December- The Blessing of the Bambinelli (Baby Jesus)
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 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday 13th December and also at the 12 Noon Mass on Sunday 14th 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.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: Chritsmas gifts including our very own Long Tower Christmas Pillar Candles at £2 & LED Christmas candles at £10. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass throughout the week and also after the Novena each Sunday evening. Thank you for your support.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available to purchase from the Parish Office Sacristy or each Sunday of Novena, cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards are also available cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards. Long Tower 2026 Calendars are also available cost £3 each or 2 for £5. They would make an ideal Christmas gift especially for those living away from home.
Christmas Toy Appeal: Long Tower Parish will be a drop off point for anyone who would like to donate toys etc on wish list of families on Christmas 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 07873882301Jemimah198630@hotmail.com. Items can be left at Parochial House, Tuesday to Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Thank you for your support.
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).
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 7th December at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. Everyone welcome.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church, the café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am to 3pm and also on Sunday’s from 10am-3pm, with Sunday lunch being served from 12Noon-3pm.
Children in Crossfire Advent Appeal 2025: Children in Crossfire are asking parishioners to support their Advent Appeal. You can collect a box pack from the back of the church. Please then return donations to the church in January. The focus of the appeal is on children living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, whose days are split between going to school and scavenging on a huge rubbish dump nearby, searching for items to sell for food. Children in Crossfire’s goal is to give those children the better future they deserve. You will learn more about the work in the pack or see our video here: https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/addis-ababa-25/. Thank you for your support.
Special Mass for Mothers and Grandmothers: Catholic Mothers Ireland are hosting a special Mass on Tuesday, 9 December at 6:30pm in St Malachy’s Church, Armagh, to mark the end of their 10-year Anniversary celebrations. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin. All are warmly invited to attend and join in prayer for mothers and grandmothers. For more information, please email: catholicmothers@outlook.ie
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026: Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July (4 nights) ex City of Derry Airport. Cost £895 inclusive of local taxes but exclusive of single supplements and insurance. The Pilgrimage office will open for bookings on Saturday 17 January 2026 at 11am. However, Gift Vouchers to any value are now available (Monday to Thursday) from the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ.
Mary’s Meals -Good News: The charity Mary’s Meals is now reaching over 3 million children with daily school meals across 16 countries. We are so grateful for your compassion, prayers and support over the years that have made it possible to reach this milestone. Each little act of love is giving hope to new generations. Mary’s Meals invites you to continue to pray for this work that we can reach the next child waiting and to consider volunteering your time locally to help us raise awareness and funds individually or as part of a group so we can keep the promise of a daily meal to the children we currently feed. Visit our website www.marysmeals.org.uk or contact Caoimhe on 07394564065 to find out more.
Sean Davis “2 day Indoor Christmas Fun Soccer Academy” takes place at Templemore Sports Complex from Monday 29th to Tuesday30th December 2025. For boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10:00 am to 3.00 pm 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.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
