Second Sunday of Advent 5th December 2021
LAUDATO SI’ QUOTES FOR ADVENT:
“Since the market tends to promote extreme consumerism in an effort to sell its products, people can easily get caught up in a whirlwind of needless buying and spending….
Purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act” Laudato Si’ 203, 206.
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 December 12Noon Joy Keenan
Monday 6th December 10.00am Mary & Harry Doherty
Tuesday 7th December 7.30pm Martin Boyle
Wednesday 8th December 10.00am James McDaid
Wednesday 8th December 7.30pm The Clarke Family
Thursday 9th December 10.00am Bridie McGill & Annie Lynch
Thursday 9th December 7.30pm Cormac Wilson
Friday 10th December 7.30pm Jack & Agnes Downey
Saturday 11th December 10.00am The McConomy & Harkin Families
Saturday 11th December 6.00pm The Finucane Family
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of: Kathleen Gallagher- Formerly Garten Square
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
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
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office or the Sacristy, cost £2.00.
Long Tower Christmas Cards are now available from Parish Office or the Sacristy. Cost is £4.00 for a packet of 12 cards each containing 4 different images of the Long Tower Church.
Mass Guidance
We would like to remind everyone attending Mass & other Church Services that under current guidance there remains a legal requirement to wear a face covering on the way into a place of worship and on the way out. Despite this change in the legal position Bishop Donal McKeown has asked that we strongly continue to recommend & encourage the use of face coverings during all services of worship. We also kindly ask that you continue to observe social distancing & use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and that you receive Holy Communion only in the hand. It is up to each of us individually and as a community to keep each other as safe as possible as we continue to live alongside the virus. We thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to gather together as a parish community.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church continues this Sunday 5th December at 6.00pm. The theme of our Novena this year is ‘The gifts of hope and joy in a time of darkness’. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and a ceremony of healing with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Our speaker this week is Fr Brendan McManus SJ. Fermanagh-born 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. We welcome him to the Long Tower 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.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 6th December at 7.30pm.
We shall share in a network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. We remain heartfully present with everyone and wish to connect with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer for all. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal our brokenness at this time of isolation, suffering and loss. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Spiritual Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio. Please share as best you can knowledge of this Mass with your family & friends. You can access the Mass via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv
1500th Anniversary Year of St. Columba
Bishop Donal McKeown will celebrate Mass in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on Tuesday 7th December at 10.00am, the Birthday of St Columba. The Rosary will be recited before Mass.
This Wednesday 8th December, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 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’. Masses will be at 8.00am, 10.00am & 7.30pm.
We would appreciate if the Stewards and Ushers who assisted last year with Christmas Masses would attend a meeting in the Church this coming Thursday 9th December at 5pm.
The Diocese of Derry Privacy Notice: The Diocese of Derry complies with GDPR regulations. A privacy notice is available on the Parish website or by contacting the Parish Office. Live stream and recordings of Mass and Services in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and are available online. Parishioners should note that the first 4 rows of seats are visible online in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
Safeguarding Notice: If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding of children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at 07596500793/07707311358 or at the Safeguarding Office, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ or PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) 101 or Social Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust, 71314090 and ask for the Duty Social Worker.
Padre Pio Prayer Group will take place on Thursday 9th December at Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty, Derry Starting at 6.45pm with the Holy Rosary then celebration of holy mass at 7.15pm and continuing with closing prayers at 7.45pm. A first class relic will be available for veneration. Covid restrictions in place
“How Fit Is Your Soul?” Programme: The How Fit Is Your Soul Programme is an online programme from St Eugene’s Cathedral taking place during Advent. This is for anyone who is interested in reflecting on and developing their prayer life, whether you would like to start praying, pray more or experience new ways to pray. For more information please email emmett.mullan@btinternet.com or phone St Eugene’s Parish office on 028 71262 894.
SVP – Christmas Appeal 2021: If you are looking for help we are here to help you in whatever way we can. Please ring us on 028 71265489 or online https://svp.ie/get-help/request-help-online.aspx Christmas time is the busiest time for the SVP giving out lots of toys and food parcels kindly donated by the public. However this Christmas is going to be different with COVID-19 and government restrictions. The safety of the public and our members is paramount. Therefore we are asking the public that instead of buying a physical toy or items of food that they buy a voucher or make a donation for the amount they were going to spend. The Annual Church Collection will take place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December 2021. Derry Area also have a fundraising page for donations on our SVP website; Current fundraisers – St Vincent De Paul (svp.ie)
The Net – December 2021:Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the December edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-december-2021 For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Children in Crossfire have launched our 2021 Christmas gift cards. This year’s cards focus on our work to both prevent and treat malnutrition in Ethiopia. By purchasing from our range of Christmas gift cards, which feature the pharmacy and well, you make it possible for us to continue this life-saving work. We believe this is a beautiful gift to share with your loved ones this Christmas. It’s so simple to get our beautifully designed A6 gift cards. They can be purchased via: Our online shop, Veritas stores in Derry/Londonderry, Newry and Letterkenny, or Contact Aishling on 028 71269898 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm) or email aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org.
THE MYSTERY UNFOLDS: Advent Oasis morning offered by Thornhill Ministries (Saturday 11 Dec: 11:00 am – 12:00 noon). Led by Fr Paschal, each gentle hour helps us touch into the mystery of life and God-with-Us. To register and for zoom link contact 07736832458 email thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org
SERVICE OF LIGHT: The ‘North West Bereaved by Suicide’ Support Group is holding its annual Service of Light, on Sunday 5 December, at 5.30 pm, in the Foyle Search & Rescue HQ, Prehen, Derry. All are welcome to attend.
NOVENA TO THE DIVINE CHILD (“and the word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” John 1:4): The Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry, is hosting this Novena, 8 – 16 December. The Novena Mass and prayers will be at 7:30pm each evening. This will be live-streamed via Facebook each evening. Novena prayer leaflets containing the public prayers after Mass and the private prayers to be said at home are available on the Termonbacca Facebook page or by emailing termonbaccaderry@gmail.com or, for those living close, by simply calling up to Termonbacca and collecting them.
ADVENT DAY RETREAT: will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca on Monday 13th December from 10a.m. – 3p.m. Cost for the day, including meals £25. Booking necessary. Contact the Carmelite Retreat Centre 71 262512.
9 Day Rosary Novena for Ireland We are inviting you to join in a 9 Day Rosary Novena beginning Tuesday 30th November and ending on Wednesday 8th December. People all over Ireland will pray the Rosary together each evening at 9pm. On the final evening at 9pm on Radio Maria the Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin will lead the final Rosary live. If you are gathering to pray in groups we encourage you to gather safely adhering to local Covid 19 regulations.
STORMONT ROSARY FOR LIFE – Please join us for a special Candlelight Rosary for Life at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, (meeting at main gate entrance on Upper Newtownards Road) at 3.00pm on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sunday 12th December. For more information contact Rosary Crusade for Ireland on 07845686437.
Lectio Divina reflections on the Advent and Christmas Gospels: The Priory Institute is delighted to offer a Free of Charge online retreat (which is a repeat of the popular Advent Retreat ran in 2018). Visit website prioryinstitute.com or click on this link https://bit.ly/3DWrTkx to register/find out more.
Mary’s Meals- Double the Love Thanks to your support, Mary’s Meals are now bringing joy to over 2 million children with a daily meal in their place of education. Our Double the Love campaign runs until 31st January 2022, all donations up to a total of £1.6 million will be matched by a generous group of private donors. Every little act of love will go that little bit further during this period to help us reach the next child waiting, so please consider supporting this campaign and praying for its success. There are many ways to get involved including choosing one of our Mary’s Meals gift cards or setting a place at our Big Family Christmas table- find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk
Lough Derg online shop offers unique Christmas Cards, featuring scenes of the Island from across the centuries and bespoke Gifts including a limited edition Lough Derg Christmas Candle. Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards are also available – Fr La, Prior, will offer a triduum of Masses beginning on Christmas Eve for all those who are enrolled. Visit www.loughderg.live/shop Telephone 0(0353) 71 9861518 Delivery nationwide and Click & Collect Service available.
Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding it’s monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 9th December at 7:20pm in the Raddison Blu, 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. *Subject to change in accordance with government advise*
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL – OCT 2022:7 Nights Apartment B&B and return Airport transfer from Dubrovnik or Split from €315 per person sharing. Guaranteed Airport transfer price for any flight. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you. Tel. 00353 1443 4510 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help: call us on 028 7135 1329.
Foyle Foodbank, Springtown, Industrial Estate, is open from 11am until 4pm Monday to Friday to help those in food crisis. Telephone 71263699.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops 2022: January 25th/26th 2022, February 8th/9th 2022, February 22nd/23rd 2022, March 8th/9th 2022, March 22nd/ 23rd 2022, April 5th/6th 2022. All of the above courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. They are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm-9pm. Booking online www.accordni.com. Due to demand an extra course is being facilitated on November 23rd/24th 2021.
Accord’s free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ for marriages, families and relationships offers support to those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three numbers are: Accord CLG – 01 531 3331, Accord Dublin – 01 905 9555, Accord NI – 028 9568 0151 or 00353 1 531 3331.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can accessed on the following websites; https://www.churchservices.tv/churches/
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras
https://www.parishwebsites.ie/
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station. Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – Listen via TV on Saorview – Channel 210 and Freeview – Channel 826; Download our FREE APP – “Radio Maria Ireland”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by telephoning +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Please join our growing faith family.
