Second Sunday of Lent 1st March 2026
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 1st March 10.00am Neil McLery
Sunday 1st March 12Noon Mary Patton
Monday 2nd March 10.00am Jeannie McConomy
Monday 2nd March 7.30pm John Slevin
Tuesday 3rd March 7.30pm Frances Cannon (Nee Gallagher)
Wednesday 4th March 7.30pm Philomena (Phil)McCauley
Saturday 7th March 10.00am Stella McDaid
Saturday 7th March 6.00pm Charlie Doherty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Jim Gillespie- John Street & Mandy Doherty- Marlborough Road, Adrian Bradley- Donal Casey Court
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Alina McLaughlin, Bebe Doherty, Fiadh Peterson-Svedéus & Saoirse Meehan. 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.
The next available Baptism dates are 25th April, 2nd, 9th & 30th May
13th & 27th June & 11th & 25th July 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 £2961.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £862.00
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.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: At the Transfiguration Peter says to Jesus, “It is wonderful for us to be here.” We pray for all those taking part in the Vocations Retreat in Drumalis, Larne, this coming weekend, 6-8 March, and for those who will participate in the Come & See events around the country over the next few months.
Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre, Síopa Cholmcille & Cloisters Café. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass throughout the week. We have a new range of stock to include Confirmation & First Holy Communion cards and gifts, along with cards, candles and gifts for St Patrick’s Day and Mother’s Day. For all enquiries, please call -028 71368491. The café is open Tuesday – Saturday 9am to 3pm and also on Sunday’s from 10am-3pm, with Sunday breakfast being served until 12Noon and Sunday lunches being served from 12Noon-3pm.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2026
There will be 7.00am Mass in Long Tower Church, Monday, Wednesday & Friday’s during the season of Lent, ending on Wednesday 1st April, Holy Week.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Lent: Wednesday’s 10.30am-7.00pm and Thursday’s (except Holy Thursday) 8.00pm-9.00pm.
Friday Penance during Lent: (i) make a special effort at family prayer (ii) make the Stations of the Cross (iii) do something to help the poor, sick or lonely (iv) make a special effort to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (v) abstain from meat or some other food.
Schedule for Stations of the Cross During Lent: Stations of the Cross will be prayed each Monday & Thursday before Evening Mass at 7.00pm. Confessions on those days will be at 6.30pm.
Lenten Vespers (Evening Prayer) with benediction on Sundays at 5.00pm during Lent.
Lectio Divina: Our Lectio Divina, prayful preparation for Lent continues upstairs, 1st floor, at Aras Cholmcille. There are 2 sessions weekly, one on Monday’s after 10am Mass and another on Tuesday’s after 7.30pm Mass. Everyone welcome.
Trocaire Lenten Campaign 2026: Trócaire’s 2026 Lenten campaign revolves around climate justice and urgent humanitarian aid in Gaza and Ukraine. We ask you to support Trocaire throughout Lent. Trocaire boxes are available in the Church.
Easter Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office & Sacristy, Cost £2. All intentions will be included in the liturgies celebrated during Holy Week in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. Please note the next Mass will be in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on Thursday 5th May at 7.30pm.
Save the Date! Friday 13th March, Nazareth House Primary School are having a Céilí Mór in the School Assembly Hall celebrating the upcoming Feast of St Patrick. Music by Fr Gerard’s Gather-up! (CCE Baile na gCailleach). Come along and enjoy a great family night out of Craic agus Ceoil in aid of School Refurbishment.
Job Opportunities- Derry Diocesan Trust
Parish of Templemore – St. Eugene’s Cathedral- Grounds & Maintenance Person:-
16 hours per week (Fixed Term Contract to 31 March 2027 with possible extension).
To provide an effective grounds and maintenance service to the parish to ensure the grounds are maintained in a tidy, presentable and safe state at all times.
To undertake maintenance work of the Cathedral grounds and premises as designated by the Administrator.
Parish of Coleraine- Grounds Person:-
30 hours per week on a Seasonal Basis (1st March – 30th November each year).
To provide an effective grounds service to the parish grounds and cemetery areas to ensure the grounds are maintained in a tidy, presentable and safe state at all times.
To undertake maintenance work of the Church grounds and premises as designated by the Parish Priest.
For application packs please contact: Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP, telephone 028 7126 2302 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 12 noon Friday 13th March 2026.
Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: April to June 2026: April 24th/25th, May 15th/16th & June 19th/20th. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during July or August.
World Day of Prayer 2026: You are warmly invited to gather in First Derry Presbyterian Church, Friday 6th March at 7 pm to join in a great wave of prayer for global peace & justice. This years’ service has been prepared by women from Nigeria. We would love to see a strong representation from this city gather in First Derry in solidarity with those who face injustice, persecution & poverty.
The Padre Pio Prayer Group, Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty, Tuesday 3rd March. Starting with Rosary at 6.45pm, celebration of Holy Mass at 7.15pm, then blessing with a first class relic of St. Pio, while closing prayers are recited. Everyone welcome.
Eucharistic Healing Retreat in Knock Shrine, led by gifted Croatian Priest, Fr Rozo Palic & supported by his Croatian Music Ministry team. Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th March, in St. John’s Welcome Centre; Saturday 10am – 6.30pm & Sunday 10am – 4.30pm. No prior booking required; everyone is welcome and please bring a packed lunch. Please contact, Patricia 089-9466193 or Fiona fionatjennings@yahoo.com.
‘Children Waiting’ is an online Virtual Information Event which will be hosted by HSC NI Foster Care on 12th March. It is aimed at finding homes for specific children. Please join the online event if you can help or want to hear more information. Tel 0800 0720 137 or email adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net.
Divine invitation – St Patrick’s Way Pilgrim Walk in Downpatrick with guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly on Saturday 14th March. Includes the fabulous 180° IMAX film of St Patrick, bus transfers, pilgrimage lunch, an authentic Camino passport and a six mile pilgrimage walk finishing at St Patrick’s grave. A special 25% discount is on offer of £40 (normally £55) To book call 02844 61900 or www.saintpatrickcentre.com.
Time for Dementia. The University of Ulster & the Alzheimer’s Society are actively looking for families to take part. Time for Dementia is an innovative award-winning training programme. The student nurses will be paired up with a family affected by dementia and will arrange to visit them at home, 3 times a year. Please contact Anouska Noble on 07860331648 or anouska.noble@alzheimers.org.uk.
Alcoholics Anonymous, Public Information Meeting Rosemount Resource Centre, 1A Westway, Derry, Monday 24th March 3pm. The meeting is open to anyone who may be personally affected, have a family member or friend affected, or simply wish to learn more about recovery, community supports, and how people can access help.
In Ireland today, over 45,000 people live with epilepsy. For further info, visit www.epilepsy.ie. Purple Day (or Epilepsy Awareness Day) is Thursday 26th March.
Sean Davis 3 Day Indoor “Easter” 2026 Fun Soccer Academy” at Templemore Sports Complex from Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th April for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10am to 3pm daily. For bookings/details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 07787791880.
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 1st March at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. Everyone welcome.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
