Seventeenth Sunday In Ordinary Time 26th July 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 26th July 10.00am Joan & John McGowan
Sunday 26th July 12Noon Sean Irvine
Monday 27th July 7.30pm William McCafferty
Tuesday 28th July 7.30pm Paddy Barber
Thursday 30th July 7.30pm Damien Quigley
Friday 31st July 7.30pm Tina Marie Court
Saturday 1st August 6.00pm Phyllis McDermott
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Darragh Curran
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates 3rd & 17th October & 7th & 21st November
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or 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 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 £2552.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £907.00
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.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille & Parish Office. We stock a variety of gifts & cards, candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & mementos. The shop is open throughout the week after 10am Mass. There is also a selection of religious items, mass cards, mass bouquet cards and candles available from the parish office, 6 Victoria Place. Thank you for your support.
‘Cloisters Cafe’ – New Opening Times for July and August- Wednesday – Sunday, 9am to 3pm). Your Sunday breakfast favourites are served until 3pm. Whether you’re craving a full breakfast or something light we’ve got you covered.
Evening Masses-Please not there will be NO 7.30pm evening Mass (Monday- Friday) in Long Tower from 3rd to 28th August inclusive. 7.30pm evening mass will resume on Monday 31st August. Thank you for your co-operation.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: For the men called to priesthood, that they will have the wisdom of Solomon (First Reading) as they guide God’s people to find and value the treasure which is belonging to the Kingdom of God (Gospel) and building it up as a Kingdom of Justice, Love, and Peace.
Sixth World Day for Grandparents and The Elderly
Sunday 26th July 2026- Feast of St Joachim and St Anne
‘I will never forget you’ (Is 49:15)
God’s love, which forgets no one, offers itself as an act of justice and a response to the anonymity in which human life all too often ends up lost. The lives of many elderly people, in particular, seem to be covered by a veil that blurs the features of their faces and shrouds them in oblivion…,
The celebration of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly is an opportunity to rediscover that the Church is called to be a mother to all and that at any age it is always possible to recognize ourselves as sons and daughters of God. May this day, therefore, be an inspiration for everyone, especially the young, to revive the beautiful custom of visiting their grandparents, the elderly members of the family and even those who have no one to visit them. Bring them, through this message and your presence, the closeness and affection of the Pope. Ensure that the words of the prophet, “But I will never forget you”, take the form of a tender and affectionate encounter. “In an era that favours speed and fragmentation, the human person still yearns to receive care and recognition from attentive minds, kind words and hands capable of tenderness. The digital culture multiplies connections and offers new opportunities for interaction; yet, the human heart retains an irrevocable need for genuine closeness” (Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, 239).
The Church understands the suffering of her elderly members; she knows full well that they are all too often viewed through the lens of stereotypes and considered a burden; she is aware that a profit-driven economy weakens family ties; she knows that many elderly people are left behind by children who are forced to migrate or, in some cases, to fight in wars. For each of these reasons, she joyfully proclaims the Lord’s promise: “But I will never forget you!”
Dear elderly men and women, Pope Francis spoke of you as a “new people” (Catechesis, 23 February 2022), since the number of older adults has never been so large in human history. It is, therefore, more important than ever to reflect with you, this “new people”, on what our vocation might be when fragility — the human person’s companion from birth — seems to take over. I would like to say to you: do not be afraid of fragility! It is precisely this weakness that holds within itself a new potential that also illuminates the other stages of life. Indeed, when “we acknowledge our fragility, our hearts become open to supporting one another and to invoking the One who can grant what no human power can ensure: the profound reconciliation of hearts and, with it, true peace” (Meeting with the Algerian community, Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, Algiers, 13 April 2026).
Dear elderly brothers and sisters, I thank you for supporting me every day with your prayers, especially when you recite the Holy Rosary. I return this gratitude from the bottom of my heart and leave you with this prayer: may the Lord always renew us in faith, hope and love — He who never forgets us! Excerpt from Message from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV the Vatican, 15 June 2026.
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 O’Kane, 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).
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: September 25th & 26th November 20th & 21st 2026: All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. There are still places available on these courses. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during October or December 2026.
Termonbacca Derry Anam Óg Summer Scheme for those aged 8 – 14 takes place from 3rd – 7th August from 12 – 4 pm daily. Faith, friendship, arts and crafts, adventures, games and prayer. Please email termonbaccaderry@ocd.ie.
Servant Sisters The Sisters of the Home of the Mother host weekly formation meetings on Tuesdays at 7.30pm, in the Parochial House, Cross, Killygordon, (F93PN0X), and the weekly Holy Hours on Thursdays at 7 pm. All welcome.
Encounter School of Ministry Course is launching in All Saints Church, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal in September. If you would like to know more, we are hosting a Zoom Q&A Session on Thursday 6th August from 8 – 9pm. If you wish to attend this session, please email donegal@encounterschool.org. You can also get more information on the course at www.encounterschool.org.
Youth 2000 Summer Festival | 13th–16th August. Calling all young people aged 16–35! Join us at the Youth 2000 Summer Festival in Newbridge College, Co. Kildare. This is a donation-only event, with free buses available across the country and all meals included. Expect inspiring talks and workshops, Mass, music, prayer, and plenty of opportunities to chill out and meet other young Catholics. Whether you are new to the faith or looking to be refreshed, all are welcome. To register/find out more, visit youth2000.ie.
Treehouse Crèche: A few places have become available in the afternoon group for Treehouse Crèche (at the bottom of Westway Derry just behind McCloskey’s shop) for September, the times for the crèche are 12.30pm to 15.30pm Monday to Thursday and 1.15pm until 3.30pm on a Friday. If your child is 2 yrs old after the 1st July this year you can contact us by messaging on our Facebook page or email crechetreehouse@gmail.com or ring or text us on 07864655522.
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy Commercial Free Broadcasting – Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting Music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies. Here’s How You Can Listen: Via Digital TV – Saorview Channel 210, Download Our FREE App “Radio Maria Ireland”, Streaming On Our Website – www.radiomaria.ie ,Via Our ‘Listen Live Radio’ Link On Our Facebook Page, Via PHONE – Get Live Radio Feed By Calling +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (No Extra Charges Apply).
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
