Sixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time 23rd July 2023
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.
Tuesday 25th July 7.30pm Liam McSwine
Wednesday 26th July 7.30pm Paddy Barber
Friday 28th July 7.30pm Hugh & Margaret Dalton
Saturday 29th July 10.00am Bobby McConomy
Saturday 29th July 6.00pm Philomena McCafferty
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Alec Curran- Rossville Street
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Bria McDaid, Bella Armstrong, Rita Kelly& Brodie Hegarty. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2131.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £635.00
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.
The next Padre Pio Mass will take place in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on Monday 4th September at 7.30pm. The next PATH MASS (Parish Action Towards Health) will take place on Thursday 7th September at 7.30pm followed by Adoration until Midnight.
St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower and Áras Cholmcille have recently partnered to create a new religious and cultural tourism experience. If you are hosting family and friends from abroad, maybe you’d consider paying us a visit? Now open six days a week, we invite you to reflect on Colmcille’s remarkable legacy and get an insight into monastic life through interactive displays, exquisite artefacts and stories that stir the soul. Entrance fee is £4.00pp and the ‘bringer’ is free! We are also seeking volunteers to staff the reception for 3 hours once a week. This might be of interest to students seeking volunteering experience or anyone who enjoys engaging with tourists. Please contact Darinagh Boyle via email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com or send a text to 07789850793 for further information.
‘Casting a Long Shadow’ is a book charting the People’s History of the Long Tower Church. On sale in Aras Cholmcille or from Long Tower Parish Office. Cost £20.00.
3rd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly- 23rd July 2023
This year, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly takes place close to World Youth Day. Both celebrations remind us of the “haste” (cf. v. 39) with which Mary set out to visit Elizabeth. In this way, they invite us to reflect on the bond that unites young and old. The Lord trusts that young people, through their relationships with the elderly, will realize that they are called to cultivate memory and recognize the beauty of being part of a much larger history. Friendship with an older person can help the young to see life not only in terms of the present and realize that not everything depends on them and their abilities. For the elderly, the presence of a young person in their lives can give them hope that their experience will not be lost and that their dreams can find fulfilment… I would invite you to make a concrete gesture that would include grandparents and the elderly. Let us not abandon them. Their presence in families and communities is a precious one, for it reminds us that we share the same heritage and are part of a people committed to preserving its roots. From the elderly we received the gift of belonging to God’s holy people. The Church, as well as society, needs them, for they entrust to the present the past that is needed to build the future. Let us honour them, neither depriving ourselves of their company nor depriving them of ours. May we never allow the elderly to be cast aside!
Dear grandparents, dear elderly brothers and sisters, may the blessing of the embrace between Mary and Elizabeth come upon you and fill your hearts with peace. With great affection, I give you my blessing. And I ask you, please, to pray for me. Excerpts from the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for 3rd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Rome, Saint John Lateran, 31 May 2023, Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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. If you have any concerns with regard to Safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the 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).
Light the Fire: On August 6th Archbishop Eamon Martin will relight the fire on the hill of Slane that was lit by St Patrick many years ago. He will be joined by Sr. Briege Mc. Kenna, Dana and Fr. Pablo. There will be Mass, Rosary and a Eucharistic Healing Service on the day. This is a unique and monumental event. It is an opportunity for each of us to shine our light and witness to our faith in a joyful and spiritually uplifting celebration. If you would like details of a bus from your area please contact hillofslaneaugust6@gmail.com
Join young people between 16yrs and 35yrs this August at the Youth 2000 Summer Festival. The festival takes place in Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co Kildare from Thursday 10th August to Sunday 13th August 2023. The festival includes inspiring talks, music, prayer, concert, workshops, dramas, share groups, reconciliation and healing service and Mass. Donation only and we have buses going from all over Ireland. For more information and to book your place go to www.youth2000.ie
Catholic Conference – Saturday August 19th & Sunday 20th 2023: ‘Under Mary’s Mantle’ is a conference on faith and culture for young adults (18-35) with talks, prayer, Mass, Confession, workshops, food and social in the historic All Hallows campus, DCU, Dublin. A chance to build your faith in friendship with young men and women from across the country. Keynote speakers include poet and convert Sally Read, a one-time radical feminist who embraced the Faith, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Cistercian Fr. Aelred McGee, Marian theologian Professor William A Thomas and many more. The talks and workshops range widely from poetry to reading the Bible, vocations and Mary in the Liturgical Year! Mass and Confessions take place both days. Two day ticket (Saturday & Sunday) – €60. Day rates – Saturday €40; Sunday €30. STUDENTS get a 10% discount – contact deusetpatria@gmail.com for discount code. There is a limited amount of accommodation available in DCU, contact deusetpatria@gmail.com or call 085 144 2423 for rates and more information.
Mary’s Meals Annual ‘Step by Step to Feed the Next Child’ Sponsored Walk is taking place throughout Ireland in August. This year Mary’s Meals is organising a ‘Two Bridges walk’ in Derry on Sunday 6th August at 12 Noon (Beginning in Sainsbury’s car park, across the Foyle Bridge, along the Waterside and back over the Peace Bridge, finishing in the Sainsbury’s car park). The distance is approxmately 6 miles or 9.5 Km. Walkers will meet in Sainsbury’s Car Park at 11.45 in preparation for 12 noon start. To register for this walk see www.bit.ly/stepbystepwalk If you need any further information, contact Helen Quinn on 07814441701. You can find out more about Mary’s Meals at https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/
Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca: Carmelite Pilgrimage to Lourdes- 29th August – 6 nights. €899 Euro per person. For bookings contact the Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca. Tel: 71 262512.
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).
