Sixth Sunday Of Easter 14th May 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.
Sunday 14th May 12.00Noon Keith Porteous
Monday 15th May 7.30pm Ciaran Caldwell
Tuesday 16th May 7.30pm Rose McLaughlin
Wednesday 17th May 7.30pm Jim Smith
Thursday 18th May 10.00am Margaret & Neil Barr & Family
Thursday 18th May 7.30pm Edgar & Ian McCormick
Friday 19th May 10.00am Hugh & Kathleen Archbold
Friday 19th May 7.30pm Brendan Harron
Saturday 20th May10.00am Hugh Mailey
Saturday 20th May 6.00pm Kathleen & Denis Williams
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Joe Scanlon- Lenamore Gardens & Raymond (Griff) Griffin – Westland Street.
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Niamh Haslett. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2191.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £786.00
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.
Fr Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas, the week beginning Monday 15th May 2023; Nualamount Drive, Lone Moor Road, Old City Court, Braehead Road, Mullenan Road & Alexander House
Fr. Gerard gratefully acknowledges with thanks a donation of £2000.00 towards the renovation of the Church kneelers.
St Columba’s Church, Long Tower Celebrating 240 years; We are holding a parish draw on Friday 9th June, St Columba’s Feast Day, tickets on sale now at £5.00 per ticket, 1st prize £2400.00, 2nd – £1000.00, 3rd– £500.00, 4th – £300.00 & 5th £200.00. Please contact the parish office (02871262301) to purchase tickets Monday- Friday 9.00am – 2.30pm.
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.
Cemetery Sunday: The Annual Service of Intercession for the Dead will take place in the City Cemetery on Sunday, 25th June 2023 at 3.00 pm.
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 Safe-Guarding Representatives are Mrs Rita Moore and Ms Josephine Brown. 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).
A Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Creggan on Monday 15th May at 7.30pm for those sitting examinations. All are welcome.
Laudato Si’ Week 2023 will be celebrated globally from 21 – 28 May with the film “‘The Letter’ – A Message for Our Earth”, marking the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’, addressed to all of us, on Care for Creation. This year’s theme, “Hope for the Earth. Hope for Humanity,” focuses on the connectedness of all things and the need for a renewed commitment to environmental justice. The film aims to highlight the power of humanity united in action to stop the ecological crisis and its devastating effects on all creation; it shows Laudato Si’ in action. A showing of “The Letter” will take place on Tuesday 23 May, at 7.00pm, in St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, Infirmary Road, Derry. Please pre-book by calling the Parish Office on (+4428) 71262894, as spaces are limited. The film is also being shown in St Mary’s Hall, Buncrana, on Tuesday 23 May at 12:30pm, and in The Exchange, Buncrana, on Friday 26 May at 7:45pm, as part of the celebration of Laudato Si week. All are welcome.
Novena for Life: The Pray for Life Novena is an invitation to join thousands of people across Ireland to pray for the protection of human life, from Tuesday 23rd May to the Feast of the Visitation on Wednesday 31st May. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life in Ireland. Visit www.prayforlife.ie for the daily novena prayers which will also be posted on facebook.com/PrayforLifeNovena and @ChooseLifeIRL on Twitter. This is an initiative of the Council for Life of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother– Holy Hour Vigil on Saturday 27th May at 7:30pm and a Family Day on Sunday 28th May (Pentecost) from 11am-6pm at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Parochial Hall, and House, Killygordon. All are welcome. For more information and to register for the Family Day please contact us at: hmactivitiesireland@gmail.com
Holy Land Pilgrimage – QUB Alumni and Friends: The Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast will lead a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land for alumni and friends. Departing 9 February 2024 for 8 nights with half-board accommodation in 4 star hotels in Jerusalem and Nazareth, this promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The Spiritual Director will be Queen’s Chaplain, Fr Dominic McGrattan, with music and song provided by the celebrated soprano, Marcella Walsh. In addition to a rich itinerary which includes visits to the principal sacred sites, we will also visit the Holy Family Maternity Hospital in Bethlehem and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. If you would like more information please email catholicchaplaincy@qub.ac.uk
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses: – June 12th/13th 2023, July 3rd /4th 2023. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. All of the above courses are VIRTUAL.
All Ireland Rosary Rally in Knock: The All Ireland Rosary Rally will take place on Saturday June 3rd from 1pm in Knock. It will include Holy Mass, the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross and a talk by Bishop Oliver Doeme. The Main Celebrant for the Holy Mass is Archbishop Eamon Martin. A bus will leave from Antrim/Derry. Please book your seat early to avoid disappointment. Ring Patricia Casey: 075 93041040
Exam Mass at Knock Shrine; 5th June at 7.30pm for all students preparing for exams and their families. Take some time out from your studies for a quiet moment to ask for God’s strength and guidance as you move through your exam period. Bring your pencil case to have it blessed.
The Book of Tobit asks us to “…beg God to guide our ways and bring our paths and purposes to their end.” We pray God’s blessing and guidance on those considering a priestly vocation as we celebrate this Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood. We pray in particular for those whom the Lord may be calling to priesthood here in the parish of St Columba’s, Long Tower.
Mary’s Meals – Pray in May: During May, the month dedicated to Our Lady, Mary’s Meals invites you to pray for its life-changing work, carried out in her name. We currently provide nutritious daily school meals to 2.4 million children in 18 of the world’s poorest countries. These meals bring children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and hope of a better future. Could you commit to praying each day of May for the children receiving Mary’s Meals, the volunteers and all who support this work and those children still waiting? Further information and prayer resources for individuals, groups and schools can be found at www.marymeals.org.uk/prayinmay
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
