Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time 14th February 2021
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 February 8.00am John McGeehan
Sunday 14th February 12Noon Kieran Brady
Monday 15th February 7.30pm Eugene McLaughlin
Tuesday 16th February 10.00am Maria Nagle
Tuesday 16th February 7.30pm Mark Brinkley
Wednesday 17th February 10.00am Matthew Morrison
Thursday 18th February 7.30pm Liam McCartney
Saturday 20th February 6.00pm Paul Given
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Michael Deery-Corporation Street, Thomas Cooke- Barry Street & Margaret Doherty-Moore Walk
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Darragh Moran, Millie Ratcliffe, Aodhán McCallion, Fionn McConnellogue, Margaret-Rose Barbour & James O’Connor
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.
Adoration Chapel Pump Street: Will be closed until further notice.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Weekly Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 15th February at 7.30pm Via Webcam.
We shall share in a spiritual network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. While we may still be apart in person, we remain heartfully present with everyone and wish to further 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. We ask everyone’s assistance to help others connect with this Mass through our webcam – especially the elderly, frail and vulnerable. 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
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT 2021
‘When we entrust ourselves to the Lord, We can overcome all obstacles that we encounter on the way.’ Pope Francis
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 17th February 2021
Ash Wednesday – A day of fast and abstinence – Catholics are asked to eat a maximum of one main meal and two collations (light meals) and to abstain from meat.
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 said each Monday-Friday before Evening Mass at 7.00pm & on Sundays at 6.00pm during the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday 17th February.
Divine Mercy & Rosary
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Rosary will be said each day at 3.00pm during the season of Lent.
Short Term Alcohol Free Promise for Lent
During Lent we always try to engage in extra PRAYER, FASTING and ALMSGIVING. Last year quite a number of parishioners promised to stay off alcohol as an act of FASTING and we hope that this will happen again in 2021. If you choose to give up alcohol we ask you to sign up to this FAST in the Sacristy or in the Parish Office and to wear the special badge we have made to signify our commitment to forego alcohol for the 40 days of LENT. The suggested offering to pay for the badge is £2.00.
‘Walk with Me’ Booklet
A Lenten Journey of Prayer for 2021. A few remaining booklets are still available from Sacristy or Parish Office, Cost £1.00.
Prayer for Lent
Loving Father,
To prepare for His mission of proclaiming Your
kingdom to the world
Your Son Jesus was guided by Your Holy Spirit to the
quiet of the desert.
In these Lenten days, I pray that I will be guided by
that same Spirit,
to a place of renewal in my heart and mind, so that I
will seek opportunities for
daily personal prayer, personal sacrifices and acts of
kindness.
With Your help, may I too be truly prepared to share in the story of the passion,
death and resurrection of Jesus Your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Derry Diocese: Prayer resources can be found on the diocesan website which can be used to support families at home for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season.
The resources can be found at this link: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/ash-wednesday-17-february-2021
They include:
– A Prayer Service for families at home;
– A guide on how to create a Sacred Space in the home for Lent;
– An Ash Wednesday Home Prayer Liturgy;
– An Act of Spiritual Communion in Lent;
– The Diocesan Prayer for Lent; and
– Links to other resources
Foyle Foodbank, Springtown, Industrial Estate, is open from 11am until 4pm Monday to Friday to help those in food crisis. Telephone 71263699.
The February edition of ‘The Net’, the monthly publication sharing the fruits of faith in the Derry Diocese, is now available on the Diocesan website and Facebook Page – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-february-2021. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the February edition will only be available on the Diocesan website. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. Enquiries to – editorthenet15@gmail.com.
St Angela’s College, Sligo is inviting applications for the following course beginning Autumn 2021: Part-Time Certificate in Religious Education (Primary) with Online Delivery. The course is open to: Qualified primary school teachers; Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching. Parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education may also apply. Closing date for Applications is Friday 14th May 2021. This date may be extended. For further information and application forms contact Mary Kearns, Senior Administrator, School of Education, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo. Email: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie or visit Website: www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie.
Parish of Templemore Health Promotion Talks: 4 courses will take place during Lent. Anyone in the Parish who is interested in signing up has to email emmet.thompson@derrydiocese.org. The courses will be delivered by the Western Health and Social Care Trust. Details of each of the four courses (which should be approx. 30minutes each) are as follows;
1. Recognising and strengthening your resilience (Thursday 4th March) at 3.30pm
2. Top tips for Anxiety (Thursday 11th March) at 3.30pm
3. Managing Setbacks (Thursday 18th March) at 3.30pm
4. Getting A Good night’s sleep (Thursday 25th March) at 3.30pm
Western Health & Social Care Trust Recovery College is running free courses on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Courses start in March, and at the moment are planning to be delivered via Zoom, but if Covid-19 restrictions allow later in the term we intend to run face to face workshops as usual in Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen, Omagh and Strabane, so we are encouraging people to register as usual even if they do not have computer access. Some shortened courses are already free to watch online on the Recovery College page on the Trust website www.westerntrust.hscni.net/service/recovery-services/recovery-college/ and the Western Trust’s You Tube channel. Courses are suitable for everyone in the Western Trust area, whether they have mental health issues or not, are a carer or supporter, professional or student – anyone who wants to look after their mental health. Email: recoverycollege@westerntrust.hscni.net or Tel: 02882 833291/ Ext. 241480.
Greater Shantallow Area Partnership and local Churches have come together, to appeal for new or used ipads/tablets, to be given to older members of our communities. Donations towards the campaign would also be greatly appreciated. All ipads/tablets or donations can be left at the Long Tower Sacristy or at Parish Office.
Knock Shrine to host special online faith discussions during Lent. Ash Wednesday falls on 17th February and heralds the beginning of Lent 2021. This year Knock Shrine will host a new series of online discussions to help engage Christians during Lent, under the title ‘Living Christian Faith – Lenten Conversations’. What nurtures our faith and what challenges it today? Where do we find hope and joy in our lives? How can our faith build mental strength, wellbeing and resilience?How has the Covid pandemic impacted upon our faith? These are just some of the questions that will be explored over the 6 weeks of Lent during a new series of online discussions on the topic of ‘Living Christian Faith’. The conversations will explore a different theme each week and guest speakers will discuss some of the important questions we all face in living out our faith. The talks will be streamed at 8.30pm every Thursday during Lent, beginning Thursday 18th February. Please join us at www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live or on Facebook @knockshrine.
Preparing for Marriage? Catholic Engaged Encounter: A ‘Zoom’ online Marriage Preparation course is planned for 27-28 March 2021. This 2-day course is a positive way of preparing for Marriage where you will discover how you can enrich your future relationship. Information/Booking: marriageencounter.ie or 028276 38512.
Accord Derry Virtual Interactive Marriage Preparation Programme. Course Dates, April 13th/14th 2021, May 11th / 12th 2021 & June 8th/9th 2021. Booking now online at www.accordni.com.
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.
