The Ascension Of The Lord 16th May 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 16th May 12Noon Charles Doherty
Monday 17th May 10.00am Patsy Hegarty
Monday 17th May 7.30pm James Smith
Tuesday 18th May 7.30pm Margaret Barr
Wednesday 19th May 7.30pm June Kivelehan
Thursday 20th May 7.30pm Rosaleen Doherty
Saturday 22nd May 6.00pm Betty Thornton
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of: Catherine Hegarty- Hatmore Park, Jean Norris- Carnhill, Brendan McAllister- Dunhugh Park, Danny Gormley-Bishop Street & Paul Campbell- Windmill Terrace
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Jack Ward & Myles Toland
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
The Parish Office. You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Mass Guidance
We would like to remind everyone attending Mass & other Church Services that it is mandatory to wear a face covering at all times and to continue to observe social distancing, use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and to receive Holy Communion only in the hand. It is up to each of us individually and as a community to keep each other as safe as possible as we continue to live alongside the virus. We thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to gather together as a parish community.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Weekly Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 17th May at 7.30pm.
We shall share in a network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. We remain heartfully present with everyone and wish to 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 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
Celebrating Mary in the Month of May. May is a very special month for the Church as we remember Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother. A full month is given over to Mary and during this month we are encouraged to honour Mary in different ways. To help parishes, families and schools to do this, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre has created a number of resources including prayers, Gospel reflections, colouring and craft activities, examples of May Altars and ideas on how to pray the Rosary. These resources are available online at catecheticalcentre.org/category/celebrating-mary-in-the-month-of-may-2021/
Derry Diocesan Laudato Si Group: Invitation to respond – Diocese of Derry Environmental Strategy. The Diocese of Derry has launched a consultative plan about climate change and the environment and is inviting everyone within the Diocese to read, engage and respond to it. The plan identifies actions and behaviours that support rather than destroy the environment. The suggestions cover such areas as land, buildings, energy, food, travel and waste. A draft of the Environmental Strategy has been posted on the Derry Diocesan website, to view and/or download: https://www.derrydiocese.org/diocese/environmental-strategy. In order to ensure that it is as helpful as possible to your various parish communities however, we would appreciate any constructive feedback on it that you may have to give. We ask if you could:- Read the draft Strategy document and give feedback on aspects that you feel could be supplemented/improved.
– Begin to implement any aspect(s) of it that you feel can be put into practice quickly and easily.
– Draw the attention of both parish groups and individual parishioners to the Strategy and encourage them to give feedback. (This would be especially relevant to schools and any groups/individuals with particular interest in environmental issues).
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, 31 May 2021 Submit your comments, questions and suggestions to Patricia McCormack by: Email: laudatosiderry@gmail.com, Telephone/text: 077 1190 0420, Facebook: Laudatosiderry
Consultation on Method of Consultation in preparation for Synodal Assembly “As you may have heard via the media, the Irish Bishops have decided to initiate a process in the Irish Church, leading to a Synodal Assembly in perhaps five years. The Bishops’ Conference plans the next two years as a period of prayer, listening and discernment, involving a nationwide consultative conversation on this theme. Following this, there will be a three-year preparation for a National Synodal Assembly. Before embarking on the Synodal Pathway consultation, bishops are inviting submissions to reflect on what methods/models to adopt in these coming two years of conversations. Individual and groups are invited to submit ideas as to:
- how the national conversation might best be conducted,
- what hard-to-reach groups need to be involved
For further information on making a submission go to www.catholicbishops.ie/synod. Please note that submissions are sought by 23 May 2021 and can be made directly online through that website.”
Confirmation Preparation Sessions
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre: It has once again been a very different and challenging year for our Year 7 and 6th Class children, who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bearing in mind concerns over having children well prepared to receive the sacrament, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre has put together a programme to support parents, schools and parishes as they prepare the children in this very important stage of their faith journey.
Linking with Filled With Joy, pupil workbook and Disciples of Jesus, parent booklet (which many schools and parishes already have and which are still available from the Diocesan Catechetical Centre) the programme will consist of, Four sessions, 10am -12 am on the catecheticalcentre.org/webcam/ 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th May. Each day the sessions will include catechesis on different aspects of the Sacrament of Confirmation, prayer, creative activities and music
Celebrating the Feast of Pentecost- Receive! Believe! Live! As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on the 23rd May, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre has created a variety of resources, including prayers, reflections and craft activities, suitable for use in parishes, at home and in schools. These resources are available online at https://catecheticalcentre.org/category/celebrating-the-feast-of-pentecost/
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. The next intake will be Autumn 2021. An information session via ZOOM will be held on Monday 7th June at 3.30pm. If you are interested in attending this session or require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
Life In The Spirit Seminar in Omagh will take place over a period of seven weeks in conjunction with 7.30pm Holy Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh, starting on Thursday 22 April. Please join at 7.30pm each Thursday via the parish webcam: http://www.drumraghparish.com/webcam.html 22 April: God’s Love – Fr Damian Bresnahan SMA; 29 April: Salvation – Fr Joe Gormley; 6 May: The New Life – Bishop Donal McKeown; 13 May: Receiving God’s Gift – Fr Christopher McDermott; 20 May: Baptism in the Spirit – Fr Eddie Magee; 27 May: Growth – Fr Colum Curry; Thursday 3 June: Transformation – Fr Kevin Mc Elhennon. “Let him who is thirsty come; Let him who desires, Take the water of life without price” Rev. 22:17. Please pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all people.
Master of Arts in Religious Education & Social Justice: St Angela’s College, Sligo, is offering this online part-time MA, starting in September 2021. The closing date for receipt of applications is 16 June. Please visit www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie or contact Mary Kearns on 0035371 9195550. Email: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie
The Priory Institute, Tallaght; Online Theology Open Day, is this for you? The Priory Institute provides online Theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures in Tallaght or from the comfort of your own home. To find out more about our Online Open Day on 12 June Telephone +353 (0)86 8510769 or visit our website at www.prioryinstitute.com
Mary’s Meals – Pray in May: This May, the month traditionally dedicated to Our Lady, we invite you to join us in our prayer campaign for the work of Mary’s Meals, which is reaching more than 1.8 million children with a nutritious meal in 19 countries every school day. We pray in thanksgiving for each little act of love that makes this work possible and we also pray for God’s continued blessing on our beautiful mission, that through His providence it will always flourish enabling us to reach more hungry children. Prayer resources and further information can be found at www.marysmeals.org.uk/prayinmay.
The May Edition of The Net, the monthly publication sharing the fruits of faith in the Derry Diocese, is now available. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the March edition will only be available on the Diocesan website: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-may-2021. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. Enquiries to – editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Foyle Hospice- Volunteers Needed, Foyle Hospice Charity Shop, Waterloo Place: Do you have a few hours to spare a week? Would you like to join our fantastic team of volunteers? Meet new friends? Learn new skills? And most importantly have fun while helping and supporting your local hospice. If this is something that would interest you, please get in touch with Rachael Osbourne, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Foyle Hospice, 028-71351010 or email rachael@foylehospice.com.
Foyle Foodbank, Springtown, Industrial Estate, is open from 11am until 4pm Monday to Friday to help those in food crisis. Telephone 71263699.
Aid for the Children of Yemen: Fr Neal Carlin’s new book, The Eagle, The Tiger and Covid, is now on sale at €10/£10 and can be purchased by contacting goldenagecentre@hotmail.com. All proceeds are being sent via a direct contact to aid the Children of Yemen.
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service seeking Marriage Preparation Programme Facilitator. Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. Accord is seeking registration of interest from those who have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church and the enthusiasm to be part of a team supporting couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service has 54 centres in dioceses across the island. Successful applicants will receive professional training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation programmes locally in accordance with best practice. Contact Deirdre 07980898399 or by email to info@accordni.com. The closing date for receipt of registration of interest forms to be included in Selections for this year is Friday June 4th. Registration of Interest form and additional information about becoming a facilitator is available on www.accordni.com
Accord Derry Virtual Interactive Marriage Preparation Programme Course Dates: July 6th/7th 2021, August 10th/11th 2021, Sept 14th/15th 2021, Oct 12th/13th 2021 Nov 9th/10th 2021, Dec 7th/8th 2021. Booking now online at www.accordni.com. Due to a demand for places, Accord Derry are offering an extra course on 22/23rd June 2021. This course is now opening for booking on 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.
