The Baptism Of The Lord 7th January 2024
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 7th January 10.00am Manus McDaid
Sunday 7th January 12Noon Anna Doherty
Monday 8th January 10.00am Margaret & Dan Tonner
Monday 8th January 7.30pm Mary Crossan
Tuesday 9th January 10.00am Sean O’Kane
Tuesday 9th January 7.30pm Chris & Mary Gibbons
Wednesday 10th January 7.30pm Eileen Barrett
Thursday 11th January 7.30pm Ken Grant
Friday 12th January 7.30pm Tony McDaid
Saturday 13th January 6.00pm Ann Griffin
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Betty Millar- Brooke Street, Terence Doherty- Eden Square, Mary Anne Grundulis- Edenballymore & Anne Cregan- Rathmore Road
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God; Evie Whitworth. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 for available dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2286.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £656.00
The Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by phone on 028-71262301 (during office hours) or via 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 on 028-71262301 or 02871262894. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask the duty nurse on the ward to call the Hospital Chaplain.
PRAYER OF SAINT COLUMBA
(Prayer of St. Columba in the Dubh Regles of Derry)
May the fire of God’s love burn brightly and steadfastly in our hearts like the golden light within the sanctuary lamp.
This month of January the Sanctuary lamp beside the Tabernacle in Long Tower Church will be lit for all our Families, for Healing & Good Health in 2024.
Adoration in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower Adoration will resume this Wednesday 10th January 2024 after 10.00am Mass.
Fr. Gerard & Fr. Stephen wish to thank all who participated in the Masses and Liturgies over the Christmas Season and who helped to make it so special. Wishing you all every blessing in the coming year.
New Beginnings
‘At the very dawn of creation
your Spirit breathed on the waters,
making them the wellspring of all holiness.’
Another year welcomes and invites us to explore further landscapes in our lives, giving us opportunities to review how we care for ourselves. This can be both challenging and uplifting as change takes us out of our comfort zone and directs us to other ways of being. In the hallowed earth of the heart, it is comforting to feel we are not alone, that we are assisted through transformation – to bathe in the divine waters of love and leave behind the parts of self that no longer serve us. As we create new beginnings may we feel the light of renewal shine through our days – with the universal bonds of love supporting us. Reference and further reading: The Catechism (1218)-13.
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 1st March 2024 at 1.30pm. Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of the Long Tower Primary School, Nazareth House Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Thursday 7th March 2024 at 5pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Saturday 18th May 2024 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School will take place on Friday 24th May 2024 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 31st May 2024 at 1.30pm.
Renewal Of Parish Ministries: As we continue to journey through Advent, with an eye towards spiritually preparing for the coming of the Divine Child in Bethlehem this Christmas, we also have an eye towards the coming new year of 2024, where will be having a renewal of ministries in the parish.
Firstly, we are always and continually grateful for the continued support and dedication of all those who are currently involved in ministry as well as your support to the parish. There will be an opportunity in this new year of 2024 to rededicate yourselves to the ministry you continue to assist with in the parish.
Secondly, there is also an invitation to newcomers who are interested in offering their assistance, help, talent, and giftedness to the following ministries: Ministers of the Word, Ministers of Holy Communion, Baptismal Preparation & Music Ministries. There will be some further details and outline of what will happen as the weeks and months unfold, particularly as we journey into 2024. If you are interested in becoming part of this journey of renewal, we would appreciate your correspondence to us via our usual channels of communication (as well as indicating which particular ministry would be of interest you): Email: longtower@derrydiocese.org, Telephone: Parish Office – 02871262301.
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).
Children in Crossfire want to wish all parishioners a Happy New Year and say thank you for your ongoing support. Advent Appeal coin boxes/donations can be returned to the chapel over the next few weeks. Your donations this year will go a long way in helping to provide early years education for 5,500 children living in extreme poverty in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, helping give hope to their families & making a transformative difference in their lives.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Courses January – March 2024: January 19th/20th 2024, February 23rd/24th 2024 & March 22nd/23rd 2024. Venue: Everglades Hotel, Prehen Road, Derry. Please note that these courses are NOT Virtual but are in person. Courses can be booked online now at www.accordni.com. Marriage and Relationship Counselling with Accord NI: Help us help you support your marriage and relationship. If you feel your relationship is in crisis or you need a little guidance and help, either face to face or online, contact your local ACCORD centre. Every year Accord help thousands of couples rebuild and sustain healthy relationships. For support, call 028 9023 3002 or visit accordni.com.
Lumen Christi College Open Evening – Thursday 11th January 2024. Prospective pupils and their parents/carers are invited to visit Lumen Christi College for the annual Open Evening on Thursday 11th January 2024 between 4.00pm and 6.30pm. Principal’s Address: 4.00pm in College Assembly Hall. Guided tours of departments will be provided by pupils. Parents of current pupils will be available to share their experience with visitors. Details may be accessed on the College website- www.lumenchristicollege.co.uk
St. Cecilia’s College Open Day– Thursday 11th January 2023, 5pm-8pm. Principal’s address, 5pm- 6.15pm. Pupils transferring from primary to post-primary school in September 2024 and their parents are welcome to attend. Prospective year 13 students and their parents are also welcome.
St. Mary’s College Open Day- Prospective pupils and their families are invited to attend Saint Mary’s College Open Day on Saturday 13th January 2024 from 10.00am to 1.00pm, Principal Mr Brendan McGinn will address visitors at 10.00am and 11.00am. All are welcome.
