The Baptism of The Lord 12th January 2020
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 family and loved ones in our prayers.
Sunday 12th January 12.00Noon Tony McDaid
Tuesday 14th January 10.00am Arthur & Tillie Goode
Tuesday 14th January 7.30pm The Tonner Family
Wednesday 15th January 7.30pm John McBride
Thursday 16th January 7.30pm Tom Hippsley
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2070.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £605.00
PARISH MISSIONS OVERSEAS COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £1093.00
PATH MASS (Parish Action Towards Health). We invite you to our 7.30pm Mass on Monday 13th January. At this Mass we give thanks to God for positive mental health, and to pray for those who are struggling with mental health issues, and to pray for those who care for them. During this Mass the Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated.
Fr Aidan will visit the sick in his care in the following areas on 13th, 14th and 15th January 2020
Monday 13th January am:
Bishop St., Corporation St., Belview Avenue, Ferguson Street,
Moat Street, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Alexander Memorial Cottages, Millar Street.
Monday 13th January pm:
Maureen Av., Ivy Terrace, Lower Bennett St., Abercorn Road, Jack Allen Court, Metropole, Bridge Street.
Tuesday 14th January From 11.00am:
Long Tower Ct, St Columb’s Wells, Meenan Drive, Drumcliffe Avenue, Abbots Walk,
Dove Gardens, Nualamount Drive, Jacqueline Way, Stanley’s Walk, Celtic Villas, Lecky Road, Kerrigan’s Close
Wednesday 15th January From 11.30am:
Bluebell Hill Gardens, Celtic Court, Southend Park, Lecky Road, Lecky Court, Iona Court & Glennane.
Wednesday 15th January From 1.30pm:
Lone Moor Road, Old City Court, Lone Moor Gardens, Iona Park, Braehead Road.
Bonds of Love
It feels everything created in the universal body is interconnected and reflects itself through subtle imagery in our hearts – which we can feel more deeply if we allow ourselves to be more present with all its parts. It seems there has grown a separation between science and spirituality – creating a possible separation and loss within and amongst us. It appears our ancient bonds were fused from the beginning of creation – which scientists call the Big Bang – creating the three most abundant elements at the top of the Periodic Table – Hydrogen, Helium and Oxygen. What followed was a cascade of forms with each part having a purpose – to bond and evolve with each other. It feels, this trinity of matter responded to its purpose and so began the co-creation of other parts. One such creation was Water – the bonding of two hydrogen atoms with one oxygen atom – its material purpose to sustain life and its divine purpose to purify our hearts through the sacrament of Baptism – a bond of love given to us to become anointed parts of our original blueprint – His universal body. References: Matthew 3:13-17 The Periodic Table Book – Tom Jackson
In Memory Programme
The ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass for those children who are celebrating their First Communion this year will take place on Sunday, 26th January at 12 noon.
The Gospel After the second reading, the Minister of the Word will invite us to stand and greet or welcome the Gospel. Before the Gospel is read we sing or say the Gospel Acclamation. For most of the church year we greet the Gospel with the word “Alleluia”, a joyful song of praise. The Alleluia is followed by a verse of scripture from the Bible. This verse reminds us of the theme of the Mass and readings. During the season of Lent we do not use the word “Alleluia”. The gospel stories tell us about Jesus and we hear what he said to his friends and those who came to listen to him. So the reading of the Gospel is different to the other readings. It is the most important part of the Liturgy of the Word.
SVDP wish to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the Parishioners of St Columba’s Church, Long Tower for your much appreciated generous donations of toys. It is extremely encouraging to receive your support, without which we could not function. May we take this opportunity to wish you all a Peaceful New Year.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by Bishop Donal McKeown, Thursday 2 July to Tuesday 7 July 2020. Cost £679 (deposit £100, non-refundable) including
full board and transfers in Lourdes. The Pilgrimage Office in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, will be open for enquiries and bookings each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 11am to 1pm, from Tuesday 14 January. Tel 028 71 260 293/ (00 44 28 71 260 293 from ROI) email: derrypilgrim@outlook.com
The Net. The January edition of The Net is now available. For coverage of your parish or school faith activities just send an email to editorthenet15@gmail.com or ring/text 07809292852.
Lumen Christi College Open Evening – Monday 13th January 2020. P6 & P7 pupils and their parents/ carers are warmly invited to visit Lumen Christi College for the annual Open Evening on Monday 13th January 2020 between 4.00pm and 6.30pm. Principal’s Address: 4.00pm & 6.00pm in College Assembly Hall. Further details are available on the College website- www.lumenchristicollege.co.uk
St Columb’s College, Derry Open Day: Parents and prospective Year 8 pupils are invited to visit St Columb’s College for our annual Open Day on Saturday 18th January 2020. Session 1: 10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. for prospective pupils with Surnames A to L, Session 2: 12.00 noon – 1.30 p.m. for prospective pupils with Surnames M to Z. The Principal’s Address will be at 11.30 a.m. (for Session 1) and 1.30 p.m. (for Session 2). A guided tour of Departments will be provided. For further information regarding our school please visit www.stcolumbs.com.
Training Opportunity for Young People: The Diocese in conjunction with Youthlink NI are offering an exciting training opportunity for young people aged 16-18 interested in Youth Work and Leadership Training. The course will be an OCN Level 1 Award in Practical Youth Work/Ministry Skills. It will run over on 3 days Saturday 18th January, Sunday 2nd February and Saturday 7th March in Maghera Pastoral Centre.
Training Opportunity for Adults: The Diocese are also offering a training course for adults interested in Parish Pastoral Ministry. This course will be a Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice and it will run over 5 Saturdays and a few evenings beginning on Wednesday 4th March 6pm-9pm in Maghera Pastoral Centre. If you are interested in any of these courses, please contact Yvonne Rooney the Diocesan Pastoral Youth Leader for more details or an application form on 0044 2871264087 or email yvonne.rooney@derrydiocese.org
Foyle Yarnspinners will meet tomorrow Monday 13th January in Verbal Arts Centre Bishop Street at 7.30pm. All welcome.
There will be Ten Nights and Ten Episodes exploring the Catholic Faith in “Catholicism” in the Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca, beginning on Thursday 16th January, 2020 at 8.00pm & will continue each Thursday night thereafter at 8.00pm. An invitation is extended to all those wishing to enter into the Riches of our Catholic Faith.
Thornhill Ministries: Culmore Road, Derry: 71351233:Mon. 20 Jan, 10:30am- 1:00pm ‘Look Both Ways’, a gentle morning to help hold with tenderness the struggles and the blessings of the past and to move into 2020. Offering: £10. Tues. 21 Jan, 10:30am-11:45am ‘Spiritual Reading Book Club’ coffee, conversation and a review of ‘A Cry is Heard’ Jean Vanier. Offering: £10.
Holy Land Pilgrimage Retreat: 24 September – 8 October 2020. Applications now available. For more information or to book, please contact Thornhill Ministries, Derry, at 028 7135 1233 or thornhillministries@derrydiocese.org
Arás Cholmcille- June 2020 will mark the centenary of the 1920 Bloody riots in and around the Long Tower area. If any of your ancestors were casualties in this momentous week or were involved during these events then Aras Cholmcille would like to interview you. Please contact us on 02871 368491 or email; stcolumbaheritage@hotmail.com
Older People Northwest: The O2 Gurus will be back in Malvern House on Tuesday January 14th 2020 between 1pm and 3pm. This is a chance to get individual assistance with smart phones, apps, tablets. To book an appointment now. Ring 028 71 347 478 or email development@olderpeoplenorthwest.org
Fostering Information Evenings will be hosted by WHSCT on 28 January in Da Vincis Hotel, Derry, and on 29 January in the Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane. Time: 7-9pm. The Evenings are of an informal nature; questions will be answered. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone welcome.
Fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, 24th February 2020. £399.00 per person sharing. Price includes return bus transfer to Knock, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with breakfast lunch and dinner (full board). All entertainment and excursions included. Lunches on days out. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single room supplement £40.00. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
Public Lecture – The Global Persecution of Christians: Dr Michael Kinsella from Aid to the Church in Need will address the issue of the global persecution of Christians in a public lecture at Queen’s University Catholic Chaplaincy, 28 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast on Tuesday 21 January at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome.