The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 26th December 2021
‘For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders: and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6
Christmas Message
I would like to wish all in our Parish Community a Holy & Happy Christmas and God’s Blessing in the New Year.
I would also like to thank Fr. Frank McLaughlin & Fr. Tom Burke who have been a great help to me in offering Masses. Fr. Patrick Baker.
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 26th December 12Noon Bernie Mooney
Monday 27th December 10.00am Noreen & Brendan Murphy
Wednesday 29th December 10.00am Patricia Ball
Thursday 30th December 10.00am Lena, Seamus & Maureen Donohoe
Friday 31st December 10.00am Charles & Mary McClenaghan
Saturday 1st January 10.00am Mick Melly
Saturday 1st January 6.00pm Mary & Hydan Addis
Sunday 2nd January 12Noon Ian, Gavin & Darren McCormick
Monday 3rd January 10.00am Lizzie, Cassie & Ellen Harkin
Tuesday 4th January 10.00am Robert Friel
Tuesday 4th January 7.30pm Tommy & Mary McCourt
Wednesday 5th January 10.00am Connie Smith
Wednesday 5th January 7.30pm Eileen McGuigan
Thursday 6th January 10.00am Mary & Sammy Wilson
Thursday 6th January 7.30pm The Healey Family
Friday 7th January 10.00am Jim, Mary & Paul McClenaghan
Saturday 8th January10.00am Margaret & Dan Tonner
Saturday 8th January 6.00pm Patrick Finucane
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of: Liam Campbell-Glendale Road & Sean Connell- Ardfoyle
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Codi Lynch, Kate Devine & Sophie McEneaney
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
Parish Office: The Parish will be closed from 12 Noon on Thursday 23rd December 2021 and will re-open at 9.00am on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
Adoration: There will be NO Adoration on Wednesday 29th December. Adoration will resume as normal on Wednesday 5th January 2022 after 10.00am Mass.
Church: There will NO 7.30pm Evening Mass from Monday 27th December- Monday 3rd January. The 7.30pm Evening Mass will resume on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Mass Guidance
We would like to remind everyone attending Mass & other Church Services that under current guidance there remains a legal requirement to wear a face covering on the way into a place of worship and on the way out. Despite this change in the legal position Bishop Donal McKeown has asked that we strongly continue to recommend & encourage the use of face coverings during all services of worship. We also kindly ask that you continue to observe social distancing & use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and that you 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.
The Diocese of Derry Privacy Notice: The Diocese of Derry complies with GDPR regulations. A privacy notice is available on the Parish website or by contacting the Parish Office. Live stream and recordings of Mass and Services in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and are available online. Parishioners should note that the first 4 rows of seats are visible online in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
Safeguarding Notice: If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding of children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at 07596500793/07707311358 or at the Safeguarding Office, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ or PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) 101 or Social Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust, 71314090 and ask for the Duty Social Worker.
Northern Ireland Foster Care; With an increase in children and young people needing foster homes across Northern Ireland, we really need you now. Every child deserves to have a happy, loving and safe home where they’ll feel cared for, valued and supported. It’s always the right time for fostering. Call us on 0800 0720 137 adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net #HSCNIFosterCare #FosterForYourCommunity #CouldYouFoster
The Diocesan Vocations Committee will hold a Holy Hour for Vocations in St Mary’s Church, Creggan, on Friday 7 January 2022, from 8 – 9pm. Everyone is welcome, especially those who may be considering a religious vocation. Members of the Diocesan Vocations Committee will be present, and will be willing to hear Confessions or talk with those who wish to discuss their vocation with them.
The Net – December 2021:Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese, the December edition of ‘The Net’ is now available on the Diocesan website – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-december-2021 For coverage of faith stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.
Children in Crossfire Advent Appeal packs are now available as you leave the Church. We thank you in advance for your support again this year, your donations really do go a long way in Ethiopia to prevent and treat malnutrition in Children. This work is even more crucial now as conflict spreads throughout the country. Please return your donations to the Church after Christmas.
Each night this December, Simon Community will provide 464 warm, safe beds for those with no home. They will be adults, children and families, all anxious and frightened for their future. We will provide them with vital shelter and support when they need it most, saving and rebuilding lives. We need your help to make their Christmas a little brighter. If you can, please consider donating to our Christmas Appeal. £10.00 could give the gift of a Christmas dinner to someone spending the festive period in our hostels. £15.00 could give the gift of emergency food, clothes or heating to those who need it most this winter. £47.00 could help provide the gift of one night’s shelter and support for someone who becomes homeless this Christmas time. All your donation is used here in Northern Ireland and for each £1 you give, 94.8p goes directly to our front-line service delivery. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me; email; amandascott@simoncommunity.org or by phone, 028 9023 2882.
Mary’s Meals- Double the Love Thanks to your support, Mary’s Meals are now bringing joy to over 2 million children with a daily meal in their place of education. Our Double the Love campaign runs until 31st January 2022, all donations up to a total of £1.6 million will be matched by a generous group of private donors. Every little act of love will go that little bit further during this period to help us reach the next child waiting, so please consider supporting this campaign and praying for its success. There are many ways to get involved including choosing one of our Mary’s Meals gift cards or setting a place at our Big Family Christmas table- find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops 2022: January 25th/26th 2022, February 8th/9th 2022, February 22nd/23rd 2022, March 8th/9th 2022, March 22nd/ 23rd 2022, April 5th/6th 2022. All of the above courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. They are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm-9pm. Booking online www.accordni.com. Due to demand an extra course is being facilitated on November 23rd/24th 2021.
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.
