Feast of The Holy Family                     29^th December 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 29^th December 12Noon       Kathleen Duffy

Monday 30^th December 10.00am    George Kelpie

Wednesday 1^st January 10.00am     Mick Melly

Thursday 2^nd January 10.00am       Gavin McCormick

Friday 3^rd January 10.00am             RMA

Saturday 4^th January 10.00am        Connie Smith

Saturday 4^th January 6.00pm          Robert Friel

Sunday 5^th January 10.00am          Chris McAnee

Sunday 5^th January 12Noon           Eileen Barrett

Monday 6^th January 7.30pm           Eileen McGuigan

Tuesday 7^th January 7.30pm          Tommy & Mary McCourt

Wednesday 8^th January 10.00am   Duffy Family

Wednesday 8^th January 7.30pm     Mandy McLaughlin

Thursday 9^th January 7.30pm        Christopher & Mary Gibbons

Friday 10^th January 7.30pm           Danny McCafferty

Saturday 11^th January 6.00pm      Pat Finucane

 

 

Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Deborah Kelly- Durrow Park & Mary Beckingham- Foyle Fold

 

 

Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Díolún Knox-Bukauskas, Eleanor Dobrovolskis & Riley Barwise. To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours.

 

Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.

     January 2025- 11^th, 18^th & 25^th

     February 2025- 8^th & 15^th

 

 

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO               £2777.00

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO           £650.00

 

 

 

The Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by phone on 028-71262301 (during office hours) or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org. The parish office will re-open on Monday 6^th January 2025 at 9.00am.

 

 

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. Thank you.

 

 

 

Feast of Epiphany: Monday 6^th January 2025, Masses at 10am & 7.30pm. The Epiphany is manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and saviour of the world. This great feast celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) form the East.

 

 

 

St Columba’s Church Long Tower, Novena 2024: What a powerful, prayerful and peaceful 9 Sundays it has been – and you came from far and near to be here so faithfully each night. A surge of prayer has surely reached Heaven with all the prayers, pleadings and petitions for people and life’s situations that you brought with you in your heart. We pray Our Mother of Perpetual Help will intercede for each one of us.

Our sincere thanks to all our guest speakers: Bishop Donal McKeown, Charlene McDaid, Sr Sarah Brannigan, Fr James Devine, Sr Perpetua McNulty, Fr Brendan McManus, Fr Pat McHugh and Fr John Harris OP. We were very blessed to have them all and their inspiring talks on each line of the Lord’s Prayer helped us all to appreciate the prayer Jesus taught us in this Year of Prayer.

 To all who helped in any way – a special word of deep gratitude to Mr Ben McGonigle, organist. Ben’s phenomenal playing, effortlessly and expertly leading the fantastic congregational singing of all those beautiful hymns for most Sunday nights and Fr Thomas Canning and Mr Aidan Watkins on two other nights respectively, added so much to the spirit of the occasion. The Novena would not be the same without you! To Fergal, Ciaran and Paddy from the Knights of the Blessed Sacrament who assisted during the Eucharist Healing Ceremony each Novena night. To Tommy, Paddy and assistants who helped prepare and clear the altar every Sunday night; to Jim and Sheila at Siopa Cholmcille for all their hard work and who were kept very busy thanks to everyone’s generosity. To Kathleen and Theresa for providing the much welcome tea and coffee in the Aras Cafe each night.

To all our choirs who led the carols at the close of the Novena – to our wonderful Folk Group under the direction of Rita and Richard Moore, to the Long Tower Choir under the direction of Aimee Grace Doherty at the organ which altogether contributed to an incredible evening of music and song!

To our Primary 7 children from Long Tower Primary School who performed the most excellent Nativity pageant focusing on the prayer of Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds and the Kings narrated by Miss B Biddle who put it all so beautifully together. And to Mrs J Logue, principal and staff for the use of the Long Tower lower school hall afterwards; to all the ladies who provided the tea and festive treats, to our musicians, Santa and last but by no means least, Thomas the donkey provided by the Gallagher family who patiently stood outside posing for photos!

And once again, most importantly, to you for coming so faithfully each night, whether in person or joining us online. Until next year again, may the peace of the Christ-child and His blessed Mother of Perpetual Help fill your hearts and homes this Holy season.

 

 

Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025: led by Bishop Donal McKeown, 30^th  June to 4^th July, from City of Derry Airport.  Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required.  Enquiries via email to derrypilgrim@outlook.com.

 

 

 

Accord Derry – Marriage Preparation Courses: January – June 2025; January 24^th/25^th, February 21^st/22^nd, March 28^th/29^th, April 11^th/12^th, May 30^th/31^st & June 20^th/21^st. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note that ALL of these courses are in person and NOT virtual.

 

 

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. 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).

 

 

Invitation to 33 Days of Family Prayer: Bishop McKeown will lead the diocese in 33 days of Family Prayer towards Consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary, as part of a diocesan programme for the Jubilee Year of 2025, Pilgrims of Hope.   It will be delivered online on the Diocese of Derry Facebook, each evening at 7.00pm, starting on Thursday 9^th January 2025 and concluding on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Tuesday 11^th February 2025. Bishop McKeown explains, “It is a journey I set out to make, to entrust myself and my priesthood to Christ through the Mother of God. I extend an invitation to you and your families from the parishes of the diocese to join me”.  Details and times of the prayer programme with a video message from Bishop McKeown can be viewed at derrydiocese.org/consecration.

 

 

 

Pilgrimages To Medjugorje 2025: Bookings are now being taken for two Pilgrimages to Medjugorje. 7^th May from City of Derry Airport, £745 per person sharing. 2^nd July from Belfast International Airport, £765 per person sharing. Cost includes return flights, accommodation and meals. Additional charge for single room occupancy. For both Pilgrimages there is a £50 discount if deposit paid before 31^st January. Pilgrimages are organised through Marian Pilgrimages (Dublin). Early booking strongly recommended. For more details, please contact John Murray on 0780 1105575.

 

 

Ards Friary, Ards, Co. Donegal: ‘What is God’s Dream for your Life’ Retreat:  22^nd January and 19^th February 2025, 10am -3.30pm. This day will be welcoming of everyone, wherever they find themselves on life’s journey. It will be particularly useful for individuals and teams who want to take time away from the busyness of life and discover or rediscover a sense of direction and purpose in their lives.  Facilitated by Jim Deeds.  Cost  €65 Euro (includes light refreshments & Lunch). For more details email info@ardsfriary.ie or visit our website www.ardsfriary.ie

 

 

 

Trócaire School Volunteers: Are you a retired teacher or someone who has experience presenting to groups of school children? Do you have a passion for making this world a better place, especially for the most vulnerable? Trócaire is looking for volunteers to support our 2025 Lent Appeal in the Derry Diocese. If you think you have the right skills and experience and will be available to help during school hours over Lent, then we would love to hear from you. Full training and ongoing support will be provided. For more information, please call Naomi Purnell on 028 9080 8033 or email naomi.purnell@trocaire.org.