The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ         25^th December 2022

 

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.

                    

Monday 26^th December 10.00am       Bernie Mooney

Tuesday 27^th December 10.00am       Bridget O’Connor

Thursday 29^th December 10.00am     Lena, Maureen & Shamus Donohoe  

Friday 30^th December 10.00am          George Kelpie

Saturday 31^st December 10.00am      Mollie & Laurence McGowan

Saturday 31^st December 6.00pm        Don & Charlie Gormley & Peter Melarkey

Sunday 1^st January 10.00am              Mary McLery

Sunday 1^st January 12Noon               Gavin, Ian, Darren & Edgar McCormick

Monday 2^nd January 10.00am            Nilia Gonzalez

Tuesday 3^rd January 10.00am            Mollie Doherty, Seamus & Sheila Bradley

Wednesday 4^th January 10.00am       Robert Friel       

Thursday 5^th January 10.00am          Connie Smyth     

Thursday 5^th January 7.30pm            Eileen McGuigan

Friday 6^th January 10.00am               Angela Evans

Friday 6^th January 7.30pm                 RMA Mass          

Saturday 7^th January 10.00am          Sarah Van Sikkelerus  

Saturday 7^th January 6.00pm            Patrick Finucane

 

 

Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Phyllis O’Kane- Lecky Road

 

Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Connor Duffy & Aoife McCarroll

 

Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates. 

 

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO             £1811.00

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO         £491.00

 

Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.The Parish will be closed from 2.30pm on Thursday 22^nd December 2022 and will re-open at 9.00am on Wednesday 4^th January 2023.

 

 

Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.

 

 

Confessions: Confessions will resume on the evening of the 5^th January at 7.00pm, the Vigil Mass for Eiphany, and thereafter at normal times.

 

 

A Tridium of Masses for all those who received Christmas Mass Bouquets will be offered on the following dates and times; 8.00pm Christmas Eve Vigil Mass 24^th December, 8.00am & 10.00am Masses on Christmas Day, 25^th December.

 

 

 

LITURGICAL CEREMONIES

24^th December 2022 – 5^th January 2023

MASSES OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON & NEW YEAR

Saturday 24^th December                                                   10.00am

                                            Evening Vigil for Christmas   6.00pm

                                                 Late Vigil for Christmas    8.00pm

 

Sunday 25^th December /Christmas Day                          8.00am

                                                                                          10.00am

                                                                                        12.00noon

Monday 26^th December                                                    10.00am

Tuesday 27^th December                                                     10.00am

Wednesday 28^th December                                               10.00am

Thursday 29^thDecember                                                    10.00am

Friday 30^th December                                                       10.00am

                Saturday 31^st December                                                   10.00am & 6.00pm

  (Adoration after Vigil Mass until 9.00pm with special blessing ceremony for New Year)

Sunday 1^st January 2023                 8.00am, 10.00am & 12Noon

Monday 2^nd January                                                         10.00am

Tuesday 3^rd January                                                         10.00am

Wednesday 4^th January                                                    10.00am

Thursday 5^th January                                     10.00am & 7.30pm

Please note the Church will close at 6.00pm on 25^th, 26^th December – 4^th January 2023

(Excluding 31^st December/New Years Eve).

  

 

 

Padre Pio Mass: The Padre Pio Mass will resume on Monday 6^th February 2023 at 7.30pm.

 

 

Adoration Chapel Pump Street: The Adoration Chapel will be closed over the Christmas period and re-open on Monday 9^th January 2023.

 

 

Adoration: Adoration will resume as normal on Wednesday 11^th January 2023 after 10.00am Mass.

 

 

 

Christmas Message

 Isn’t there a huge contrast between the meaning of the Manger and the material mess we get swamped in? If we took away all the Christmas trees and tinsel, the spending and the shallow socials, would anyone even want to celebrate Christmas? Behind the mad traffic and treks for turkey, those little arms are reaching out to us from the manger, begging the world and us to lift him up, take him into our arms and hold him and carry him…to make room for him in our home not just today but every day – in our prayer, in our Sunday Mass, in our care for the precious gift of every human life, born and pre-born. Our search for meaning is in that manger. Perhaps as we gaze into that humble crib scene, we can say with Isaiah that as people who often walk in darkness, who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone and will always shine.

Looking forward to seeing you over the Christmas Season. With every good wish and blessing on you and your families this Christmas. Fr Gerard. 

 

 

 

Pilgrimage to San Giovanni & Rome: As part of St Eugene’s Cathedral 150^th Anniversary Celebrations, Bishop Donal McKeown will lead a pilgrimage to San Giovanni & Rome from 25th – 30th September 2023. Visiting the birthplace of Padre Pio, Shrine of St Michael Archangel, St Peter’s Basilica and other important sites. Price is £879pps (Single room supplement £150).  For more details, email info@marian.ie or call Belfast on (028) 956 80005 or Dublin on (01) 878 8159.

 

 

 

Children in Crossfire wish to extend a happy and peaceful Christmas to everyone here in St Columba’s Longtower Parish, thank you so much for your support to the Advent Appeal this year. If you have an advent box at home they can be returned here after Christmas, or you can send your donation directly to the charity. Thank you.

 

 

Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Workshops January – March 2023, January 9^th/10^th 2023, January 30^th/31^st 2023, February 6^th/7^th 2023, February 20^th/21^st 2023, March 6^th/7^th 2023 & March 27^th/28^th 202. Courses can be booked online at www.accordni.com. All of the above courses are VIRTUAL.

 

 

 

Life in the Spirit Seminars: Saturday 7 January and Sunday 8 January 2023, led by the Apostles of Love, in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca.  Finishing with Mass on Sunday celebrated by Bishop McKeown.  Enquiries to Mark on 07895003022 or Jenny on 07761248975.

 

 

The annual GOAL Mile Walk will take place on St Stephen’s Day, Monday 26 December. Meeting at Sainsbury’s car park anytime between 11 am and 1 pm for a walk along the river, over the Peace Bridge to Ebrington Square and back to Sainsbury’s.  Everyone welcome.

 

 

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS:  Is Gambling affecting your life?  Perhaps we can help.  Tel 028 7135 1329.