Third Sunday In Ordinary Time 25th January 2026
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 25th January 10.00am Anna & Jim Green
Sunday 25th January 12Noon Charles Colton
Monday 26th January 7.30pm Mary McFadden
Tuesday 27th January 7.30pm Margaret Duggan
Wednesday 28th January 7.30pm Daniel McCafferty
Thursday 29th January 7.30pm Dave Clifton
Friday 30th January 7.30pm Adrian Healy
Saturday 31st January 10.00am Mary & Jim Harkin
Saturday 31st January 6.00pm Geraldine & Kathleen Payne
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
The next available Baptism date is 25th April 2026
Visitation of the Sick at Home & in Hospital. For urgent sick calls to those at home please contact the parish office 02871262301. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask duty nurse on the ward to call hospital chaplain. Thank you.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £3367.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £972.00
The Parish Office: Please contact the parish office during office hours to arrange all Anniversary and Months Mind Masses, as well as to book Baptisms & Weddings. Please call the parish office by 12Noon on Thursdays with names for weekend Anniversary list. The Parish Office is open Monday- Friday from 9am to 2.30pm, Tel: 028-71262301 or via email at longtower@derrydiocese.org. For urgent sick calls, please use the office telephone number at all times.
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 26th January at 7.30pm Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal us at this time. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio. The Mass will be streamed via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Feast of St Brigid- Sunday 1st February- You are invited to a free St Brigid’s Cross-making workshop on Friday 30th January, starting at 11am, top floor of Aras Cholmcille, aka Wee Nuns. While you’re here, why not treat yourself to a tasty lunch or some of the delicious home baking in Cloisters Cafe afterwards. Most importantly, crosses will be blessed at the end of all Masses in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on St Brigid’s Feast Day, Sunday February 1st.
Confirmation & First Holy Communion dates for 2026
for St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Thursday 5th February 2026 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 Friday 6th February 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 15th May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 1.30pm.
Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre & Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop: The shop is open after 10am morning Mass throughout the week. We have a new range of stock arriving next week to include Confirmation & First Holy Communion cards and gifts, along with cards, candles and gifts for St Brigid’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and Mother’s Day. For all enquiries, please call -028 71368491. Aras Cholmcille Museum and Heritage Centre will re-open on Monday 2nd February 2026 at 10am.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church. The café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am to 3pm and also on Sunday’s from 10am-3pm, with Sunday breakfast being served until 12Noon and Sunday lunches being served from 12Noon-3pm.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray for the men who will be sent out as priests of our diocese “… to preach the Good News…” to God’s people in a way that they can understand and that will bring them to a deeper commitment to Jesus as The Word of God.
Vocations Retreat Weekend for anyone (18+) interested in the diocesan priesthood, in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, Friday 6th – Sunday 8th March 2026. Please register using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/discernment-retreat-for-the-diocesan-priesthood-tickets-1980332502825?aff=oddtdtcreator. For further information, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Pat O’Hagan, at pgoh2111@gmail.com.
Job Opportunities Derry Diocesan Trust
Housekeeper: For priest in Buncrana area: 15 hours per week – days and times to arranged with priest. For application pack please telephone 028 7126 2302 or email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12 noon Friday 30th January 2026.
Ardmore Parish: Sacristan – St Mary’s Church, Ardmore, Derry. Part-time – 16 hours per week. The Sacristan will ensure effective security of the church and associated maintenance and cleaning whilst organising all associated liturgical requirements in line with diocesan guidelines. For application packs please telephone 028 7126 2302 or email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org. Completed applications must be returned to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12 noon on Monday 9th February 2026. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: January to June 2026: January 23rd/24th, February 20th/21st, March 27th/28th, April 24th/25th, May 15th/16th & June 19th/20th. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during July or August 2026.
Lepra Appeal: This weekend 24 & 25 January a collection will be taken up at all Masses for charity Lepra who have worked for over 100yrs to reduce the physical, emotional & social harms caused by leprosy. You can also donate at donate.lepra.org.uk. Thank you.
Children in Crossfire are thrilled with the kind support received so far for their Advent Appeal and extend their sincere thanks to everyone who donated or volunteered to help. They will let us know how much was raised soon. If you missed the collection and would still like to donate, see link below or contact us directly. Please note your parish name in the comment section. www.childrenincrossfire.org/donate-advent.
Sincere thanks from Sister Ann and Gerry Deeney to all who contributed in any way to the Christmas Missions Appeal in aid of the poor in Kenya, India, Nigeria, and Haiti. The total amount raised was £23,773.00 and €472. This is magnificent! May God reward and bless you all for your generosity.
Day Of Prayer and Reflection: You are warmly invited to a Day of Prayer and Reflection in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, Co Donegal, on Sunday 1 February, Feast of St Brigid, starting at 11am. Inspired by the spirituality of St Brigid – woman of faith, prayer and compassion – the day will include guided prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reflections on St Brigid and a St Brigid’s Cross-making workshop. A light lunch will be provided and the day will finish with the Celebration of the Eucharist. To book, telephone St Anthony’s on 0035374 936 8074. Suggested donation €25.
Job Opportunity: The Iosas Centre, Derryvane, Muff, Co Donegal, is seeking to employ a Programme Coordinator to organise and facilitate groups. The role involves welcoming and leading prayer experiences for schools and parishes, and tailored programmes for community groups in the natural beauty of the Celtic Prayer Garden. If you think this job is suited to you, you are asked to send your details to info@sanctuarydonegal.com
The Padre Pio Prayer Group, Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty will be celebrating their 20th year anniversary on Tuesday 3rd February 2026. We will begin at 6.45pm with the rosary, followed by holy mass, then the priest will bless everyone with a first class relic of St. Pio. Everyone is welcome
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July. The Lourdes office in the Pastoral Centre, Bishop Street, Derry, is now open Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Tel: 02871260293 or email derrypilgrim@outlook.com for more information. All applications welcome. We are also appealing to those who could volunteer to join our Medical Team as a Nurse or Carer to please contact the office, as soon as possible. Thank you.
Direct Payments Information Session: To support carers in gaining a better understanding of using Direct Payments to arrange and pay for your own care, there will an information session at the Old Library Trust Healthy Living Centre, Central Drive, Creggan, on Thursday 26 February 2026, from 12Noon to 2pm. For further information or to register, please contact Eilish on 02871 373870 or email eilish@olt.ie.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
Holy Hour for Vocations in St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, on Thursday 29 January, at 7pm. Anyone who cannot attend in person can join the prayers and devotions at:https://bellaghyparish.com/webcam/
The Lourdes Hosptalite Collection, which helps those who wish to go to Lourdes and require care and assistance, is due to take place at weekend Masses on the 7th/8th of February 2026. As in previous years, we appeal to your generosity for this worthwhile cause as we continue to provide the opportunity for people who need assistance, to travel to Lourdes.
Pilgrimage To Fatima. Flying Direct From Belfast International, 7 nights F/B Avenida Hotel 14th/21st August Spiritual Director Fr Andrew McMahon PP Convenient flight times. £845pps. Deposit secures. For further information contact Joe Catney 07776425631
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy commercial free broadcasting – Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – do join our growing faith family! Here’s how you can listen: Via Digital TV – Saorview Channel 210, Download our FREE App “RADIO MARIA IRELAND”, Streaming on our WEBSITE – www.radiomaria.ie ,Via our ‘Listen Live Radio’ link on our Facebook Page, Via PHONE – get live radio feed by calling +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply) or Via DAB Radio in Leinster area. Why not drop a line to our Spiritual Director, Fr Des Farren by text on 089-4672000, by phone on 01-4123456, or come and pay us a visit at Radio Maria Ireland, St. Anthony’s Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 22. D22 R7W2.
It’s Easy To See What Alcohol Is Doing To The Drinker But Can You See What It Is Doing To You? These questions can help you identify if someone else’s drinking is affecting you. If your answer is yes, Al-Anon Family Groups can help. For further information contact the Al Anon confidential helpline on 0800 0086 811 or email helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk . Alternatively, Tel 028 9068 2368.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
