Third Sunday Of Advent/ Gaudete Sunday 11th December 2022
The joy of the Kingdom is anticipated. The signs of the Kingdom already come are given to the messengers of John the Baptist, and they are familiar with the prophecy of Isaiah. Patient waiting for the fulfilment is our Christian duty. There should be no complaining, no giving up or losing heart. Joy, prayer and thanksgiving should characterise the Christian community.
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 11th December12.00Noon Elizabeth Connor
Monday 12th December 10.00am Anna Harkin
Monday 12th December 7.30pm Joe McLaughlin
Tuesday 12th December 10.00am Rosemarie Kyle
Tuesday 13th December 7.30pm Sarah Campbell
Wednesday 14th December 10.00am The Brinkley Family
Wednesday 14th December 7.30pm Jack & Aggie Downey
Thursday 15th December 7.30pm Fr San Pan Pinto
Saturday 17th December 6.00pm Brian & Eileen Starrett
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Ethna McCloskey- Belview Avenue, Jackie Moore- Brooklands Nursing Home & Martin McGill-Foyle Road
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Daniel Bradley, Ruairí Óg Dalzell & Lughán Wallace
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2058.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £606.00
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Fr Gerard will visit the sick in his care the in the following areas the week beginning Monday 12th December 2022: Deanery Street, Southend Park, Iona Court, Nualamount Drive, Lone Moor Road, Old City Court, Braehead Road, Mullenan Road & Alexander House.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available from the Parish Office or Sacristy, cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards are also available from Parish Office or Sacristy, cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Continues this Sunday 11th December at 6.00pm. The theme of our Novena this year is ‘What do I believe’? Exploring our Faith. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by guest speakers and a ceremony of healing with Benediction. Our guest speaker this week is Fr Noel McDermott. Fr Noel is currently Parish Priest of Faughanvale & Lower Cumber. He is no stranger to the City having previously served in St Brigid’s, Carnhill & Strathfoyle. We wish him and our Parish every blessing as we continue our Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing to join us.
The Long Tower Annual Carol Service will end the Novena next Sunday 18th December at 6.00pm. Everyone is welcome.
Christmas Masses; Saturday 24th December/ Christmas Eve– Evening Vigil at 6.00pm & Late Vigil at 8.00pm. Sunday 25th December/ Christmas Day at 8.00am, 10.00am & 12Noon. A full list of Liturgical Ceremonies for Christmas period will be available next week.
Christmas Confessions: Confessions will be as normal Monday to Friday at 7.00pm, Saturday from 10.30am to 11.30am and from 5.00pm to 5.45pm. On Sunday 18th December there will be confessions from 3.00pm to 5.00pm with visiting Priests available. The last Confessions for Christmas will be from 10.30am to 11.30am on Christmas Eve. Confessions will resume on Evening of the 5th January at 7.00pm.
Adoration Chapel Pump Street: The Adoration Chapel will be open Monday- Friday from 9am-5pm. Everyone is welcome to visit.
‘Casting a Long Shadow’ is a new book charting the People’s History of the Long Tower Church. It will be on sale in Aras Cholmcille daily from 10.30am to 11.30am. Price £20.00. Also available from Long Tower Parish Office.
Pilgrimage to San Giovanni & Rome: As part of St Eugene’s Cathedral 150th 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.
At Christmas we celebrate the gift of Jesus, our hope and peace, Jesus, the light of the world. You are invited to spend time with scripture, reflection and prayer. A Christmas prayer resource is available to download on the Diocese of Derry website for private prayer at the church or home. The booklet can be downloaded at: https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/12-days-of-christmas-2022
Children in Crossfire’s Christmas gift cards are now available. They can be purchased via: Our online shop, Veritas stores in Derry/Londonderry, Newry and Letterkenny or you can contact Aishling on 028 71269898 or email aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org. Thank you for your support.
Children in Crossfire Advent Appeal packs are still available at the doors of the chapel. Please take one and either place the coin box in your home over Christmas and return it here in January. Your donations this year will go a long way in helping to provide safe, clean water to thousands of people living in rural communities in Ethiopia, making a transformative difference. For more information contact shauna.oneill@childrenincrossfire.org
Mary’s Meals – Our gift cards and life-changing gifts make a real difference to the 2.2 million children who eat our meals every school day. You can place your order online www.marysmeals.org.uk or by calling us on 0800 698 1212.
Accord Derry: Marriage Preparation Workshops January – March 2023, January 9th/10th 2023, January 30th/31st 2023, February 6th/7th 2023, February 20th/21st 2023, March 6th/7th 2023 & March 27th/28th 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.
Walk in the footsteps of the Holy Family this Christmas: An Irish Pilgrimage Guide to the Holy Land is a new book by Michael Kelly, Editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper which explores the places associated with the life of Christ. Michael, who has led many pilgrimages to the Holy Land, says he hopes the book can also act as an ‘armchair retreat’ for people who cannot travel to the Holy Land bringing the Gospel to life for them. It is available now from all good bookshops, www.columbabooks.com or by calling 01.687.4096 price €16.99/£14.99. An ideal Christmas gift.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can be accessed on the following https://www.churchmedia.tv/ 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).
