Third Sunday of Advent/ Gaudete Sunday 15th 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 15th December 10.00am John McFadden
Sunday 15th December 12Noon Fr Santan Pinto
Monday 16th December 7.30pm Toal Toland
Tuesday 17th December 7.30pm Eamon Cunnigham
Wednesday 18th December 10.00am Ellen Barr
Wednesday 18th December 7.30pm Willie & Annie McCafferty
Thursday 19th December 7.30pm Terence Crawley
Friday 20th December 7.30pm Hoffmeister & Smyth Families
Saturday 21st December 6.00pm Brian & Ellen Starrett
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Rosemary Ross- Ballyowen House.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Éabha Gillespie- McCourt & Mateo Chada. 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- 11th, 18th & 25th
February 2025- 8th & 15th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2100.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £670.00
The Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by phone on 028-71262301 (during office hours) or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
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.
Fr. Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas, the week beginning Monday 16th December; Long Tower Court, Abercorn Road, Bishop Street, Corporation Street, Belview Avenue, Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Ardfoyle, Lower Bennett St, Jack Allen Court, The Metropole Bridge Street & Alexander House.
Fr. Stephen will visit the sick in his care in the following areas on Monday 16th Thursday 19th & Friday 20th December; Meenan Drive, Dove Gardens, Deanery Street, Bluebell Hill Gardens, Celtic Court, Kerrigan’s Close, Quarry Street, Drumcliffe Avenue, Lone Moor Road, Nualamount, Old City Court, Ballougry Road, Mullenan Road & Creevagh Road.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church at 6.00pm, continues this Sunday 15th December The theme of our Novena this year is ‘The Power of Prayer’- Reflecting on the prayer Jesus taught us in this Year of Prayer.. Our guest speaker this Sunday is Fr John Harris, OP. Fr John is an Irish Dominican and is Provincial Prior of the Dominican Order in Ireland. He has a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome (Angelicum) and has taught dogmatic and moral theology in the Dominican Studium in Dublin. He is a widely renowned speaker at Missions and Retreats throughout the world. It’s a special year for the Dominicans as they celebrate 800 years in Ireland. Also, the Dominicans founded a monastery in Derry 750 years ago in 1274. So, it is fitting that we welcome the Irish Dominican Prior to Long Tower in celebrating both anniversaries! He will reflect on the last line from the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Deliver us from Evil’. 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 in their lives to join us.
Next Sunday 22nd December or Novena will conclude with the Annual Carol Service, followed by refreshments and traditional music in the Long Tower Primary School in the grounds of the Church. Everyone is welcome.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available to purchase from the Parish Office, Sacristy or each Sunday of Novena in Síopa Cholmcille cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards & Long Tower 2025 Calendars are also available cost £3 each or 2 for £5. Thank you for your support.
Christmas Toy Appeal: Long Tower Parish will be a drop off point for anyone who would like to donate toys etc.., on Christmas wish list of local charity ‘Free Uniform Scheme’ run by Jemimah Armstrong. If anyone needs support in the Long Tower area you can leave info with Fr Mongan or contact Jemimah directly: on 07873882301/Jemimah198630@hotmail.com. Last date for donations will be next Tuesday 17th December. Thank you for your support.
Notice of Christmas Masses & Confession Times: Tuesday 24th December – Christmas Eve: Family Vigil at 6pm, Evening Vigil at 8pm & Candlelight Christmas Mass at 10pm. Wednesday 25th December- Christmas Day: 8am, 10am & 12 Noon. Christmas Confessions: The last Confessions for Christmas will be Monday 23rd December from 10.30am to 12Noon and from 4.30pm-5.45pm. There will be NO Confessions after this date until the evening of Monday 6th January at 7.00pm when Confessions will resume as normal. A printed Christmas & New Year Schedule will be available from next weekend.
Children in Crossfire provide access to education, nutrition, healthcare and safe, clean water for highly vulnerable children in Tanzania and Ethiopia. They are seeking support for their 2024 Advent Appeal, which focuses on children growing up in deep poverty in inner-city Dar es Salaam. Packs are available at the doors of the church.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: Third Sunday of Advent- Gaudete Sunday. With St Paul we pray for our diocesan seminarians and those discerning their vocation, that “…the peace of God will guard [their] hearts and thoughts…”
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 9th January 2025 and concluding on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Tuesday 11th 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.
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025: led by Bishop Donal McKeown, 30th June to 4th July, from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required. Gift vouchers are now available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Enquiries via email to derrypilgrim@outlook.com.
Accord Derry – Marriage Preparation Courses: January – June 2025; January 24th/25th, February 21st/22nd, March 28th/29th, April 11th/12th, May 30th/31st & June 20th/21st. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note that ALL of these courses are in person and NOT virtual.
Sincere Thanks- The sum of £1160.00 was raised in a recent collection to support the missionary work of Sr Rosemarie (Curran), a native of the Long Tower Parish. We would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to the collection.
Mary’s Meals – Double the Love: At this time, all donations made to Mary’s Meals are being doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £900,000. Please keep us in your prayers during this Advent season that we can reach even more children around the world with our life-changing school meals this Christmas. There are many ways to give, including our gift cards & online Christmas Trees of Hope. Find out more at marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212 .
Ards Friary, Ards, Co. Donegal: ‘What is God’s Dream for your Life’ Retreat: 22nd January and 19th 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
The Annual Derry City GOAL Mile Walk will take place Thursday 26th December, leaving from Sainsbury’s car park at 12Noon. The GOAL Mile is an opportunity for local people to walk in solidarity and show support for those struggling to survive in countries ravaged by war, famine, disease and the effects of climate change. There are no administrative costs associated with the GOAL Mile so every penny raised will go directly to supporting the charity’s work with the poorest of the poor.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje direct from Belfast from 5th to 12th September 2025 with Spiritual Director, Fr. Michael McCaul. Flights and half board in 4 star Leone Hotel £849. Contact Maria Bradley at 02881648357 or WhatsApp 07768395038.
Pilgrimages To Medjugorje 2025: Bookings are now being taken for two Pilgrimages to Medjugorje. 7th May from City of Derry Airport, £745 per person sharing. 2nd 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 31st January. Pilgrimages are organised through Marian Pilgrimages (Dublin). Early booking strongly recommended. For more details, please contact John Murray on 0780 1105575.
Pilgrimage to Fatima:- Flying direct from Belfast International- 7 nights F/B Hotel Avenida. 30th July/6th August. S/D Fr. Martin Graham Adm. £885. Early booking discount of £100. For further details contact Joe Catney 07776425631.
Sean Davis 3 day Indoor Christmas Fun Soccer Academy – takes place at Templemore Sports Complex from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th January 2025. For boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years. Times: 10am to 3pm daily. For further details Tel. Sean Davis FAI, IFA, FA European A Licence Coach on 07787791880.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
