Third Sunday of Easter 19th April 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 19th April 10.00am Danny O’Connor & Nora Creighton
Sunday 19th April 12Noon Billy Friel
Monday 20th April 7.30pm Ethel Vernon
Tuesday 21st March 7.30pm Kathleen Marie Bradley
Wednesday 22nd April 7.30pm Brian Lyttle
Thursday 23rd April 7.30pm Paul Smith
Friday 24th April 7.30pm Margaret McGurk
Saturday 25th April 6.00pm Susan Miller
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Gertrude Burke- Mountjoy Street, John Barbour- Lone Moor Gardens, Anne Sheils- Abbey House, Francis (Francie) McFadden- Elmgrove, Eileen O’Donnell- Ivy Terrace & Carmel Cassidy- Grainan Park.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Jack Coyle, Códy McKinney, Fionn Clarke & Fódhla Clarke.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates are 30th May
13th & 27th June & 11th & 25th July 2026
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or 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 02871262301. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask duty nurse on the ward to call hospital chaplain. Thank you.
ENVELOPE COLLECTION for 6/4/25 AMOUNTED TO £4422.00
RENOVATION COLLECTION for 6/4/25 AMOUNTED TO £1137.00
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2922.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £860.00
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 next Monday 27th April 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.Everyone is welcome to attend.
St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Annual Parish Draw 2026: Tickets are NOW ON SALE!!! Price £5/per ticket. The draw will take place 9th June, St Columba’s Feast Day. 1st prize £2600, 2nd prize £1000, 3rd prize £500, 4th prize £300, 5th prize £200. Promoters prize of £100. We would ask that anyone interested in becoming a promoter or wishing to purchase tickets to please call at or contact the Parish office on 02871-262301, Monday to Friday 9am – 2.30pm or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org. Thank you for your support.
First Holy Communion dates 2026 – St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
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.
The New Parish Collection Envelopes have been issued. If you did not receive your envelopes or would like to receive a box of envelopes please telephone or call at the parish office, during office hours Tel: 028-71262301. Anyone from outside the parish who received collection envelopes in previous years should call at the Sacristy with Tommy or Patrick. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who contributes in any way to the weekly collection, your ongoing and unwavering support of the Long Tower Parish is very much appreciated. Gift Aid- We would like to ask you to consider Gift Aiding the donations you make to the Church. This means we reclaim the tax on your donation from the Inland Revenue – Anyone who pays income tax, even those who are retired but who receive a taxable pension are able to take part in the scheme – it doesn’t cost you anything extra but is an invaluable additional source of income for the Parish. Please contact the Parish Office on 02871-262301 or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
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. Our parish safeguarding representatives are Ms Josephine Brown and Ms Jennifer Kearney. If you have any concerns with regard to safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, 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).
Children’s Liturgy: The Children’s Liturgy in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower will resume this Sunday 19th April at 12Noon Mass. All welcome.
Derry Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima: We are inviting young people aged 16+ to join us on pilgrimage to Fatima for 5 nights from 3rd – 8th August. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with their peers from around the world in a faith context. Cost is £820 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible to secure a place. For more info/ to book in please contact bethany.doherty@derrydiocese.org 02871264087.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray that the hearts of our seminarians and those discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood will burn with the fire of the Gospel, with a desire to preach & spread the Good News of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: April to June 2026: 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.
Accord Facilitators needed. Accord is inviting volunteers to train as facilitators for its Marriage preparation programmes, supporting couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Facilitators work as part of a small local team and help lead up to four programmes each year. Free professional training is provided. To find out more/ apply Tel:015053112,Email:marriagepreparation@accord.ie. Closing date is 29th May 2026.
An Evening of Peace, Encouragement & Faith: For Women and Mothers join Catherine DiNuzzio for a gentle, faith‑filled evening offering hope and practical guidance for navigating anxiety with the peace of Christ. Wednesday 22nd April at 7.30pm St Peter’s Lurgan. Co. Armagh.
Prostrate Ourselves Before The Lord: Hosted by Patrick McCrystal, Executive Director of Human Life International (Ireland), Saturday 25th April at 7pm at the Drummond Hotel, Limavady, Co Derry BT49 9HP, an evening of Encouragement, Proclamation, Repentance, Seeking God’s mercy for our Nation and Prayer for Healing. All Welcome!
‘Shepherding Talent’ Online Programme – Aspire to Serve, Inspire to Lead: In partnership with St Mary’s University Twickenham, the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre is offering this programme. ‘Shepherding Talent’ is a pioneering programme from the university, in which teaching professionals with leadership potential are challenged to explore their vocation to lead. Aimed at all teaching professionals in Catholic schools, this programme is delivered in the context of Catholic School education. It will be delivered over five weeks. Cost is £250. The first session is on Wednesday 29th April, 4.30pm – 6.30pm. For further info/registration please email: tferry@derrydiocese.org.
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy commercial free broadcasting – Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies. 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)
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 19th April at 3pm on Benone Strand, Magilligan. Everyone welcome.
It’s Easy To See What Alcohol Is Doing To The Drinker But Can You See What It Is Doing To 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
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
