Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time 26th October 2025
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 26th October 12Noon Raymond O’Reilly
Monday 27th October 7.30pm Aaron Doherty
Tuesday 28th October 7.30pm Patrick Barr & Jinny Kelly
Wednesday 29th October 7.30pm Eddie &Grace McCallion
Thursday 30th October 7.30pm Jim & Teddy Callaghan & Minty Dauncey
Friday 31st October 10.00am Roisin Lyttle
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Martin Kelly- Griffiths Park.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Jake McMonagle, Arlo McGowan & Peadár McMonagle
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
8th November & 6th & 20th December
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
LAST WEEK’S MISSION SUNDAY COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2555.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £757.00
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 Thursday’s with names for weekend Anniversary list. The Parish Office is open Monday- Friday from 9am to 2.30pm, Telephone 028-71262301 or via email at longtower@derrydiocese.org. For urgent sick calls, please use the office telephone number at all times.
Long Tower 2026 Calendars are now available cost £3 each or 2 for £5. They would make an ideal Christmas gift especially for those living away from home. Calendars can be purchased from the Parish Office, Siopa Cholmcille or Sacristy.
Please Note: There will be NO Padre Pio Mass this Monday 27th October, as the 40 Hours Adoration continues. The next Padre Pio Mass will take place on Monday 24th November at 7.30pm. Thank you.
‘Cloisters Café’– Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church, now also open Sunday’s, 10am-3pm, with Sunday lunch being served from 12Noon-3pm.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: Chritsmas gifts just arrived!!!. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass. For enquiries please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty via (parish office 028-71262301 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church at 6.00pm, beginning this Sunday 26th October with Bishop Donal McKeown as our guest speaker. The theme of our Novena this Jubilee Year 2025 is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’- Finding Hope and Healing In a Hurting World. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and Eucharistic Healing Ceremony with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing to join us. Please note, there will be parking available at Long Tower Primary School (upper school building) via Bishop Street from 5pm – 7.30pm, each Sunday of the Novena. We hope that this will significantly ease the congestion around Charlotte Street and the Flyover and would kindly ask that as many of you as possible, consider using this facility.
Long Tower’s 40 Hours
A continuous 40 Hours of Adoration will begin with 8am Mass this Sunday 26th October 2025, continuing right through Sunday night and allday Monday 27th October, concluding at midnight.
‘O Come Let Us Adore Him’.
FEAST OF ALL SAINTS – Saturday 1st November we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, Masses are on Friday 31st October (Vigil) at 6pm (Please note there will be NO 7.30pm Mass on Friday evening) & Saturday at 10am.
ALL SOULS – Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Mass will be offered on Sunday 2nd November at 12Noon in commemoration of the departed. During the 12Noon Mass the names of all those who were buried from the Long Tower during the year (1st Oct’24 – 30th Sept’25) will be read out. We invite you to join us in person, were you can and also online via the webcam. We also invite you to visit the Church during the month of November to offer a prayer for the happy repose of the soul of your own deceased relatives and friends.
Indulgences at the Commemoration of All Souls: From 12 Noon on 1st November until midnight on 2nd November, all who have confessed, received Holy Communion and prayed for the Pope’s intentions (one Our Father & Hail Mary, or any other prayer of one’s choice) can gain one plenary indulgence by visiting a Church or Oratory, and there reciting one Our Father & the Apostle’s Creed. This indulgence is applicable only to the souls of the departed. Confession may be made at any time within the week preceding or the week following 1st November. Holy Communion may be received on any day from 1st to 8th November. The faithful who visit a cemetery and pray for the dead may gain a plenary indulgence applicable only to the Holy Souls on the usual conditions once per day from 1st to 8th November. The conditions mentioned above also apply to this.
Mass and Holy Hour for Vocations: On Tuesday evening, the 28th October, the 7:30pm Mass in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry, will be offered for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood in the Diocese of Derry. This will be followed by a Holy Hour from 8:00pm to 9:00pm, concluding with Night Prayer and Benediction. All are welcome to come and pray.
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.
Calling pilgrims to Walk in the Light, 7pm Saturday 1st November: to mark the Christian feast of All Hallows with prayers for peace, the city centre churches are inviting you to join our annual inter-denominational Walk in the Light. We are gathering in a spirit of friendship at Salvation Army Church on Carlisle Road, proceeding to St Columb’s Cathedral, London Street, on to First Derry Presbyterian Church and ending at St Columba’s Church, Long Tower – followed by tea and light refreshments in Long Tower Primary School. The walk will take no more than one hour. As we approach the final quarter of this Jubilee Year, we urge you to honour the Christian call to unity, fellowship and peace, by joining us as Pilgrims of Hope for Walk in the Light, 2025. Everyone is welcome!
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: For our seminarians, for the men discerning their vocation, and for the future priests of the diocese that, like St Paul, they will be able to say, “I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the end; I have kept the faith.”
Our Lady, Untier of Knots Novena – The Novena to Our Lady, Untier of Knots continues after the 7:30pm Mass each Thursday in St Eugene’s Cathedral for eight Thursdays, concluding on Thursday 27th November. All are welcome to join in prayer and reflection during this special time of grace.
Sincere Thanks; Fr Frank McLaughlin’s sister Evelyn, would like to thank all those who offered prayers and support during Fr. Frank’s wake and funeral, it was a great comfort to the family. Fr Frank’s Month Mind Mass will be in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, Monday 10th November at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.
Our Lady of Montligeon prayer group- praying for all the souls in purgatory meets in Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry, on last Wednesday each month at 12:30pm. Next meeting is Wednesday 29th October. Everyone is welcome.
Carmelite Retreat Centre Termonbacca-Silent Retreat: Fr Stephen Quinn will lead a silent retreat for men and women in Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry, from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th December.. The weekend costs £90. For further info/booking call 02871262512 or email termonbaccaderry@ocd.ie
“4 Week FREE Dementia Education Programme for Informal Carers, starting Wednesday 5th November at An Croí Community Hub, Trench Rd, Waterside. This course is for those looking after someone at home who has received a dementia diagnosis. It teaches what dementia is and helps carers to gain an understanding about different types of dementia, their signs and symptoms, about communication, different behaviours and coping strategies etc.The course is taught weekly with time for carers to talk and make connections as well as learning together. We do encourage family members to come together and support each other, so places are open for several members of the same family to come on to the programme at the same time and share the learning. Please note, this course is not suitable for individuals who either have dementia or are currently going through a process of diagnosis. Booking is essential via eilish@olt.ie or contact 02871 373870″.
Give Blood-Save Lives: Book now for local community donation session. Venue: Carlisle Road, Methodist Church, Derry. Date & Time: Monday 10th November 1pm- 8pm & Tuesday 11th November 12.30pm – 7.30pm. N. Ireland needs 1200 blood donations every week. The link to book an appointment is: https://nibts.hscni.net/online-booking-for-blood-donation-appointments/
Caring For People with Dementia: One-day Retreat, Ards Friary, Creeslough, Wednesday 10 December, 10.30am – 3.30pm. Cost €50, which includes tea/coffee and a light lunch. For bookings, tel 0035374 9138909 or Email info@ardsfriary.ie. For further information contact Caroline at carolinebrown268@gmail.com
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
