Thirty- First Sunday In Ordinary Time 3rd November 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 3rd November 10.00am Seamus McPhillips
Sunday 3rd November 12Noon Michael O’Hagan
Monday 4th November 10.00am Roisin Lyttle
Monday 4th November 7.30pm Darren McCormick
Tuesday 5th November 10.00am Jack Morrison
Tuesday 5th November 7.30pm William & Annie Mallon
Wednesday 6th November 10.00am Kathleen Thompson & Annie Eames
Wednesday 6th November 7.30pm Thomas McShane
Thursday 7th November 7.30pm Kevin Mullan
Friday 8th November 7.30pm Jackie McLaughlin
Saturday 9th November 6.00pm Edmund Kennedy
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Paula McCafferty- Ferndale Drive, Frankie Donaghey- Lecky Court & Richard McDaid – Inchview
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.
November 2024: Saturday 23rd
December 2024: Saturday 7th & 14th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2446.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £815.00
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.
Happy 50th Birthday Fr Gerard. The parishioners, staff, volunteers and wider Long Tower family wish Fr Gerard many happy returns this weekend on his 50th Birthday. Fr Gerard we hope you have a lovely birthday and enjoy all the celebrations!!! Thank you for all you do for the Long Tower parish.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available to purchase from the Parish Office Sacristy or each Sunday of Novena, cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards are also available cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards. Long Tower 2025 Calendars are also available cost £3 each or 2 for £5. They would make an ideal Christmas gift especially for those living away from home.
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 3rd November. The theme of our Novena this year is ‘The Power Of Prayer’-
Reflecting on the prayer Jesus taught us in this Year of Prayer.
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. Our guest speaker this week is Charlene McDaid. Charlene is a native of Slievemore Park in Derry and is widely known as a soloist in Cana Music for weddings, funerals and other functions. Over 20 years ago, Charlene was diagnosed with a brain tumour and testifies to the power of prayer for her healing since. We look forward to hearing her testimony. We assure her of a warm welcome and wish her 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.
Please note, there will be parking available in Lumen Christi College from 5pm – 7.45pm, each Sunday of the Novena. The side gate leading to Windmill Terrace will be open to those using the car park. 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.
Monthly Mass for Mental Health & Mini Vigil to Midnight – We invite you to our 7.30pm Mass on Thursday 7th November. At this Mass we give thanks to God for positive mental health, and to pray for those who are struggling with mental health issues, and to pray for those who care for them. After Mass, Adoration will follow until midnight.
“I Lit a Candle” Cards are now available at candle stands either side of the Sanctuary. Please place money in candle offering stand as normal. Thank you.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille Heritage Centre: We have a variety of gifts, candles, rosary beads, books, cards and Christmas gifts available as well as many other mementos. The shop will be open after 6pm Mass every Saturday evening, after 10am Mass during the week and each Sunday of the Novena leading up to Christmas. For enquiries, please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty (via the Parish Office 028-7126230 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.
Praying with the Scriptures – Lectio Divina: As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, there will be an opportunity to pray with the Scriptures using the method of Lectio Divina for the Sunday Gospels of Advent. This will take place in Aras Colmcille from 11am-12Noon on the following Thursday’s; 28th November, 5th ,12th & 19th December. The programme will also be held from 8pm-9pm on the following Tuesday’s; 26th November, 3rd, 10th & 17th December. All welcome to attend. Leaflets will be provided!
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: That those called to serve as priests of the Diocese of Derry will reflect, in their words and actions, the holiness, innocence, purity, and sinlessness of Jesus Christ, the High Priest.
Brónach Crabtree will speak about the ongoing suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza at 10am & 12 Noon Masses this Sunday 3rd November. She will be collecting donations for ‘Fund a Food Drop’, a grassroots organisation established by local woman Hilda Orr. All monies collected will go directly to refugees in Gaza who desperately need your support. You can follow Hilda’s work on Facebook by searching for the ‘Fund a Food Drop’ group or donate online via paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/buyabiryani
Deceased Children & Young People’s Mass:The Annual Mass for deceased children and young people will take place in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, on Sunday 10th November, at 7pm. There will be an opportunity to write down the name of your deceased loved one before Mass. All are welcome to attend. You can also join Mass live on the St Eugene’s Cathedral webcam. If you are unable to attend this Mass in person but would like to have a child or young person remembered at it, please email the name to lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org by Friday 8th November.
Accord Derry are facilitating a Marriage Preparation Course in the Everglades Hotel Derry on November 15th /16th 2024. Booking now online at www.accordni.com. This course is in person and NOT virtual.
Pioneer Pledge for the month of the Holy Souls: A short-term pledge gives spiritual support and encouragement to people and their families who are living under a shadow of addiction. Contact the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association on 003531 805 4226 or via www.pioneers.ie/pray
Al-Anon Day of Gratitude: will be held in the City Hotel, Derry, on Saturday 16 November: Registration from 10.00am. 11.00am – 12.00noon Opening our hearts and minds; 12Noon – 1.00pm: Hope;1.00-2.00pm Lunch;2.00pm – 3.00pm: Peace/Serenity/Prayer; 3.00pm-4.00pm Al-Anon Open meeting with AA participation. 4.30pm-5.30pm Tea; 4.00pm-6.00pm AA meeting with Al-Anon participation; 6.15pm-7.15pm: Let Go, Let God. Adm £7 / €8.
Ards Friary, Ards, Co. Donegal:- ‘What is God’s Dream for your Life’ Retreat: Wednesday 6 November 10.00am -3.30pm. Additional dates 11 December 2024; 22 January 2025 and 19 February 2025. 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 65.00 Euro ( includes light refreshments & Lunch).
Advent Reflection Retreat: Preparing for the Birth of the Christ Child: Sunday 10 November, 1pm-6pm. Join us for a day of Scripture, song and silence that will equip us to go into Advent with plenty to fill our minds and hearts as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus once more. You will leave with resources to aid your personal prayer during Advent and to lead others in prayer in your parish and community. Facilitated by Jim Deeds. Cost 65.00 Euro (includes light refreshments & lunch). For enquiries and bookings contact Ards T: 00353 74 913 8909; E: info@ardsfriary.ie.
Walking with the Franciscan Mystics Retreat. Friday 22 November to Sunday 24 November. In this workshop we will encounter some of the great Franciscan Mystics and find ways we can share in their wisdom and vision for a world renewed by the light of Christ and communion with creation. Facilitated by Br Richard Hendrick. Cost 240.00 Euro. For more details email info@ardsfriary.ie or visit our website www.ardsfriary.ie
Trócaire School Volunteers: Are you a retired teacher or someone who has experience presenting to groups of school children? Do you have a passion for making this world a better place, especially for the most vulnerable? Trócaire is looking for volunteers to support our 2025 Lent Appeal in the Derry Diocese. If you think you have the right skills and experience and will be available to help during school hours over Lent, then we would love to hear from you. Full training and ongoing support will be provided. For more information, please call Naomi Purnell on 028 9080 8033 or email naomi.purnell@trocaire.org.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
