Thirty- Third Sunday In Ordinary Time 17th 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 17th November 10.00am William McCauley
Sunday 17th November 12Noon Aiden Barrett
Monday 18th November 7.30pm Niall McBrearty
Tuesday 19th November10.00am Junior Goode & Jean Donaghey
Tuesday 19th November 7.30pm Isobel McShane
Wednesday 20th November 7.30pm James Cox
Thursday 21st November 7.30pm Tilly Evans
Friday 22ndNovember 10.00am Patrick Gorman
Friday 22nd November 7.30pm John & Teresa McGeehan
Saturday 23rd November 6.00pm Kate Kennedy
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Robert Gillespie- Foyle Road
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Ruadhán Dalzell & Kade McCafferty. 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 £2195.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £681.00
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. Stephen will visit the sick in his care in the following areas on Wednesday 20th Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd November; 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.
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. Thank you for your support.
“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.
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 17th 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 Fr. James Devine. A native of the Waterside, Derry, ordained in Long Tower on 8th December 2013, Fr James has served in Limavady and Ballymagroarty parishes of the diocese as well as in the USA and recently returned from Scotland following postgraduate studies. He is now serving as curate in the parishes of Badoney Lower, Badoney Upper, Ardstraw East and Greencastle. Fr. James comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge and we are privileged to have him speak at our Novena this Sunday evening. We assure him of a warm welcome and 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.
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!
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.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: That our seminarians and those discerning a vocation as priests of this diocese will “shine as brightly as the stars of heaven” and be zealous in the instruction and example they give of Christian living to God’s people.
St John Paul II Prayer for Vocations – Shortly before his death in 2005, Pope St John Paul II blessed a monstrance which was to be used for the purpose of praying for Vocations. The monstrance is currently making its way around Ireland & will be in Church of the Immaculate Conception, Trench Road, on Thursday 21st November. There will be a Holy Hour of Intercession for vocations to the Priesthood in Church of Immaculate Conception, Trench Rd on Thursday 21st November from 8pm-9pm. Everyone is welcome. Save the Date – The 2025 Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 15th June.
Christmas Toy Appeal: Like the last two years, Long Tower Parish will be a drop off point for anyone who would like to donate toys etc on wish list of families that on Christmas 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 07873882301Jemimah198630@hotmail.com. Items can be dropped off at Parochial House, Monday to Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Thank you for your support.
Lumen Christi College Event Lumen Christi College is hosting an event on Saturday 16th November and Saturday 23rd November that may result in an increase in traffic between 9.15am and 9.45am, and again at approximately 11.30am on both days. The college apologises for any inconvenience or disruption.
Calling all Men to St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, Derry: Saturday 23rd November 2.30pm – 5.30pm. Three hours of Adoration, talk on Christ the King and the father’s role in the family. Ending with Vigil Mass of Christ the King at 7.15pm. Confessions during adoration and St Padre Pio Relic will be available.
‘The NET’ – Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese. The November Edition of The Net is now available online on the Diocesan Website www.derrydiocese.org as well as hardcopy as you leave the Church. No fixed charge, donations welcome. For coverage of faith related stories just email editorthenet15@gmail.com.
SPARK: A weekend of fun, faith and friendship for 12-16 year olds: Do you know a young person who would like to build their faith and make new friends? Spark is a weekend experience which follows core themes from YouCat as well as stories of role models such as Bl. Carlo Acutis and Sr. Clare Crockett, to help young people learn about their faith. When? November 22nd – 24th, Where? Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry. How to Book or find out more? Text or WhatsApp Brendan on +353 86 8043065. Cost? £70/€80 per person (to cover food and board). Spark is fully endorsed by Bishop McKeown and supported by local diocesan priests. Our adult volunteers are fully vetted and we take safeguarding very seriously. Please note that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come basis.
Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry will hold a Sr Clare Crockett Advent Retreat- Friday 29th November- Sunday 1st December in preparation for Christmas. The weekend is open to both women and men. Cost £100 residential/ £70 non-residential. For further details and bookings, contact 71 262512 or email termonbaccaderry@gmail.com
A Christmas Afternoon Tea & Wreath making workshop in Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre on Saturday 7th December from 12-3pm. The price is £30pp which includes all materials. All proceeds will go to our Anam Óg youth group. Sunday 15th December at 3pm Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre will have a family Christmas Bingo bonanza with Santa and friends. Refreshments, raffles and lots more on the day. Bingo books are £5 per adult and £3 per child. All proceeds will go to our Anam Óg Youth group. Pre booking required Contact 02871262152.
Thornhill Ministries’ Crib Festival: The Festival is being held this year in ‘The Den’ 37 Melmount Road, Strabane on Sat 30th Nov & Sun 1st Dec. 11am – 5.30 pm. A unique event inviting us into the Story of Christmas through a truly inspirational display. Children will love it! And so will the adults!!
Radio Maria Ireland Christmas Fundraiser! Join us on Thursday 28th November in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny. Doors open at 6pm followed by a four course meal, live music information about Radio Maria and its Mission, Vision and how it can help support the faithful in Ireland today. Why not come along and enjoy a great night and help a charity! To book your ticket (€65/£60 per person) go to Eventbrite.ie or to book over the phone or for more information, call the studio on 01 4 123456 or more info (inc. the other Fundraisers) on www.radiomaria.ie
St Mary’s College Christmas Craft Fair (Northland Road, Derry), Saturday 30th November 2024, 11.00am – 4.00pm. £1 Entry – Over 70 stalls – Café – Santa – Great family day out!
The Priory Institute – The Dominicans are offering a free online Advent Retreat for parishioners. The speaker is Fr Stephen Cummins OP. The title of the retreat is: ‘Keeping Vigil for the Vulnerable God’. The link for parishioners to sign up for the Retreat is: https://prioryinstitute.com/events/2024-online-advent-retreat.
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.
Millenium Forum- Aladdin – Accessible Performances: Wednesday 4 December @ 7pm – Signed Performance, Saturday 7 December @ 2pm – Relaxed & Dementia Friendly & Sunday 22 December @ 1.30pm – Audio Described. Tickets for this performances are on-sale through our box office (02871 264455 choose option 1) or on our website www.millenniumforum.co.uk
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
