Twenty Second Sunday In Ordinary Time 31st August 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 31st August 10.00am Seamus Meenan
Sunday 31st August 12Noon Anna Guns
Monday 1st September 7.30pm Annie Smith
Tuesday 2nd September10.00am Colin Johnston
Tuesday 2nd September 7.30pm Ann Shannon (Nee McCool)
Wednesday 3rd September10.00am Dolores Logue
Wednesday 3rd September 7.30pm John & Frances Nash
Saturday 6th September 6.00pm John Temple
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Jim Doherty- Iniscarn Court & Sheila Bradley- Sandbank Park.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Cathal McConnellogue, Croía Ward & Daimhin Gillespie.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
18th October, 8th & 22nd November & 6th & 20th December
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours or email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2606.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £747.00
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 02871262301. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask duty nurse on the ward to call hospital chaplain. Thank you.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: We stock a variety of gifts & cards, candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & mementos. 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.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church, a cosy place to relax and have a bite to eat or a cuppa and a cake! The café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am to 3pm. For more info, view Cloisters social media.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray that those called to serve the Church as priests of this diocese will be the gentle, humble, sensible, and attentive servants mentioned in our first reading this weekend.
Accord Derry-Marriage Preparation Courses: October – November 2025: October 17th/18th & November 7th/ 8th. Venue- Everglades Hotel, Derry. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person.
A message of gratitude and appreciation for Fr Stephen. Fr Stephen Ward said ‘good-bye and farewell’ at the Sunday Masses last weekend. As a parish community, from the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you, Fr Stephen for all you have done for us in your faithful ministry among us over the past 2 years since your ordination as a priest. We will miss your prayerful presence, especially in the celebration of the Sacraments, at our annual Sr Clare Retreat and Novena before Christmas, in facilitating Lectio Divina/praying with scripture and ALPHA sessions and your solid sermons filled with nuggets of wisdom proclaiming Christ’s love and compassion. We will miss you for all your hard work in our schools, in attending the sick and housebound, in being with so many families in their grief and also dealing with the most difficult of pastoral situations at times. As you know from your previous experience in Three Patrons, you’re going to a great community of faithful souls. Our loss is their gain. We hope you will take many happy memories from your time with us and of the wonderful people, young and older whom you accompanied in their journey of faith. We will keep you in our prayers and hope that you remember us in yours. Fr Gerard and the entire parish community of Long Tower.
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. We invite you to gather with us in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on 1st Thursday of each month, beginning on Thursday 2nd October at 7.30pm for Mass followed by Mini Vigil to Midnight for healing and intercession. At this Mass we will pray for the cause of Sister Clare in the Monastic site where St. Columba knelt and prayed. Everyone welcome.
An Audio-Visual tour of the Long Tower Church is available. The guide which is narrated by Bishop Donal McKeown, offers a great insight into the history and sacredness of our beautiful Church. If you’re hosting visitors or you simply want to deepen your own appreciation, why not try the audio guide, priced at just £2.00. For further details, call into Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of the Long Tower Church or email darinaghboyle15@gmail.com.
To celebrate the Canonisation of Carlo Acutis there will be veneration of Carlos’ relic, gifted to St. Eugene’s Cathedral by his mother, from 3pm to 6.30pm on Sunday 7th September. During the time of Veneration, the Rosary, which was a very important prayer in Carlo’s life, will be prayed each hour. At 7pm Bishop Donal Mc Keown will celebrate Mass in thanksgiving for Carlos’ Canonisation. Everyone is welcome to this time of Prayer and Celebration.
Life In the Spirit Seminar- Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September 2025, in the Pastoral Centre, Claudy with Fr Eamonn Kelly. It is an opportunity to deepen your faith and to activate the gifts of the Holy Spirit you received in the Sacrament of Baptism. Come along and hear how this can be possible. Saturday 6th (10.30am-3pm) & Sunday 7th (10.30am-3pm) including closing Mass on Sunday. Registration on arrival. Fee-Donation. Refreshments will be provided however you can bring a packed lunch. Everyone Welcome.
The Padre Pio Prayer Group, Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty will take place on Tuesday 2nd September, starting with rosary at 6.45pm followed by celebration of holy mass at 7.15pm and blessing with first class relic of St. Pio, while closing prayers are recited. Everyone Welcome.
Blessing of Bikes – Sunday 7th September, Burt Chapel, Co Donegal, 1.30pm: short prayer service and blessing. Fr Gerry Sweeney will celebrate Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Dungiven, at 11:30am, remembering and praying for all deceased bikers. All bikers are welcome to come to the Mass. Any biker who has died in the past year will be remembered in prayer at this Mass: names can be sent to Fr. Gerry at gerardsweeney@ymail.com. After Mass in Dungiven, we will make our way to Burt Chapel for 1:30pm. There will be the usual collection for the RNLI Station at Ned’s Point, Buncrana. After the blessing we will make our way to Ned’s Point RNLI Station to present the collection and for refreshments. All are very welcome.
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, while making friends and hopefully having a bit of fun in the process! September 12th – 14th in Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry. To book or find out more? Text or WhatsApp Brendan on +353 86 8067973 or Vivienne on +44 7935 007351. Cost is €80/£70 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.
Jubilee Year Opportunities at Lough Derg this September: One Day Retreats – Guided Days of Prayer and Reflection – places available on; September 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 20, 21. Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Sunday 7 September – special devotions and blessing with Carlo Acutis Relic. Admission €50. Group discounts available. Advance Booking Essential. Quiet Day Retreat – Come apart by yourself, and rest for a while – Friday 12 September. Admission €40 includes refreshments, lunch. Advance booking essential. Email:info@loughderg.org.
Legion of Mary, Annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Knock Shrine on Sunday 28th September. Bus leaving 5 Clarendon Street at 8.00am and Long Tower Church at 8.05am. Price £25, to include tea/coffee and scone on the way to Knock. To book, contact Sean on 07854027877.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
Save the Date: Abide in His Love Women’s Conference November 21st -23rd 2025. The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran Co. Donegal. An Amazing event for women exploring the beauty & gift of their feminine identity in Christ. Guest Speakers include: Sr. Mary Madeline Todd OP (USA), Megan Madden from ‘A Mother’s Lace’ (USA/UK), Fr. Barry Braum, Fr. Mark Wharton (UK), Fr. Francesco Mary Gavazzi, CFR, the Nashville Dominican sisters, & Mass with Archbishop Eamon Martin. Check out Eventbrite for tickets & more information. Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abide-in-his-love-womens-conference -2025-tickets- 1283997654549?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
