Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time 2nd October 2022
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 2nd October 10.00am Gerry McMonagle
Sunday 2nd October 12 Noon Gladys McShane
Monday 3rd October 10.00am Nancy Hinson
Tuesday 4th October 7.30pm John Crockett
Thursday 6th October 7.30pm Billy Campbell
Friday 7th October 7.30pm RMA Mass
Saturday 8th October 6.00pm Gerry Houston
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; John McKane- Lisfannon Park & Gerard McGaughey- Clipper Quay
Baptisms: We welcome into the family of God; Aodhán Harrigan, Sarah Gardiner & Ronan Kennedy
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2057.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £751.00
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Visitation of the Sick. For urgent sick calls please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Fr. Gerard gratefully acknowledges with thanks an anonymous donation of £1000.00 towards the utility costs of the Church.
‘Casting a Long Shadow’ is a new book charting the People’s History of the Long Tower Church. It will be on sale from Tuesday 4th October in Aras Cholmcille daily from 10.30.a.m. to 1.00.p.m. Price £20.00.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 3rd October at 7.30pm, when we will share in a network of prayer, love and support. We remain heartfully present with everyone and wish to connect with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer for all. 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. Please share as best you can knowledge of this Mass with your family & friends. The Mass will be streamed via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv
Fr Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas, the week beginning Monday 3rd October 2022; Corporation Street, Belview Avenue, Ferguson Street, Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Moat Street, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Alexander Memorial Cottages, Ardfoyle, Lower Bennett Street, Jack Allen Court & The Metropole.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues this Thursday 6th October, in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower from after the 7.30pm Mass until 12 Midnight. According to the Book of Lismore, a 15th-century medieval manuscript, “Columbkille used, moreover, to go to Heaven every Thursday while he was alive”. Fr Willie Doherty translated this ‘quaint extract’ to mean that on Thursdays, St Columba was ‘more than usually fervent in his visits to the Blessed Sacrament’. During this time, we will gather with St Columba and all our ancestors who knelt and prayed where he knelt and prayed for all our families, particularly the sick, those suffering from mental health and living with addictions, for healing in our city and in reparation. All welcome to come and pray throughout the evening.
Reality
“The gravity of the ecological crisis demands that we all look to the common good, embarking on a path of dialogue which demands patience, self-discipline and generosity,
always keeping in mind that ‘realities are greater than ideas’ (Pope Francis, 2015, p. 102).
What is reality? Reality defines what is real, exists and is an actual thing. Most importantly, it explains what is true. It is objective – not influenced by the mind, emotions or personal prejudices. It is not subjective – which is experienced or associated with feelings; in other words, it is related to ideas of the world. Pope Francis encourages us to keep focused on the reality of the natural world, which God created for the common good of all life. A world where we can eternally co-exist, where there should be no crisis, no end, just a constant flow of divine essence that echoes throughout the entire universe. This is the reality He brought into existence for all to live in love and peace within His divine body – to be patient, self-disciplined and generous in our interrelations. May we align ourselves with God’s reality – which is much greater than ‘ideas’ of our common home. Reference: Encyclical Letter: Laudato Si – On Care for Our Common Home.
Derry Youth are now taking expressions of interest for the Derry Youth Scholarship Programme. This is a year-long programme for young people in 6th Form or doing their Leaving Cert. The programme provides opportunities for young people to meet others from across the diocese, to come together to explore their faith, to meet new friends, gain training and learn new skills, and work with a charitable organisation. If you are interested in this programme or would like more information, please message us @Derryyouth on social media or email Niamh at niamh.mclaughlin@derrydiocese.org
Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning: The Foyle Hospice invites you to the Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning to celebrate World Hospice Day. Come along on Saturday 8th October, 2022, to the Day Hospice, 61 Culmore Road, Derry, between 10am and 2pm. Bring your family and friends to raise a cup and raise awareness. Thank you.
Anam Cara Donegal, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding it’s monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Thursday 13th October at 7:15pm in the Raddison Blu, Letterkenny. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. Please contact us on 085 288 8888/info@anamcara.ie for further information.
Living in DIVINE WILL: Termonbacca 1st Monday of every month at 8pm, all welcome’.
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Course Dates: October to December 2022 (Virtual); October 3rd & 4th 2022, October 17th & 18th 2022, November 7th & 8th 2022, December 5th & 6th 2022.
Accord NI Marriage & Relationship Counselling: Counsellors are professionally trained in the complex specialism of Couples Counselling. For further information or to make an appointment with a counsellor; Please contact: Accord Derry- Email derry@accordni.com, Telephone– (028) 71362475 (option 1). Booking online www.accordni.com.
Calling all Men…100 and more Irish Men Needed; The Men’s Global Rosary Crusade invites 100 and hopefully many more men, young and old, to meet and say the Rosary in reparation, repentance and conversion of the Irish nation at 1pm opposite Star of the Sea Church, Portstewart on Saturday 8th October as part of this amazing modern day Crusade. We need as many men from your parish to attend and pray the Rosary as Our Lady has repeatedly asked us to do. Come along with your family and friends as well and make this something beautiful for Our Lady. For details, ring 077 303 30028 from NI or 00 44 77 303 30028 from the Republic.
Day for Life 2022 – Caring for the Older Person; Day for Life is celebrated annually by the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition. This year’s Day for Life will be celebrated in Ireland on Sunday 2 October on the theme ‘Caring for the Older Person’. We invite people to think again about the value and worth of older persons in families and in society, and to make practical choices to build bridges between the generations. We call for people and parishes to devote quality time, energy and creativity in caring for the older persons in our communities. We invite engagement in political debate on providing adequately resourced care of older persons so that no-one feels like a burden in our society. Saint Joachim and Saint Anne – Pray for us! To read the pastoral message for Day for Life in full, visit www.councilforlife.ie
Trócaire is looking for people to join our team of Christmas fundraisers to help respond to the urgent need of poor communities around the world, especially the millions of people affected by the hunger crisis in East Africa. You can take action and make a difference through a range of activities, including the promotion of our Gifts of Love – training and support will be provided. If you would like to find out more about what you can do to help now or over the Advent and Christmas period, then please email Mark McMahon at infoni@trocaire.org or call 028 9090 8030.
ULSTER PROJECT 2023: Applications are now open. Ulster Project is a non-funded organisation so parents must meet the full cost of the project for their teen. Group fundraising events are held. Teens must be 15 on or before 1 July 2023. For an application form and further information regarding references and vaccinations etc. please email ulsterprojectderrylondonderry@outlook.com. Closing date for applications is Friday 21 October 2022.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
