Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time 27th September 2026
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 27th September 10.00am Hugh Duffy
Sunday 27th September 12Noon Jackie Brinkley
Monday 28th September 7.30pm Rosaleen McLaughlin
Tuesday 29th September 10.00am Michael & Robbie Matthewson
Tuesday 29th September 7.30pm Bella Doherty
Wednesday 30th September 7.30pm William & Mary McCorriston
Friday 2nd October 7.30pm RMA Mass
Saturday 3rd October 6.00pm Patrick Cassidy & Cassidy Family
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Marie Conway- Windridge Drive.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Willy McCarthy, Callie Kavanagh, Elliott Porter & Olivia O’Connor.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates 7th & 21st November & 5th & 19th 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.
WEEKEND ENVELOPE COLLECTION 14/9 AMOUNTED TO £3747.00
WEEKEND RENOVATION COLLECTION 14/9 AMOUNTED TO £961.00
LAST WEEK’S RETIRED PRIESTS COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2135.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £876.00
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 Thursdays with names for weekend Anniversary list. The Parish Office is open Monday- Friday from 9am to 2.30pm, Tel: 028-71262301 or via email at longtower@derrydiocese.org. For urgent sick calls, please use the office telephone number at all times.
Parish Cell Prayer Meetings continue each Monday. The meeting will take place immediately after 10.00am Morning Mass and 7.30pm Evening Mass in the Upper Room, Aras Colmcille. Everyone welcome.
Are you enrolled in the Pope John Paul II Award in Long Tower parish this year? If so, you are invited to attend an Information Session on Thursday 8th October at 4.30pm in the Aras Colmcille building, in the grounds of the Long Tower. There will be a short presentation and discussion on how we can help you find suitable tasks that you will enjoy taking part in. Any questions you can email lauren.doherty@derrydiocese.org
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: In the words of St Paul in our second reading, we pray that the men called to serve as priests of our diocese will ‘.be united in their convictions and in their love, with no competition among them, no conceit; but everybody self-effacing, always considering the other person to be better than themselves, each one thinking of other people’s interests first.’ “In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.”
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. The next evening of prayer in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower will be this Thursday 1st October beginning with Confessions at 6.30pm, Rosary at 7pm, Mass at 7.30pm followed by Mini Vigil to 9pm 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.
There will be a Holy Hour every Thursday in St Columba’s Church after the 7.30pm Mass until 9pm in recognition of St Columba’s particular devotion to the Eucharist on this day. We would encourage as many of you as possible to join us.
Our Lady, Untier of Knots Novena – The Novena to Our Lady, Untier of Knots will begin after the 7.30pm Mass on Thursday, 1st October in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral. It will continue for the following eight Thursdays, concluding on 26th November. Do you have “knots” in your life? Knots of discord in your family, unresolved pain in relationships, or a lack of peace and joy in your home?. This Novena reminds us that sin never entangled Our Lady, and that Christ gave us His Mother as Our Lady, Untier of Knots. Through this devotion, we entrust our personal “knots” to her loving care—learning to let go and allowing her to gently untie what binds us. All are welcome to join in prayer and reflection.
Blessing of Pets at Long Tower on Saturday 3rd October at 4.30pm at the Calvary outside, safely distanced! This annual event is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, whose feast day is Oct 4th marking the close of the Season of Creation! Everyone in the community is invited to come along with their pets! For those of you who are unable to attend the blessing, we invite you to post pictures of your beloved pets on the parish Facebook page and they will be included in the blessing!
Annual Safeguarding Mass: Bishop Router invites everyone involved in Safeguarding to the Annual Safeguarding Mass on Friday 2nd October at 7.30pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. The Safeguarding Mass will be offered for peace, reconciliation and healing for all who have suffered the pain of abuse. The Mass will also be offered in thanksgiving for the Parish Safeguarding Representatives in the parishes across the diocese, and diocesan staff and volunteers who continue to work and support ongoing safeguarding practices across our diocese. Everyone is welcome to attend this Mass.
Eucharistic Adoration: Derry Diocese is renewing and developing its Diocesan Adoration Lay Committee in order to increase the practice of Eucharistic Adoration in parishes throughout the diocese. You are welcome to attend an Information Meeting on Wednesday 30th September at 8pm, in The Drummond Hotel, 2 Main St., Ballykelly, BT49 9HP. Registration and light refreshments from 7.30pm.
Are you 18 years or older and thinking or wondering about serving the Church as a priest of the diocese of Derry? There will be an afternoon Talk with time for Prayer, Discussion, Questions & Answers in Derry on Sunday 11th October. For further details please contact Fr Pat O’Hagan at pgoh2111@gmail.com.
St. Padre Pio Mass; In light of Pastoral co-operation and support between the Derry City parishes and to avoid unnecessary duplication of devotions it has been agreed that the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty will be the centre of devotion to Padre Pio. Mass will be on first Tuesday of each month, with celebration of Holy Mass at 7.15pm. We encourage you to attend this Mass and appreciate your support
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops: November 20th & 21st 2026: Courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person. Accord Derry will NOT be facilitating courses during October or December 2026. Accord Couple Counselling – Our couples counselling specialists provide in-person and online services to individuals and couples dealing with relationship challenges. For further information and to make an appointment please contact us at Accord Derry, Tel (028) 71362475, E mail: derry@accordni.com, Web: www.accordni.com.
Join Precious Life on Monday 28th September at 6.15pm at Primark/Bank Buildings, Donegal Place, Belfast, as we walk together to Belfast City Hall for a peaceful Choose Life Witness, opposing the planned illumination for so-called “International Safe Abortion Day.” For more information call 07592 280522.
Join in An Afternoon of Social Dancing at St Columb’s Hall on Wednesday 30th September from 2pm-4pm. Admission £2.50, pay at the door. Includes Afternoon Tea. In aid of St Vincent de Paul.”
Ulster Retreat Day: Catholic Mothers Ireland invite you to their Ulster Retreat Day, Saturday 3rd October, 10am – 6pm at Benburb Priory. A day of prayer and reflection. Lunch & refreshments provided. Booking: www.catholicmothers.ie/retreats. All welcome
Host for Hospice: October is officially Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning Month. We are calling on supporters to help us raise vital funds by hosting a Coffee Morning. To request your FREE host pack or for more info, please call Ailbhe McDaid, Community Fundraiser, Foyle Hospice, on 028 7135 9888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com.
A St Faustina Weekend will take place in St Mary’s Church, Convoy Co Donegal F93FX66 on 3 and 4 October. It will consist of prayer and reflection on Divine Mercy Devotions. Led by Fr Eamonn Kelly, the weekend will invite all to come to know the Person of Divine Mercy. You are invited to come to all or part of the weekend.
Thornhill Ministries will lead an introduction to the practice of praying Scripture in a reflective way that will help participants let the Word of God to nestle in the quiet corner of the heart. ‘Open heart – Open to the Word’ series of 4 Sundays in October 3:30pm – 4:30pm in Emmaus Room, Pennyburn Church. All welcome.
You are warmly invited to join in the “Walk in the Light” annual ecumenical walking service. The walk comprises a short service at each of the five inner-city churches. This year the walk will commence at the Long Tower at 5.45 pm on Sunday 1st November, then to First Derry Presbyterian Church, then up to St Columb’s Cathedral and down to the Diamond, along Ferryquay Street and down Carlisle Road to the Salvation Army for the final service and light refreshments. The walk is a great opportunity to join in worship and strengthen our ties with this City’s other Christian churches as pilgrims together on our shared journey towards Christ.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
