Twenty Third Sunday In Ordinary Time 7th September 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 7th September 10.00am Jim Murray
Sunday 7th September 12Noon Phyllis McDermott
Monday 8th September 7.30pm Kathleen Clifford
Wednesday 10th September 7.30pm James Keenan
Thursday 11th September 7.30pm Sheena Hopson (Nee Anderson)
Friday 12th September 7.30pm Susan, Teddy, Valerie & Dervla Curran
Saturday 13th September 6.00pm George Locke
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Kathleen McDaid- Formerly Bishop Street
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Theo Doherty
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
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 £2701.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £767.00
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 cake! The café is open Tuesday – Saturday 9am to 3pm and now also on Sunday from 10am-3pm, with Sunday lunch being served from 12Noon-3pm. For more info, view Cloisters social media.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray for the men called to serve as priests of the diocese, that they’ll have what Jesus asks in the gospel this weekend – detachment from worldly possessions and courage to take up whatever cross or crosses come with priestly ministry.
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.
Confirmation & First Holy Communion dates for 2026 for St Columba’s Church, Long Tower
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Thursday 5th February 2026 at 1.30pm.
Confirmation for the P.7 pupils of the Long Tower Primary School, Nazareth House Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Friday 6th February 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir will take place on Friday 15th May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Long Tower Primary School & Ballougry Primary School will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026 at 1.30pm.
First Holy Communion for P.4 pupils of Nazareth House Primary School will take place on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 1.30pm.
St Columba’s Church-Children’s Liturgy will resume this Sunday 7th September at 12Noon Mass. We look forward to welcoming Sophie and the children back and encourage new participants also.
To celebrate the Canonisation of Carlo Acutis, you are invited to come to St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, this Sunday 7 September, from 3.00pm where we will have Veneration of a First Class Relic of Carlo Acutis, gifted to the Cathedral by Carlo’s mother, Antonia. The Sacrament of Confession will be available from 3.00pm until Mass at 7.00pm, which will be celebrated by Bishop Donal Mc Keown. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in the Mother Teresa Chapel during the Celebrations. A short film on Carlo’s life will be shown in the Conference Room. Everyone is welcome to this special time of prayer and celebration.
“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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
Jubilee Year Opportunities at Lough Derg this September: One Day Retreats – Guided Days of Prayer and Reflection – places available on; September 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.
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 7th September at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. Everyone welcome.
Could you ‘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. Whether it’s at home, work or in your local community, get your friends together and get the kettle on, it’s a piece of cake!! To request your FREE host pack or for more info, please call Ailbhe McDaid, Community Fundraiser on 028 71359888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com
Trocaire & Gaza Appeal Dance on Sunday 28 September, in the AOH, 23 Foyle St, Derry from 3pm – 5pm. Admission £5. Music by Black 47. Help beat the famine.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
On 1st November, Professor Michael Parker and Dr Gary Wade will deliver a lecture at Homeplace, Bellaghy, on ‘Remembrances: Forms of Memory in Seamus Heaney’s Writing’. As part of the evening, there will be a discussion of Gary’s recently published book Seamus Heaney and Catholicism (Cambridge University Press, 2025). Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased at https://seamusheaneyhome.com/upcoming-events/
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.
