Twenty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time 6th 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 6th September 10.00am Fr Aidan Mullan
Sunday 6th September 12Noon Tommy & Jean Deery
Monday 7th September 7.30pm John Temple
Tuesday 8th September 7.30pm Kathleen Clifford
Wednesday 9th September 7.30pm Martin Flowers
Thursday 10th September 7.30pm Jim Keenan
Friday 11th September 7.30pm George Locke
Saturday 12th September 6.00pm Kathleen McDaid
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; William Gallagher- Ferguson Street & Patricia Upton (Nee Power)- Corby, England
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.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2820.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £821.00
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.
Fr. Gerard will visit the remaining sick in his care throughout the week beginning Monday 7th September. Please note monthly sick visits are essentially for those who are confined to their homes.
Children’s Liturgy, will resume this Sunday 6th September at 12Noon Mass. We look forward to welcoming you all back and hope you had an enjoyable summer break.
You are warmly invited to a talk in First Derry Presbyterian Church Lecture Hall, Upper Magazine Street, on Thursday 10th September 2026 at 7.30pm. The talk is entitled ‘Stained Glass Windows and Heritage.’ It is the first of a series of talks that will take place as part of the ecumenical project the “Pilgrims Together Trail” of which St Columba’s Church, Long Tower is a member. This project has a particular focus on the beautiful stained glass images within our churches. Mr Carl Pederson – a Heritage Architect – is the guest speaker and this promises to be a fascinating talk. Light refreshments will be served after the talk. All are very welcome to attend.
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille & Parish Office. We stock a variety of gifts & cards, candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & mementos. The shop is open throughout the week after 10am Mass. There is also a selection of religious items, mass cards, mass bouquet cards and candles available from the parish office. Thank you for your support.
The Long Tower Parish recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children and is committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing. We are committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church and recognise that we also have a special responsibility towards all vulnerable people who are members of our faith community. Our parish safeguarding representatives are Ms Josephine Brown and Ms Jennifer Kearney. If you have any concerns with regard to safeguarding children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie O’Kane, Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Tel: NI 075 96500 793 / ROI (0044) 75 96500 793 or at mariegormley@derrydiocese.org. Additional contact numbers: N Ireland PSNI: 101 or Social Services WHSCT Tel +442871314090 (Ask for Duty Social Worker).
Parish Cell Prayer Meeting will resume this Monday 7th September after morning mass (in room above sacristy) and after evening mass (in the upper room, Aras).
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: We pray for the men called to priesthood, to the ministry of teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus, and encouraging their brothers and sisters to turn away from sin and live as followers of Christ in today’s world.
Fr. John Forbes book of reflections through poetry entitled ‘Remembering the Floating Moments of Life’, is available to purchase in Siopa Cholmcille or from the Parish office during office hours. The book costs £10 with net proceeds being donated to Children in Crossfire and to support the Cause for Sr Clare’s Canonisation. Thank you for 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.
The Season of Creation 2026: The Season of Creation takes place from 1st September to 4th October, bringing Christians throughout the world together in prayer, reflection and action for the care of our common home. The theme for 2026 is Living Water, inspired by the vision of hope and renewal found in the Book of Ezekiel: “Wherever the river flows, every living creature that swarms will live… and everything will live where the river goes.” Ezekiel 47:9. Living water flows from God’s sanctuary, bringing healing and new life. The vision reminds us that water is not simply a resource to be used, but a gift from God that sustains people, communities and the whole of creation.
Job Opportunity: Derry Diocesan Trust – Granaghan (Swatragh) Parish: Sacristan, hours of work: 12 hours per week. Place of work: St John the Baptist Church. Rate of Pay: £12.88 per hour. For application packs please email: recruitment@derrydiocese.org or telephone 028 7126 2302. Completed applications must be returned to Personnel, Bishop’s House, St Eugene’s Cathedral, Francis Street, Derry, BT48 9AP or via email to recruitment@derrydiocese.org no later than 12noon on Tuesday 15 September 2026. Derry Diocesan Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all men and women and from members of all communities.
The next ‘Rosary on the Coast’ will be this Sunday 6th September at 3pm on Lisfannon Strand, Buncrana. Everyone welcome.
Catholic Mothers Ireland – Family Day: Catholic Mothers Ireland will hold its Annual National Mass this Sunday 6th September at Termonbacca Retreat Centre, Derry. The day will begin with Mass at 2.00pm, celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown, followed by refreshments, children’s activities, and a talk for parents. This promises to be a lovely day for the whole family. For more information and booking details, please email info@catholicmothers.ie. All are welcome.
Cancer Fund for Children, an all-island organisation supporting children and their families impacted by a childhood cancer diagnosis. Rory’s Miles to Mayo – The Trilogy, taking place this September. Together, the team will complete 9 marathons in nine days, covering more than 235 miles across Ireland from Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th September. We would absolutely love for businesses, community groups and individuals along the Co. Derry route to come out, support the team and cheer them on as they make their way through the city on Saturday 12th September. There is a live tracker link https://live.primaltracking.com/rorysmiles2mayoas the team are approaching your area it will be an opportunity to come out and show your support.. The Co. Derry route will look like this: >9.15am- Depart Ebrington Square- across Peace Bridge, Ulster University, Free Derry corner, Brandywell stadium, Walls of Derry, >10.25am- Bishop Street, Craigavon Bridge, >11am- Altnagelvin Hospital, >11.25am– Drumahoe Park and Ride (Cheer point), >1.30pm- Eglinton Community Hall >3.15pm– Greysteel, >4.30pm-Kingsbridge Ballykelly, >5.30pm– Limavady RFC.
Blessing of Bikers and Motorcycles will take place on Sunday 13th September in St Aengus’ Chapel, Burt, Co Donegal, at 1:30. All are welcome to attend the brief service and blessing. Following the blessing all are welcome to join the run to Ned’s Point RNLI Station, to present the donation to the RNLI. Please note, Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 13 September in St Patrick’s Chapel, Dungiven at 11:30am for deceased bikers, especially those who have died in past year.
Donegal Group 173 Rise and Shine Trust (formerly The Irish Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust and The Irish Pilgrimage Trust) are celebrating 40 years of taking young people with special needs to Lourdes each Easter. We are celebrating with a special Mass on Saturday 26th September in the Church of the Irish Martyr’s Letterkenny at 12 noon. The Mass will be concelebrated by Bishop Niall Coll and Bishop Donal Mc Keowan Diocese of Derry and many of the priests who travelled to Lourdes with us over the years. We invite all the guests and their families and all the helpers who travelled with us over the years to our mass to celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes.
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, you can support your local hospice by bringing your friends together and putting 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, Foyle Hospice, on 028 7135 9888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
