The Baptism of The Lord 9th January 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 9th January 12Noon Anthony O’Sullivan
Monday 10th January 10.00am Josie & Frank McCloskey
Monday 10th January 7.30pm Sarah Van Sikkelerus
Tuesday 11th January 10.00am John, Rosie & Deirdre McClenaghan
Tuesday 11th January 7.30pm Charlie McDaid
Wednesday 12th January 10.00am Lily & Gerry Gillen
Thursday 13th January 7.30pm Tonner Family
Friday 14th January 10.00am Tony McDaid
Friday 14th January 7.30pm Eugene McLaughlin
Saturday 15th January 6.00pm Frank Sweeney
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Kenneth Creswell- Friel’s Close, Bridget O’Connor- Alexander House, Margaret Adams- Formerly Moore Walk & Sean O’Kane- Abbotts Walk.
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office for dates.
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.
Mass Guidance
We would like to remind everyone attending Mass & other Church Services that under current guidance there remains a legal requirement to wear a face covering on the way into a place of worship and on the way out. Despite this change in the legal position Bishop Donal McKeown has asked that we strongly continue to recommend & encourage the use of face coverings during all services of worship. We also kindly ask that you continue to observe social distancing & use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and that you receive Holy Communion only in the hand. It is up to each of us individually and as a community to keep each other as safe as possible as we continue to live alongside the virus. We thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to gather together as a parish community.
New Beginnings
‘At the very dawn of creation
your Spirit breathed on the waters,
making them the wellspring of all holiness.’
Another year welcomes and invites us to explore further landscapes in our lives, giving us opportunities to review how we care for ourselves. This can be both challenging and uplifting as change takes us out of our comfort zone and directs us to other ways of being. In the hallowed earth of the heart it is comforting to feel we are not alone, that we are assisted through transformation – to bathe in the divine waters of love and leave behind the parts of self that no longer serve us. As we create new beginnings may we feel the light of renewal shine through our days – with the universal bonds of love supporting us. Reference and further reading: The Catechism (1218)-13
The Diocese of Derry Privacy Notice: The Diocese of Derry complies with GDPR regulations. A privacy notice is available on the Parish website or by contacting the Parish Office. Live stream and recordings of Mass and Services in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and are available online. Parishioners should note that the first 4 rows of seats are visible online in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
Safeguarding Notice: If you have any concerns with regard to the Safeguarding of children or adults in need of protection within the Church please contact Marie Gormley, the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) at 07596500793/07707311358 or at the Safeguarding Office, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6UJ or PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) 101 or Social Services: Gateway Services, Western HSC Trust, 71314090 and ask for the Duty Social Worker.
Children in Crossfire kindly asks parishioners to return their Children in Crossfire Advent donations this coming weekend 8th & 9th January. Donations can be returned to the Parish office, Church Sacristy or directly to Children in Crossfire offices, St Joseph’s Avenue, Derry.
“UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF THE BIBLE” with Jeff Cavins is an eight-week programme being offered by the Living Church Office (Down & Connor Diocese). It is offered as a good opportunity for those interested in deepening their knowledge of their faith, understanding the bible and its timeline, and learning how to approach reading it. Three separate times are being offered: Wednesday Morning at 11.00am, starting Wednesday 12 January, Wednesday Evening at 7.00pm, starting Wednesday 12 January & Monday Evening at 7.00pm, starting Monday 17 January. To register for any one of these, please complete an online form https://forms.office.com/r/g3FWFK5x8w or if you have any queries please e-mail a.steen@downandconnor.org . Course participants will receive a resource pack and connect online for a time of teaching, discussion and prayerful reflection.
Northern Ireland Foster Care; With an increase in children and young people needing foster homes across Northern Ireland, we really need you now. Every child deserves to have a happy, loving and safe home where they’ll feel cared for, valued and supported. It’s always the right time for fostering. Call us on 0800 0720 137 adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net #HSCNIFosterCare #FosterForYourCommunity #CouldYouFoster
Mary’s Meals- Double the Love Thanks to your support, Mary’s Meals are now bringing joy to over 2 million children with a daily meal in their place of education. Our Double the Love campaign runs until 31st January 2022, all donations up to a total of £1.6 million will be matched by a generous group of private donors. Every little act of love will go that little bit further during this period to help us reach the next child waiting, so please consider supporting this campaign and praying for its success. There are many ways to get involved including choosing one of our Mary’s Meals gift cards or setting a place at our Big Family Christmas table- find out more at www.marysmeals.org.uk
Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshops 2022: January 25th/26th 2022, February 8th/9th 2022, February 22nd/23rd 2022, March 8th/9th 2022, March 22nd/ 23rd 2022, April 5th/6th 2022. All of the above courses are Virtual Interactive Courses. They are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm-9pm. Booking online www.accordni.com.
Accord’s free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ for marriages, families and relationships offers support to those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three numbers are: Accord CLG – 01 531 3331, Accord Dublin – 01 905 9555, Accord NI – 028 9568 0151 or 00353 1 531 3331.
Webcams Around the country, some parish churches and cathedrals have installed webcams for the broadcast of Mass and these can accessed on the following websites; https://www.churchservices.tv/churches/
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras
https://www.parishwebsites.ie/
Radio Maria Ireland is an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station. Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews and Testimonies – Listen via TV on Saorview – Channel 210 and Freeview – Channel 826; Download our FREE APP – “Radio Maria Ireland”, streaming on www.radiomaria.ie or via PHONE – get live radio feed by telephoning +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Please join our growing faith family.
