Pentecost Sunday 31st May 2020
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 family and loved ones in our prayers.
Sunday 31st May 12.00Noon Kathleen McGowan
Monday 1st June 10.00am Eleanor McDonnell
Monday 1st June 7.30pm Noel Bradley
Tuesday 2nd June 7.30pm Phyllis Duddy
Thursday 4th June 7.30pm Betty Woodrow
Mass Offering: If you would like to request a Mass intention for a family member or friend on the occasion of their anniversary or months mind, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office on 028-71262301 between 9.00am & 2.30pm Monday- Friday or email longtower@derrydiocese.org. Please note (due to prior bookings or funerals) the date and time requested may not always be available.
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of: Eileen Harkin- Dove Gardens
St Columba’s Church, Long Tower will be open for Private/ Individual Prayer as follows;
Monday – Friday from 10.30am until 7.00pm.
Saturday from 10.30am until 5.30pm
Sunday from 1pm until 5.30pm
Please adhere to Government social distancing guidelines at all times. Thank you for your understanding.
Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by Phone on 028-71262301 or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
There will be NO Weddings or Baptisms until further notice in line with government regulations. We thank you for your understanding at this difficult time.
Visitation of the Sick: Due to the Coronavirus visitation of the sick and housebound within our parish will be postponed until further notice. For urgent sick calls please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
Envelopes /Contributions
As well as the Parish envelopes you can now also make your contributions by Standing Order or via the New Donate Button available on Parish Website. For further details please contact the Parish Office on 028-71262301 (Monday-Friday between 9.30am-2pm). We appreciate your continued support in these difficult times.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
St Columba’s Church, Long Lower, Derry is sending an invitation to everyone in the Community to join in a weekly webcam Mass for Healing in Mind & Body. We shall share in a spiritual network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. While apart in person, we remain heartfully present with everyone and wish to further connect with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life.
We particularly wish to invite our elderly loved ones, their families and friends – in nursing and care homes, those alone at home, our cherished ones in hospices and hospitals. Also, for those caring for our families and friends, workers and groups – tirelessly acting for, and with us. We ask the children to help in our Monday Mass possibly preparing a family drawing of a candle to display in the window at home or writing a poem of loving kindness for everyone.
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 our brokenness at this time of isolation, suffering and loss. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Spiritual Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio.
We ask everyone’s assistance to help others connect with this Mass through our webcam – especially the elderly, frail and vulnerable. Please share as best you can knowledge of this Mass with your family & friends. You can access the Mass via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org and then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.mcmedia.tv
Continues this Monday 1st June 2020 at 7.30pm and every Monday at 7.30pm until further notice.
Reminders
‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.’
What is a command? It is when someone in authority gives an order or direction – more used in our worldly life than the spiritual world. In ecclesiastical terms the word commandment means ‘a divine command.’ As we are both body and spirit we receive direction by different lawmakers and leaders to guide us in order to exist in safe protected environments; and to remain connected to each other in the divine body. Without leadership and direction we may become mercenary, make our own rules and marginalise others. Today we celebrate Pentecost – a most beautiful time at the heart of our being. Let us reflect on where we are at during these times – and find the courage and the strength to adjust ourselves. May we allow the Holy Spirit to imbue our hearts with love as he seeks to remind and teach us how to live in conformity with the Universal Laws. ‘Peace I leave you, my own Peace I give you.’
Reference and further reading: John 14:15-16,23-26.
In Memory Programme
The ‘Do This In Memory’ Mass for those children who are celebrating their First Communion this year will be postponed until further notice as a result of guidelines issued with regards to the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Our Mission: So we are sent from Mass on a mission, to announce the Gospel, to live like Jesus would want us to. We are being asked to be witnesses for Jesus in the way we live our lives, at home, in school, in our community and in the world. Sometimes that may seem like a very difficult job but there lots of things that we can do and are already doing to show that we are members of Gods family.
Schedule of Masses (Week Beginning 31st May)
& Other Devotions until Further Notice
Monday-Friday
10am – Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions on Webcam
5.00pm- Rosary on Webcam
7.30pm- Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
Saturday
10am – Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
11.30am – 12.30pm – Confessions in Sacristy
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions on Webcam
5.00pm- Rosary on Webcam
6.00pm- Vigil Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
Sunday
8.00am- Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
10.00am – Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
12Noon- Mass on Webcam (without congregation)
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotions on Webcam
5.00pm- Rosary on Webcam
Access to Church Services: All our Church Services can be viewed online via www.mcnmedia.tv or by logging on to our church website www.longtowerchurch.org and following the link to webcam. We would ask that parishioners assist one another where possible to access these resources.
Fan The Flame Mass 2020 Thursday 4th June was to be our Fan the Flame Mass, where we come together to celebrate all of the young people in our diocese who have received the sacrament of Confirmation and who are preparing to move to the next stage of their education. Unfortunately, that will not be possible this year. We do hope that these young people will experience the full Fan the Flame in the future as it is such a joy-filled day for all of us. To mark the end of their primary education, Bishop McKeown will celebrate the 10.00am Mass in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral for them that day via the webcam. http://www.steugenescathedral.com/webcam.html.
Trocaire Donations: Trócaire are appealing to you to return your Lenten donation. You can donate in the following ways: Online banking, directly to Trocaire. Bank details: Sort Code: 93.80.92 Account No: 8822 7020 These details are for an account in NI. For people who do not use online banking, cheques can be posted to: Trocaire, 50-52 King Street, Belfast, BT1 6AD. Euro cheques can also be posted to the Belfast address. There is also a Northern Ireland freephone number, 0800 912 1200, through which people can donate. Trocaire boxes can now also be returned to St Columbas Church, Long Tower (in line with current government guidelines).
Online Youth Course Sundays 7pm: Calling all young people 15-18 yrs from Derry Diocese, we are hosting an online meeting/course for 8 weeks starting on 31st of May at 7pm. We will have some craic, play some games and quizzes but we will also explore some big questions about our faith with the help of a programme called Alpha. Alpha Youth explores the Christian Faith and answers some pretty big questions. Each week as part of the meeting we will watch a video and have a discussion afterwards. If you’d like to take part fill please in this form to sign up!
If you want more information please email lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or yvonne.rooney@derrydiocese.org
The Net: The June edition of The Net will not be printed, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but it is available now online on the diocesan website, www.derrydiocese.org.
As always, it covers a wide range of events, there are loads of interviews and photos, and plenty of news from parishes and people from all around the diocese. There is also a great section devoted to youth news and activities.
The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, working in Partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers the Masters in Catholic School Leadership. This is a post graduate degree dedicated to the professional development and spiritual formation of Catholic school leaders. It is a great opportunity for those currently in leadership roles and those who aspire to, or have an interest in, leadership roles within the Catholic School system. The next intake will be Autumn 2020. If you require any further information, please contact the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre on 004428 71264087 or email tferry@derrydiocese.org.
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
The Messenger: Messenger Publications are now offering a free online copy of the June edition of The Messenger, given that it remains impossible to distribute the paper copy in the usual manner. To access the June edition, visit: https://issuu.com/messengerpublications/docs/messenger_june_v11.3_low_res. Even if you do not normally receive The Messenger, you are welcome to access this link. If you have any difficulty accessing the link or if you have any further queries please email c.henry@messenger.ie
DOWNLOAD THE 2020 SACRED HEART NOVENA FOR FREE! The Messenger Sacred Heart Novena is one of our most popular publications each year. It is held for the nine days leading up to the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which is always celebrated nineteen days after Pentecost. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is considered a symbol of “God’s boundless and passionate love for humanity”. Many have found comfort and solace praying the Novena, and this year we have particular reason as a community, a nation and a global people to find strength, patience and reassurance in God’s love for us. To visit the page (https://www.messenger.ie/the-sacred-heart-messenger/sacred-heart-novena-2020/) and either view the booklet on your computer or print it off to use during each day of the Novena. NOTE: The Novena is also available as a pull-out supplement in the June Messenger.
Irish Chaplaincy offers contact service for anyone in Ireland with concerns about vulnerable older family or friends isolated in London: The Irish Chaplaincy in London is a registered charity which provides an outreach service to three main groups: elderly Irish people (the Seniors’ Project); prisoners and to Travellers. At this challenging time caused by COVID-19 social restrictions, the Chaplaincy is offering support to anyone in Ireland with concerns about an older family member or friend living in London. On their behalf the Chaplaincy can make direct contact with vulnerable older Irish living but isolated in London. The Chaplaincy is also a link to services and community groups on the ground local to where a person is living in London. This is a free service and contact can be made to the Chaplaincy from Ireland by post: PO BOX 75693 London NW1W 7ZT; by email seniors@irishchaplaincy.org.uk and by phone 0044 (0) 20 7482 3274. Please leave a message and a representative will contact you.
Mary’s Meals: Normally at this time of year we would be visiting parishes to share the message of Mary’s Meals but this is not possible due to the current situation. Until we are able to visit parishes again, our founder, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, has recorded a special message for parishioners. You can find his message, filmed outside the shed in Argyll where it all began for Mary’s Meals on the link below. We hope you can help to spread the word about our beautiful mission by sharing it. https://www.facebook.com/caoimhe.marysmeals.5/videos/142492737322522. Please keep our mission in your prayers and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless and keep you, Caoimhe McCann, Supporter Engagement Officer for Northern Ireland, Mary’s Meals
Part-Time Certificate in Religious Education (Primary) with Online delivery: St Angela’s College, Sligo, is inviting applications for this course, which begins Autumn 2020. The course is open to: Qualified primary school teachers and Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching. Parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists who have a specific interest in the area of primary religious education may also apply. Closing date for Applications is Friday 15 May 2020. For further information and application forms contact Mary Kearns, Education Department, St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo: mkearns@stangelas.nuigalway.ie or visit Website: www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie
Across the Hedgerow: We provide older, vulnerable or isolated members of the farming community with listening support and companionship via telephone calls during this unsettling time. To avail of this service or to refer someone you care about please call Rural Support on our Freephone Helpline 0800 138 1678; or 028 86760040; email info@ruralsupport.org.uk. More information is available at www.ruralsupport.org.uk; www.facebook.com/ruralsupport Twitter: @ruralsupport
Helpline is available Mon-Fri from 9am-9pm with voicemail and support options available at all other times.
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.
RTÉ will air Mass every weekday at 10.30am from St Eunan’s and St Columba’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, on RTÉ News Now. RTÉ News Now can be accessed on Saorview (channel 21), Sky (521), Virgin Media (200), Eir (517) as well as via the RTÉ Player, the RTÉ News Now app and via RTÉ.ie/news.
Mass – RTÉ Radio 1. Welcome to RTÉ Religious Programmes. Nearly all of our radio Worship programmes on this station are shared with RTÉ One television, so viewers throughout Ireland can also watch our Masses and Services there or on the RTÉ Player. Start times vary slightly between 11.00am and 11.10am.
Vatican Television: During these days, Pope Francis has arranged for his celebration of Mass to be televised from the Vatican. The broadcast is simultaneously translated into the English language. For access please link to https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html
