Twenty First Sunday In Ordinary Time 23rd August 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 families and loved ones in our prayers.
Tuesday 25th August 7.30pm Kathleen McBride
Wednesday 26th August 7.30pm Bridget Morrison
Thursday 27th August 7.30pm Colum Devenney
Saturday 29th August 6.00pm Margaret Daly
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Bernadette Murray-
Lone Moor Road, Sean Duffy- Steelstown Village
Baptisms: We Welcome into the Family of God; Maisie Hasson, Conán McLaughlin, Caleb McLaughlin & Elle Coyle.
Confessions: Monday – Friday 7.00-7.25pm, Saturday 11.30am- 12.30pm & 5.15pm-5.50pm
Visitation of the Sick: For urgent sick calls please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894.
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
Mass Guidance
From Monday 10th August it was mandatory to wear a face covering in any indoor public space, including in the Church. We therefore kindly ask that everyone attending Mass, other Church Services and Devotions to wear a face covering at all times (apart from those with certain health conditions). We must all continue to observe social distancing, to use the hand sanitiser on entering & leaving the Church and to 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 continue to have stewards and ushers giving direction as you enter and leave the Church. Please follow the guidance given as they are acting for the well being of everyone. Entrance and exit doorways must be kept totally free at all times.We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to gather together in these uncertain times.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Weekly Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 24th August at 7.30pm.
We shall share in a spiritual network of prayer, love and support in these difficult times. While we may still be 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.
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 then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv
Sea-Change
So hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that further shore
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracle
And cures and healing wells.
~Seamus Heaney~
It seems we become lost and alone when the bonds of love are broken in our families, friendships, communities and wider world. Sometimes we wedge ourselves behind the doors of fear, guilt and stubbornness – afraid to lose face by admitting that maybe, just maybe – it was we who fell from grace. It can become easy to slip into the emptiness of the underworld, a place that seeks to destroy our decency and dignity, pulling us apart and separating all that is good in our divine kingdom. It feels, that if we wish to identify ourselves as God’s people then we should stand up and honor the hallmark carved upon our hearts that universally connects us to one another. Together, let us leave this lost and lonely place and help each other onto the sacred rock; opening the Citadel with the keys of love for everyone – then wait at the gates for the great sea-change.
Schedule of Masses (Week Beginning Monday 24th August)
& Other Devotions until Further Notice
Monday-Friday
10am – Mass
6.50pm–Divine Mercy Devotions
7.00pm- Rosary
7.00pm- 7.25pm Confessions
7.30pm- Mass
Saturday
10am – Mass
11.30am – 12.30pm – Confessions
5.15pm- 5.50pm – Confessions
6.00pm- Vigil Mass
Sunday
8.00am- Mass
10.00am – Mass
12Noon- Mass
Adoration
Wednesday 10.30am -7.00pm
New Webcam
Access to Church Services: You can access the webcam via the www.longtowerchurch.org website & clicking on webcam or directly via www.churchmedia.tv and clicking into to St Columba’s Church, Long Tower. https://churchmedia.tv/camera/st-columbas-church-longtower. We would ask that parishioners assist one another where possible to access these resources.
Derry Youth Community, a faith-based Gap Year opportunity for young adults aged between 18–25, is now open for applications for the year starting September 2020. DYC offers the opportunity to live in community, to develop and be formed in faith and be involved in youth ministry in parishes. The three main aspects of DYC are: Accompaniment, Community and Encounter. If you are interested in this Gap Year or would like some more information, please email: dyc@derrydiocese.org.
Thanksgiving Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, 31st August 2020. £499.00 per person sharing. Price includes return bus transfer to Knock, 3 nights’ in 4 star Park Hotel with Full Board. All entertainment and excursions. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single supplement £90.00. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. Knock is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
The Helping Hand Programme: Calling Retired Teachers/The Online Helping Hand programme. Covid-19 pandemic has impacted so much on the learning of children and young people. Greater Shantallow Area Partnership are setting up a pilot Learning Hub, in the new Glenabbey Centre at Skeoge for all primary school children in the Outer North area. We are setting up a pool of retired primary school teachers, who would be available to give up one hour per week, from the comfort of their own home, to answer questions and concerns of pupils Nicola Mullan, Glenabbey Area Co-ordinator would be the only person to have the teachers contact details and on the day that they are volunteering from home, she would call or Zoom them. Greater Shantallow Area Partnership would really appreciate you promoting this appeal on your website. Please contact Nicola Mullan 02871358787.
The Net– July-August 2020. With the Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the July-August edition of ‘The Net’ will only be available on the Diocesan website at this stage – https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/the-net-july-august-2020. However, the publication will be available again in parishes when the restrictions are lifted. For inclusion of your faith related news in future editions just email: editorthenet15@gmail.com.
SACRED HEART MESSENGER: The digital version of the September Messenger will be the last issue to be offered free of charge to non-subscribers. From October onwards, the digital edition will only be available to subscribers. A digital subscription costs just €15 per year and we hope you will decide to subscribe if you are not currently a subscriber. The September issue can be viewed on https://issuu.com/messengerpublications/docs/messenger_september
Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living: Drumalis, Larne – Commencing Monday, 14 September (online by Zoom). Due to the success of last year’s course, applications are now being accepted for the new intake of this one-year programme for those who want a closer relationship with God. Living out faith isn’t easy against the backdrop of our fast-paced, noisy and instantaneous culture. The Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living course aims to give you the tools and space to become attuned to God’s voice in the midst of the clamour. Taking place over 30 Monday Evenings from 7 pm – 9:30 pm by Zoom. When circumstances permit, the option to take part in the Drumalis Centre will also be available. For further information, please contact 028 28276455/28272196 (Mon-Fri, 9am – 5 pm) or email maura@drumalis.co.uk Details are also available on the Drumalis website – http://www.drumalis.co.uk. See Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3JY2lChUU4&t=36s
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.