Twenty Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time 22nd October 2023
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 22nd October 10.00am Tony McDaid
Sunday 22nd October 12Noon Fr. Jim Hamilton
Monday 23rd October 7.30pm Mary Toland
Wednesday 25th October 7.30pm Susan McIntyre
Friday 27th October 7.30pm Eileen Sweeney
Saturday 28th October 10.00am Mary Fraser
Saturday 28th October 6.00pm The Cassidy Family
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Thomas Boyle- Coshowen, Hugh McLaughlin- Longfield Nursing Home, Gerry McGoldrick- Westland Avenue, Gerard McLaughlin-Formerly Bishop Street, Sinead Boys- Glengalliagh Park & Terry Robson- Glenowen Park
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God; Rían Laird, Elaina McCulough, Éabha Gillespie & Méabh McCallion. To book a Baptism, please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 for available dates.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2446.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £701.00
Mission Sunday
For this year’s World Mission Sunday, I have chosen a theme inspired by the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, in the Gospel of Luke (cf. 24:13-35): “Hearts on fire, feet on the move”. Those two disciples were confused and dismayed, but their encounter with Christ in the word and in the breaking of the bread sparked in them the enthusiastic desire to set out again towards Jerusalem and proclaim that the Lord had truly risen. In the Gospel account, we perceive this change in the disciples through a few revealing images: their hearts burned within them as they heard the Scriptures explained by Jesus, their eyes were opened as they recognized him and, ultimately, their feet set out on the way. By meditating on these three images, which reflect the journey of all missionary disciples, we can renew our zeal for evangelization in today’s world…,
So let us set out once more, illumined by our encounter with the risen Lord and prompted by his Spirit. Let us set out again with burning hearts, with our eyes open and our feet in motion. Let us set out to make other hearts burn with the word of God, to open the eyes of others to Jesus in the Eucharist, and to invite everyone to walk together on the path of peace and salvation that God, in Christ, has bestowed upon all humanity.
Excerpt From Message of His Holiness Pope FrancisFor World Mission Day 2023
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mother of Priests. Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church at 6.00pm, beginning this Sunday 22nd October.
The theme of our Novena this year “Take the Risk for Christ”- Year of Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and Eucharistic Healing Ceremony with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Our guest speaker this week will be Bishop Phonsie Cullinan, Chair of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Year of Diocesan Priesthood. We wish him and our Parish every blessing as we begin our Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing in their lives to join us.
Long Tower’s 40 Hours
A continuous 40 Hours of Adoration will begin with 8am Mass this Sunday 22nd October 2023, continuing right through Sunday night and all day Monday 23rd October, concluding at midnight. ‘O Come Let Us Adore Him’.
Sunday 22nd October 2023
8.00am Mass, 10.00am Mass, 12.00Noon Mass, 3.00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet
6.00pm Opening of Novena & Talk
9.00pm Night Prayer
Monday 23rd October 2023
12.00am Rosary, 3.00am Rosary, 6.00am Angelus and Chaplet for Priests
8.00am Morning Prayer, 9.30am Divine Mercy, 9.40am Rosary
10.00am Mass, 12.00Noon Angelus and Midday Prayer
6.00pm Angelus & Evening Prayer
7.00pm Rosary, 7.30pm Mass, 9.00pm Night Prayer
12.00am Benediction
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 on 028-71262301 or 02871262894. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask the duty nurse on the ward to call the Hospital Chaplain.
PRAYER OF SAINT COLUMBA
(Prayer of St. Columba in the Dubh Regles of Derry)
May the fire of God’s love burn brightly and steadfastly in our hearts like the golden light within the sanctuary lamp.
This month of October the Sanctuary lamp beside the Tabernacle in Long Tower Church will be lit for all our families and especially those affected in any way by addiction.
Long Tower 2024 Calendars are now available, cost £3 each or 2 for £5. All proceeds from the calendars will go towards the cost of refurbishing ‘The Calvary’ in the grounds of the Long Tower Church. They would make an ideal Christmas gift especially for those living away from home. Calendars can be purchased from the Parish Office, Sacristy, Doherty’s Vivo Bishop Street, Vivo Brandywell & Veritas, Shipquay Street.
Celebrating the Saints at Long Tower this Hallowed Evetide: Long Tower and Áras Cholmcille (wee nuns) is hosting a special celebration of two great Feast days in the Church – All Saints & All Souls on Friday 3rd November, 1.30pm to 3 pm. We are inviting children from the parish and all schools and neighbourhoods across the city, to dress up as their favourite saint and take part in an organised pageant around the Long Tower precinct. There will be prizes for the best homemade costumes in three categories – best Irish Saint, best Ancient Saint and my favourite Saint. But the real fun is in getting ready and taking part. If you and your family fancy joining a Christian-themed alternative to the Halloween festivities – then Long Tower is a little sanctuary of faith and togetherness at this Holy time of year. Our celebration includes hot chocolate and treats, tea and coffee, storytelling and a little take-home activity pack on St Columba and the Celtic saints. For more information email dboyle@longtowerarascolm.com
FOOD BANK APPEAL: There are many people within our local community who go without sufficient food and hygiene products, we have been asked by the Churches Trust to help. Can you donate some nonperishable food items (store cupboard items) or hygiene products (toiletries). If so, donations can be left in Parochial House, 6 Victoria Place, Monday-Friday from 2-4pm from this incoming week, Thank you.
Mass For Deceased Children and Young People will take place on Sunday the 12th of November in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral. The Mass will be Celebrated by Bishop McKeown.
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh beginning Monday 23rd October and continuing for 9 Mondays ending with a Penitential Service on 18th December. Theme: Our Lady’s Fiat with reflections on the 7 Sorrows, candlelit Rosary, Adoration, Benediction and speakers. Everyone welcome.
Holy Family Parish Prize Draw. 50 Prizes for £50: 1st Prize £10,000. 2nd Prize £7500., 3rd Prize £5000., 4th Prize £2500. Also 46 other cash prizes of various amounts. Draw tickets will be on sale after weekend Masses in Holy Family Church or you can pay up for the ticket by calling each Wednesday between 7pm –8.30pm. You can also contact the parish office to purchase a ticket.
Preparing for Christmas: Weekend Retreat at Ards Friary, 8th – 10th December. Led by Philip McParland. In the weeks leading up to Christmas there is usually a lot going on in our lives. This weekend will offer you an opportunity to focus on your spiritual preparation. It will be both reflective and practical, suggesting ways to keep in touch with Jesus. To book, contact Ards. Tel: 074 91 38909. Email: info@ardsfriary.ie.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
