Twenty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time 30th August 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 30th August 10.00am John Francis & Mary Page
Sunday 30th August 12Noon James McMonagle
Monday 31st August 10.00am William Campbell
Monday 31st August 7.30pm Colum Devenney
Tuesday 1st September 7.30pm Annie Smith
Wednesday 2nd September 10.00am Dolours Logue
Wednesday 2nd September 7.30pm John Nash
Thursday 3rd September 7.30pm Tom Lavy
Friday 4th September 7.30pm RMA Mass
Saturday 22nd August 6.00pm Margaret Saltmer & Matthias Hofmeister
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Billy Mitchell- Quarry Street & Christine (Bella) Moore- Abbotts Walk.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm
The next available Baptism dates 17th October & 7th & 21st November
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 £2067.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £752.00
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. The Parish Office will be closed on Monday 31st August and open again at 9am on Tuesday 1st September.
Fr. Gerard will visit the sick in his care in the following areas over the next two weeks, beginning Monday 31st August 2026. Mountjoy Street, Long Tower Court, Abercorn Road, Bishop Street, Corporation Street, Belview Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Foyle Road, Foyle Park, Ardfoyle, The Metropole, Bridge Street & Alexander House. Meenan Drive, Dove Gardens, Lecky Road, Deanery Street, Bluebell Hill Gardens, Kerrigan’s Close, Quarry Street, Iona Court, Lone Moor Road, Nualamount, Old City Court, Old City Close & Mullenan Road. Please note monthly sick visits are essentially for those who are confined to their homes.
Evening Masses-Please note the 7.30pm evening Mass in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower will resume this Monday 31st August.
Children’s Liturgy, will resume on Sunday 6th September at 12Noon Mass. We look forward to welcoming you all back and hope you had an enjoyable summer break.
Parish Cell Prayer Meeting will resume on Monday 7th September after morning mass (in room above sacristy) and after evening mass (in the upper room, Aras).
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: That the men called to priesthood will be filled with courage and hope as they hear Jesus calling them to follow Him by renouncing themselves, taking up their cross every day, and finding life in Him and in the service of His people.
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).
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.
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. The next evening of prayer in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower will be Thursday 1st October beginning with Rosary at 7pm, Mass at 7.30pm followed by Mini Vigil to 9pm for healing and intercession. At this Mass we will pray for the cause of Sister Clare in the Monastic site where St. Columba knelt and prayed. Everyone Welcome to join us.
The Padre Pio Prayer Group, Holy Family Chapel, Ballymagroarty, Tuesday 1st September. Starting with Rosary at 6.45pm, Holy Mass at 7.15pm, followed by blessing with a first class relic of St. Pio, while closing prayers are recited. Everyone Welcome.
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 21goes.” 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.
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.
Rosary Vigil For Life – outside Belfast City Hall on Sunday 30th August at 2.00pm. Join Precious Life in prayer to uphold the sacredness and dignity of unborn life, and pray that Belfast Council will reject plans to illuminate the City Hall in celebration of abortion. For more information, contact 028 9027 8484 / 07592 280522 or email info@preciouslife.com.
COME & SEE: Have you heard about the Encounter School of Ministry Course but aren’t sure what it’s about or if it’s for you? Class will take place on Thursdays from 6.30pm (first half hour is prayer and worship) to 9.00pm beginning on 3rd September at All Saints Church, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal. Participants can attend up to 3 classes without committing to pay for the course. More info or register here: https://encounterschool.org/donegal/ email donegal@encounterschool.org.
Catholic Mothers Ireland – Family Day: Catholic Mothers Ireland will hold its Annual National Mass on 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.
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.
St Joseph Men’s Camino: Every Camino changes us in ways we don’t expect, every man needs one. Join men from across Ireland on Saturday 12th September for a 25km pilgrimage through the Boyne Valley, beginning in Drogheda. The day includes Mass, Adoration, Rosary, Confessions, fraternity, lunch and dinner, with after-dinner speaker Fr. Mark Quinn. Open to men aged 18+. Cost: €65 (student € 55). Registration, accomodation and details: www.dominicans.ie/events. Enquiries: op.evangelisation@gmail.com.
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.
Marriage Enrichment Weekend: Marriage Encounter Ireland invites married couples to a residential Weekend from 2nd – 4th October 2026 at the Focolare Centre, urryhills, Prosperous, Co. Kildare. Further info please visit www.marriageencounter.ie
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.
