Twenty Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time 28th September 2025
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 28th September 10.00am Margaret & Patrick Doherty
Sunday 28th September 12Noon Rosaleen McLaughlin
Monday 29th September 10.00am Elaine Mullan
Monday 29th September 7.30pm Bella Doherty
Tuesday 30th September 7.30pm Hugh Duffy
Wednesday 1st October 10.00am Bernard Lynch & Tony Wilkinson
Wednesday 1st October 7.30pm Patsy McGowan
Friday 3rd October 7.30pm RMA
Saturday 4th October 6.00pm James Cox
Rest In Peace: We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of; Martin Flowers- Lower Bennett Street, Charlie Harkin- Formerly Deanery Street, Frank McConomy- Lone Moor Gardens, Colm Keenan- Southend Park, Fergal McDaid- Abbots Walk, Patrick Barr- Drumcliffe Avenue, Martin Francis- Harty Court, Bernard McFadden- Rose Court, Patrick Bradley- Talbot Park & Raymond O’Reilly- Messines Park.
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God: Connla O’Donnell, Finn O’Donnell, Zoey Anderson-Smith & BobbyHarkin
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
8th & 22nd November & 6th & 20th December
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 £2712.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £775.00
The Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by phone on 028-71262301 (during office hours) or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 29th September at 7.30pm Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal us at this time. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio. The Mass will be streamed via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Are you enrolled in the Pope John Paul II Award in Long Tower parish this year? If so, you are invited to attend an Information Session on Thursday 9th October at 4.30pm in the Aras Colmcille building, in the grounds of the Long Tower Church. There will be a short presentation and discussion on how we can help you find suitable tasks that you will enjoy taking part in. Any questions you can email lauren.doherty@derrydiocese.org
“From St Columba to Sister Clare”- Evening of Prayer. 
We invite you to gather with us in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on 1st Thursday of each month, beginning this Thursday 2nd October, Rosary at 7pm, with Mass at 7.30pm followed by Mini Vigil to Midnight 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 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 Safe-Guarding Representative is 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 Gormley, the 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).
Síopa Cholmcille- St Columba’s Gift Shop in Aras Cholmcille: We stock a variety of gifts & cards, candles, rosary beads, books, occasion cards and many other gifts & mementos. The shop is open after 10am morning Mass. For enquiries please contact Sheila Doyle/ Jim Doherty via (parish office 028-71262301 or Sacristy 028-71261946) who will be happy to help.
‘Cloisters Café’ in Aras Cholmcille in the grounds of Long Tower Church, a cosy place to relax and have a bite to eat or a cuppa and a cake! The café is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am to 3pm and now also on Sunday from 10am-3pm, with Sunday lunch being served from 12Noon-3pm. For more info, view Cloisters social media.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: Praying this weekend for our seminarians and the men discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood we echo the advice of St Paul to Timothy in the second reading: that they’ll fight the good fight of the faith and speak up for the truth as witnesses to the presence of Jesus Christ in the Church and in the world today.
Could you ‘Host for Hospice’- October is officially Foyle Hospice ‘Coffee Morning Month’. We are calling on supporters to help us raise vital funds by hosting a Coffee Morning. Whether it’s at home, work or in your local community, get your friends together and get the kettle on, it’s a piece of cake!! To request your FREE host pack or for more info, please call Ailbhe McDaid, Community Fundraiser on 028 71359888 or email: ailbhe@foylehospice.com.
Accord Derry-Marriage Preparation Courses: October – November 2025. October 17th/18th & November 7th/ 8th. Venue- Everglades Hotel, Derry. All courses are now online for booking at www.accordni.com. Please note all courses are in person.
Mass and Holy Hour for Vocations: 7.30pm Mass on Tuesday 30th September, in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry, will be offered for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood in the Diocese of Derry. This will be followed by a Holy Hour from 8pm to 9pm, concluding with Night Prayer and Benediction. All are welcome to come and pray.
Our Lady, Untier of Knots Novena – The Novena to Our Lady, Untier of Knots will begin after the 7:30pm Mass on Thursday, 2nd October in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral. It will continue for the following eight Thursdays, concluding on 27th November. Do you have “knots” in your life? Knots of discord in your family, unresolved pain in relationships, or a lack of peace and joy in your home? Sometimes life can feel like one overwhelming knot, especially when we face health challenges or burdens beyond our control. This Novena reminds us that sin never entangled Our Lady, and that Christ gave us His Mother as Our Lady, Untier of Knots. Through this devotion, we entrust our personal “knots” to her loving care—learning to let go and allowing her to gently untie what binds us. All are welcome to join in prayer and reflection during this special time of grace.
This year is 1700th anniversary of the first council of Nicaea. Sunday 5 October we join with Christian Churches throughout Ireland to mark and remember Nicaea and the Nicene Creed which came from it. We hold this creed in common with Christians for the last 1700 years, around the world and across the traditions. This Sunday is an opportunity for shared witness and reflection on the core beliefs that unite us in Christ.
Save the Date: Abide in His Love Women’s Conference November 21st -23rd 2025. The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran Co. Donegal. An Amazing event for women exploring the beauty & gift of their feminine identity in Christ. Guest Speakers include: Sr. Mary Madeline Todd OP (USA), Megan Madden from ‘A Mother’s Lace’ (USA/UK), Fr. Barry Braum, Fr. Mark Wharton (UK), Fr. Francesco Mary Gavazzi, CFR, the Nashville Dominican sisters, & Mass with Archbishop Eamon Martin. Check out Eventbrite for tickets & more information. Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abide-in-his-love-womens-conference -2025-tickets- 1283997654549?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse.
Could You Help Share the True Spirit of Christmas? Each year, volunteers in parishes across the north of Ireland set up a small stall after Masses to sell Trócaire’s Gifts of Change — meaningful gifts that make a real difference to families living in poverty around the world. We provide everything you need including training and support. All we ask is a little time and a big heart. Last Christmas, 50 parishes took part — and we’d love to grow that number even more this year! If you would like to find out more about how you can help, please email Mark at mark.mcmahon@trocaire.org or call 028 9080 8030.
Mary’s Meals -Good News: The charity Mary’s Meals is now reaching over 3 million children with daily school meals across 16 countries. We are so grateful for your compassion, prayers and support over the years that have made it possible to reach this milestone. Each little act of love is giving hope to new generations. Mary’s Meals invites you to continue to pray for this work that we can reach the next child waiting and to consider volunteering your time locally to help us raise awareness and funds individually or as part of a group so we can keep the promise of a daily meal to the children we currently feed. Visit our website www.marysmeals.org.uk or contact Caoimhe on 07394564065 to find out more.
Rachel’s Vineyard: Have you been affected or hurt by abortion? If so, please contact Michelle on 07871765181.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
