CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
Monday 9th March 2009
10.30am
UNVEILING OF THE OPUS SECTILE
On Monday morning there will be
a formal unveiling of the restored opus sectile in
Long Tower. These are the three grand panels behind
the high altar – the Ascension of Christ flanked
by St Peter and St Paul. Opus sectile (pronounced
“seck-teel-ay”) is the Latin name for
a series of opalescent painted glass “tiles”,
first used by the ancient Romans on luxury floors.
Usually these glass sections are set in grout and
there are many such examples around the inner walls
of Long Tower. However what is distinct about the
panels above the tabernacle is that they are set in
lead. The experts say this is extremely rare and sets
these particular panels apart as remarkable works
of art.
The repair was extremely specialised work and has
been done in studios in Belfast. It involved putting
supplementary metal bars and additional wire ties
into the three frames. Since lead is a high expansion
material the restoration required re-gauging the glass
and the lead to give the material space for expansion.
The three magnificent opus sectile panels will be
unveiled and blessed tomorrow, Monday after 10.00am
Mass, to honour the 9th day of the month, St Columba
having died on the 9th of June.
The project is costing over £20,000 to complete.
To help us fund the restoration we are selling pictures
of the masterpiece. The mounted pictures will be available
for purchase from the Long Tower Church and the Parochial
House, costing £25 or £55. Please note
that this does not include a frame. You might consider
it to be your own memento of the 100th year of Long
Tower. The proceeds go towards the cost of the repairs
and the general restoration of the Long Tower.
7.30PM COMMISSIONING OF THE DOOR-STEP TEAM
We have established a group of twelve “disciples”
who will dedicate one night a week for twelve weeks
to knock on doors and invite people to come to Mass.
They have been in formation for a month and will be
commissioned tomorrow, Monday, at the 7.30pm Mass.
The visiting preacher will be Fr Pat McHugh, Parish
Priest of Termon, the parish in which St Columba was
born. It promises to be a very joyful occasion. All
welcome!
COULD YOU SPEND ONE HOUR a month
to pray for vocations to priesthood and religious
life? St Joseph’s Young Priests Society, a lay
organisation, would like new members, from any age
group, male or female. The Long Tower branch was set
up over twenty years ago. The Year of Vocations is
being celebrated until May of this year. Meeting in
Long Tower Sacristy, on the second Monday of every
month, 8.30pm. The next meeting will be on Monday,
9th March. All welcome.
YOUTH 2000 group
meets in Long Tower on Wednesdays at 8.00pm. Prayer,
praise and new friendships. Tea and coffee afterwards.
16-35 year olds welcome. Why not join us for Lent?
BAPTISMS
We welcome: Conor
Patrick Gormley, 26 Mary Street, Taylor Jayden Harkin,
133 Bishop Street and Katie Sarah Callaghan, 15 Foyleview
Manor, who were all baptised recently.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
We extend our sincere sympathy to
the family and friends of
Frances Healy, 5
Abercorn Place.
May she rest in peace.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT
6.00pm Sunday Devotions: Stations
of the Cross + Benediction
8.30am Daily Mass in St Cecilia’s
College for Students
7.00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet
8.00pm Stations of the Cross –
Monday to Friday
FAMILY ROSARY FOR LENT
Each day the priests will pray the Divine Office for
the families who commit to recite the daily family
Rosary in the home. Please put your family name on
the list at the church doors.
DATE FOR THE DIARY – ST PATRICK’S
DAY – NEXT WEEK
Tuesday 17th March: Masses for the Holyday of Obligation
Monday 16th March Vigil 7.30pm
Tuesday 8.00am, 10.00am, 12 noon.
Please note that the 12 noon Mass will be in LATIN.
CHURCH FLOWER ARRANGERS
The date of the next meeting has been changed to
Thursday 26 March at 7.30 pm in Thornhill Centre.
THE MONTHLY PRO-LIFE DEVOTIONS
will take place in St Columb's Church, Chapel
Road on Tuesday 10th March commencing with Rosary
at 7.00pm followed by Mass at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.
THE HOLY FAMILY PADRE PIO
PRAYER GROUP will hold their monthly meeting
in the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty on Monday
night starting with 7.30 pm Mass. There will be two
1st class relics of St Pio at the meeting. The Way
of the Cross with Padre Pio will also be read. This
will replace the Rosary for this month only. Everyone
is welcome.
FREE PARENTING COURSES
Building Self Esteem on 27th March 9.30 am to 12.30
pm and Handling Teenagers, 8 week course commencing
22nd April from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
PARENTS ADVICE CENTRE –
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Invitation to Open E vening on Tuesday 10th March
from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. Please contact the office
on 7137 2006 for further information or email marie@pachelp.org.
NORTHERN IRELAND BLOOD TRANSFUSION
SERVICE
The next blood donation sessions will be held in
Strand Road Presbyterian Church on Wednesday/Thursday,
11th/12th March from 1.30pm to 4.00pm and 5.15pm to
8.00pm.
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE
COLLECTION £1991.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION
COLLECTION £ 828.00
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE
THE ANONYMOUS DONATIONS TO THE RESTORATION FUND:
£10, £5, £20, £20, £10,
£5, £20, £10, £100, £50,
£ 100, £40, £50.
SUICIDAL?
Counselling available
at ZEST, 15 Queen Street, 7126 6999.
P.S.
‘If people want to have hope and find meaning
in their lives, they need to take God out of the "parentheses".
(Pope Benedict XVI)
