Sunday 9th March 2008

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

The miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead which we read about in the Gospel for this Sunday, prepares us for Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. It is also a sign that points to what we have undergone in baptism where we died to sin and rose to divine life through the pouring on of water. But it is also a sign that points to the definitive resurrection of the just at the end of time when their bodies will rise from this earth and be reunited with their souls in heaven.

LONG TOWER CHURCH 1909-2009: We are gathering ideas for the centenary celebrations of Long Tower Church. A parish centenary committee has been at work since mid-February. Over the coming months the committee will be planning, outreaching and seeking suggestions in preparation for the great year that lies ahead.

 

PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT

6:00pm Sunday Devotions: Stations + Benediction

8:30am Daily Mass in St Cecilia’s College for Students

8:00pm Stations of the Cross – Monday to Friday

FAMILY ROSARY FOR LENT - We are inviting families to pray the Rosary in the home each day of Lent as a spiritual preparation for Easter. Rosary leaflets are available at the church doors. Each day Fr Colhoun and Fr Mongan will pray the Divine Office for the families who are able to make this commitment. If you would like to write your family name (address not necessary) on the page at the church doors the priests will put your intentions before God each morning of Lent. If you live alone and would like to introduce the Rosary to your home, you too can add your name to the list.

 

FEAST OF ST JOSEPH will be celebrated on Friday, 14th March.

PALM SUNDAY next Sunday, 16th April. Palms will be blessed at all Masses. Confessions will take place at 6.00 pm on Palm Sunday evening.

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 will be celebrated from April 2008 to May 2009. Meeting in Long Tower Sacristy, on the second Monday of every month, 8.30 pm. The Society’s next meeting is on Monday, 10th March at 8.30 pm. All welcome.

YOUTH 2000 group meets in Long Tower on Wednesdays at 8.00 pm. Prayer, praise and craic! Tea and coffee afterwards. 16-35 year olds welcome. Why not join us for Lent?

VISITATION OF THE HOUSEBOUND
Father Mongan will visit the sick in his care on Monday/Tuesday, 10th/11th March in the following areas:
Monday 10th March St Columb’s Wells, Westland Street, Meenan Drive, Drumcliffe Avenue, Abbots Walk, Cable Street, Durrow Park.
Tuesday 11th March Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Lower Bennett Street, Belview Avenue, Mary Street, Moat Street, Abercorn Road, Abercorn Place, Sunbeam Terrace, Corporation Street, Barrack Street, Cooke Street, Windmill Terrace, Charlotte Street, The Metropole, Long Tower Court.

SEE THE LONG TOWER ON TV during Holy Week. The retreat talks recorded recently in our church by EWTN will be shown over five days of Holy Week, that is, Monday through to Good Friday (17-21 March), at the following times: 4.00 am, 2.30 pm and 7.00 pm each day. The talks are given by Fr Owen Gorman of Clogher Diocese and Youth 2000. EWTN is the Catholic television channel which can be seen on SKY 769.

DEATHS We wish to express our deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of
Kevin Kelly, formerly Drumcliffe Avenue and late of New York.

BAPTISMS We welcome Lennon Bryan McWilliams, 183 Lone Moor Road, James Leo Friel, 7 Rathmore Road, Kiersha Catherine McColgan, 7 Foyle Park, who were all baptised

GOOD NEWS FOR WEE NUNS’ The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given the green light to the Aras Colmcille Trust to develop their plans for the restoration of the former St. Columb’s National School (The Wee Nuns’ School) and conversion into a centre for the study of St. Columba to benefit the city of Derry. The HLF award of a stage 1 pass releases £63,000 of development funding to the Aras Colmcille Trust, with a further £744,500 earmarked for the project when final plans are approved. HLF Regional Manager, Paul Mullan said “ Through this award HLF are taking the first step in revitalising this iconic building for the people of Derry, which will create opportunities for the whole community to learn about Columba and the importance of his story to the heritage of the city.”

We gratefully acknowledge the following anonymous donations to the Long Tower Renovation Fund: £20, £5, £25, £5, £10, £20, £5, £20, £10, £5, £5, £100, £25.

MONTHLY DEVOTIONS in honour of the Divine Mercy will take place in Nazareth House Chapel on Tuesday 11th March at 8.00 pm. All welcome. Individual blessing with the relic of St Faustina will take place after devotions.

MONTHLY MASS FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MATT TALBOT, for those suffering from addictions and for families with addicts in their midst, will take place on Monday 10th March at 7.30 pm in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road. All welcome.

SVDP THRIFT SHOP urgently require good quality Confirmation and First Communion outfits. For collection please ring 7126 5489.

CITY FACTORY REUNION on Saturday 12th April from 8.00 pm in the City Hotel. Limited tickets. For further information contact Susie Kelly on 077 3654 8879, Mona Chambers 077 8364 5842, Margaret Smallwoods 7134 6517, Pat Callaghan 079 6905 8277.

BIG EASTER BINGO ST EUGENE’S PARISH HALL SUNDAY 16th MARCH 2008 AT 8.30 PM

EASTER WEEKEND RETREAT FRIDAY 14TH MARCH (8.00 PM) - SUNDAY 16TH MARCH A quiet residential weekend, which will be a spiritual preparation for the feast of Easter, in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca. All are welcome to attend. For further details and bookings tel: 7126 2512.

THREE EVENING RETREATS IN PREPARATION FOR EASTER on 17th/18th/19th March (from 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm) An opportunity to spend some time in quiet adoration, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and celebrate Mass in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry. All are welcome to attend.

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £2551.00

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 784.00