Sunday 9th November 2008

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Jesus answered the Jews: “Destroy this sanctuary and in three days I will raise it up.” ‘But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body’. Buildings are a very important part of every aspect of human life. They provide shelter. They give dignity to people. They give people a place where they can feel at home. But when a building becomes more important than the people themselves it loses its meaning. In the practice of our Christian faith our buildings are also very important, and we are blessed to have so many beautiful places of worship in our communities as well as worldwide. But, beautiful and all as these might be, they have to be at the service of the dignity of every human person. Our churches have to be places where people can feel at home because of the care they experience there. That can only happen when we are working at building a community of care. And our homes have to be at the service of love for each person who lives there. That is true reverence for the presence of Christ.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

The Church of St John on the Lateran is 'Mother and Head of all the churches of the City and the World'. It is the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome, and was called 'St John' alter the two monasteries once attached, dedicated to St John the Divine and St John the Baptist. It is however dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour.

You are Invited to Our
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
In St Columba’s Church, Long Tower

The annual Novena continues on Sunday at 6.00 pm. While petitioning Our Lady’s intercession we will speak on St Columba in preparation for the Centenary of Long Tower. In conclusion, we will have a Eucharistic healing ceremony.

BAPTISMS

We welcome: Aodhán Gerald James Tracey, 11 Orchard Row, who was baptised recently.

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Alex Sweeney, 74 Lisfannon Park. May he rest in peace.

Long Tower Church 1909-2009

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Sunday 9th November 2008
St Columba died on 9th June 597AD. In honour of this revered date we will celebrate the Centenary of Long Tower Church on 9th June 2009. On each 9th of the month before that we are honouring St Columba and his church with a different ceremony. Today the Centenary Committee invite you to participate in our preparatory celebrations once again.

After 10.00 am Mass – Blessing of New Clock
Long Tower will have a new clock from today. Most churches have a clock facing the altar and Long Tower is no exception. However the original clock is no longer in place. It must have ceased to function a long time ago because many years have passed since it hung on the front balustrade of the gallery. The time has come to put a timepiece back in our historic church. The new clock is 30 inches in diameter with a dark wood American cherry finish. The Roman numerals will fit the antiquity of this hallowed place.

The clock will have a very practical purpose. The obvious one is to let people know the time of day. The other benefit is to help the congregation at Mass to verify the interval since their last meal. This enables Communicants to respect the hour’s fast before receiving Holy Communion. People who remember the old clock say they found it very useful it for this Sacramental purpose.

12.00 noon Mass – Presentation of Pioneer Pins
At the 12:00 noon Mass today we will have a celebration of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. Gold pins are being presented to those who have been Pioneers for 50 years and silver pins are being given to those who have kept the pledge for 25 years. Congratulations!

In addition, the parish is recruiting new Pioneers. In an era when alcohol is creating endless social problems and relentless family break-up the invitation goes out to everyone to consider taking the pledge for life. Many are discovering that the burdens associated with drink far outweigh the benefits. Anyone who would like become a new Pioneer should fill in a form, available at the church door, give £3 for the pin and come to the 12.00 noon Mass today.

LONG TOWER CHRISTMAS CARDS are available after all Masses today. We are very grateful to the Restoration and Projects Committee for their hard work and to all of you for your constant support. Price: £3.99 for a pack of 12.

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 537.00

CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE is delighted to launch its new Advent Campaign. Often our Christmas preparations focus on buying gifts for our families and those we love. This year through the Advent calendar there will be an opportunity to prepare in a different way. Each day you will be able to contribute to Children in Crossfire and also get a short reflection to help focus on what the Nativity is really about. The Advent calendar boxes can be collected from Long Tower next Sunday and can be returned at the end of December. For more information contact Children in Crossfire at 7126 9898.

QUIET TIME OF PRAYER AND MASS in the Celtic Prayer Garden at IOSAS Centre (near White Oaks) With Columba Community and Fr Jim Burke O.P. Theme: Christ in our times (Aspiring to Holiness, Living in Simplicity). Today, Sunday 9th November, 2.00pm - 5.00pm (including Mass). RSVP: IOSAS Centre. Tel: 00-353-74-938 4866

THE OPUS SECTILE IS GOING FOR REPAIR

These are the three grand panels behind the high altar – the Ascension of Christ flanked by St Peter and St Paul. These magnificent works were installed in 1909 and have not had any significant repair since then. Deterioration has accelerated over the years and they have now got into a very advanced state of disrepair. Looking from the pews one can not observe the wear and tear but a closer inspection will show that the tiles are collapsing into one another. A recent expert survey has declared the panels “dangerous and in urgent need of repair”.

Opus Sectile (pronounced “seck-teel-ay”) is the Latin name, and the modern technical designation, for a series of opalescent painted glass tiles, first used by the ancient Romans on luxury floors. Meaning “cut work”, just like stained glass or coloured glass the individual pieces have been fired in the kiln. 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, like stained glass windows. The experts say this is extremely rare and sets these particular panels apart as remarkable works of art.

The repair is extremely specialised work and has been under preparation for many months. It cannot be done on site therefore the three large panels will have to be taken away to studios in Belfast. We hope to have the repairs done over the winter for re-installation in the Spring. In the intervening months we will install three photographic replicas of the panels so as not to take from the aesthetics of the church. This very challenging project will get under way this week. We will have to install some temporary scaffolding and protective hoarding for the purpose.

The project will cost over £20,000 to complete. Thank you for your generosity in supporting such necessary repairs and for your patience as they happening.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY monthly meeting on Monday, 10th November at 8.30 pm. All welcome.

CHARITY CONCERT featuring Moya Brennan of Clannad, the monks of Glenstal Abbey and a host of other talented musicians is taking place in the Millennium Forum on Monday, 10th November. Local school children from St Anne’s Primary School Choir will also perform and all proceeds will go to the Foyle Women’s Aid Children’s Unit. Tickets from the Millennium Forum box office.

LAST WEEK’S RETIRED PRIESTS COLLECTION £1382.00

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £2210.00

AN ECUMENICAL ROAD SAFETY SERVICE TO MARK WORLD REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR ROAD CRASH VICTIMS in St Augustine’s Church, Society Street on Sunday 16th November 2008 at 3.30 pm.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
The new Long Tower Christmas card is one of our fund-raising initiatives for the centenary of the church in 2009. We have many restoration projects in view and all money raised from the cards will go to this cause. We are very grateful to the Restoration and Projects Committee for their hard work and to all of you for your constant support. Price: £3.99 for a pack of 12.

THE ANNUAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE FOR DECEASED PUPILS AND STAFF will be held in St Joseph’s Boys’ School on Thursday, 13th November at 7.30 pm. Names of those not already included on the list can be added by telephoning the school at 7126 2923. Everyone is welcome to attend.

MONSTER DRAW FOR THE CENTENARY
***LESS THAN 70 TICKETS REMAINING***
Members of the committee will be available in the Sacristy after each Mass today to sign up new members and for giving out pre-booked tickets.
Tickets available: Daily, 10.00 am to 2.30 pm in the Parochial House.

COULD YOU MAKE A CHILD HAPPY again after a difficult start in life? There are children who need adoptive families now. Aged 2-6 years old, they need the love and attention of a caring and understanding family. Could this be your family? Please contact the Family Care Society, Derry on 7136 8592 or Belfast on 9069 1133 or email@family-care-society.org

DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2009 Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage 16th to 21st July 2009 as your Christmas Gift. Gift vouchers (£25/£50) are now available from the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street. Office opens Thursday 11.00 am to 2.00 pm and Saturday 11.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

FOYLE YARNSPINNERS invite you to an evening of song and story with Declan Forde in the Verbal Arts Centre, Stable Lane, Bishop Street on Monday 10th November at 8.00 pm. Admission free. All welcome.

 

 

 

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)