Long Tower annual Novena begins on Sunday night

A MARRIED Deacon and a member of the Derry Youth Community will be among the speakers at this year’s annual Novena which will begin at St Columba’s Church, Long Tower on Sunday night, October 21.

The Novena which begins at 6 p.m. will have the theme of Our Lady Queen of Peace and will run for eight weeks, culminating with a Carol Service on December 16.

The first speaker is Martin Donnelly who was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Clogher last year.
Martin is married to Caitlin and they have two children and a new grandson.

Martin spent 36 years of his working life in education as a teacher, a principal and a Senior Education Adviser before discerning a vocation to Diaconate.

He will share some experiences of how Mary Queen of Peace has influenced his life and in particular his calling to serve as a Deacon.

German native Willy Krause will be the fourth speaker at the Novena, on November 18.
Although not brought up a Catholic, Willy, 21, first discovered his faith when he moved to Berlin to study at the age of 17.

He explained: “The move brought lots of questions such as – what is it all about, and what I want to do with my life.“

Inspired by the writings of Pope Benedict and the Confessions of St Augustine, Willy found many answers in Catholic teaching. In Easter of last year he was baptised a Catholic and received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.

However, it was a chance search on Google that led Willy to Derry, where he has spent the last year working with the Derry Youth Community.

Willy said: “I remember waiting at the bus stop for Father Patrick Lagan to come and collect me after arriving in Derry, and thinking to myself – what am I doing here?

“I couldn’t believe that I had come this far, it felt so random that I knew coming to Derry was what God wanted me to do with my life.

“It made me think of the words of Jesus when he said he who leaves behind his family and possessions will be repaid 100 times over. And it’s true because I’ve been made to feel so welcome here. “

Willy who works with Sebastiano Pellizzari in the Derry Youth Community is now embarking on his second year working with young people in the Diocese of Derry

Everyone is welcome, especially those in need of healing, to attend the Novena each Sunday night.

The Novena will comprise of Rosary, Novena Prayer and petitions, a talk given by various guest speakers, and ceremony of healing with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Further speakers include: Fr John Farren, Dr John Monahan, Sr Perpetua McNulty, Fr Chris Hayden, Bishop Alan McGuckien and Paula McKeown.

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