STORY TELLING

As I grew up, our home was a great place for a gathering of neighbours and for story telling, and one of the best story tellers was my father.

There were serious stories and funny stories.  But no matter what type of story was told, a few things were always evident.  There was always a gathering and every story had a lesson, a meaning.
The Bible is full of stories.  Some of us only hear those stories when we gather at Mass, and here today we have one of the nicest stories told:
St John tells us the story of catching fish and which Jesus contrasts with spreading the faith -"be fishers of people", "tell the story of God to all nations" And as my father would say, we can do anything with the help of God.

Parish Activites

Confirmation: There will be a special 10.00am Family Mass (Church of the Assumption) and 11.30am Mass (Durrow) on Sunday next, 2nd, for all students preparing for Confirmation.  We invite confirmation candidates and their parents, families and teachers to attend.  Confirmation will take place on Saturday 8th May.

Celebration Night for parish groups involved in crisis support and personal development work, Monday 26th, 8.00pm, Day Chapel.

Praying With Scriptures (Lectio Divina) continues Tuesday 27th at 8.00pm at new venue - basement Parochial House.

Trocaire Boxes: There is still time to leave your boxes into the Sacristy or Parochial House.

Celebration Night for all those involved in preparation for Holy Week and Easter ceremonies, on Tuesday 4th May.  More details later.

1st Friday Healing Mass Friday week, 7th, 7.30pm, Church of the Assumption.  Celebrant Fr Denis Luddy CSSR.

Mass Intentions: Mon 26: 7.45 Joe & Winifred Carroll, Killiskea. 
10.00 Thomas Duffy. 
Tues 27: 7.45 Anne & Michael O'Neill, Adams Villas.  10.00 Mary Jane & Edward Hughes, O'Molloy St. 
Wed 28:  10.00 Esther & John Hoey. 
Thurs 29: 10.00 Thomas Smyth Jnr, Srah. 
Fri 30: 7.45 Molly McLoughlin, St Coleman's Tce.  10.00 Tim Whelan.  Sat 1: 10.00 Michael Duffy, Clonminch Rd.  7.00 Jimmy Fenning, 1st Ann & Kitty Fenning.
8.30 Christopher McGowan.  1st Ann. 
Sun 2: 8.30 Colm Bracken. 
10.00 Jamie McDonald, Arden View.  11.30 Eileen O'Brien.  1st Ann. 
1.00 Elizabeth Cutler, 52 Pearse Park.  Mon Mem.

Durrow:  Sun 2 John & Jane Donoghue.

Next Shared Mass on Saturday 22nd May, 10am.

Deaths: We offer our sympathy to the family of Donie Egan, Charleville Rd.  If you would like support in your grieving, now or in the future, please ring 26604.

 
Baptisms: Welcome to the parish community Corey Stephen Collins, 57 Arden View; Gavin James Hand, Sragh; Cory Danniel Hayes Hanighan, 73 O'Molloy St; Ian Mark Daly, 115 Arden View; Cormac Blaise Moran, 14 Ard na Greine.  The next pre-Baptism meetings Wed 28th April & Wed 12th May at 8.30pm in the Parochial House.  All parents who wish to have their child baptised in May must attend a meeting.  Contact Parish Secretary for details.

Collections:  Envelopes: €2930. 
    
Thank you.

Community Activites

Youth Centre: Tues 10-12 club 5-7pm, 1 & 2 yr club 7-9pm; Wed Rehearsals for 'Oliver' 6.45-7.45pm; Thurs 7-9 club 5-7pm, 1 & 2 yr club 7-9pm.  Ph 22963.
Scoil Bhride Monster Sale: Contributions of books, tapes, cd's, videos & games welcome any school day or 7-9pm Tues 4-Thurs 6; Tues 11-Thurs 13.
Fighting Blindness: Thanks to all who collected and supported recent collection.
Corpus Christi Procession: Committee meeting Mon 26, 7pm, Parochial House.  New members welcome.
Padre Pio Mass Tues 27, 8pm, Church of Assumption.  All welcome.
Ballydaly/Tinnycross Residents Assoc: Mass Thurs 29, 8pm, Day Chapel.
ICA: Craft and social evening, Wed 28, 8pm, Day Care Centre.
OHAS: Lecture 'Maps of bog surveys early 19th century', Thurs 29, 8.30pm, Centre Bury Quay.  All welcome.
Pallas Lake Fly Fishing Club: Meeting Wed 28, 8.30pm, Foresters.
Durrow Wood: Information Meeting re Coillte's forestry management, Wed 28, Durrow Hall, 8pm.  All welcome.
Business & Professional Women's Club: Open meeting on 'osteoporosis' Court Hotel, Wed 28, 8pm.  Adm free.  All welcome.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes with Fr Joe McLoughlin, Rahan, 18-23 Aug.  Ph 51309.
Gospel Choir Concert Sun 25, Court Hotel in aid of Coláiste Choilm India Fund.
Home Start: Talk, "The Early Years - how the first 4 years are crucial to a child's development", Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, 8.30pm, Tues 4
CCE: Presents "3 Paddies" Concert, Moorhill House, Thurs 29, 8.30pm.  Ph 41926.
Concert: With Rahan CCE & 'Percy French Remembered', Sun 2, Court Hotel, 8pm.
Clara Musical Society: 'Guys & Dolls', Mon 26-Sat 1, GAA centre.  Ph 0876960053.
Dancezone Stage School: Double Bill, Moate Community College, Sun 25, 2.30pm.
Offaly Comhaltas: Summer course, Killina SS, 5-16 July.  Ph 55915 for details.
Midlands Regional Youth Services: Youth workers under FAS programme wanted. Ph 090-6477075 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.
CNG: Pilgrimage to Knock, Sat 1.  Ph A Boland 22752/21501.

Parish Information &  - Confidential Phone Line 26604: Monday to Friday 10.00am - 1.00pm; 6.00-8.00pm.

Sunday Mass Times:.Vigil: 7.00pm & 8.30pm.  Sun: 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.00pm.  Durrow: 11.30am

Confessions: Saturdays 12-1pm;3-4pm; 6.30-7pm; 7.45-8.15pm.
Eve Holydays 6.30-7pm.  Eve 1st Fridays 12-1pm; 7.30-8pm.

Please continue to pray for Fiona Pender, our parishioner who has been missing since 22nd Aug ‘96

Support Services

ACCORD Marriage & Relationship counselling Mon-Fri 9.30am-1.30pm,  41831; 
Suicide Bereavement Support - group sessions for family members or friends - if interested ph Rita 086-8157320;
CIC Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm, 2-4pm, Sat 10-12 ,52204;
Epiplepsy Assoc Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm 28631; 
AA Mon, Thurs, Sat Mercy Convent 8.30pm;
Al-Anon Thurs 8.30pm, 17 Chapel St.  01-8732699;
Vincent De Paul 22072;
Dochas - Cancer Info & Support Drop in centre 12 Henry St, Mon/Wed/Fri 10.30am-12.30pm 28268y
Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, Mon 8-10.30pm. 1800323232;
Women in Crisis Ozanam House, Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, 51886;
Life Pregnancy Care 7B Cormac St Sat 12-3pm 1850281281;
Grow Thurs 7.30pm Day Care Arden Rd, 51124;
Aware Mon 8.45pm Community Mental Health Centre 1890303302;
Breastfeeding Support Group 3rd Thurs, 8pm, Education Resource Centre Hospital. 0502-24317;
Fibromyalgia Group: Last Tues of month, 8pm, Day Care Centre. Helpline 1800201068 Tues 10am-12 only;
Anew - support group for women with alcohol problems, Wed 8pm, Ofalia House Edenderry, 086-1024743

BULLETIN NOTICES TO BE IN BY LUNCH TIME WEDNESDAY