Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ 28th January 2018 Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P MASS TIMES Weekend Masses Church of the Assumption: Saturday (Vigil) 6.30pm Sunday 8.30a.m, 10.00a.m, 11.30am & 1.00p.m St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: Sunday 11.30a.m Holy Days Church of the Assumption: 7.45a.m, 10.00a.m, 1.10p.m, 6.30p.m. St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: Vigil 8.00pm Weekday Masses Monday-Friday 7.45am & 10.00am Saturday 10.00am First Friday 7.45am & 10.00am CONFESSIONS Saturday: 12 noon-1.00pm, 3.00-4.00pm GET IN TOUCH St Mary’s Parish Centre, Benburb St, Tullamore, Phone: 0579321587 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Web: www.tullamoreparish.ie Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm; 1.30-5pm to book weddings, baptisms, certs, etc; Reception service 5-9pm. Priest available for emergencies 24 hours daily. Parish Shop selling a selection of religious items. Teas after 10am Mass Mon, Wed & Fri. Meeting Rooms available: Contact Administrator for details of rates, availability etc. Parish Support Services: Bereavement Listening, etc. For appointment, ph 0579326604, Monday-Thursday 9.30am-1.00pm; Wednesday & Thursday 6.00-8.00pm. WHO IS HE? Like the Israelites wondering how they will know when a prophet is among them, the people of Jesus’ time constantly question who he is. It is the key theme which runs through Mark’s Gospel. Who is this Jesus of Nazareth? Not only does Mark teach with authority but he acts with authority. He cures a sick man and in doing so shows that he has power and tells the Spirit to leave the man, much to people’s amazement. Those who listen to Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue know there is something different and exciting about him. His teaching is in sharp contrast to the scribes they are used to hearing. The difference is his authority and it leaves his audience astonished. He does not use it the way we might do, instead he uses his authority to serve, to love, to bring mercy and freedom. What would Jesus’ message be for us today? Let us think carefully. Would we dare to trust in our own inner goodness and to let it shine in the world? SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS Mark 1:21-28 In this first chapter Mark familiarises his readers with the type of things Jesus did to prclaim the kingdom, the reign of God. Our passage today touches on two of these, the first being that ‘he taught as one having authority’. It makes a difference when you listen to someone who is clearly speaking from experience and personal knowledge. Remember people who impressed you in this way. Jesus combined teaching with healing, and he drove the evil spirit out of the man. The power of God that worked this wonder through Jesus is also at work in and through us today. When have you been freed from some bad habit? The evil spirit convulsed the man before it left him. The path to liberation can be a painful struggle. If you have found it so, who was the Jesus person that helped you through the struggle to freedom? It is not only individuals but groups that can be struggling with an evil spirit – jealousy, rivalry, malicious gossiping, abuse of power, etc. Sometimes a Jesus person comes into the group and drives out that evil spirit. Have you experienced this? Perhaps you yourself have been this person on some occasion? (John Byrne, OSA, Intercom 2018) THOUGHT FOR THE DAY …You are given this life as a gift. Make yourself a gift to life … ASH WEDNESDAY Lent begins on Ash Wednesday Feb 14th. Lent is a serious and important time in our spiritual lives. This year make Lent a time to renew and deepen your faith by fasting, prayer and alms giving. Take some time this week to make a plan for Lent. PARISH RETREAT FOR BEGINNING OF LENT Saturday 17th Feb: 10 am Mass to 3pm. Hosted by the Knights of St Columbanus. Theme: Jesus - the face of suffering, the face of Love. Please leave your name in the Parish Centre. Donation only. Tea and lunch provided. THE 8TH AMENDMENT Honestly, what do you actually know about the 8th Amendment? Information booklets are available in the church explaining what it is and the consequences of its removal. Please take one. ROSARY FOR LIFE We face crucial moment in our nation’s history. Soon will be asked to choose to either remove or maintain the constitutional protection of the right to life of the unborn child. The Rosary will be prayed publicly each Monday evening for this intention, beginning on Monday February 5th. We thank the Legion of Mary for their support in this project. Everyone welcome. IRELAND NEEDS FATIMA “Ireland needs Fatima” are hosting a visit of the Pilgrim statue of our Lady of Fatima; visiting Tullamore Charismatic Prayer group, at the Parish Centre, Wednesday 31st January at 7.00pm and Clara Prayer Group Parish Centre on Thursday 1st Feb at 8.00pm. This Marian programme features an inspiring audio-visual presentation on the 1917 Miraculous Fatima apparitions, followed by a group rosary and petitions, which will be brought to Fatima. Come Join Us, All most welcome! SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The next available Baptism dates are Sat 24th Feb & Sun 04th Mar in Tullamore & Sun 11th Mar in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these dates is on Wed 21st Feb. To book in for the meeting and baptisms, contact the Parish Secretary, at the Parish Office, Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE It is advisable to give six months’ notice of your intention to marry to both the Church and the Registrar. To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary, Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5.00pm. All couples getting married must attend a pre-marriage course. Contact ACCORD, 9341831 or www.accord.ie. ACCORD also available for marriage and relationship counseling. NB: NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN MUST BE IN THE PARISH CENTRE BY 9.30AM WEDNESDAY. Only notices from parish groups, non-profit making organisations & clubs included. MASS INTENTIONS Mon 29 10.00 Michael, Mary Ellen & Dan Boland Wed 31 10.00 Patrick Brennan & Family, 81 O’Molloy St Thurs 01 7.45 John Longeran, Kildangan 10.00 Luke Kavanagh Sat 03 10.00 Gerry Martin, Daingean Rd 6.30 Kathleen Guina, 1st Ann Bridie Byrne, Mon Mem, & Husband Michael Sun 04 8.30 James Sheehan, Park Ave 10.00 Phil Madden 11.30 Vincent Wynter, Mon Mem Liz Martin, 1st Ann 1.00 Teresa Ann Lowbridge, Mon Mem & Andrew Lowbridge You are reminded that 6.30pm Vigil, 11.30am & 1.00pm Masses are for Months Memories and 1st Anniversaries only. Durrow, Sun 04, 11.30am: Donal & Patsy Ward; Richard Wallace & his parents & sisters; Christopher Noel & Noirín Gowran; Thomas Sullivan & family; Anne Bracken & family; Michael O’Carra. DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Edel Buggy, Sean Tierney & Bridie Cullen. PARISH COLLECTIONS Tullamore €2440; Durrow €144; Envelopes €3108 Thank you for your continued support PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHIONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22ND AUG 1996. COMMUNITY NOTICES PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION HOSPITAL CHAPEL: Can you sit an hour with the Lord. Tues 1-2pm, Fri 1-2pm & 5-6pm or any other hour? Ph: 0851162668. 1ST FRI DEVOTIONS TO THE UNITED HEART OF JESUS & MARY: Fri 2, Parish Centre. Rosary 6.15pm, Mass 7pm. All Welcome. HOLY HOUR FOR PREVENTION OF SUICIDE: Thurs 1, 6.30-7.30pm, Day Chapel. All welcome. MOTOR NEURON DISEASE RESEARCH: Church gate collection 3 & 4 Feb. All support is much appreciated. HISTORICAL SOCIETY AGM & LECTURE: Mon 29, 7.30pm, Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, followed by a lecture at 8.30pm on “The 50 Francis Street Photographer” by Suzanne Behan. TULLAMORE GARDEN CLUB: Meeting Wed 31, Charleville Centre. Speaker: Dermot Ward, Woodland Cottage Gdns, Birr. Contact Eileen 0579352312/0871375125. BALLINAMERE NATIONAL SCHOOL: are currently enrolling for September 2018. Contact 0579341687 for further details. UNDERSTANDING SELF-HARM SEMINAR: Central Hotel Tullamore. Wed 31, 7 – 9pm. Facilitated by: Josephine Rigney, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention. ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY IRELAND: Valentines Ball, Fundraising Black Tie Event. Sat 10, Tullamore Court Hotel. Tickets €10 from Tara Sweeny in Guy Clothing. HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: Final two places on the 17th Annual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land from Meath Diocese from Apr 16 – 24. Bookings with MAP Travel at 018783111. THE PRODUCERS - a Mel Brooks musical - presented by Birr Stage Guild, Thurs 1-Sat 3 Feb, Marian Hall Birr. Group rates available. Booking at www.birrtheatre.com or 0579122911. ARK OF DIVINE MERCY ATHLONE: Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Thurs 24 May. Cost €719. Contact Kathleen O’Connor/Paul Woods 0877828283 for more info. DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE: takes place New Grange Hotel Navan, Co. Meath, Sat 3, 11a.m-5p.m. Guest speaker Brenden Walsh. Contact Ann: 0858021382. MEDITATION: Mondays, 7-8pm, Parish Centre. All welcome. GROW: Wed 11am, Tullamore Library. Ph: 0864183805. TULLAMORE PHOENIX MARKET - supporting local charities - Sat 10am-3pm, Kilcruttin, beside Food Market. Ph 0879050910. |