Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 Feast of the Holy Family ~ 29th December 2019 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. POPE FRANCIS - MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE 1st JANUARY Pope Francis' Message for the 53rd World Day of Peace describes peace as a journey of hope to be undertaken in a spirit of dialogue, reconciliation and ecological conversion. Hope keeps us moving forward Describing peace as "a great and precious value, the object of our hope and the aspiration of the entire human family", Pope Francis says it is a goal towards which to strive in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Artisans of peace In the final part of the Message Pope Francis reminds us that peace is something that must be built up continually, and that it is a journey to be made together in constant pursuit of the common good. "The world does not need empty words but convinced witnesses, peacemakers who are open to a dialogue that rejects exclusion or manipulation," he says. In fact, he elaborates, "we cannot truly achieve peace without a convinced dialogue between men and women who seek the truth beyond ideologies and differing opinions," to the point even of "seeing in an enemy the face of a brother or sister." The peace process, he explains, requires patience, commitment and creativity. It must be built, step by step, opening the way to a shared hope that is stronger than the desire for vengeance. We obtain all that we hope for In the last chapter of his Message, the Pope says "The journey of reconciliation calls for patience and trust. Peace will not be obtained unless it is hoped for." "The grace of God our Father," Pope Francis concludes, "is bestowed as unconditional love. Having received His forgiveness in Christ, we can set out to offer that peace to the men and women of our time. Day by day, the Holy Spirit prompts in us ways of thinking and speaking that can make us artisans of justice and peace". MASS INTENTIONS Mon 30 10.00 Marcus Byrne, (1st. Ann.) & Mary Byrne 32 O'Molloy St. Tue 31 10.00 Kathleen Cassidy Thu 02 10.00 James Wyer, Ballykeenahan Sat 04 10.00 Lar & Mary Byrne, O'Brien St Sat 04 06.30 William Leneghan, (Mon Mem), Michelle Kavanagh, (1st Ann.) Sun 05 08.30 Paddy & Molly Dunne & Maureen Halewood Sun 05 10.00 Michael & Annie Feery, Marian Place 1 Sun 05 11.30 David Kane, (Mon Mem), Chris Cuskelly, (1st Ann.) Sun 05 01.00 Mary Ellen Cowley, (Mon Mem), Sheila Flynn, Ballykilmurray, (Mon Mem.) Durrow Sun 5th, 11.30 Julia Weir; DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Kathleen Noonan-Greene, Bob Passchier, Gertie Hoey, Kathleen Walsh, Ann Tobin. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22nd AUGUST, 1996 MASSES FOR NEXT WEEK Monday 30 ,Tuesday 31 & Wednesday 1 10.00am only. Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd 7.45am & 1.00am. FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY Monday 6th January is the Feast of the Epiphany. Masses will be in Tullamore at 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm & 6.30pm. There will be no Vigil Mass. CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE THANKS The parish wishes to thank everyone who participated in and supported our Carol Service earlier in December. The amount raised was €5850 which will go directly towards the continued reduction of our parish debt. TULLAMORE PARISH SUPPORT SERVICES Thank you to all who supported and helped with our recent church gate collection. The amount raised was €1831. This will go towards the cost of running the listening service for bereavement in the parish. DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Kathleen Noonan-Greene, Bob Passchier, Gertie Hoey, Kathleen Walsh, Ann Tobin. BAPTISMS Welcome to God's family Alis Mary Begley who was baptised recently. The next available Baptism dates are Sat 18th, Sat 25th Jan & Sun 2nd Feb in Tullamore & Sun 9th Feb in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these dates is on Wed 15th Jan. To book in for the meeting and baptisms, contact the Parish Secretary, at the Parish Office, Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm. DISPLACED 'One of the unsettling things about my journey, mentally, physically, and emotionally, was that I wasn't sure when or where it was going to end.' (from A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah) We like to imagine, sometimes, what the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph were like. What was their daily routine? How did they eat, work and pray together? There are very few details in the Gospels about Jesus' early years, other than the accounts of his birth and one story detailing the time he went missing in Jerusalem and was found in the Temple. But in today's Gospel we get an insight into some of the early challenges faced by this little family. While Jesus was still small, Joseph was urged in a dream to escape with the family to Egypt as Jesus' life was under threat. Can you imagine what that experience was like for them - leaving their home and fleeing to another country, not knowing when, or if, it would be safe to return home? Sadly, millions of people in our world do not have to imagine this type of experience - they live it every day. Like many others, the Holy Family were, for some time, forced to leave their home country due to persecution - this is the very definition of a refugee or displaced person. This painful human experience was at the very heart of the family experience of Jesus himself. Later in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tells us that when we welcome strangers, we welcome Jesus himself. Compassion and welcome for strangers, particularly those who are vulnerable, was a key element of Jesus' life and ministry. It should be central to ours, too. Triona Doherty, Intercom December 20189 SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS (Mt 2:13-15,19-23) The threat to the child Jesus put Joseph in a situation where he had to make a quick yet wise decision. Perhaps you have also had to make a speedy response to an unexpected crisis. Who were the 'angels' who guided you to wise decisions? Remember them and give thanks. The whole narrative is designed to bring out the guidance of God's providence for the child Jesus. Have there been times when you have been grateful that things worked out well for you despite adverse circumstances or experiences? External forces imposed migration on Joseph and his family, until he came to establish a home in Nazareth. Where have you lived before coming to the place you now call home? How has this journey helped to fashion the person you are now? Perhaps you have a mixture of gratitude and regrets as you lookback. Give thanks for the good memories. What helps you to deal with the disappointments and hurts in the past? Bring them to God with a prayer for further healing. The story and today's feast remind us of the importance of the family in nourishing and fostering new life. Recall and give thanks for those in your own childhood who helped you to find your way in life. John Byrne osa, Intercom December 2019 2020 WE WISH ALL OUR PARISHIONERS A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR
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