
Parish of the Assumption
Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 www.tullamoreparish.ie E-mail Parish Secretary:
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1st Sunday of Advent ~ 1st December 2019
Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P Rt Rev Sean Heaney CC VG Fr Kevin Fleming SSC Fr. Luke Ohiemi C.C. Fr. Fergal Cummins C.C. Sr. Genny Hassey Sr. Margaret Burke
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:
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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.
ADVENT – COMING NEAR
Today, the season of Advent begins. It is the start of a new church year and a season of waiting for something that is coming near. Do we know what is coming near?
For some time now, advertisements have appeared in our newspapers, on radio and on TV to remind us of what is coming near. We are urged to book our office party, to plan and prepare for our festivities, to buy our presents in good time, to write early to Santa, and even to arrange holidays abroad to escape from Christmas. Is that what is coming near? Is that what we are waiting for? Is it all about an annual “big bang” of commercialism and consumerism? For some, it may very well be just that.
Today’s readings help us to focus on the real meaning of Advent and Christmas. There is talk of going up to “the mountain of the Lord”, of living “decently as people do in the daytime”, and of letting our “armor be the Lord Jesus Christ”. The Gospel advises us to “stay awake, because you do not know the day your master is coming”.
Advent means “the coming near.” We are faced with the coming near of salvation. For us, Christ is not simply a person out of the past. He is the Lord, who returns today. “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again”- in glory at the end of time. Are you preparing for Him? Will you be ready when he comes?
EVENING PRAYER FOR ADVENT
The Evening Prayer for Advent starts this evening at 5.30pm in the Church of the Assumption. All are welcome.
DO THIS IN MEMORY
Saturday December 7th 6.30pm St. Joseph's
Sunday December 8th 10.00am Ballinamere/Gaelscoil
Sunday December 8th 11.30am Scoil Bhride/Scoil Mhuire & Parish School
Sunday December 8th 11.30am Durrow
SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL
The ‘coming of the Son of Man’ can be applied to the end of the world, to the moment of death, or to any moment of grace. We are not given advance notice as to when any of these will happen, so the message is to be alert and ready. When you have found that your alertness meant that you were able to receive an unexpected grace (e.g. take an opportunity which presented itself, or respond to a hint from another person that you might easily have missed, etc.)?
One of the enemies of alert living is constant busyness. Have you ever found that being caught up in your own agenda makes you less sensitive to what is happening around you? Recall times when you paused in your relentless busyness and were rewarded by a significant interchange with another person, a moment of grace.
You probably know the difference between being ready for a visitor and the unannounced caller who catches you unprepared. Let the memory of the discomfort of being caught off guard spur you on to a constant readiness for the coming of the Lord.
John Byrne OSA
Intercom December 2019
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Parish Pastoral Council met on 21st November. A member from the junior pastoral council spoke with the group and there was discussion about young people, their faith and their involvement in the life of the parish. There was also a discussion about faith practice and ways that we can communicate better with the people of the parish and with those who are no longer active members and those who no longer find faith and church is part of their lives. The Parish Pastoral Council will engage in a process to identify ways of evangelization and enriching the faith.
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
Our Annual Christmas Carol Service, featuring Parish and School choirs, will take place this evening at 7.00pm in The Church of the Assumption.
MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION AND READERS
We invite all Ministers of Holy Communion and all readers to a holy hour after vigil mass on Saturday 14th December.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The next available Baptism dates are Sat 21st Dec & Sun 5th Jan In Tullamore & Sun 12th Dec in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these dates is on Wed 18th December.
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 counselling.
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 2 7.45 Rody Larkin, William St.
10.00 Margaret Coyne
Tue 3 7.45 Rody & Mary Kate Heffernan, Ballydaly
10.00 Stan & Mona Wrafter
Wed 4 7.45 Ann McKeon, Harbour St.
10.00 Michael & Mary Martin, Marian Place
Thu 5 7.45 Patricia & Michael Sullivan & Fr. Al Cunnane
10.00 Stella Cleary
Sat 7 10.00 Des Hensey, Davitt St.
6.30 Terry Morgan, Pearse Pk. 1st Ann
Tess Hand, Mon Mem
Sun 8 8.30 Annie Lynch
10.00 Alice Burke
11.30 Kathleen Buckley, Mon Mem
Maura Wrafter, 1st Ann
DEATHS
We offer our sympathy to the family of Joe Duggan
BAPTISMS
Welcome to God’s Family Grace Elsa Daly, Shane John Grehan & Mary Elizabeth Ward Mills who were baptised recently.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Plate €3124; Durrow €151; Envelopes €2169
Thank you for your continued support.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22nd AUGUST, 1996
COMMUNITY NOTICES
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION HOSPITAL CHAPEL: Tue 10.am; Sat. 9-10.am & 1-2pm; Sun. 1-2pm Ph. 085-1162668.
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE: 24th Oct 2020. Discount for bookings before 20th Dec. Ph Pat 0863192399, PJ 0868796190, Luke 0879113118
HOLY HOUR FOR PREVENTION OF SUICIDE: In Day Chapel, Thursday 5th December 6.30pm-7.30pm all welcome.
UNITED HEARTS & JESUS & MARY: First Friday Devotions 6th Dec, Mass 7pm, Day Chapel; Followed by Adoration & prayers in the Parish Centre. All welcome.
THERE WILL BE NO YOUTH 2000 on Thur 5th Dec. Final prayer meeting will be Thur 12th. We will resume in the New Year.
READY CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE: In Townhouse High St., Dec 8th, 8pm, €20.00. To book Ph. 057 93 41235.
THE STOMA SUPPORT GROUP MEETING: Tue 10th, 6.30-8.30pm Dóchas Centre. Ph. Anne 086 3074846. All welcome
TULLAMORE TRACTOR RUN CAKE SALE & RAFFLE: Fri 6th December in Bridge Centre, proceeds to DOCHAS.
ST. PHILOMENA’S CHRISTMAS RAFFLE: December 10th, in the school with lots of great prizes to be won. Please support.
MIDLANDS LIVING LINKS: Coffee morning in the Parish Centre, on Tuesday December 3rd after 10 o’clock Mass, All welcome.
DURROW P.A will host a Christmas Coffee Morning in Durrow Hall after 11.30 mass on Sunday 8th December, All welcome.
CEILI IN DURROW HALL: Tue 3rd Dec 8.00pm all proceeds towards Wheelchair Association. Ph. Martin 0868447495
SUICIDE AWARENESS TALK (organised by HSE), for Parents & Teenagers, Thurs 12, Durrow Hall, 8pm. All are welcome.
AGE ACTION: Require participants and volunteer tutors, free computer class, Tullamore library, ph 01 4756989
DEMENTIA WORKSHOP: Carers Offices, Market Square, Wed 4th, 11am-1pm, hoping to set up local Support Group.
PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND: Edenderry Parish, 24th April 2020, €815, pp, for information contact Piotr, 0866066123.
OFFALY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICES: Helpline 057 93 51886 for information to make an appointment
SEXUAL ABUSE AND RAPE CRISIS CENTRE: Confidential counselling service Helpline 1800 323232.
NIGHT VIGIL TO KNOCK: 7th Dec, Bus leaves Tullamore Sq. 7.30pm, seats must be booked €10 dep. ph Maura 0863344722
COLÁISTE CHOILM INDIA IMMERSION PROJECT: Clothing Collection 2 & 6 in aid of NCBI, drop clothes to school or SHS HOLYLAND PILGRIMAGE: 1st-9th June 2020, Fr. Mark English, 046 9068600,
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