WHAT ARE OUR HEARTS FILLED WITH?
The psalmist says that “when the Lord delivered them from bondage their hearts were filled with laughter”. Like Israel of old we can say “deliver us O Lord from our bondage”. He alone can do it. But He needs hearts that are open, who know what they are capable of without Him, and who are willing to be delivered by Him.
This is also John the Baptist’s message in the Gospel. If we do the above, what it brings about is in the last line “... And all humankind shall see the salvation of God”.
If others, who don’t know there is a God who saves, see joy in humble and compassionate hearts, “hearts filled with laughter” as the psalm says, then they too may desire to put their trust and hope in Jesus. Jesus, who as vulnerable baby, gracious man, and suffering servant, shows to all, the true face of the God of our Salvation.
The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary.
ADVENT SEASON
This year it will not be possible to incorporate a Penitential Service at all Masses on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. This is due to the difficulty of getting sufficent priests to help out in hearing Confessions on the day. As an alternative, we have arranged to hold Penitential Services within Mass in Tullamore Church from Monday 14th-Wednesday 16th at 7.30pm. Mass with Penitential Service will be held in Durrow Church on Friday 18th at 8.00pm. Reconciliation through the Sacrament of Penance is in integral part of preparation for Christmas, and we invite everybody to come to one of our Masses on these dates. A number of visiting priests will be available to hear Confessions at all our Penitential Services.
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Again we encourage families to give symbols of Christmas a prominent place in their homes. Cribs and candles are available in our Religious Goods shop in the Parish Centre. This shop is open after all Masses this weekend. We regret that it was not open after 10.00am Mass last Sunday.
Evening Prayer Sundays 5.30pm, Church of the Assumption.
Early Weekday Mass at 7.30am.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Next Tuesday, 8th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Masses are as follows:
Vigil Mon 7.30pm; 7.30am, 10.00am, 1.10pm & 7.30pm. Durrow 8.00pm.
LITURGY GROUP
Meeting Tuesday 8th, 5.30pm, Parish Centre.
PARISH WEBSITE
Bulletin on line at www.tullamoreparish.ie
DODATEK POLSKI
Nastepna Msza Swieta odprawiana w j. polskim odbedzie sie 27/12/09 o godz. 14:30.
Zapraszamy na Wigilie Polakow diecezji Meath , ktora odbedzie sie 20/12/09 o godz. 17:00 w kosciele w Navan. Koszt udziału to 9 euro dorosli i 4 euro dzieci. Zapisy do 13/12/09 pod nr tel.ks. Janusz 0879538786.
Spowiedz przedswiateczna odbedzie sie w poniedzialek 21/12/09 w godz. 19:45- 20:45
TROCAIRE APPEAL
Christmas might be understood as a celebration of the love Joseph and Mary showed Jesus during his infancy and childhood. It is this care that all parents/guardians want to show to children in their family. Imagine the joy then that Lina and John Mario Peralta from rural Colombia feel as they feed the chickens they received through Global Gift. The family lives in a conflict-torn area and struggled for years to survive. Now the children have a healthier diet and their father, John, breeds chickens to sell the eggs for income. This year for €15 you can help families in East Africa provide for their children by buying the gift of chicks. To order your gift log onto
www.trocaire.org/globalgift or call 1850 408 408
PARISH CENTRE
Parish Office open Monday-Friday, 9.30am-1pm; 1.30-5pm, for booking Masses, Weddings, Baptisms, Certs, etc.
Reception service available 5-9pm.
Parish Shop selling a selection of religious items, Mon-Sat, 10.30am-1pm.
Teas after 10.00 Mass Mon, Wed & Fri.
Priest available for emergencies 24 hours a day.
MASS INTENTIONS
Mon 7: 7.30 Nancy Lloyd, 192 Arden View
10.00 Colm McMahon
7.30pm Shannie, Maureen, Attracta & Eithne Brady, Church St
Tues 8 7.30 Christy Doyle
10.00 Martin & Mary Mannion
1.10 Chris, Paddy & Noeleen Bracken, 12 Park Ave
7.30pm Des Hensey
Wed 9: 7.30 May Mangan, Harbour St
10.00 Paddy O’Reilly, Pearse Park
Thurs 10: 7.30 John, Kathleen, Margaret, Joe & Johnny Hand, Cartron West
10.00 John Kelly & daughter Ann
Fri 11: 7.30 Thomas Wrafter
10.00 Thomas Hensey, 41 O’Molloy St
Sat 12: 10.00 Billy Adams, Roselawn
7.30 Millie Bryan, Mon Mem
Sun 13: 8.30 John Carroll, Mon Mem
10.00 Ed Williams, Clonminch Rd
11.30 Bridie Geoghegan, 1st Ann & Mick Geoghegan, Clontarf Rd
1.00 Mary Tilley, Clonminch Rd, 1st Ann
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Durrow: Tues 8 (8pm)Jane O’Connor, Kildangan, 1st Ann
Fri 11 (8pm) Brendan Minnock, Mon Mem
Sun 13 Liam Walsh, Tinnycross
DEATHS: We offer our sympathy to the families of Mary Sullivan & Sr Frances Hayes. If you would like support or comfort in your grieving please phone 9326604.
SHARED MASSES: The shared Masses on Sat Dec 19; Jan 23 & Feb 20 are booked up. The next available one is on Mar 20th.
As there is such a demand for Shared Masses, please do not book your loved ones in for these Masses if you have already arranged an individual Mass for them in either Tullamore, Durrow or Hospital Chapel and the intentions are to be for the anniversary of deaths only.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Tullamore €4178; Durrow €262
Envelopes: €2295
Thank you for your continued support.
COMMUNITY GROUPS
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PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Hospital Chapel: “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, is the best time you will spend on earth”, Mother Teresa. Hours available. Ph 9321232.
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MEATH DIOCESAN CHOIR CAROL CONCERT Church of the Assumption, Wed 9, 8.15pm. Also featuring choir from St Philomena’s & Ballinamere NS. Proceeds in aid of Midland Mission Support Group Project in Zambia.
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ICA: Christmas party, Wed 9, 8pm, Pitch & Putt Club.
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SET DANCING CLASS: Christmas Party, Thurs 10, 8pm, Pitch & Putt Club. All welcome to come along and dance a few sets.
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OFFALY FRIENDS OF SIMON: Markets on Fri 11, Sat 12 & Sat 19. Ph Phil 0877625463.
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JUNIOR CHAMBER NEEDS YOUR HELP! Young people in their 20’s & 30’s, invited to a meeting, Thurs 10, Bridge House, 8pm, to discuss ways of helping those affected by flooding. Ph 0870535077 or www.jci-ireland.org
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT PARENTS FIRST: Parents/grandparents wanted to pass on their knowledge. Ph Dolores/Mary 9322996 or 0861959221 (9.15am-2.30pm, Mon-Fri).
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TULLAMORE COLLEGE ANNUAL SCHOOL BAZAAR Fri 11, 8pm, College Gym. Prizes galore. All welcome.
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READY: Christmas Dinner Dance Tues 8, Bridge House. To book ph 9341235.
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TARA: Dinner Dance, Court Hotel, Tues 15, 6.30pm. Non-members €32.50; members €20. Ph Mary 9323978.
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QUEEN OF PEACE GROUP: Monthly Mass for Healing & Peace, Thurs 10, 7.30pm, Day Chapel.
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COOKERY DEMONSTRATION by Jim Corbett, Thurs 10, Bridge House, 7.30pm. Proceeds towards Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service.
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“GREASE”, SHS, Wed 9-Fri 11, 8pm. Bookings Bridge Centre or ph 9321747, 11am.