Parish of the Assumption

Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510
www.tullamoreparish.ie 
E-mail Parish Secretary:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

4th Sunday of Easter ~ 22nd April 2018

Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P
Rt Rev Sean Heaney CC VG
Fr. Shane Crombie C.C.
Fr Kevin Fleming SSC
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: 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.

ARE YOU A GOOD SHEPHERD?

Peter, in the first reading, reminds us that there is no salvation in anyone other than Jesus our saviour. John then develops this by telling us that by our baptism we inherited the free gift of becoming a true disciple of Jesus which is further elaborated in the gospel. Jesus the “good shepherd” is not just the one who is tenderly looking after the wounded sheep but rather He is the fighter and progressive activist who at the cost of His own life, confronts anyone who endangers His flock.

Today, we are challenged to cultivate the heart of a “true shepherd”. Here we encounter the unconditional love, kindness and caring nature of Jesus. If we have a heart similar to Jesus we will not count the cost of our actions as it is only by loving and caring as Christ did that we will grow like Him.

The concern of a “good shepherd” for his sheep is central to his job. Jesus reminds us that the actions of a “good shepherd” are based upon caring relationships and this is at the very heart of the difference between the “good shepherd” and the one that is hired. The “good shepherd” will always act out of love and love is never a job; love in action is a central and integral part of the essential nature of a “good shepherd”. Our baptism and confirmation have bestowed on each of us the responsibility of living the message of the Risen Lord in our lives as modern good shepherds. 

VOCATIONS SUNDAY

Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the Lord for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life?

Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead. 

Keep our parish priests in your prayers throughout the week. 

Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister. 

Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call. 

There will be a collection taken up today at all Masses for Vocations in the Diocese.

CONFIRMATION

We extend our congratulations to the young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in our parish. 

This is a special time and we pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will find a welcome home in them and guide and strengthen them throughout their lives. 

We acknowledge the great work of so many people in preparing our young for this sacrament and in their faith development. We appreciate the commitment of our teachers and schools for their support and professionalism and we acknowledge the central work of parents in handing on the faith to their children. We remember to pray for our young people and it is the responsibility and the privilege of the entire Christian Community to share the gift of faith with the next generation. 

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL

John 10:11-18

Our relationship with those ‘in charge’ of us changes when we sense that not only are they in charge, but they care. Remember the difference that made for you as a child, and give thanks for the caring adults who were part of your life.

The good shepherd ‘lays down his life for the sheep’. When has your care for another led you to ‘lay down your life’ for that person, e.g. as a friend, parent, spouse, son or daughter? When you have known another to do this for you?

Jesus speaks of the freedom of the Good Shepherd in laying down his life. Faced with the needs of others, we can at times feel trapped into looking after them, caught by duty, obligation, or guilt. We can become like the hired hands doing a job without care for the person. Perhaps you have experienced both attitudes, caring for others under duress and caring by your free choice. What difference did it make when you chose to care for the other, even in circumstances where you had little option?

What do these experiences of love and care in human relationships reveal to you about God’s love for you?

(John Byrne, OSA, Intercom April 2018)

ROSARY FOR LIFE

The Rosary for life is offered every Monday evening at 6.30pm for the preservation of the 8th Amendment. Please join your prayers with this intention.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

The next available Baptism dates are Sat 19th May, Sat 26th May & Sun 16th June in Tullamore & Sat 10th Jun in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these dates is on Wed 16th May.

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 23    10.00  Nella & Tony Dillon

Tues 24   10.00  Jim & May Kirwan, Clontarf Rd

Wed 25    10.00 John Duffy

Sat 28       6.30  Ann White, 1st Ann, Pearse Park

Sun 29      8.30  Margaret (Peg) Brazil & Family, Ballydaly

              11.30  Michael Connolly, 1st Ann

                       Ann Kelly, 1st Ann, Marian Place

               1.00 Michael George O Loughlin, 1st Ann

Shared Mass, Sat 28, 10am: Suzanne Heffernan; Buckley Family, Cathy & Denis Morris; Matthew & Patrick Conway; Michael & Kay Hannon; Michael Halpin; John, Annie, Kevin & John Paul Browne, Hill & Newman Families; John & Mary Moriarity & Sean Dooley; Brigid McDonagh & babies Thomas & Helen; Daniel & Kathleen Hayden; Matthew, Elizabeth, Lelia & Tom Gallagher; Mary & Christy Gavin; Tom & Phyl Gilson; Winifred, Christopher & Catherine Kilroe & Family; Dermot, Philomena, Geraldine & Donal Flanagan, Kathleen, Eddie, Frances & Patrick Lee, Paddy & Teresa Hayes; Liam O’Reilly; Fr. John Dwyer; Tom, Rose, Con & Charlotte O’Brien; Thomas & Maureen Glynn; John & Christina Kavanagh.

Durrow, Sun 29, 11.30am: Kathleen McDonald, 1st Ann.

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the families of John Lawlor, Peter Daly, Jim Murray, Mary Moran, Peggy Flanagan & Bridget Ward.

PARISH COLLECTION

Tullamore €3310; Durrow €169; 

Envelopes €2145;

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: Thurs Midnight-1am, Sat 2-3pm Sat Midnight – 1am or any other hour? Ph: 0851162668.

EXPERIENCE GENTLE DANCES/MOVEMENTS FOR MEDITATION & WELLBEING: Thurs 26, 7.15-8.45pm, Parish Centre. Donation of €5 towards Parish Funds.

PADRE PIO MASS: Tues 24, 7.30pm. All Welcome.

COFFEE MORNING FOR COELIACS: The Foxy Bean, Sat 28, 10.30am. Tel: 0872563439.

"THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN" presented by TADS, Sacred Heart School, Tues 24- Fri 27, 8pm.  Adm €15 & €12.

TULLAMORE TIDY TOWNS CLEANUPATHON: Annual Spring Clean, Sat 28 – Meet up in O'Connor Square, 10.30am. 

IRISH MIDLANDS YOUTH ORCHESTRA with Scoil Mhuire Choir presents an evening of music, Tullamore Court Hotel  Sun May 6, 7pm. Tickets €10 from Scoil Mhuire /Court Hotel.

OFFALY HOSPICE FOUNDATION annual public meeting Mon 30, 8pm, Tullamore Court Hotel.  

BPW CLUB MEETING: "Understanding Dementia". Wed 25, 8pm, Bridge House. All welcome. Admission Free.

GARDENING CLUB Outing to Woodlands Garden, Birr, Wed 25. Depart from O’Connor Sq 3pm. Contact Eileen 0871375125.

TULLAMORE LIBRARY: All Ireland Poetry day, Thurs 26. Wordsmiths Creative writing group host an Open Mic session 6.30-7.45pm.  All welcome.

BTTC: Free Computer classes, Parish Centre. Tues 25, 10-12pm. Call 0579353177/53441 to book.

APOSTOLATE OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Annual pilgrimage to Knock, Sun 29, 11am. Mass 3pm. Bus 8.30am, Parochial House - book with P.J 0876386270. More details at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

C.N.G PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK: Sat 5 May. All Welcome. Contact A. Boland 0877914828.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 12-17 Sept led by Bishop Smith. 5 nights full board, taxes & insurance €749. Hospital pilgrims ph: 0877914828.

CATHOLIC BIBLE TEACHING AND HEALING BY JOHNSON: May 8, 10am-5pm. Contact Patrick 0863740040.

OFFALY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICES: Helpline number 0579351886