Birthdays

Are birthdays important to you?  Do you feel joy when celebrating?  I hope so - we should enjoy birthdays, our own and other people's.  There is a birthday we are all invited to celebrate today - the birthday of the Church.

We celebrate the day on which the Church was born, when the Holy Spirit came down with power, authority and glory.  On that day the people of God were alight with the love of God burning in their hearts and the power of the Gospel on their lips.  Today, we have the same grace, the same gift of the Spirit, which is given to us through our life in the Church.

We humbly ask for a fresh outpouring, a new wave, a mighty anointing of God's Spirit on all people of good will.

Happy Birthday!

Parish Activities

Huge Parish Contribution to Trocaire this Lent:

This week the parish sent off a cheque for over  €51,700 to Trocaire which was collected over Lent.  This money will go directly to fund the work of Trocaire among people in poverty across the world, especially in Rwanda.  We want to thank all the people in the parish who have contributed to this magnificent amount.  It is a powerfully positive way of marking the season of Lent.  We especially want to thank the students in the primary schools who played a vital role in the distribution of the Trocaire boxes to the homes.

1st Friday Healing Mass:

Next Friday, June 4th, will see the last in this season's series of healing Masses over the nine 1st Fridays.  Immediately after the Mass Fr Gerry will invite people back to the Day Chapel for a cup of tea and a chat about how they found the series.  This is the second season where the nine 1st Fridays were marked in this way, and this year also saw the introduction of visiting presiders and healers.  The visit by Mr Eddie Stones in particular generated a huge response.  We would love to hear your views so that we can begin planning for the next season which will commence in October.

Meditation Sessions for 6th Class Students:

Well done to the pupils of 6th class in Scoil Mhuire who were the first group to do a new meditation programme in the Day Chapel.  The programme focuses on their leaving of primary school, and along with the meditation also includes small group discussion and a prayer service.  This coming week students from Scoil Bhride, Scoil Eoin Phoil II and  St Philomena's will participate.

PPC Meeting Refixed: 
 
The June PPC meeting has been put back a week in view of the interviews for the post of parish liturgist which will be on June 10th.  The PPC will meet that night to finalise a decision on the appointment and to look ahead to parish plans for the Autumn.

Praying With Scriptures (Lectio Divina)

continues Tuesday at 8.00pm, basement Parochial House.  All welcome.


 
Mass Intentions:

Mon 31: 7.45 Mary Dowling, Marian Place.  10.00 Decd members of parish (celebrant Fr Seamus Houlihan) 
Tues 1: 10.00 Laurence Hogan, Connolly Park. 
Wed 2: 10.00 Robert & Annie Kelly & children Robert, Thomas & Brigid.  Thurs 3: 7.45 Martina Mooney.  10.00 Michael Gallagher. 1st Ann.  Sat 5: 10.00 Angela Williams, Clonminch Rd. 7.00 Patrick Keogh, Pearse Park, 1st Ann & baby Amy Louise.  8.30 Michael Graham, Dillon St. 1st Ann. 
Sun 6: 8.30 Esther Farrington & Farrington Family. 10.00 Bob & Annie Vickers, Park Ave.  11.30 Amy Hope Power. Mon Mem.  1.00 Joseph McCarthy. Mon Mem.

Durrow: 
Sun 6 May Flanagan & parents, Durrow.

Next Shared Mass Sat 19th June

Deaths:

We offer our sympathy to the family of Patrick Dowd, late Arden Rd, died in Donegal.   If you would like support in your grieving, please ring 26604.
 

Baptisms:
Next pre-Baptism meetings - Wed 2nd &Wed 16th June at 8.30pm in the Parochial House.  All parents who wish to have their child baptised must attend a meeting.  Contact Parish Secretary for details.

Collections:
Tullamore €4065 Envelopes: €1961.
Trocaire €51721 

Thank you.

Sunday Mass Times:
Vigil: 7.00pm & 8.30pm. 
Sun: 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.00pm.  Durrow: 11.30am. 

Confessions:
Saturdays 12-1pm;3-4pm; 6.30-7pm; 7.45-8.15pm. 
Eve Holydays 6.30-7pm.  Eve 1st Fridays 12-1pm; 7.30-8pm.

Please continue to pray for Fiona Pender, our parishioner who has been missing since 22nd Aug '96

Community Activities

Secular Franciscans:
Meeting Tues 1, 7pm, Mercy Convent.  New members welcome.
Children of Mary:
Meeting Tues 1, 8pm.
Ready:
½ day outing to Banagher, Sun 30, from Day Care Centre, 3pm.
Corpus Christi Procession Committee:
Meeting Mon 31, 7pm, Parochial House. 
Corpus Christi Procession on Sun 13 June, 5pm - Store St, Harbour St, William St, Church St, Henry St, Harbour St, Store St.  Assemble Store St 4.30pm.
Garden Club:
Visit to Costello Garden Centre, Wed 2,from O'Connor Sq, 6pm.  Ph 52312/23284.
Meditation:
Mon, Marian Hostel, 7.45pm.
Sunflower Day
Sat 5 June.  Volunteers needed to help out.  Ph Dorinda 54887.
Citizenship Referendum:
Public information meeting Tues 1, Presbyterian Church Hall, High St, 8pm.  Ph Maire/Sal 23892 for details.  Before meeting, presentation to be made to Offaly Women in Crisis Group, proceeds from recent  coffee morning held by Amnesty Group in aid of 'stop violence against women'.
Business & Professional Women's Club:
Annual Dinner, Wed 2, 8pm, Court Hotel with guest speaker Niall Sweeney. Tickets €36.  Ph 41206.
Irish Cancer Society:
Church gate collection next weekend.
Knock: Pilgrimage with Mill Hill Fathers,
Sat 12, from Harbour St 9.30am.  Booking at Smollens Chapel St.
Medjugorje: Pilgrimage
4-11 Oct.  Ph Anne 51090/085-7236680.
Killeigh Comhaltas:
Sponsored walk, Sun 30, from Clonaslee community centre, 3pm, followed by music and refreshments.  All welcome. 

Parish Information & Support Services - Confidential Phone Line 26604: Monday to Friday 10.00am - 1.00pm; 6.00-8.00pm.

Support Services

Parish Information & Support Services - Confidential Phone Line 26604: Monday to Friday, 10.00am-1.00pm; 6.00-10.00pm.

ACCORD Marriage & Relationship counselling Mon-Fri 9.30am-1.30pm,  41831; 
Suicide Bereavement Support - group sessions for family members or friends - if interested ph Rita 086-8157320;
CIC Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm, 2-4pm, Sat 10-12 ,52204;
Epiplepsy Assoc Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm 28631; 
AA Mon, Thurs, Sat Mercy Convent 8.30pm;
Al-Anon Thurs 8.30pm, 17 Chapel St.  01-8732699;
Vincent De Paul 22072;
Dochas - Cancer Info & Support Drop in centre 12 Henry St, Mon/Wed/Fri 10.30am-12.30pm 28268y
Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, Mon 8-10.30pm. 1800323232;
Women in Crisis Ozanam House, Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, 51886;
Life Pregnancy Care 7B Cormac St Sat 12-3pm 0506-41110 or 1850 281281 9am to 9pm every day for the price of a local call 
Grow Thurs 7.30pm Day Care Arden Rd, 51124;
Aware Mon 8.45pm Community Mental Health Centre 1890303302;
Breastfeeding Support Group 3rd Thurs, 8pm, Education Resource Centre Hospital. 0502-24317;
Fibromyalgia Group: Last Tues of month, 8pm, Day Care Centre. Helpline 1800201068 Tues 10am-12 only;
Anew - support group for women with alcohol problems, Wed 8pm, Ofalia House Edenderry, 086-1024743
Mabs:
Free and confidental, phone 23211

Please continue to pray for Fiona Pender, our parishioner who has been missing since 22nd Aug ‘96

BULLETIN NOTICES TO BE IN BY
LUNCH TIME WEDNESDAY PLEASE