GIFTS

A gift can be a present from one person to another.  But the greatest gifts of all are miraculously bestowed.  They come from God and always from God.

Today's Readings outline such gifts as those of "Life", "Purpose", "Love", "Understanding", "Tongues", "Obedience", "Acceptance of Ordinary People" and finally the gift of eternal life in the presence of God which we can look forward to by holding on to the wonderful gift of all "Faith".

Community Activities

Parish Pilgrimage to Fatima with spiritual director Fr John Nally, 7-14 May.  Enquiries to Kilbride Travel, 51309.
St Mary's Youth & Community Centre: Tues Jnr Club (10-12yrs) 5-7pm, post primary club 7-9pm; Thurs Jnr Club (7-9yrs) 5-7pm, post primary club 7-9pm.  School boy/girl soccer & camogie leagues for 5th & 6th classes - entries by Fri 23.
1st Offaly Cubs resume Tues 20, 7pm, Scouts Den.  New members welcome.
Apostolic Work Society: Church gate collection Sat 24/Sun 25.
Retirement Presentation to Vincent Ryan, Principal Durrow NS, Sat 24, 7pm.  Enquiries to 32433/0872547138.
Padre Pio Group Mass Tues 20, 8pm, Church of the Assumption.  All welcome.
Astronomical Society: Talk followed by observation, Mon 19, 8pm, Order of Malta Rooms, Tanyard.  All welcome.
Beekeepers' Assoc: Meeting Mon 19, Teagasc, 8pm, with talk by Michael Woulfe, "Marketing & Sale of Honey".
Gramophone Society presents the Arum Chamber Ensemble, Mon 19, Bridge House, 8pm.  Adm €10.
Life Pregnancy Care: Meeting Wed 21, 8pm, Care Centre, Cormac St.  New members welcome.
Dochas - Cancer Support Centre: Volunteers wanted.  Training given.  Ph 28268.
Found: Gents watch, Clara Rd, Mon 12.  Contact Parochial House.  Small sum money, Bridge St.  Ph 41569.
Lecture ‘Treasures Boyne Valley', Thurs 22, 8.15pm, OHAS, Bury Quay.
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;
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 28268;
Suicide Bereavement Support 086-8157320;
Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, Mon 8-10.30pm. 1800323232; Grow Thurs 7.30pm Day Care Arden Rd, 51124;
Aware Mon 8.45pm Community Mental Health Centre 1890303302;
Women in Crisis Ozanam House, Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, 51886;
Life Pregnancy Care 7B Cormac St Sat 12-3pm 1850281281;
Fibromyalgia Group: Last Tues of month, 8pm, Day Care Centre. 22420;
Anew - support group for women with alcohol problems, Wed 8pm, Ofalia House Edenderry, 086-1024743.

Bulletin notices must be handed in to the Parochial House by Wednesday lunch time.  Late notices will be omitted.  Only community-based, non-profit making activities can be included.

Young Readers for Family Mass: Commissioning ceremony for those who were trained last November, at 10.00am Family Mass, Sunday 25th.  Thank you for your generous support.

New Ministers of the Word (Readers) Wanted: If you wish to volunteer as reader at a weekend Mass, please leave name, address and phone no to Parochial House or Sacristy.

Ministry Night for Ministers of the Word, Family Mass Team & Church Environment Group Monday 26th, 8pm, Day Chapel.  Second night for Ministers of the Eucharist to be held some time in February.

Parish Welcome Booklet for new homes: Volunteers are being sought to call to the new homes to distribute the booklet.  A planning meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st at 8.00pm in the Parochial House.  All interested in helping are welcome.

Following Christ Today - a series of ecumenical talks on ministry experiences organised by the four churches in Tullamore.  Commences Tuesday 27th at 8.00pm in the Day Chapel.  The first speaker is Methodist Minister Rev Noel Fallows from Mountmellick and his topic is "Working with Asylum Seekers".  The programme will run for four Tuesdays and will include women and men speakers from the Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic Churches.  All welcome.

Scoil Bhride Confirmation Commitment Ceremony: Thursday 22nd at 8.00pm in the Day Chapel.

Praying with Scriptures (Lectio Divina) Tuesdays, 7-8pm, Church of the Assumption.

Mass Intentions: Mon 19: 7.45 Maeve Slattery & parents. Tues 20: 7.45 Anne & Frank Dunne, Marian Place.  Wed 21: 10.00 John O'Toole, Pearse Park. 
Thurs 22: 10.00 James Jennette.  Fri 23:  10.00 Ned Grennan, Loughaun. 
Sat 24: 7.45 May Owens, Spollenstown. 7.00 Margaret Dunne.  1st Ann.  8.30 Ellen O'Shea, Clontarf Rd.  Mon Mem.  Sun 25: 8.30 Jack Mooney.  10.00 Margaret Carroll, Canal Line. 11.30 John Hogan.  1st Ann. 

Durrow: Sun 18 John McEvoy, Doorey.  Sun 25 Thomas Sullivan, Ballybought.

Shared Mass Sat 24 10am: Michael Byrne; Joseph & Mary Anne Feery & Family, O'Molloy St; Ann Pidgeon, Ballydaly; William Walsh, Ballydaly; Bernard, John & Paddy Ward; Dan Kelly, Ballydaly; O'Shaughnessy Family, Ballydaly; Catherine & Joseph Cahill; Robert Kelly, O'Moore St; James & Annie Kilroe, Coniker & Christopher O'Brien Callary St; Michael Finn; Byrne Family; Thomas, Catherine & Desmond Murphy, Harbour St; Colbert Family; Mary Butler, Dillon St; Kathleen & Patrick Grogan, 35 Marian Place; Ennis Family, Clara Rd; Owen & Patricia Wyer, Church St; Brigid Skehan; Tom Brennan, Rahan Rd; Anne Ryan Snr; James Ryan; Christy Ryan; Anne Ryan Jnr; Ernest & Mary Cullen, Clontarf Rd; John, Josephine & Elizabeth Hayes & Mary Cuskelly, 129 Kilbride St; John Baggott.

Deaths: We offer our sympathy to the families of Maisie Connolly, 35 Clontarf Rd; Patrick O'Brien, Derrygolan; Michael Gorman, 42 O'Molloy St.
If you would like support in your grieving, now or in the future, please ring 26604.

Baptisms: Welcome to the parish community Aimee Nicole Gleeson, Coolnahiley. The pre-Baptism meetings for February are on Wednesday 28th Jan & Wednesday 18th Feb at 8.30pm in the Parochial House.  All parents who wish to have their child baptised in February must attend a meeting.  Contact Parish Secretary for details.

Collections: Plate: Tullamore €4366; Durrow €223.  Envelopes: €2315.
 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

Contentment consists not in great wealth, but in few needs. - Epictetus