Looking in the Wrong Places?
We're programmed for happiness, so want money, power, esteem, acclaim, thinking any or all of these will make us happy. Jesus understands that drive very well - that's what tempted Him in the desert.
Out of love Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, that we're looking in the wrong place. Happiness or "blessedness" comes, not through things, but through who we are inside - our attitudes, how we relate to others. Have we trust and dependence on God, and respect and compassion for others?
This is not easy, so we need to ask Jesus to help us do as He did. Seeing that He loved us to the death, He is not going to refuse us that help. He wants our happiness.

Community Activities
 St Mary's Youth & Community Centre: Mon Sub-committee meeting 6.30pm, Board meeting 7pm; Tues Club (10-12yrs) 5-7pm, post primary 7-9pm; Thurs Club (7-9yrs) 5-7pm, post primary 7-9pm.
Pioneers: Those eligible for gold/silver & Fr Cullen emblems ph 21313. Social Fri 27, Bridge House, 9pm. Tickets ph 21313.
Legion of Mary: Rosary, Fri 13, Alfie Lambe House, 8.15pm. All welcome. Scripture for Daily Living: Thurs 19, 11am, Marian Hostel. Mk 14:32-42. Camogie Club: Registration Tues 17/Thurs 19, 7pm, GAA Committee rooms. Beekeepers' Assoc: Meeting + talk 'Minimizing Adult Bee Diseases', Mon 16, 8pm, Teagasc.
Astronomical Society: Talk, "Dark Matter", Mon 16, followed by observation, 8pm, Order of Malta Rooms, Tanyard. All welcome.
1st Offaly Cubs: Enrolment Tues 17, 7pm, Scouts Den, Pearse Park. Ph 41466 Cystic Fibrosis: Thanks to all who supported recent church gate collection.
Tara: Holiday to Waterford, 4 Apr. Non members welcome. Ph Mary 23978. Childminder Development Grants: Launch, Thurs 19, 7-9pm, Moorhill House. All childminders welcome. Ph 050935878 for details.
CCE Traditional Music Workshop: Sat 21, St Philomena's NS. Ph 41926. Oncology Unit: €1140 donated in lieu of flowers to family of late Michael Grennan and donated to oncology unit General Hospital. Thanks to all.
Scoil Mhuire Parent's Assoc: Table Quiz, Court Hotel, Thurs 26, 8pm. €20. Pilgrimages: Lourdes 18 Aug, 5 nights. Ph 51309. Medjugorje 4-11 Oct. Ph Anne 51090/085-7236680.
Lost: Bunch car keys, town centre Tues3. Finder leave in Parochial House.
Co Kildare Orchestra concert, Rosemount Church, Sun 22, 8pm, in aid or Rosemount Church Restoration Fund. Adm €15.

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 28268;
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;
Breastfeeding Support Group 3rd Thurs, 8pm, Education Resource Centre Hospital. 0502-24317;
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.

Confirmation Night for Durrow Parents and Students: Monday 16th, 8.00pm, Day Chapel. All family members and friends welcome.
Child Protection Policy - meeting for groups working with children Wednesday 18th, 7.30pm, Parochial House. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the practical application of our policy guidelines. All groups who have any involvement with children are asked to send a representative.
Ecumenical Programme - Tuesday 8.00pm (Day Chapel): Speaker Rev Mary Hunter, (Presbyterian Church Rathgar) on "A 1st Century Church in a 21st Century World". All are welcome.
Eucharistic Ministers and Readers wanted for 6.15pm Masses during Lent. Please leave your name in Sacristy.
New Readers Training Course: Monday 1st March, 7.30pm, Parochial House; Monday 8th March, 7.30pm, Church of the Assumption.
Parish Welcome & Information Booklet to be published this week. Volunteers welcome to help with distribution. Please leave your name in Sacristy or Parochial House.
International Theologian and Environmentalist to speak in Tullamore. Columban Fr Sean McDonagh will speak on the environmental challenge to the world on Tuesday 25th, 8.00pm, Day Chapel. All are welcome.
Faith Friends originally planned to commence in March will now commence nearer the summer. Details later.

Mass Intentions:
Mon 16: 7.45 Ignatius Keegan, Thomas St. 10.00 Christy Martin & Keogh Family. Tues 17: 7.45 Molly Owens, Owens Family & Bridie Murphy. 10.00 William Keenan, Convent View.
Wed 18: 7.45 Bobby O'Connor, St Coleman's Tce. 10.00 Joe Flynn, Charleville View.
Thurs 19: 7.45 Richard & Joseph O'Neill, Adams Villas. 10.00 Sadie Lloyd.
Fri 20: 10.00 Joseph Mills.
Sat 21: 7.45 Lawlor Family, Kilbride St. 7.00 Sr Carmel McDonagh. Mon Mem. Sun 22: 8.30 James Harrington, Callary St. 10.00 Pierce and Kathleen Digan.

Durrow: Fri 20 John Bracken, Ballinamona. Mon Mem (8pm).
Sun 22 Richard Wallace, Coolnahiley.

Shared Mass Sat 21st 10am: John Grennan & Family, Aharney; Kathleen & Patrick Kavanagh & Patrick Curtis; Denis & Una McSweeney, New Rd; Annie Monahan, Pearse Park; Bernard, John & Paddy Ward; Thomas O'Toole, 62 Marian Place; Michael McDonagh, Kilcruttin; John Horan & Horan Family; Chris & Mick Quirke, Clara Rd; Elizabeth & Jim McLoughlin; Peg McKeon, Clonminch Rd; Eileen & Matt Horan, Collins Lane; Andrew Lowbridge, 66 Marian Place; Bessie Dowling; Sheila Egan, 1 Kilbride Park; Josephine Raleigh; Peg Murray, Ballyshannon; Frank Maher, Spollenstown; Tom & Mary Hassey, Marian Place & Ian Parnell; John Dowling, Rahan Rd & grandson Robert Brocklebank; Michael Hennigan; Joseph & Mary Dwyer, Callary St; Peter & Annie Waters, Aharney; Patrick Bracken, Arden Rd; John & Mary Robbins, Healy St; Ian & Joe Farrelly & Farrelly Family.

Deaths: We offer our sympathy to the families of Angela Rigney, late O'Brien St & St Coleman's Tce; Mary Gilligan, late Pearse Park, died in Castlebar; Baby Ellie Rose Fenlon 222 Arden View; Liam Johnson, Daingean Rd. If you would like support in your grieving, now or in the future, please ring 26604.
Baptisms: The pre-Baptism meetings for March are Wednesday 3rd & Wed 17th Mar at 8.30pm in the Parochial House. All parents who wish to have their child baptised in March must attend a meeting. Contact Parish Secretary for details. Collections: Plate: Tullamore €4445; Durrow €236. Envelopes: €5928.
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

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.