A Tale of Two Sons

Does God have favourites? The elder brother in the Gospel might have thought so, annoyed at the celebration on the return of his delinquent younger brother. He represented the Pharisee in us which resents God's generosity to those who do not reach their standards. He failed to see that He was quite at home with sinners. God saw his lost son a long way off and rushed out to welcome him. He welcomes us, not because of our achievements or lack of them, but because we belong to him, our father. There is hope for all who have sinned, we just have to reach out to our loving Father and say "I am sorry..."

Community Activities

Youth Centre: Tues Club 10-12 yrs 5-7pm, 1st & 2nd yrs 7-9pm; Thurs Club 7-9yrs 5-7pm, 1st & 2nd yrs 7-9pm; Sun 28 Talent Show Final, Bridge House.
Coffee Morning & Cake Sale in aid of Tullamore Amnesty Group, Sat 27, Presbyterian Church, High St, 10am-1pm.
ICA: Craft & Social Evening, Wed 25, 8pm, Day Care.
Business & Professional Women's Club: Meeting Wed 25, Moorhill House, 8.15pm, guest speaker head gardener from Kilkenny Castle gardens.
Qualified Counsellors wanted to work for ACCORD Marriage & relationship counselling service. Ph Michelle 41831, Mon-Fri 9.30am-1.30pm.
Padre Pio Mass Tues 23, 8pm, Church of the Assumption. All welcome.
Legion of Mary: Acies on Sun 28, Day Chapel, 3pm, followed by annual reunion in Unity Hall, 4pm approx. All active and auxiliary members to attend.
Fibromyalgia Helpline 1800201068, Tues 10am-12 only.
Tullamore GAA: U 6, 8 & 10 football training begins Sat 27, 11am; U 6, 8 & 10 hurling training begins Sun 28, 11am. Friends of Chernobyl Children: Host families wanted, end June/early July. Ph Audrey 087-9749038; Pat 086-8141606; Dara 44499.
Ready: Outing to Mountbolus Tues 23. Bus from Day Care 8.30pm.
Lost: Rosary beads in grey purse. Finder ph 21313.

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

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;
Women in Crisis Ozanam House, Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, 51886;
Life Pregnancy Care 7B Cormac St Sat 12-3pm 1850281281;
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, 22420
Anew - support group for women with alcohol problems, Wed 8pm, Ofalia House Edenderry, 086-1024743.

BULLETIN NOTICES TO BE IN BY LUNCH TIME WEDNESDAY

Parish Information Booklet for all Houses: The visitation teams bringing the booklet to new homes will have substantially completed their task in the next two weeks - some 600 of the 800 new homes have already been visited. We are now planning the next phase - bringing the booklet to all the other homes in the parish. If you would be willing to be part of a distribution team for your own area, please leave your name in the sacristy or Parochial House. A meeting to organise the distribution will be held on Wednesday 31st at 7.00pm in the Parochial House.

Parish Night for groups involved in apostolic or caring work this Monday night, 22nd at 8.00pm in the Day Chapel. If you are part of any such group and have not received a personal invitation, please feel free to come along.

Ecumenical Prayer Service in Presbyterian Church today, Sunday 21st, 5.30pm. All are welcome. A cup of tea will be available afterwards.

New Readers Microphone Practice Wednesday 24th, 7.00pm. Commissioning at 11.30am Mass on Sunday 28th.

Lectio Divina/Praying with Scriptures Tuesday, 8.00pm, Church of the Assumption. A good preparation for Lent especially for Holy Week.

Holy Week Leaflets & Reconciliation Prayer Cards are available for distribution in the homes next weekend. Volunteers needed.

All Night Adoration Vigil Mullingar Cathedral, Friday 26th, commencing 7.30pm with Mass - chief celebrant Bishop Smith. Special hour for Tullamore parish from 12.00 to 1.00am. All welcome especially Adoration people, Ministers of Eucharist & Word.

PPC meeting 1st Thursday of every month - next meeting April 1st, 8pm.

Mass Intentions: Mon 22: 7.45 Mary & Pat Quinn, 17 Marian Place. 10.00 Colbert Keeley, Davitt St. 6.15 Michael Scully & his parents Bridie & Michael, Clontarf Rd. Tues 23 : 10.00 Mary Camon & Sean Pender. 6.15 John Burke, 17 Clontarf Rd. Wed 24: 10.00 Joe Carroll, Ballyduff. 6.30 Rose Scully, Tinnycross. Thurs 25: 10.00 John Ward, Kilcruttin. 1st Ann. 6.15 Dolan Family, Meelaghans. Fri 26: 10.00 Margaret, Joseph, Lily, Joseph Jnr, Christy & Edward Grimes, Callary St. 6.15 Maisie Heffernan, Convent View. Sat 27: 7.45 Kathleen Cronly, 62 O'Molloy St. 10.00 James Bannon 66 Pearse Park. 7.00 James Larkin, Daingean Rd. Mon Mem. 8.30 Michael McArdle, 85 O'Molloy St. Sun 28: 8.30 Richard Geoghegan & daughter Finola, Convent View. 10.00 John & Bridget Bracken, Coolnahiley. 11.30 Mary Gallagher, 3 Callary St. Mon Mem.

Durrow: Fri 26 Patrick Mealiffe, Ballycallaghan. Sun 28 Michael & Mary Heagney, Ballinamona.

Next Shared Mass on Saturday 24th April, 10am

Deaths: We offer our sympathy to the families of Ita O'Neill (nee Coady) late Convent View, died in Kerry; Marie Mahon, Roselawn. If you would like support in your grieving, now or in the future, please ring 26604.

Baptisms: Welcome to the parish community Anna Maria Duffy, 18 The Elms; Katie Theresa Daly, 80 Arden Vale; Holly Frances Cunningham, Daingean Rd.

The next pre-Baptism meetings are Wed 31st Mar& Wed 14th April at 8.30pm in the Parochial House. All parents who wish to have their child baptised in April must attend a meeting. Contact Parish Secretary for details.

Collections: Plate: Tullamore €4412; Durrow €247. Envelopes: €1835. St Patrick's Day €3603.
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

Happy Mothers Day