Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 3rd Sunday of Advent ~ 13th December 2020 Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P 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 8.30am-5pm; Sat 2.00pm to 4.00pm to book Holy Mass tickets, weddings, baptisms, certs, etc; Priest available for emergencies 24 hours daily. Parish Support Services: Bereavement Listening, etc. For appointment, ph 0579326604, Monday-Thursday 9.30am-1.00pm; Wednesday & Thursday 6.00-8.00pm. WEEKEND MASSES Church of the Assumption: (Vigil) 4.00 & 6.00pm Sunday 7.00am, 9.00am, 11.00am & 1.00pm Durrow: Sunday 11.30am Tickets are required for all weekend Masses. Please call in to the Parish Centre. WEEKDAY MASSES Monday-Friday 7.45am & 10.00am Saturday 10.00am First Friday 7.45am & 10.00am You can join us on the webcam www.tullamoreparish.ie CONFESSIONS Saturday 2.00-3.00pm in Day Chapel SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL John 1:6-8 ‘There is one among you whom you do not know’. We can know about Jesus but do we know him. What helps you to know Jesus in a way that enables you to follow in his footsteps, trusting God as he did, and seeing other people as he did? John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus. Who have been the people who have borne witness to you of the good news of the gospel that God loves you – a friend, a parent, a teacher, etc.? To whom have you borne that witness? John appears in the story as one who had the courage to be himself in the face of loud and aggressive people. He was also a person who knew his own value, did not make exaggerated claims and was content with his mission. Can you recall times when you have been able to be yourself, even in the face of criticism from others? John was ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness’ – announcing confidently to those in the wilderness that they must not despair because God’s grace may come to them at any moment. Have you had the experience of being in the wilderness, feeling lost? From whom did you hear a voice that gave you hope? Have you been able to give hope to other people when they were in the wilderness? Do these questions have any special relevance to you in the midst of the current situation in our country? (John Byrne OSA, Intercom December 2020) ADVENT EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE Reflect on ways you may have turned away from loving God, our neighbours and the earth: How do my actions show my compassion for all those who are trapped in grinding poverty? Do I cherish and protect creation, remembering that God is the creator of all? Advent calls us to change our lives: how will you ‘prepare a way for the Lord’ in your life? SUNDAYS OF ADVENT Rosary and Benediction continues in the Church of the Assumption at 6.00pm. On next Sunday, 20th, at 6pm, there will be a prayer service of hope around the theme of “The shortest day the longest night” remembering all who have died and those living with suicide bereavement and those who may find Christmas lonely and difficult. MASS ANNOUNCEMENT 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Christmas Masses: At Christmas time many people want to come to Mass. This year presents a challenge because of the restricted numbers we can safely have in our churches. Tullamore Church is divided into three zones each accommodating 50 people. Durrow Church will hold a total of 38 people. We are putting on as many extra Masses as we can to accommodate as many people as possible. • For our Christmas Masses tickets are essential, as with them people will know the Mass they can go to and which zone in the Church they can go to. • Tickets for Christmas will be available in the Parish Centre from this Monday 14th. We ask people to enter the Parish Centre from the Church grounds door and exit onto Benburb Street. If people cannot get to Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, there is the possibility of coming the following weekend or sometime during the 12 days of the Christmas period. We ask for your co-operation and understanding at this time. Mass times: Christmas Eve: 4.00pm, 6.00pm, 8.00pm, 10.00pm & Midnight in Tullamore. There will also be midnight Mass in Durrow. Christmas Day: 7.00am, 9.00am, 11.00am, 1.00pm in Tullamore and 11.30am in Durrow. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Contact the Parish Secretary to arrange Baptism. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary. 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 PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22nd AUGUST 1996 MASS INTENTIONS Mon 14 7.45 Rody & Mary Kate Heffernan 10.00 Niall Mealiffe Tues 15 10.00 Christopher & Bridget Geoghegan Wed 16 7.45 Linda Weir 10.00 Christy, Nancy & Muriel Flanagan Thurs 17 10.00 Barbara Cassidy Fri 18 7.45 Veronica Tiernan 10.00 Patrick & Dymphna Lowbridge Sat 19 10.00 Edel Bracken 4.00 Sebastian (Devasya) 6.00 Juozas Kelmelis, 1st Ann Sun 20 9.00 John Lloyd; Elizabeth Buckley, Ballycowen 11.00 Kathleen Noonan Green 1st Ann 1.00 Thomas Doyle, Mon Mem Patricia Molloy, 1st Ann (NOTE CHANGE IN WEEKEND MASS TIMES) DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the family of Jackie Lynam. BAPTISMS Welcome to God’s family Amelia Pearl McDonald, Molly Mae Cave Wilson & Sofia Joskova who were baptised recently. PARISH COLLECTIONS Plate: Tullamore €809 Holy Day €455; Durrow €416 Envelopes €4888 Thank you for your continued support. COMMUNITY NOTICES “A PERFECT GIFT – AN EVENING OF CHRISTMAS SONG & REFLECTION” presented by SHS, streamed live from their music room. Join them from the comfort and safety of your own home, Thurs 17, 7.30pm. Logon to www.xmas2020.ie MABS: Helpline 0761 07 2000 Mon to Fri 9am - 8pm. ALONE: COVID support line for older people. Ph 0818 222 024, 8am-8pm daily. AA: Offaly House, Offaly St, Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat & Sun 8.15pm, Day meetings Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun, 1pm |