Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 4th Sunday of Easter ~ 25th April 2021 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 9.30am-5:00pm; Sat - Closed: 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) 6.00pm Sunday 9.00am, 11.00am & 1.00pm Durrow: Sunday 11.30am WEEKDAY MASSES Monday-Friday 7.45am, 10.00am Saturday 10.00am First Friday 7.45am & 10.00am JOIN US ON PARISH WEBCAMS BOTH IN DURROW & TULLAMORE. CONFESSIONS Not taking place at the moment. THE DEEP END – THE GOOD SHEPHERD In Jesus’ time, being a shepherd was not a pleasant job. Sheep became easily lost and the shepherd’s job was to guide them back to safety. There were many dangers and the sheep were totally dependent on the shepherd. Shepherds would round up their sheep in the evening and guide them into their pen. But it had no gate, so the shepherd would have to lie across the space in case the sheep were attacked in the night. The shepherds literally lay down their lives for their flock. John compares the sacrifice of the shepherd to the ‘hired hand’ who is not really committed to the flock. He does what he has to but flees at the first sign of trouble. This Good Shepherd Sunday the Gospel describes Jesus as the ‘genuine’ Shepherd who wants a personal relationship with each one of us and who would lay down his life for us. The Gospel emphasises the importance of relationship as the shepherd knows his flock and cares for them. They ‘Follow Him’ and it is not a Facebook or Twitter type of following, rather it is a genuine relationship. Everyone matters to the Good Shepherd, regardless of their situations. We are told ‘I know my own and my own know me’. We are called today to follow Jesus in a more personal more intimate way. Even when we stray off the path and get lost, it is then especially that the Good Shepherd comes looking for us. ‘We think we are feeling from God, but in fact we are running into his arms’. (Meister Eckhart) Jane Mellett, Intercom April 2021 VOCATIONS SUNDAY – 25TH APRIL Prayer for those considering a vocation - Pope Francis LORD, help me to respond to your call, with the aid of wise and generous guides, and realise a proper plan for my life to achieve true happiness. To dream great dreams and always have a concern for the good of others. To stand with you at the foot of the cross and receive the gift of your mother. To witness to your Resurrection and the hope that it brings. To be aware that you are at my side as I joyously proclaim you as Lord. Amen. Jesus is still calling priests, he needs you to say yes to his call. Be a priest and find joy, bring people to God and let Jesus work through you. If you feel called to be a priest, open your heart to Jesus, follow the Lord and do not be afraid. Priesthood is not an office of the past. Jesus needs priests today more than ever. Vocations Director: Ph: Fr Tony Gonoude 044 9373923 Website: www.meathvocations.com Facebook Page: DioceseOfMeathVocations Instagram Account: dioceseofmeathvocations Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it LIVING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL John 10:11-18 Our relationship with those ‘in charge’ of us changes when we sense that not only are they in charge, but they care. Remember the difference this made for you as a child, and give thanks for the caring adults who were part of your life. The good shepherd ‘lays down his life for the sheep’. When has your care for another led you to ‘lay down your life’ for that person, e.g., as a friend, parent, spouse, son or daughter? When you have known another to do this for you? Jesus speaks of the freedom of the Good Shepherd in laying down his life. Faced with the needs of others, we can at times feel trapped into looking after them, caught by duty, obligation, or guilt. We can become like the hired hands doing a job without care for the person. Perhaps you have experienced both attitudes, caring for others under duress and caring by your free choice. What difference did it make when you chose to care for the other, even in circumstances where you had little option? What do these experiences of love and care in human relationships reveal to you about God’s love for you? John Byrne osa, Intercom April 2021 PARISH COLLECTIONS Envelopes €2854 Thank you for your continued support THOUGHT FOR THE DAY It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Contact the Parish Secretary. 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 26 10.00 Thomas Herley, 19 Whitehall Tues 27 10.00 Pat, John & Bob Gorman & Phyllis Moran Wed 28 10.00 James & Winifred Kilroe Thurs 29 10.00 Peg Brazel, Ballydaly Fri 30 10.00 Mary & Thomas Geoghegan Sat 1 10.00 Sean Larkin, Arden View; Duggan & O’Brien Families 6.00 Ann Gannon, 1st Ann Sun 2 9.00 Houlihan Family, Cormac St, Frances McCormack & her brother Johnny Pidgeon 11.00 Richard ‘Dick’ Conroy, Mon Mem Durrow Shared Mass Sat 2, 11.30am: John & Mary Murray& Family; Jim & Nan Donoghue & Murray Family; Paddy & Pauline Kilroe& Bernadette Rickard; John, Jenny & James Donoghue & Family; Joe Heffernan; Peter Fox & grandparents Michael &Brigid Fox; Dan & Catherine Fox; Dan McGrath. All Masses can be viewed on Parish Webcam DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the family of Bernie Smyth COMMUNITY NOTICES MABS: Helpline0761 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, Thurs, Sat & Sun 8.15pm, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun, 1pm; Charleville Centre, Wed & Sat 8.30pm. Al-ANON – for families of those suffering from Addiction: Thurs 8pm, Tihilly, Lannello, Clontarf Rd. TULLAMORE RAPE CRISIS CENTRE: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, 0579322500; Freephone1800323232 DOCHAS OFFALY CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE Contact them on 0579328268, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it BALLYCOMMON TELEWORK & TRAINING CENTRE offering a range of free/affordable services. email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 0579353177/9353441. LAOIS EDUCATION CENTRE & NATIONAL LEARNING NETWORK: School Leaver Options for Young Adults with Disabilities Pathways to Inclusion in Education & Work, free webinar Tues 27,7pm, Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mR3lNzl2Q8OotnQsl69szA |