Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 11th February 2024 ~ 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Fr. Joseph Gallagher, P.P., V.G. GET IN TOUCH St Mary’s Parish Centre, Benburb St, Tullamore, Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9.30-1; 1.30-5pm. Phone: 0579321587 Web: www.tullamoreparish.ie Reception service Friday, 9.30-5. Priest available for emergencies 24 hours daily. Meeting Rooms available: Contact Administrator for details of availability, rates, etc. Bereavement Listening Support: Ph 0579326604. WEEKEND MASSES Church of the Assumption:(Vigil) 6.30pm Sunday 8.30am, 10.00am (Family Mass), 11.30am & 1.00pm Durrow: Sunday 11.30am WEEKDAY MASSES Monday-Friday 7.45am, 10.00am Saturday 10.00am First Friday 7.45am & 10.00am EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Mon-Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 2-6pm Enquiries 085 1162668. JOIN US ON PARISH WEBCAMS ON PARISH WEBSITE. CONFESSIONS - Saturday 2.00-3.00pm in the Day Chapel. REACHING OUT WITH LOVE In the readings today, there is quite a contrast between the first reading from Leviticus and Mark’s Gospel. To have people with a bodily affliction become social outcasts and live outside the boundaries of ‘normal’ life where they had no hope of ever being accepted, is a cry for compassion. In the Gospel we read of Jesus, filled with pity and compassion, reaching out and touching and healing the leper. We meet broken people almost every day who are not obviously in need of compassion. It does not always show on our faces or bodies. There is the inner brokenness of hearts, minds and spirits, silently crying out for someone to reach out with understanding, compassion and love. Our present day society is “bursting at the seams” with ‘untouchables’, alienated, excluded human being who need someone who has experienced a conversion of heart and courageous enough to reach out in love, fearlessly following the example of Jesus in the Gospel. He has created a ministry of love and compassion that has no boundaries. “Whatever you do….do it all for God’s glory”, (1 Cor:31) LENT 2024 ASH WEDNESDAY 14TH FEBRUARY: A day of Fast and Abstinence. Masses and distribution of Ashes will be at 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm & 7.30pm. Durrow 8.00pm. Eucharistic Ministers needed for distribution of Ashes. WEEKDAY MASSES 7.45am, 10.00am & 7.30pm. WEEKDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS before 10am Mass. EVENING PRAYER commences next Sunday 18th at 5.30pm in the Church of the Assumption. LENTEN RETREAT Theme "Looking Up To Jesus" - A lenten retreat will take place in the Parish Centre on Saturday 17th February next. The retreat will be led by Fr Luke Ohiemi and will commence with 10.00am Mass in the main church and finish by 3.00pm. All parishioners are welcome and encouraged to attend. READERS FOR 7.30PM MASS IN LENT Readers wanted for 7.30pm weekday Masses. Please leave names in Sacristy or Parish Centre. LENTEN PENANCE A TIME FOR RENEWAL Many of us “give up something” for Lent. The sacrifices in Lent are really penance, in the same spirit as the Ninehvites that repented at the preaching of Jonah. Throughout our history, Christians have found prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to be an important part of repentance and renewal. Many people now add something during Lent rather than giving up something, either to address personal habits that need work or to add some outreach to others in need. The Church does not specifically require that we do something beyond the requirements of fasting and abstinence. To do nothing, however, would certainly not be in keeping with the spirit of Lent. Furthermore, the sacrifices and extra things we do for Lent help us grow closer to Christ. We are missing out on so many graces if we do not participate fully in Lent. It is not necessary to be perfect, but we should put forth a good effort. A good practice is to do something extra in prayer, something involving fasting (whether limiting our intake of food or giving up something non-food related), and something involving almsgiving (giving money or goods to the needy or doing extra acts of charity). THOUGHT FOR THE DAY If today you are a little bit better than you were yesterday, then that is enough. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptisms take place monthly on the first Sunday in Tullamore, second Sunday in Durrow, third and fourth Saturday in Tullamore. Pre-Baptism Meetings are on the third Wednesday monthly. Contact the Parish Secretary. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary at least three months in advance. All couples getting married must complete a pre-marriage course. Contact ACCORD 0579341831 or www.accord.ie. ACCORD also provide couple and relationship counselling In-Person and Online in Tullamore. Phone 057 9341831 or 0864669926 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it NB: NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN MUST BE IN THE PARISH CENTRE BY 9.30AM WEDNESDAY. Only notices from parish groups, non-profit making organizations & clubs included PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22nd AUGUST 1996 MASS INTENTIONS Mon 12 .7.45 Our Lady’s Mass Intentions Tues 13 . 7.45 Michael Byrne ...........10.00 Joseph Harries ...................Dan & Mary Fogarty Wed 14.10.00 Rose, Frank & Brendan Condron ...................baby Joseph Anthony Ward ..........7.30 John Joe Gorman Fri 16 ...10.00 Anthony Heffernan, Ballycosney ..........7.30 Caroline Whelan, Mon Mem & Mary, Christopher & Mary Jnr Whelan ...................Mary Conway Sat 17 ..10.00 Dodi Farrell, Arden Vale ..................Betty McMahon, Spollenstown .........6.30 Joe Connolly, 1st Ann ..................Mike Flanagan, Cappincur, Mon .................Mem & Chrissie & Cecil Connolly Sun 18 10.00 Tony Holleran .................John & Siobhan Drea & Michaela Ardelanu .........11.30 Daniel Molloy, Mon Mem .........1.00 Noel Stanley, 1st Ann & his wife.Margaret, O’Molloy St
Durrow Sun 18, 11.30am: Patsy & Donal Ward; Rose Scully; Richie Wallace & Family DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Kim Galvin Alomante, Ann Fox & Paddy Purcell. BAPTISMS Welcome to God’s family Lexi Lily McEvoy, Amelia May Hogan, Ella Mae & Amelia Lily Hickey, Madison Rattigan, Sonny Scully Carton & Adam Jason Scully who were baptised recently. COLLECTIONS Plate: Tullamore €3037; Durrow €391 Envelopes €2364 Thank you for your continued support COMMUNITY NOTICES EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Tullamore Church. Cover for Wed 1-2pm; Sun 1-2pm, 4-5pm. Ph. Pat 085-1162668 ST PADRÉ PIO: Mass Tues 13, 7.30pm, Tullamore Church. All are welcome. COFFEE MORNING today, Sunday, in aid of Dochas, in Durrow Hall after 11.30am Mass. PARKINSON’S IRELAND-OFFALY BRANCH: Meeting Wed 21, 2.30pm, Charleville Centre; Specialist Nurse will speak on aspects of Parkinson’s Disease. CE SCHEME: Tullamore Show Office administration position 19.5 hours per week - email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 0579321421 for details READY: Dinner Dance, Sun 11, Town House, 7pm. Please bring balance for Donegal break. ALONE (Providing support for older people): Volunteers wanted. Full training and support provided. See https://alone.ie/volunteers or contact Fiona at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 086 1366539.” TULLAMORE LIBRARY: Wide range of courses & activities available. Contact 0579346832 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it OFFALY VOLUNTEER CENTRE: To register your voluntary organisation or become a volunteer, ph 0830154669. Look us up on www.volunteeroffaly.ie NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP Tuesdays of February, Mucklagh church, 7.30pm; visiting speakers, singing, prayers, readings, reflections. |