TULLAMORE PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “Tullamore parish is a community of God's people centred on the Eucharist and the Word of God. We gather in prayer and celebrate the sacraments. We strive to be Vibrant, Inclusive, Nurturing and Encouraging, and in our own lives we aim to live justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with our God.” Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 18th February 2024 ~ 1st Sunday of Lent 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. GOD’S SPRINGTIME The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for Spring. So it was that Lent came to be known as God’s Springtime; the period when Christians come to know God’s love and make a new response to it. God will show us by his example how to respond. He spent forty days in the desert where he cut himself off from the world to think, to pray and to find out what his father wanted him to do. During this time Satan wasn’t far away but instead of tempting Jesus he only enforced his decision to do his father’s will. These days of Lent are a time when we are called to deepen our relationship with God. We are challenged to reject sin and be faithful to the gospel. We need to pray every day, to fast, and to give up some of the little pleasures we are used to. There are many things we can do. For example a simple promise to hold our tongues might curb our backbiting. To be pleasant to those who “get under our skin” or to give our spare money to charity. Our top priority is a little time of daily prayer which strengthens our faith and brings us closer to God. Lent is a time for soul searching when we are challenged to give up our old sins and answer God’s call in various areas of our lives. TULLAMORE PARISH PASTORAL ASSEMBLY Tullamore Parish Pastoral Assembly has had six meetings since its inception in September 2023. During this time the Assembly has developed and published a new Mission Statement which is designed to guide the Assembly in focusing its activities. As part of the Christmas celebrations the Assembly supported the ‘Come and See’ event which was held in the Church during Advent and also developed the schedule of Liturgical events for Christmas. Currently the emphasis is on preparation for Lent and Easter. The Assembly approved the Lenten Retreat held this weekend and they are planning a special celebration for young people to prepare for Easter. A Triduum Novena in May is also in planning. As part of learning about and understanding the parish more deeply the Assembly is also meeting parish groups at their monthly meetings throughout the year. LENT 2024 WEEKDAY MASSES 7.45am, 10.00am & 7.30pm. WEEKDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS before 10am Mass. EVENING PRAYER Sundays 5.30pm in Tullamore Church LIVING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL Mk 1:12-15 Jesus he is about to start his public ministry. Mark tells us this was preceded by a deep inner struggle when his resolve to take on his God-given mission was tested. Recall important decisions in your own life. Were they accompanied by struggle and doubt? Who were the angels who supported you at that time? Give thanks for them. Such periods of anxiety may seem like wilderness experiences at the time. Later, with hindsight, we may see them as being good for us. Perhaps, like Jesus, you recall a time when the Spirit of God led you into the wilderness to be tested and after the experience you had a clearer sense of your own identity or your purpose in life. Repent and believe the good news was the heart of the message of Jesus. It was not a call to penance but to a change of heart, a change of attitude, leading to a change in behaviour. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of right relationships: with God, with one another, with creation, with ourselves. It is a change that leads to a fuller life. When have you found that a change in your attitude towards God, others, yourself, or the world around you, has led you to a more fulfilled or more fruitful life? There is an immediacy about the call of Jesus: ‘the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near’. Recall when you had a realisation that NOW was the moment of opportunity – for a change in your life, for a spiritual renewal, or a time to give a wholehearted yes to life. At this moment to what do you believe you are invited to say ‘yes’? 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 19 .. 7.45 Aida Moore ...........10.00 Bobby O’Connor, Coleman’s Tce ........... 7.30 John Hogan, Marian Place Tues 20 . 7.30 Kieran Egan, O’Molloy St Wed 21 ..10.00 Garry Caulfield Thurs 22 10.00 Joan Nicholson & son Patrick ....................Michael Dunne, Killskea ........... 7.30 John Dowling, Marian Place .................... Luke Bracken, Arden Rd Fri 23 ....10.00 Declan McCormack ...................Tom Carroll, Christine & Harry O’Shea ...........7.30 Johnny Commins, Thornsberry ...................Brendan Dolan Sun 25 ..10.00 Mary & Margaret Gallagher ...................Michael Lawless .......... 11.30 Pat Heffernan, Daingean Rd, 1st Ann Sat 24, 10am: Martin Heffernan; Desmond Walsh; James & Bridget Caffrey, Betty Berry & James Harrington; Tommy Brennan; Tess Smollen; Matt & Eileen Horan; Gerry Martin; Frances Martin; Kevin Lambe; Peig McKeon; Tom & Teresa & Ann McCabe & Nigel Papper; Tommy & Teresa Glynn; Tony Colsh; John, Josephine & Elizabeth Hayes, Cuskelly & Hayes Families; Andrew, Honora & Joseph Lawlor, McLoughlin & Lawlor Families; Patrick, Bridie & Mary Egan; Ronnie Walsh; Spollen Families; Tom Carroll, Harry & Christina O’Shea; Michael & Josephine Galvin & Family; John & Theresa Rowan; John Cummins; Joseph & Brigid Cronly & Family; Michelle Gannon
Durrow Sun 25, 11.30am: Christopher Kiernan, Mon Mem. DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the family of Bridie Garrahie. BAPTISMS Welcome to God’s family Zachery Turlough McHugh Fahy, Kate Ada Fox, Hannah Margaret Fox & Oscar Declan McGarry who were baptised recently. COLLECTIONS Plate: Tullamore €3283; Durrow €491 Envelopes €2007 Thank you for your continued support COMMUNITY NOTICES TULLAMORE GARDEN CLUB: Meeting & talk “Ask About Gardening”, Wed 28, Charleville Centre, 7.30pm. Adm €5. All welcome. Ph 0877856405, 0873843412. 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 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.” OFFALY VOLUNTEER CENTRE: To register your voluntary organisation or become a volunteer, ph 0830154669. Look us up on www.volunteeroffaly.ie SAVE THE DATE: Sat 23 Mar, 12-2pm St. Mary’s School, Trim, “Catholic Spirituality Today”. Are you searching for something more? Kathryn Anne Clarke shines light on the intersect between spirituality and religion. |