Parish of the Assumption

Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510
www.tullamoreparish.ie 
E-mail Parish Secretary:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

4th February 2024 ~ 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Joseph Gallagher, P.P., V.G.
Rt Rev Sean Heaney, P.E.
Fr. Joe Campbell, C.C.,
Fr. Fergal Cummins, C.C.
Fr. Damian Budau, C.C
Sr. Margaret Burke.

GET IN TOUCH

St Mary’s Parish Centre, Benburb St, Tullamore, 

Office Hours:  Mon-Thurs, 9.30-1; 1.30-5pm.  

Phone: 0579321587 
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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.
Teas after 10.00am Mass Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

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.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD

Today’s Gospel is composed of three paragraphs.  In the first one, we learn that Jesus cures of her fever, the mother-in-law of the disciple Simon.  Her instant response was to wait on him.  Once cured of her bodily illness and restored to health, she gives all her energy to the service of the Lord.

In the second paragraph, we hear that the whole town came crowding round the door looking for cures and bodily healing.  And Jesus cured them all.  But we do not hear of any expressions of thanks.  We do not hear of any giving of their energies to the service of the Lord.  There is no praise of the Lord for his goodness and compassion.  The people merely wanted to use Jesus, and they had got what they wanted, to get out of whatever crisis or affliction they were in at that time.

Last, we learn that Jesus had taken himself off to a lonely place to pray.  His disciples, on finding him, said “everybody is looking for you”.  More cures of the body were being sought, but no one was seeking a cure of the heart, or to show love to Jesus for his goodness.  It is fine to ask Jesus for the things we need in life; but we must answer the receiving of these gifts with love and gratitude, like Simon’s mother-in-law did.

Praise the Lord for He is good.

LENTEN RETREAT

The Knights of St Columbanus will host a Lenten Retreat in the Parish Centre on Saturday 17th February.  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.

BANK HOLIDAY

Monday 5th is a Bank Holiday and there will be one Mass only at 10.00am.

FIRST COMMUNION RITUAL

Our next Rituals take place at Masses 10th/11th Feb:

Sat   6.30pm St Joseph’s

Sun 10.00am Ballinamere, Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada

Sun 11.30am Scoil Bhride, Scoil Mhuire, Parish Sacramental Preparation Class

Sun 11.30am Durrow NS in Durrow Church

Each child will present a peace or friendship word at the end of Mass in preparation for First Confession.

JUNIOR PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

The JPPC recently donated €1,145 to Accessible Counseling Tullamore (ACT).  The money was raised during their annual Spirit of Christmas held in December.  The members of JPPC would like to thank everyone for their continued support.  The JPPC meet every Thursday from 4.00-5.00pm in the Parish Centre.  All secondary school students are welcome.

READERS FOR 7.30PM MASS IN LENT

Please leave names in Sacristy or Parish Centre.

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS

Mark 1:29-39

… Verses 29-31 are a story healing.  You might reflect on times when you were sick in body, mind or spirit and someone was a ‘Jesus person’ to you, someone who ‘took you by the hand and lifted you up’.  Remember them with gratitude.  Have there been times also when you did this for others?

Verses 32-34 add another dimension.  People are freed from demons.  Have you had the experience of being freed from demons that imprisoned you: fear, anxiety, guilt, low self-esteem, addictions, bitterness, etc.  What was it like for you to get that freedom?  Who were the ‘Jesus people’ who helped free you?

Verses 35-39 have a number of different elements we can consider.  Jesus goes off to a desert place to pray.  After a hectic day he felt the need for quiet to ground himself once more.  In the busyness of life how do you keep in touch with what is going on inside yourself?  How do you keep in touch with God?  Where do you find your ‘deserted place’?  What difference does it make for you when you do succeed in taking time out?... (John Byrne osa Intercom)

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   5 10.00 Liz & Eddie Martin

.................Terry Colsh

Tues   6 10.00 Alo & Maura O’Brennan

Wed   7 10.00 Frank & Mary Clarke, Clontarf Rd

Fri   9 ..10.00 Muriel Flanagan

Sat 10   .6.30 John Flanagan, 66 O’Molloy St, Mon Mem

.................Nuala Millane, Mon Mem

Sun 11   8.30 Murt Malone

......... 10.00 Patrick Fleming

.................Eamon Malone, Marian Place

.........11.30 Noel Cleary, Mon Mem

................Jacqueline Pyke, 1st Ann

  ........1.00 Mary Galvin, Marian Place, 1st Ann

.................Aidan Byrne, 1st Ann

Sat 10, 10am:  Ignatius & Kathleen Keegan; Joe Maher; Tommy Smullen & Eamonn Clarke; Christopher & Elizabeth O’Connor; Michael & Margaret Forrestal; Fiona Byrne, Pat Meehan & Wynne Family; Agnes Flanagan & Family & Timmy Connolly; Mary & Michael Galvin; Johnny Feery; John, Margaret, Pat & Gabriel Dooner; James & Mary Kidney; Nellie & Colm Grennan; James, Ann, Christy, Margaret & Anne Ryan & Andy Carroll; John O’Grady; Mairéad Phelan; Peg Fox Nolan & Family; Denis Mahon; Gerry & Nancy O’Connor; Joseph & Elizabeth Gorman & Family; Becky Colsh & Gerry Quinn; Robert & Sarah Dunne; Thomas & Maura O’Toole; James Sheehan; Dolores Horkan; Michael Lambe; Pat & Mary O’Connell; Bridget & James Martin & Family.

Durrow Sun 11, 11.30am: Esther Kilroe, Mon Mem; Jimmy Bracken, 1st Ann. 

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the families of Patrick Walsh, Paul Hayes, Michael Owens, Thomas Behan, Veronica Walsh & Egle Giedratiene.

BAPTISMS

Welcome to God’s family Ayla Toni Moran who was baptised recently.

COLLECTIONS

Plate: Tullamore €3062; Durrow €297; Envelopes €4010

Thank you for your continued support

COMMUNITY NOTICES

MENPOWER PROGRAMME, starting Wed 7.  For more information please contact Aoife at 087-7385989 or  email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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.”

FAMILY CARERS:  Ph 0579370221 and hear how we can support you or for more info visit www.familycarers.ie.

CE – OFFALY HISTORY CENTRE: Admin & Accounts positions available 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

START YOUR OWN BUSINESS PROGRAMME: Contact Des 0579352467/ 087 9699998,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.offalyldc.ie.  Closing date 29th February 2024.

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP 4 Tuesdays of February, Mucklagh church, 7.30pm, 4 visiting speakers; singing, prayers, readings, reflections.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS Parish Centre Clara, 8pm, starts 8 Feb for 7 nights. Enquires to Kay @ 0857114205