Parish of the Assumption

Area Code: 057
Tel: 93 21587  -   93 51510  -   93 22244  -  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
E-Mail website : webmaster
Parish Office Hours: 9.30am - 5.00pm Monday – Friday

The Parish Office has now moved to St Mary’s Parish Centre
on Benburb St and will be open from 9.30am-1.00pm & 1.30-5.00pm. 
To book Masses, Weddings, Baptisms, Certs, etc,
please call during these times.

6th Sunday of the Year - 7th February 2009

Msgr. Seán Heaney, P. P.
Fr. Padraig Corcoran C.C.
Fr. Shane Crombie C.C.
Fr. Seamus O'Conner C.C.
Sr. Genny Hassey
Sr. Margaret Burke

Mass Times

Weekend Masses
Church of The Assumption
Saturday (Vigil): 7.30pm
Sunday: 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am & 1.00pm

St. Colmcille’s Church Durrow
Sunday: 11.30am

Holy Days
Church of The Assumption
Vigil: 7.30pm
Feast: 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm & 7.30pm

St. Colmcille’s Church Durrow
Feast: 8.00pm

First Friday: 7.45am, 10.00am & 7.30pm

Confessions
Saturday: 12noon – 1.00pm & 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Eve of First Friday: After 10.00am Mass

  “Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love”

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

''Why me Lord?''

So thought Job in today's first reading and possibly ourselves on occasions during our daily lives. The path of life is not always smooth. We constantly face problems, trials and tribulations. We would have to be living  the life of a hermit not to be aware of the pain and misery of life about us at the present time. Evil, at times, seems to be triumphing over good and that confuses us. Where is God? Hardship and suffering threaten our confidence in a caring Father. We are so like Job! No matter how much we reflect on the suffering we witness and possibly experience, we don't seem to be able to come up with any convincing answer to the meaning of our distress. The truth is that there is no simple answer. Is it not the case that sometimes we neglect God, we fail to give Him time until we experience a crisis, ill-health or death? In today's gospel, Christ does not answer the question ''why?'', rather we see Him acknowledging its presence. We see Him living his life identifying with the poor, the sick, the dis-advantaged and the dying. The Gospel does not guarantee our freedom from suffering, stress and despair but rather gives us the assurance that God is with us if we seek Him throughout our trials and tribulations.

Let us follow the example of Jesus as outlined in the Gospel and take time out of our hectic daily lives to pray to God and reflect on the mystery of life. Like Jesus, we must also spend some quiet time alone with ourselves and with God. During this precious time let us look a little more deeply at our lives and what we're about, by placing our daily worries and concerns, our ups and downs, the totality of our lives before our loving Father.  We will then find the strength, the peace, the hope and the faith we need to serve God as Jesus does in today's Gospel. 

'If we are prepared to pray, we lift our hearts, souls and minds to the divine, and we develop an attitude of heart that can transform every aspect of our lives. We expose to God who we are and God gazes on us with the creative and transforming eye of love'.   Sr Stanislaus Kennedy.

---

PARISH CENTRE

Parish Office open Monday-Friday 9.30am-1pm and 1.30-5.00pm for booking Masses, Weddings, Baptisms, Certs etc.  Reception service available 5.00-9.00pm.
There is a priest available for emergencies 24 hours a day.
Parish Shop - selling a selection of religious items - open Wednesday to Saturday 10.30am-1.00pm.
Teas/Coffees after 10.00am Mass Wednesdays & Fridays.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Confirmation:  Saturday 28th March

1st Communion:  Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada 10th May; Scoil Mhuire 17th May; Ballinamere & Scoil Bhride 24th May, St Joseph’s 31st May - all at 10.00am.  Durrow 9th June

DODATEK POLKSI

Nastepna Msza Swieta odprawiana w j. polskim odbedzie sie 22/02/09 o godz 14:30.
Prosimy  dzieci chetne do sluzenia do mszy (chlopcow i dziewczynki) o kontakt pod nr tel.Tomek 0876640020 lub Ks.Janusz 0879538786
Po mszy odbedzie sie w Parish Center projekcja zapowiadanego filmu biograficznego “Wojownik”o Marku Piotrowskim wielokrotnym mistrzu swiata w kickboxingu 
 
Pozwol Bogu
isc razem z toba
przez swiat
wartosci
marzen
i wrazen

A Bog wesprze
nie wiedzac kiedy

Ks.Jan Filewicz

BAD WILL HUNTING

“The street-wise say that God created man in his own image and likeness, and then man returned the compliment.  The incident in today’s Gospel reading, where Simon and his companions go out ‘hunting’ for Jesus reminds of that quip.  The Greek verb used in verse 36 is katadioko.  A very strong word, it usually implies a hostile intent.  So. ‘hunting down’ Jesus more accurately implies what Simon was doing.

While people slept, Jesus made his way unhindered by the darkness to a deserted place to pray.  People considered such places, devoid of human beings, as abodes of demons.  Having just cast out many demons he now follows them to their dwelling.  He has no fear.  No evil can touch him.  For Jesus, even an abode of evil is a place for prayer!  That’s a powerful and dramatic message: there are no God-free or prayer-free zones in life.

Back to the hunt again.  Why would Simon want to hunt down Jesus?  Well, he has just left everything to follow him, and now Jesus has disappeared.  This doesn’t fit the image of Jesus that Simon has.  Finding him gone in the morning is a shock.  This is the first time it has happened.  What does it mean?  Has Jesus run off?  Is he a fraud, or a loony?  Has Simon made one awful fool of himself in abandoning his livelihood for him?  So, in doubt, frustration and anger he sets out to find him.  He’s looking for Jesus, but on his own terms.”

(Fr Tom Cahill, Intercom, February 2009)

MASS INTENTIONS

Mon 9:
7.45 Peg Kinahan
10.00 Tommy Smullen
Tues 10:
7.45 Deirdre O’Sullivan
10.00 Frank Clarke, Clontarf Rd
Wed 11:
7.45 Christy O’Connor, O’Molloy St
10.00 Thomas & Bridget McLoughlin
Thurs 12:
7.45 Joe White & Kathleen Doyle, Mon Mem
10.00 J J Horan, High St
Fri 13:
7.45 Timothy Burns & Holy Souls
10.00  Mary Creevy, O’Molloy St
Sat 14:
7.30 Michael Halloran, Mon Mem
Sun 15:
8.30 Noel & Veronica McGee
10.00 Anne Dominik
11.30 Eileen Scully, 1st Ann
1.00 Maeve Horan, Mon Mem

Durrow: Sun 15  Larry, Jack & Colm Bracken

Shared Mass Sat 14 10am:
John Grennan; Mick Forrestal; Mary Fallon; Peter Clancy & John Boyd; Josephine Raleigh; James, John & Kathleen Harrington; J
oseph & Mary Kate Kelly & John McNamara; Downes Family; James & Mary Kidney; Michael & May Moore; Sarah Walsh & Josie O’Brien;
Syl & Julie Cummins, Martin & Philomena Moore & families; Jacqueline Graham; John Horan & Family;
Bernard, Mary, Bernard Jnr & John Creevy & Tracy Woodgrove; Bridie Sheridan; Michael & Chrissie O’Reilly; Sr Carmel McDonagh;
John Dowling & Carey Family; Michael, Rose & Eugene Walsh; Anthony, Chris & Mary Kate Burke; John, Margaret, Sean & Paschal Murray;
Ignatius Keegan; Joe Maher; Paddy Broderick & Danny McLaughlin; Hanly Family; John, Margaret & Johnny Connolly; Kearns Family; Paddy,
John Joe & Bobby O’Connor & Joe Connor; Vera & Jack Taylor; Mary & Christopher O’Reilly; Michael & Rose Cleary; Ian & Joe Farrelly & Family;
Peter & Annie Waters; John Quinn & Family; Michael Kane; James, Anne, Christy & Anne Jnr Ryan; Mary Bridget Dwane & Patrick & Annie Kelly; William Lynam & Andrew Lowbridge.

DEATHS:  We offer our sympathy to the families of Marie Lloyd, Seamus Cahir & John Owens.
If you would like support or comfort in your grieving please phone  9326604

COLLECTIONS

Tullamore €4579; Durrow €234
Envelopes €3257

Thank you for your continued support.

NEW ARRIVALS

Welcome to the family of God’s people Eren Kiraz & Gavin David Connolly who were baptised recently.

Baptisms take place in Tullamore on the 1st Sunday & 3rd Saturday of every month and in Durrow on the 2nd Sunday of every month.

All parents who wish to have their child baptised must attend a pre-baptism meeting which takes place in the Parish Centre, at 8.30pm on designated Wednesdays. Please contact the Parish Secretary to book in for meetings and Baptisms.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Hospital Chapel: ‘Jesus became one of us and chose the name ‘Emmanuel’, which means ‘God with us’ because as much as we want to be with one another, infinitely more does Jesus want and desire to be close to us.  “I thirst with such a terrible thirst to be loved by you in this Blessed Sacrament. 
Watch one hour with me.   Ph 9321232.

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Hospital Chapel: “Watch one hour with me”.  Ph 9321232.

ACCORD:  Looking for suitable individuals to train as counsellors and facilitators for Tullamore Centre.  For more information ph Michelle 9341831, 9.30am-4.00ppm.

ST PHILOMENA’S PARENTS ASSOC:  Table Quiz, Thurs 12, 8.30pm, Hugh Lynch’s.  Table of 4 €40.

QUEEN OF PEACE GROUP:  Mass Thurs 12, Day Chapel, 7.30pm.

LEGION OF MARY:  Rosary, Alfie Lambe House, Fri 13, 8.15pm.  All welcome.  Alfie Lambe 50th Anniversary Mass 3pm, Sat 14, Church of Mary Immaculate Refuge of Sinners, Rathmines.
.
ICA:  meeting  Wed 11, Day Care Centre,  8pm. A Bring and Buy sale will take place. Members -please bring a friend. Competition for members -Valentine card with verse.

FATIMA PILGRIMAGE with Fr John Nally, 4-11 June.  Bookings at 9351309.

SCHIZOPHRENIA IRELAND has  changed.
From now on we will be known as Shine – Supporting People Affected by Mental Ill Health. We continue to work to support all people affected by mental health issues, be it through personal experience or someone close. For one to one support or a social outlet, contact Shine. We offer information, advocacy, counselling, listening, education and support groups.  Your direct line of contact in the Midlands is 086 8525281 or 057 9323111.  Information Helpline: 1890 621631.
www.shineonline.ie

LOST:  Lady’s glasses, Church St/Harbour St.  Finder ph 087-9575171.

FATIMA:  21 May from Portlaoise.  086-3344722.

Please continue to pray for Fiona Pender, our parishioner 
who has been missing since 22nd August, 1996.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Parish Support Services confidential phoneline (057) 93 26604 Mon-Fri 10am-1pm and 6-8pm


ACCORD Marriage & Relationship counselling & premarriage course details. Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm, 2.00-4.00pm 9341831,  www.accord.ie

AA Mon/Wed/Thurs/Sat, Mercy Convent 8.15pm; Wed 1-2 & Sun 12-1pm, Youth Centre. 01-4538998 or 1890412412 after 5pm

Al-Anon Thurs 8.30pm, Parochial House, 018732699

MS Offaly Austin 0863760257;Mary 9323946.  Helpline 1850233233

Grow Thurs 7.30pm, Day Care Arden Rd, 9351124

Aware Mon 8.45pm Community Mental Health Centre 1890303302

Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling Mon-Fri 9.30am-2.30pm; 1800323232, www.tullamorercc.ie

MABS Free & confidential debt advice, 9323211

Vincent de Paul 9322072

Dochas - Cancer Info & Support Mon-Fri 10am-2pm & Wednesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Offaly St 9328268
www.dochasoffaly.ie

Meditation Mondays, 7.00pm, Marian Hostel

Lucia Counselling Service for those with mental illness, 18900621631

Midland Living Links - Suicide Bereavement Support Ph Bernie 0861600641

Citizens Information Service Mon-Fri 9.15am-1pm; 2pm -4pm; Thurs 2-6pm.  9352204

Epilepsy Assoc Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm, 9346790

La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Group 3rd Thurs, 8pm, Health Centre, 9355061

Fibromyalgia Group Last Tues of month, 8pm, Day Care Centre.
1800201068 Tues 10am-12

Anew women with alcohol problems, Ofalia House Edenderry, 0861024743

Alzheimers Society Carers last Monday of month, 9328244

Adult Educational Guidance Service 9327104

ISARC (Sarcoidosis Support Group) Health Centre 1st Wed every month, 7.30pm, 0870648070 www.isarc.ie

Diabetes Assoc (Offaly) 1st Wed of month, Bridge House, 8pm.  Ph 9321211 after 6pm.

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service:  9351886 Mon-Fri, 10am-12; 2-4pm.

Community Drugs Scheme:  HSE helpline 1850241850.

Newsletter Notices to be in the Parochial House
by Tuesday evening
Charitable / Non-profit organisations only