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.

5th Sunday of the Year - 1st February 2009

Msgr. Seán Heaney, P. P.
Fr. Padraig Corcoran C.C.
Fr. Shane Crombie C.C.
Fr. Seamus O'Conner C.C.
Fr. Terry Bennett
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

  A stumbling block is a stepping stone that you tripped over.

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LISTEN TO HIS VOICE

In today's Gospel message Matthew tells us that Jesus taught the people with authority.
Later Jesus exclaims: 'Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom to mere children (the unlearned); while hiding them from the learned and the clever.'
Jesus goes on to declare that 'No one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.'
How important it is therefore, that as stated in the Psalm, we should 'Listen to His voice! and harden not our hearts.'

Perhaps we should not be too surprised when we learn that some hard hearted intellectual or scientist has denied the existence of God. Obviously, they are blind/deaf to the Word of God, and because of their intellectual arrogance, Jesus has chosen not to reveal the Father and the mysteries of the Kingdom to them.

In this noisy technological age, where so many young people appear to be on mobile phones or listening to i-pods almost perpetually, there is a grave danger that we may fail to hear the voice of Jesus when He calls and speaks to us.

Some of the prophets, including Moses, were reluctant at first to respond positively to the call of the Lord.  Therefore we should not be surprised if our initial reaction is negative, however, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we should eventually respond: ‘Here I am Lord, I come to do your will”.

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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.

LITURGY GROUP

Meeting, Tuesday 3, 6.30pm, Parish Centre.

SILVER JUBILEE OF THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF MOST REVEREND MICHAEL SMITH, BISHOP OF MEATH

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
     Panie
oczekujesz mnie
u drzwi
mego serca
a kiedy przyjde
i odpowiem
na milosc
daj memu sercu madrosc
i pozwol kochac
nawet w chwili rozpaczy ..                                                    Ks.Jan Filewicz

RELIGIOUS SISTERS 

The month of February 2009 has been designated for the promotion of awareness and interest in the Vocation of Religious Sisters. Tullamore is privileged to have three groups of Religious Sisters who are actively involved in our parish community. 

Sisters of Mercy, Store Street, have been involved in education, health care, youth work and parish pastoral duties over the years since they came to Tullamore in 1836.  The Mercy Congregation was founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin in 1834, to serve those in need. 

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, High Street,  opened the Marian Hostel in 1954, to provide accommodation for young women working in the town, a mission that continues today.  The Congregation was founded by Blessed Peter Vigne in France in 1715.  The first Sisters were committed to prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the instruction of young children. 

Holy Family Sisters, Arden Road, are largely a retired community whose main ministry is prayer.  They belong to an international congregation founded by St.Emilie de Rodat in France. At present the community in Tullamore have a novice, Pelma from Goa, who is preparing to be a religious sister.  She has come to experience community life, and she also helps with the Youth Club and in two local schools.  Pelma would dearly love to have a novice companion or two.  

 On this feast day of St Bridget, we pray that young women will be inspired to follow in her footsteps and respond to the call of Jesus to life in the service of the Lord. 

The Sisters would welcome young people who may be interested in finding out more about religious life to contact them:  Sisters of Mercy:  9321221; Holy Family Sisters: 9321577; Blessed Sacrament Sisters: 93 51371.  

MASS INTENTIONS

Mon 2: 7.45 Murt, Mary, Murt Jnr, Marie & Debbie Whelan
Tues 3: 7.45 Alo & Maura O’Brennan
10.00 Michael & Mary Galvin, Arden
Wed 4: 7.45 John Lonergan
10.00 Joseph Dwyer
Thurs 5: 7.45 Kay Cordon (nee Geoghegan)
10.00 Seamus Mahon & parents James F & Josephine
Sat 7: 10.00 Thady Spollen
7.30 Patrick Healion, Cappincur, 1st Ann
Sun 8: 8.30 Patrick Smyth, Rahan Rd
10.00 Gerry Martin, Daingean Rd
11.30 Mary Tilly, Clonminch Rd, Mon Mem
1.00 Lil Bracken, Mon Mem

Durrow: Sun 8  Thomas Sullivan, Ballybought

DEATHS:  We offer our sympathy to the families of Fr Michael O’Brien, Veronica Bracken, Teresa Fox & James Murray.

If you would like support or comfort in your grieving please phone  9326604


SHARED MASSES:  The shared Masses for 14th Feb & 14th Mar are now booked up.  The next available one is on Saturday 25th April at 10.00am.  You are reminded that the intentions for this Mass are for the anniversaries of deaths only.

COLLECTIONS

Tullamore €5071; Durrow €384
Envelopes €2900

Thank you for your continued support.

NEW ARRIVALS

Welcome to the family of God’s people David Karaban & Natalie Mary Cutler Doyle 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.

HOLY HOUR FOR PREVENTION OF SUICIDE Thurs 5, 7-8pm, Day Chapel.

CHILD SAFETY WEEK:  St Joseph’s NS & Scoil Eoin Phoil II, Arden View,  Mon 2-Fri 6.

TULLAMORE CCE:  Table Quiz, Thurs 12, 9pm, White House.  Table of 4 €20.

READY:  Outing to Pitch & Putt club, Wed 4.  Bus from Marian Place, 8.30pm.  All welcome.

TULLAMORE GARDENING CLUB:  Wed 4, 8pm, Bridge House with speaker Barry Ward.

OFFALY POETRY GROUP:  Bridge House, Mon 2, 8pm.  Let’s hear them!

SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER:  Meeting Tues 3, 7pm, Mercy Convent.  New members welcome.

PIONEERS:   Meeting Wed 4, 8pm, Parish Centre.

CHILDREN OF MARY:  Tues 3.

SHINE (formerly Schizophrenia Ireland) – Supporting People Affected by Mental Ill Health. Midlands Office  9323111/086 8525281.
Information Help line. 1890 621 631.

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.

FATIMA 7-14 May; LOURDES 29 July-5 Aug with Fr Lorenzo Bracken.  Ph 087-6630231.

1ST FRI DEVOTIONS Ballycommon, Fri 6: Stations of the Cross,  Rosary & short Reflection, 8-9pm.  Adoration of the Eucharist,  7.30 to 9.00pm.

DURROW ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOC:  Wednesdays, 2.30-4.30pm, Durrow Hall.  New members welcome.

OFFALY CHILDMINDING INITIATIVE exciting calendar of events for Childminders. Ph Fiona  9370630.

FATIMA 7-14 May; LOURDES 29 July-5 Aug with Fr Lorenzo Bracken.  Ph 087-6630231.

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