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

30th July 2023  ~  17th 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, 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

JOIN US ON PARISH WEBCAMS ON PARISH WEBSITE.

CONFESSIONS - Saturday 2.00-3.00pm in the Day Chapel.

HIDDEN TREASURE – PRICELESS PEARL

In today’s Gospel there are beautiful images of the kingdom of heaven.  It is presented as a treasure hidden in a field.  We can think of the wonderful treasures from our past that were found buried in fields, the beautiful gold chalices and crosses, the gold and silver coins, that our now on show in our National Museum.

The kingdom of heaven is presented as a pearl of great value – not just any pearl, but one that is priceless like the museum pieces, a joy to see, to admire and to contemplate.  The images are clear.  The kingdom of heaven is the most beautiful thing in the world.  Don’t you wish to be in that kingdom?

But, as Christians, we are already in that kingdom.  To be in the kingdom is to accept and to do the will of God, and that is a lovely and wonderful thing.  Our vocation as Christians is to build the kingdom of God here and now, by following the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels, by expressing and sharing our belief and faith in God, by loving Him and our fellow human beings, here and throughout the world.  That is how to win the fullness of the treasure, the priceless pearl, at the end of time.

CEMETERY DAYS IN TULLAMORE & DURROW

Cemetery Sunday in Clonminch 20th August, 1.00pm.

Cemetery Sunday in Durrow 11th Sept, 11.30am

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life is not about what will happen or what did happen.  It is about what is happening.  Look at the nature around you today. God is in it.  Creation is God’s story.

‘There is treasure in the fields, there is treasure in the skies, there is treasure in their meaning from the soul to the eyes.’

So find God in nature, it will at least slow you down.  And who knows it may give you space to reflect on what will happen, And what did happen.

- Grainne Delaney Occasional Prayers for the School Year (Messenger 2023)

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL

Matthew 13:44-52

Have you ever found yourself saying ‘that was worth it’ after giving up something (time, pleasure, money, etc.)?  What was the treasure that made the sacrifice worthwhile?

The ‘kingdom of heaven’ is when God is really the ruler in our life.  What treasures have you obtained when you allow God to be at the centre of your life? 

In life we gather a lot of things, some good and some bad.  The wise person in the kingdom of heaven, knows how to sit down and make decisions on what to keep and what to discard.  When have you undertaken that kind of discernment?  What have you discarded?  What have you retained?

- John Byrne osa Intercom July/August 2023

TREASURES & PEARLS

… Difficult times often bring out the best in people.  We see it in the way friends rally around a bereaved family, or communities raise money to help a sick child.  There are treasures in our people and our communities that we could never put a price on.

Jesus talks today about hidden treasures and fine pearls, and prompts the question – what is most important to us, and what are we willing to sacrifice for it?  Sometimes treasures like compassion and love are there for all to see and other times they are hidden or buried and we have to go in search of them and to remember to bring them to others.

The kingdom of God is always close at hand and within each of us. - Tríona Doherty, Intercom 2017 

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 31   7.45 Audrey Hayes

10.00 Mary Jane Poland, Church St

Tues   1   7.45 Elizabeth Larkin, William St

10.00 Gerry Quinn & Family

Wed   2 10.00 Tom McKenna

Hugh & Frances Thomas & Mary Daly

Thurs   3   7.45 Our Lady’s Mass

10.00 Edward Joy, Arden Vale

Paddy & Margaret Carroll

Sat   5 10.00 Tom & Anne Ruane

Michael Gannon

  6.30 Joe Larkin, Mon Mem

Sun   6   8.30 Jim Flood, Whitehall

Thomas, Ellen, Thomas Jnr, Ann,

Marie & Jimmy Egan, Sragh

10.00 Robert Smyth

Barry Woodnutt

11.30 Helen Owens, Mon Mem

  1.00 Kitty Dold, Mon Mem

Durrow Sun 6, 11.30am:  Fr Arthur & David Waters & Laura Dillon; John, Kathleen & John Joe Ward & Teresa Cloonan Aspinal; Vincent Ward; Ted Nyhan; Paudge & Delia Kelly & Family.

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the families of Áine Ennis, Gary Donlon, Sadie McCabe, Kevin Kinahan & John Buckley

BAPTISMS

Welcome to God’s family Billy Hoey, Sasha Emily Carey, Stacey Jessica Ward, Kathleen Margaret Ward & Nevaeh Nora Ward who were baptised recently.

COLLECTIONS

Plate: Tullamore €2688; Durrow €170

Envelopes €1881

Thank you for your continued support.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION continues daily in Church of Assumption.  Help always required.  If you can do 1 hour per week in Adoration please phone Pat 085 1162668

MEALS ON WHEELS:  New volunteers wanted.  Details from Catherine 0872828070 or Marie 0872941858.

1 TO 1 COMPUTER TRAINING FOR O-55’s:  Free courses, Tullamore Library, Wed 10.30am-12.30pm, for 5 or 6 weeks.   Contact Age Action, 01 475 6989

CE SCHEME – OFFALY HISTORY CENTRE, TULLAMORE: Admin & Accounts positions available 19.5 hours per week.  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 0579321421 

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK:  Sun 13 Aug – bus from Parochial House, 9.30am, €15 return.  Details from 0876386270.

JACK AND JILL CHARITY SHOP:  Volunteers needed in O’Moore St shop.  Call into the shop for info.

AA:  Offaly House, Offaly St, Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat 8.15pm; Tues, Wed, Fri 1pm; Sun 12noon & 8.15pm.

MENS ROSARY: Sat 5, 1pm, Town Park, Tullamore (famine graveyard).  All welcome.