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

To book Masses, Baptisms and Weddings, or
to arrange an appointment to see a priest
please call within these times where possible.
A receptionist and phone service is available
up to 10pm each day.

3rd Sunday of Advent 16 Dec 2007

Msgr. Seán Heaney, P. P.
Fr. Padraig Corcoran C.C.
Fr. Shane Crombie C.C.
Fr. Seamus O'Conner C.C.
Father Paul Trairong Multree
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

Weekday Masses
Monday – Friday: 7.45am & 10.00am
Saturday: 10.00am
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

SUPREME REASSURANCE

When John sent his disciples to Jesus, he doubted who Jesus was and also his own mission. 
He had said that Jesus was the one who was going to take away the sin of the world.  When things got tough, John doubted his own role, just as many of us doubt our role as workers for the Kingdom.  We do not think of the “ordinary” tasks as part of God’s plan for us.

The best preparation we can make for his coming is to be ready to make his presence felt through deeds of kindness.  So don’t loose heart, keep going  with joy in your hearts and thanksgiving on your lips and take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during all Masses on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd.

Children have never been good at listening to their elders,
but they have never failed to imitate them.
- James Baldwin

REFLECTION

Famine, wars, pain; people dying in natural disasters because they were forced by poverty to cluster in dangerous places. How can we find peace in a fear-filled world, a dark and troubled existence. The cynics taunt us: "How can you believe in God in a world where there is suffering?" This question has no easy answer. Sometimes it is even the wrong question; we question God's motivation when really we need to draw our attention to ourselves and the evil which so often results from the selfishness of our own human activity.

Christmas reminds us that God has triumphed over evil. God's words of love were made flesh in the person of Christ. The same Christ remains with us "lives in our hearts" (Eph 2:22). He is visible and active in the people who give their time, their money, their skill, their lives to serve the poor and sick; in those who rush to attend to victims of disasters; in daily acts of kindness of yourself, your friends, your family. This is proof of the existence of God: through our acts of goodness and generosity the blind see, the hungry find food, the oppressed find justice. Gabriel's words to Mary are God's words to us to help us find peace in a world of pain:
"The Lord is with you . . . Do not be afraid". Luke 1

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

There will be reconciliation within Mass, at all Masses in the Church of the Assumption, on Sunday 23rd (ie 7.30pm Vigil, 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am & 1.00pm)

“I am sorry for my sins and I ask for God’s forgiveness”

CHURCH ENVIRONMENT GROUP

Meeting Tuesday 18th, 7.30pm, Parochial House.

POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS

Donations of poinsettias for the church for Christmas would be most welcome.  Please leave in the sacristy during the week.

Shared Mass Saturday 22 10am:
Christopher & Brigid Geoghegan;
Teresa Doyle;
Kathleen & Stephen Grennan;
Mary, Paul & Trevor Moore & Quinn Family;
Thomas & Catherine Dooley;
John, Mary, Martin & Ellen Molyneaux;
Laurence O’Toole;
Lynch Family;
Thomas & Rose McDermott & Nancy Hyland;
Eddie & Nan Connolly;
Patrick Snr, Margaret & Patrick Jnr Hutchinson;
Bridie, Noel & Joshua Kelly;
Matthew & Kathleen Downes;
Malachy Fallon;
Sean & Margaret Talbot;
Gerald Quinn;
John Brady;
Charles & Ellen O’Shea;
Peter Rose & Jimmy Mollyneaux;
Martin, Rose & Thomas Fenlon;
John Lowry;
Michael & Rose Cleary;
Killeavy Family;
Thomas & Margaret Geoghegan;
Bridget & John Hanley;
Louise & Pat Keogh;
Tyler Somers,
Amy Louise & Michael Keogh;
Johnny & Ellen Reynolds;
William Igoe;
Winifred & James Walsh;
Bernard & Ellen Yarrow;
Jim, Kathleen, Joe & Kevin O’Rourke;
Terry, Frances & Billy Mitchell;
Fr Larry Newman;
Stone Family;
Pat & Patrick Donlon & Family;
Christina Delaney;
Annie & Thomas Fox;
Mary & John Joe Waldron.

WEDDING BELLS
 

Congratulations to Fionnuala Roche & Adrian Kavanagh.

Couples who wish to marry should complete their
prenuptial inquiry form with a priest six months in advance.
The must also give three months notice to marriage registrar.

NEW ARRIVALS

Welcome to the family of God’s people 

William Scott Patrick Cronly,
Izabella Kathlyn Panza &
Kyle Patrick Power who were recently baptised.

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.  To book in for meeting and baptism, please
contact the parish secretary at the Parochial House.

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

COMMUNITY GROUPS

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Hospital Chapel:
‘Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament of Love’, Pope John Paul II. Ph 9321232.      

DURROW CEILI CLUB:  Christmas Party Ceili, Tuesday 18th, 8.30pm, Durrow Hall. 
All welcome.

LEGION OF MARY:  Annual Curia Reunion in Alfie Lambe House, Sunday 16 at 5.00pm.  Auxiliaries and others welcome.

CHRISTMAS PRAYER VIGIL St Ciaran’s Prayer Centre, Clonmacnoise, Friday 21.  Mass 11pm, finish 4am.  Ph Helen 0861678027.

THERE WILL BE NO BULLETIN ON SUNDAY 30TH DEC.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL NOTICES FOR INCLUSION IN THE BULLETIN ARE IN THE PAROCHIAL HOUSE OFFICE BY THE TUESDAY EVENING.  NOTICES ARRIVING AFTER THAT WILL NOT BE INCLUDED. 

SUPPORT GROUPS

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

Life Pregnancy Care 7B Cormac St, Drop in service every Saturday 10am-1pm, 057 93 41110  www.lifemidlands.ie

ACCORD Marriage & Relationship counselling, 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

Women in Crisis Esker House, Patrick St, Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, 9351796; Helpline 9351886, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; 24 hour cover at weekends.

MABS Free & confidential debt advice, 9323211

Vincent de Paul 9322072

Dochas - Cancer Info & Support Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, Offaly St 9328268

Meditation Mondays, 7.00pm, Marian Hostel

Lucia Counselling Service for those with mental illness, 18900621631

Suicide Bereavement Support - group sessions - Rita 0868157320

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

Epilepsy Assoc Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm 9328631

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 Mon of month, Bridge House, 8pm.  Ph 9321211 after 6pm.

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