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.

1st Sunday of Advent- 2nd December 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

 Wake Up Time

Last weekend we celebrated the end of our liturgical year and this weekend we celebrate the beginning of a new one.  In a little over a month, our calendar year ends and a new year begins.
Every end brings a new beginning.  This gives us an opportunity to make a fresh start.  If we have been ambling through life in a selfish, carefree manner, waiting for someone else to solve wars, waiting for a member of the family or the neighbour to make the first move in a personal conflict situation, then it is ‘wake up time’.  We must all strive towards peace, do what we can to help, no matter how insignificant it seems.  We must act now to save our own souls.
We must always be ready for God’s call as many extracts in today’s readings show:  ‘Nations will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war...let us walk in the light of the Lord’ (Isaiah);
‘You know the time has come; you must wake up now...let our armour be the Lord Jesus Christ’, (St Paul);
‘You must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’, (Matthew) 

Do not let your fears about the next hundred years discourage you from smiling now
- occasionally, anyhow!

 CONFIRMATION RITUALS

The second Confirmation Ritual for all schools on this weekend.

EVENING PRAYER FOR ADVENT

Commences today, Sunday 2nd, at the earlier time of 5.00pm for this weekend only

1ST FRIDAY REFLECTION

on Stations of the Cross, 7.00pm.  All welcome.

LITURGY GROUP

Meeting Tuesday 4th, 6.30pm, Parochial House.

SPECIAL CELEBRATION NIGHT FOR  ALL JUNIOR INFANTS

Thurs 6th, the Feast of St Nicholas, 7.30pm, Church of the Assumption.

BOOKING CHURCH AND PAROCHIAL HOUSE

Due the big demands on the use of the Church and the Parochial House, all groups from the parish who use either places for their various meetings, prayer gatherings, Masses etc must book in with the Parish Secretary. 

FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Next Saturday, 8th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Masses are as follows:  Friday 7.30pm (which is also the 1st Friday Mass); Saturday 7.45am, 10.00am & 1.10pm.  Mass in Durrow will be on Friday 7th at 8.00pm.

ADVENT

Advent calls us to place our faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah long promised to God’s people, who came into our world in Bethlehem at the First Christmas.  Jesus tells us that he comes at a day and an hour you do not expect.  So his message to us today is to be ready, prepared and aware of the Saviour who came among us.  The frenzied shopping rush and pursuit of endless new fads to make this Christmas better than any other, are futile endeavours on our part.  What Jesus asks us, is to be ready to celebrate his coming with joy.

Advent calls us also to reconciliation.  Each year in our  Parish, we devote the  4th Sunday of Advent to Sacramental Reconciliation during Mass.  The reason for our emphasis on reconciliation is that  it brings new peace and new joy into our  hearts, if we approach the Sacrament with sincerity.  The most import aspect of reconciliation is that we are asked not just to be reconciled with our heavenly Father, but also with one another.  This is a challenge as difficult as any we face in our lives.  So let us prepare for a truly joyful Christmas by making the first moves in being reconciled with one another.  It will bring us closer to our Father in heaven and make us more conscious of our sharing in the life of Christ.

DODATEK    POLSKI

Nastepna msza swieta w jezyku polskim odprawiona bedzie 23.12.07 ogodz.14:30
Wszystkich szukajacych pomocy w jakiejkolwiek sprawie lub oferujacym pomoc prosze o kontakt.   Tomek  0876640020

Monday 3:
7.45 Rody Larkin, William St
10.00 Patrick Murtagh, Rahan Rd
Tuesday 4:
7.45 Mary & Christopher Hughes
10.00 Edel Quinn
Wednesday 5:
10.00 Nancy Lloyd, Arden View
Thursday 6:
7.45 May Mangan
10.00 Paddy O’Reilly, Pearse Park
Sat 1:
10.00 Martin & Mary Mannion, Park Ave
7.30 John Mills, 23 O’Molloy St, 1st Ann
Sunday 9:
  8.30 Nancy Lloyd
10.00 Des Hensey
11.30 Thomas Toohey, 1st Ann
1.00 Brian Power, Arden View, Mon Mem

Durrow Fri 7 (8pm) Elizabeth Quinn
Sun 9 Liam Walsh, Tinnycross

The next available Shared Mass Sat 19 January at 10am.  You are reminded that this Mass is for the anniversary of deaths only and is limited to 40 intentions.

DEATHS: 
We offer our sympathy to the families of
Angela Dempsey, Whitehall,
Patsy McLoughlin, 14 Pearse Park,
Kathleen Egan, 3 Davitt St,
Patrick Molloy, Aharney & Bridget McCarthy, nee Cleary, late Henry St, died in USA.

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

WEDDING BELLS
Congratulations to Paula Connolly & Gearoid Clancy; Edel Cornally & Fergus Gowing.
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

  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.

COLLECTIONS: 
Tullamore €4564
Durrow € 315
Envelopes € 2275
Thank you for your continued support.

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

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

 PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Hospital Chapel: ‘Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament of Love’, Pope John Paul II. Ph 9321232.
 SUICIDE PREVENTION  
Prayer 7-8pm, Day     Chapel, 1st Thurs     of every month,     commencing this     Thurs 6.  Light a     candle in your home if you    can’t make it.  Together    we can make a difference.
SECULAR FRANCISCANS:  Meeting Tues 4, 7pm, Mercy Convent.  New members welcome.
PIONEERS:  Mass in Day Chapel, Mon 3, 8pm - presentation of gold/silver emblems.  Pioneer magazine now available.
‘RIGHTS FOR ELDERLY’ CHRISTMAS CHORAL CONCERT:  Sun 2, 8pm, Church of the Assumption.  Small number tickets available Harbour St entrance before show.
READY:  Christmas Dinner Party, Tues 4, Bridge House, 8pm.  Ph Patricia 9323828.
TARA:  Christmas Dinner Party, Court Hotel, Tues 18, 6pm.  Ph Mary 9323978.
GORTA ANNUAL CHURCH GATE COLLECTION next weekend.  Please support.
JUMBLE SALE Sat 8, 10am-4pm, HSE building, Sragh Industrial Estate.  Proceeds towards ‘People with Learning Disabilities - Residential Support Project’.
CLARA REGIONAL PIONEER MASS: Sun 9, 3pm, Tubber.
SEAN NOS & STEP DANCING CLASSES conclude for Christmas with a party, Thurs 6, 8-11pm, Pitch & Putt Club.  All welcome.

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