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

23rd July 2023  ~  16th 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.

SAINTS AND SINNERS

In the Gospel today Christ compares the church to a field where wheat and weeds grow side by side until the harvest time.  Only then are the good separated from the wicked.  In the world around us, good and bad people mix like the wheat and weeds growing together.  Why does God allow evil to flourish?  Every human heart contains a mixture of good and evil.  There are no clear-cut lines between saints and sinners.  The church is not an exclusive community of the good.  It is here because we are sinners looking for salvation.

The Gospel shows us that God cares for everybody, especially for those whose lives are choked by sin.  The Pharisees were highly critical of Jesus choosing the company of such people.  By wanting to right the wrongs, we can easily forget that it is God’s world.  It is not our business to judge other people.

The emphasis in this Gospel is on the patience and tolerance shown by God.  We all share this patience of God by forgiving the faults of others.  Many of us find this challenging.  It is easy to categorise people.  This does not mean cultivating an attitude of indifference towards evil.  We must hate sin and never stop loving the sinner.  Judging others before God does is a very foolish business.  We are weak in many things and have enough to contend with in the bad patches of our own lives, where wild weeds are growing.

The good news is that it is never too late for a sinner to turn back to God and be accepted.  Weeds can never become wheat, but by the power of God, a sinner can become a saint.  Let us be thankful that on the last day, we shall be judged and not by one another.

25TH TULLAMORE INTERNATIONAL SUMMER ORGAN SERIES

Church of the Assumption, Tuesdays, 8.00pm

Concludes Tuesday 25th – The virtuoso touch with four hands and four feet – Patrice Keegan & Carole O’Connor.  Admission €15.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023

The countdown has begun to the WYD of the taking place in Lisbon, Portugal. A group of 44 are joining Bishop Tom in representing the Diocese of Meath at this gathering of young Catholics from all across the world.

Pope Francis is eagerly looking forward to the encounter and encourages everyone to pray for this important event and to be part of it by following online or by the live broadcasts.

RTE usually link in for the final Mass which will take place on Sun 6 Aug.

Please follow us on dioceseofmeath.ie

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL

Matthew 13:24-43

The owner of the field who allowed the wheat and the darnel to grow together is a reminder to us to be patient with ourselves and with others when we see everything is not right.  Sometimes a preoccupation with the negative (the darnel) can blind us to seeing the positive in our own lives and in the lives of others.  When have you found that a willingness to live with the messiness of the present created the conditions for future growth?

Have you ever found that it was through accepting the darnel that you learned important lessons for life, e.g., learning by making mistakes, or asking stupid questions, or taking foolish risks?

The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven are reminders that seemingly insignificant things can have very positive results.  Have you ever been surprised by the benefit to yourself or others of a kind gesture, a small initiative, or a word of encouragement?

John Byrne osa Intercom July/August 2023

WORLD DAY OF GRANDPARENTS & THE ELDERLY - PRAYER FOR GRANDPARENTS (POPE BENEDICT)

Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne.

Look with love on grandparents the world over.  Protect them!  They are a source of enrichment for families, for the Church and for all of society. Support them!  As they grow older, may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith, guardian of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions. 

Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience.

Lord Jesus, help families and society to value the presence and roles of grandparents. May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love. Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed in all the years of life which you give them. Mary, Mother of all the living, keep grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers, grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, where you await all humanity for the great embrace of live without end. Amen

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:  Please have Bulletin Notices for next weekend in to the Parish Office by tomorrow (Monday) morning.

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 24 .....10.00 ..Ann & Edward Scully, Aharney

........................Kathleen McGinnelly

Tues 25 ....10.00 ..Willie Duffy, Healy St

........................Teresa, Pat & Shamie Cleary, Ballykilmurray

Wed 26   ....7.45 ..PJ Deegan

.............10.00 ..Michael, Julia, Mary, James & Michael Kealey

Thurs 27 ..10.00 ..Ina Wrafter

.......................Vera & Gerry Lambe

Fri 28   .....7.45.. Edward Cullen, Patrick St

............. 10.00.. Violet & Con Cashell

Sat 29..... 10.00 ..Ann Fahey, Cormac St

.......................Philomena & Joseph Flynn

  .............6.30 ..Vinny Murphy, Mon Mem

.......................Charlie Daly, 1st Ann

Sun 30 ....10.00 ..Betty Kane

.......................Seamus McDonagh

.............11.30. Claire Wrafter, 1st Ann

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the families of Christine Mannion & Seamus Westman.

COLLECTIONS

Plate: Tullamore €2421; Durrow €177

Envelopes €3440

Thank you for your continued support.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:  Urgent cover required: Thurs 3-4pm & 4-5pm. Ph. 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.