A Blooming Wilderness!

A loving God will allow us to experience a wilderness - whether of mind, heart or soul - to give Him space to enter our hearts and assure us of His love and tenderness (Hosea 2).

The ‘New Life' this assurance brings us is not to be limited by the constrictions and servitude of the old life, according to today's Gospel.  It is a free response to persons who know and believe that they are beloved by Jesus and the Father and are enabled by the power of the Spirit to live accordingly.

As a Christian, have I really come to believe in God's Love for me or do I even give Him the space in my heart to tell me about it or have Him confirm it by His Word in Scripture?

Shared Mass Sat 4th March 10am
John Grennan;
Clancy & John Boyd;
James Harrington;
John & Mary Robbins;
Denis Galvin;
Betty Doolin;
Thomas, Catherine, Bridie & Desmond Murphy;
James & Annie Kilroe;
Christy, Pat & Mary O'Brien;
Dooley Family,
Molly & Jimmy McGarry;
Michael, Catherine & Mary Cleary;
James & Mary Kidney;
Tom & Joe Farrelly & Farrelly Family;
Peg McKeon;
William Lynam;
Thomas & Agnes Gorman;
John Grogan & Parents;
Madden & McLoughlin Families;
Martin & Honour Garrett;
Dan & Josephine O'Connor;
Peter & Esther Dempsey;
Michael & Mary Dempsey;
Jack Kelly & Hugh Mahon;
Peter & Annie Waters;
Ignatius Keegan;
Josephine Raleigh;
Colbert Family;
Hanly Family;
Matt & Eileen Horan;
Gallagher Family;
Joseph & Peggy Murray;
Patricia Baggott;
Mary Fox;
Joe Connaughton;
Ryan Family;
Joe Maher;
Thomas O'Toole;
John Dowling & grandson Robert;
Patrick & Mary Carey;
John & Mary Robbins.
You are reminded that this Mass is meant for anniversary of deaths only.

Deaths: We offer our sympathy to the family of Sheila Mealiffe, Chapel St.
If you would like support or comfort in your grieving, ph 26604.

 Baptisms

Welcome to the parish community
Molly Kate Keegan, Cloncollig;
Adam Joseph Maher, Ballin Ri;
Sophie Eillis Buckley, Tara St;
Sean Patrick Kavanagh, Marian Place;
Kacey Marie Mills, Cloncollig;
Rachel Mary Dunning, Eiscir Island;
Hannah Kenith Caroline Buggy Molloy, Coolnahiley.  
Baptisms are in Tullamore on the 1st Sunday & 3rd Saturday of the month and in Durrow the 2nd Sunday of the month.
Next pre-Baptism meeting - Wed 1st & Wed 15th March - 8.30pm, Parochial House. 
All parents who wish to have their child baptised must attend a meeting.  Contact Parish Secretary for details.

LECTIO DIVINA Resumes Tues 28th, 8.00pm, Parochial House.
LITURGY GROUP meeting Fri 3, 5pm, Parochial House.
Scoil Eoin Phoil II 25th Anniversary: Live music & disco Thurs 16, Court Hotel.  Tickets from Mark 086-3888091/ Paddy 087-3551935 or from the school.
Carer's Assoc: Support group meeting, Tues 28, 11am, Carers Resource Centre, Patrick St.  Ph Fidelma 22920.
GAA Minor Board: Meeting Mon 27, GAA Centre, 8pm.  Past committee members particularly welcome.
Youths Disco Rugby Club, Fri 3, 9pm-12midnight.  Adm €5.
Midland Suicide Bereavement Support Service: Information evening Tues 7, 8pm, Dew Heritage Centre, Bury Quay.  Ph Rita 086-8157320.
‘Brainwave' - An Elegant Evening of Fashion, Court Hotel, Mon 6, 7pm.  Ph Brainwave 28631/Ritzy's 29416.
Credit Union: Open 6 days from Mon 6 March; details from office in Patrick St.
Garden Club: Meeting + guest speaker Evelyn Sherwin, Wed 1, 8pm, Bridge House.
TARA holiday to Lisdoonvarna, 24-29 April.  Ph 23978 for details & booking.
Pallas Flyfishing Club: AGM, Mon 27, 8.30pm, Foresters Hall.  All welcome.
Offaly Childcare Committee: Occupational 1st Aid Course & Manual Handling Course organised for March & April in Birr.  Ph 0509-35878 for details.

ASH WEDNESDAY 1st March.  Masses will be at 7.30am, 10.00am, 6.15pm; Durrow 8.00pm. 
There will be a short prayer service and distribution of ashes at 1.10pm in the Church of the Assumption.

STUDENTS & PARENTS PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION, Monday 27, Day Chapel 7.30pm.  (Hospitality Team 2)

EVENING MASSES FOR LENT Monday-Friday 6.15pm, Tullamore; Fridays 8.00pm Durrow.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS needed for Ash Wednesday and evening Masses during Lent.  READERS needed for 6.15pm Masses.
Please leave names into the Sacristy.

LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS Mon-Sat 9.40am.

FIRST FRIDAY HEALING MASS Friday 3rd, 6.15pm.

WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 3rd, 8.00pm, Methodist Church.  Theme: "Sign of the Times" compiled by women of South Africa.  Tea in hall after service.  All welcome.

BAPTISM TEAM Meeting Monday 6th at 7.30pm, Day Chapel.
 
WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER Sunday 5th-Friday 10th March.  Anyone interested please contact the Parochial House.

REACHING OUT: As mentioned last weekend, we are planning to organise a visitation of all the new housing schemes in our parish.  This project is being undertaken by the PPC and involves parishioners going out, two by two, on house visitation.  They will welcome new families and present them with a copy of our information booklet which gives details of all services in the parish and how the parish is organised.  We are now inviting those who are willing to undertake this work to give their names in the Sacristy this weekend.  We hope to have a special briefing session and a special Mass to launch the project during the 2nd week of Lent.  

Even though you do the right thing,
do you do it in the right way?  

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