28 March 2024

Sunday 18th. Apr. 2021

 

Bread

‘YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS’

Today’s Gospel is one of the resurrection accounts from St Luke’s Gospel.  It begins with the disciples recalling their experience on the road to Emmaus and how they recognised Jesus in the breaking of the bread. The Gospel continues into another account of the Risen Jesus with his disciples. Jesus interrupts the disciple’s story and greets them with ‘Peace’ (Shalom) yet, in this account, they are terrified by this. Jesus shows them his wounds and Luke tells us that they are full of joy, but they still can’t believe it and think it is a ghost. Jesus shows them that he is no ghost as he asks for food and eats fish with them. Jesus then journeys with them back through the scriptures in order to open their minds. He speaks to them compassionately, trying to relieve their anxiety and fear.

Jesus tells the disciples that ‘you are witnesses of these things’. Luke wants to establish an important point, that these disciples are witnesses to the Resurrection, they ate with Jesus after his death and he opened their minds. The Resurrection accounts in the Gospels are not fantasy, they are the actual experiences of Jesus’ disciples. So often in Luke’s Gospel Jesus conveys his message through food and banquets, moments of celebration. The Risen Christ brings compassion and joy into difficult spaces. Today let us share with Jesus the situations in our lives which need an injection of compassion and Easter joy.

 'Every year the dull and dead in us meets our Easter challenge: to be open to the unexpected, to believe beyond our security, to welcome God in every form, and trust in our own greening.’(Joyce Rupp)

Jane Mellett, Intercom April 2021

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR

Would you like to learn about the Holy Spirit- the spirit of love between Jesus and God the Father? Life in the Spirit seminar led by Fr. Pat Collins on ZOOM. 
Course Starts 05 May 2021 on Wednesday  evenings for 7 weeks –– FREE to attend.  Donations welcome.  register on www.newspringtime.ie/shop

MASS INTENTIONS   

Click  for the full list of Mass Intentions to be celebrated this week.

SACRAMENTS

BAPTISM: Not taking place at the moment.

CONFESSIONS: Not taking place at the moment.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary. 

FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION

We are thinking of all our young people who are preparing for their sacraments at this time.

It is not possible to set dates for First Communion and Confirmation with current restrictions.  We do not know when the government will ease restrictions and permit the celebration of public Masses in our churches.  When our churches are allowed to reopen then we can make plans and set dates for Confirmation and First Communion.  In the meanwhile we acknowledge the great work that our schools are doing in preparing our young people for the sacraments.  We encourage families to participate in the live streaming of Masses from our parish Churches, to pray regularly and to visit the churches for private prayer.  It is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone and we look forward to better days. 

NEW LIBRARY APP FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Tullamore Library is starting a new programme to help the older person in the community to be able to get online to join the library and use their digital services. This is a very useful app during the times we find ourselves in as individuals will be able to access books online through eBooks and also audio books.

<<Click Here for more information>>

TULLAMORE COMMUNITY & FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE

”Early Years Programme” – online course for parents on Zoom lasting 6 weeks.  If interested ph Imelda 0860879124, Margaret 0861806109 or Kieran 0871213737

VOCATIONS NOTICE

The Diocesan Vocations Team has a new Facebook Page: DioceseOfMeathVocations   & a new Instagram Account:  dioceseofmeathvocations, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Ph Fr Tony Gonoude 044 9373923

COVID-19 SUPPORT LINE FOR OLDER PEOPLE

ALONE manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).  Ph 0818 222 024, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm daily.

BALLYCOMMON TELEWORK & TRAINING CENTRE

BTTC is offering a range of free/affordable services.  Ph 0579353177/9353441, 
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

MONEY ADVICE AND BUDGETING SERVICE (MABS)

MABS ( a free, confidential service forople who have problems with money management): Nationl Helpline 0761072000 Mon - Fri 9:00 am to 8:00 pm  

SHALOM WORLD MINISTRIES

Shalom World is a 24/7 commercial free Catholic television network for the whole family. Use the floating link to access the live "Shalom Media Gallery" or click on the icon on the right to find out more about Shalom World Ministries.

Shalom copy
Given the COVID-19 precautionary measures, our churches are inaccessible for the faithful. Participation in the daily sacraments is beyond reach for them. Shalom World TV, a Catholic media ministry of the Shalom Ministries, is an official partner with the Vatican and is authorized to telecast papal liturgies directly via its free high-definition television channel. Shalom World is committed to producing free yet high-quality Catholic content such as Daily Mass, devotionals, shows, music, youth programs, children’s programs, conventions, retreats, and cultural exchange segments. The programming is absolutely free and can be watched live or on-demand. The most recent addition, in response to COVID-19, is a 4th channel to the existing 3 channels, for exclusive live telecast of daily Holy Mass around the clock, with special prayers for an end to coronavirus .

We are broadcasting Daily Mass Live from Saints Peter and Paul's Church, Portlaoise, Co. Laois at 10:00 am everyday during this challenging time.

Bishop Denis Nulty, Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is our patron in Ireland  and Shalom World is endorsed by Catholic leaders from around the globe .