28 March 2024

Sunday 25th. Apr. 2021

 

Vocations

VOCATIONS SUNDAY

Prayer for those considering a vocation - Pope Francis

LORD, help me to respond to your call, with the aid of wise and generous guides, and realise a proper plan for my life to achieve true happiness.  To dream great dreams and always have a concern for the good of others.  To stand with you at the foot of the cross and receive the gift of your mother.  To witness to your Resurrection and the hope that it brings.  To be aware that you are at my side as I joyously proclaim you as Lord.  Amen.  

Jesus is still calling priests, he needs you to say yes to his call.  Be a priest and find joy, bring people to God and let Jesus work through you.  If you feel called to be a priest, open your heart to Jesus, follow the Lord and do not be afraid.  Priesthood is not an office of the past.  Jesus needs priests today more than ever. 

Vocations Director: Ph: Fr Tony Gonoude 044 9373923

Website: www.meathvocations.com

Facebook Page: DioceseOfMeathVocations            

Instagram Account: dioceseofmeathvocations 

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

 

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: Please contact the parish secretary.

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. 

THE DEEP END – THE GOOD SHEPHERD

In Jesus’ time, being a shepherd was not a pleasant job. Sheep became easily lost and the shepherd’s job was to guide them back to safety. There were many dangers and the sheep were totally dependent on the shepherd. Shepherds would round up their sheep in the evening and guide them into their pen. But it had no gate, so the shepherd would have to lie across the space in case the sheep were attacked in the night. The shepherds literally lay down their lives for their flock. John compares the sacrifice of the shepherd to the ‘hired hand’ who is not really committed to the flock. He does what he has to but flees at the first sign of trouble.

This Good Shepherd Sunday the Gospel describes Jesus as the ‘genuine’ Shepherd who wants a personal relationship with each one of us and who would lay down his life for us. The Gospel emphasises the importance of relationship as the shepherd knows his flock and cares for them. They ‘Follow Him’ and it is not a Facebook or Twitter type of following, rather it is a genuine relationship. Everyone matters to the Good Shepherd, regardless of their situations. We are told ‘I know my own and my own know me’. We are called today to follow Jesus in a more personal more intimate way. Even when we stray off the path and get lost, it is then especially that the Good Shepherd comes looking for us.

Jane Mellett, Intercom April 2021

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 .