For the week beginning on Sunday 2nd. January 2022

MESSAGE FOR THIS NEW YEAR

Last year, 2021 we have continued to live with the pain and uncertainties of Covid19.  It has been a very difficult year for everyone.  We had hoped that we would have been able to put this crisis behind us and get back to more normal living.   In times of crisis we can rediscover the strength of faith.  We have been asked to travel along an unknown road.  We are not in charge of the journey and we do not know what the future will be like. 

During the past year we have prayed as we have never prayed before.  We have prayed for ourselves, for our families, for those who are away.  We have prayed for our frontline workers who have bravely worked to save lives.  We have prayed for our researchers and scientists that they will be inspired to learn about the working of this virus and come up with medicines that will keep us healthy.  We have prayed for our workers who have been unable to work and for businesses who are struggling.  We have prayed for our nursing home residents and for their families who have endured a terrible separation from people that we love dearly.  We have prayed for our dead.  We have lived with the pain of not being able to go to funerals and grieve our dead and support their families. 

And now it is the season of Christmas and we begin a new year.   It is a light in a very dark time of year and we look forward in hope.  This is the time when Christ comes to us as our saviour.  This is the time when Christ takes us by the hand the leads and guides us on this mysterious journey.  It is very difficult for us to put our hand into the hand of another and say, I trust you, and that is the very essence and the reality of faith.  This is not a dream, this is the promise of Christ to us.  This is what makes us strong.  We can look beyond ourselves to a better future.  This is Christmas - Christ the saviour is born!

On behalf of everyone on the parish team I want to thank you, our parishioners for your prayers and support during the past testing year.  We have rallied together as community and as parish and we have grown together.  May the hope and strength of Christ be with you in this New Year.

Fr Joe Gallagher PP

PARISH CENTRE

Our Parish Centre will re-open on Tuesday 4th. January 2022.

Happy New Year to all.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

Thursday 6th. January is the Feast of the Epiphany.  Mass times are as follows:  

Vigil: (5th.) Durrow 8.00pm

Feast Day: (6th.)Tullamore 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm, 6.30pm.

MASS INTENTIONS   

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

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE 2022

A Pilgrimage from Meath Diocese to the Holy Land led by Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, Price: €1,875.00 pps(half board). Details from GTI Travel (01) 843 4734.

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL

(JOHN 1:1-18)

This prologue to John’s Gospel is a piece of poetry.  Like all poetry one of the ways to enter into it is to read it a few times slowly and let the words and images speak to you.

The prologue proclaims Jesus as the true light come into the world.  How has Jesus, and the message of Jesus, been a light for you in your life?

The prologue also affirms the transforming power of faith: ‘to all who received him… he gave power to become children of God’.  How would you describe the difference it makes to you to have faith as part of your life?

In Jesus we get a glimpse of God and of the love of God.  But as ‘Jesus people’ in the world today we also are called to be witness to the light.  Who has been a witness to you?  To whom have you been a witness?

John Byrne OSA Intercom January 2022

PROTECTION AGAINST COVID 

For clarity following the recent updated Covid guidance, Religious Services in Places of Worship are unchanged regarding capacity, with all other protective measures in place to ensure safety of the congregation. We ask parishioners to:

Continue to wear masks at all times when visiting our parish churches.

Sanitise on the way in.

Receive Holy Communion on the hand.

Use the boxes provided at the doors for the plate collection and parish envelopes.

AWARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

Aware is currently seeking volunteers for their  Support Services. 

Aware is the national organisation providing free support, education and information services to those impacted by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions. Aware was founded by Dr McKeon and a team of volunteers, many of whom had their own experience of depression or bipolar disorder, and who wanted to support others. That is still Aware’s ethos today, volunteers are the backbone of the organisation.

If you think you would like to volunteer or if you simply want to know more please visit <<AWARE>>. All the relevant information, training dates and full application form can viewed on that page.

SACRAMENTS

BAPTISM: Please contact the parish secretary.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday 2.00-3.00pm in the Day Chapel.

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

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.