28 March 2024

For the week beginning on Sunday 5th. December 2021

 

Church Interior

PROTECTION AGAINST COVID

WE ASK PARISHIONERS TO:

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

• Sanitise your hands entering and leaving the church. 

• Receive Holy Communion on the hand.

• Use the baskets collection buckets at the doors for the plate collection and parish envelopes

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Wednesday 8th. is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Masses are as follows:
Vigil (7th) 8.00pm Durrow; 
7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm and 6.30pm Tullamore.

COLMCILLE 1500

A Journey through Ireland & Scotland, Mon 6, 2pm-4pm, online event to celebrate the 15th centenary of the birth of Colmcille 7 Dec 521AD. It will include prerecorded material from Durrow–famous for Durrow High Cross & Book of Durrow. Register www.colmcille1500.com/events or www.facebook.com/colmcille1500

FAMILY MASS IN DAY CHAPEL

Due to the rise in Covid numbers, the Family Mass in the Day Chapel has been suspended.  Hopefully it can resume in the New Year.

ADVENT FAITH FORMATION - RESOURCES AND LINKS

EVENING PRAYER FOR ADVENT continues each Sunday evening at 5.30pm in Tullamore Church.

“During Advent, let us reflect on the eternal message of Christmas, which is, Christ is alive and that He is our hope.”  – Archbishop Eamon Martin

An interactive digital Advent Calendar will go live on www.catholicbishops.ie on this the first Sunday of Advent. The Calendar offers resources for the parish, school and for families which can be accessed behind a virtual door each day during the season of Advent.  The content is aimed at assisting people of all ages to pray and reflect on how best we can keep Christ at the centre of our Christmas preparations during this special liturgical season. 

Welcoming this year’s Advent Calendar Archbishop Eamon said, “After another difficult year of living with the Covid-19 pandemic, the season of Advent arrives and offers us a new beginning and a promise of hope for better times.”The digital Advent calendar is a helpful resource on our ‘journey’ towards Christmas.  By clicking on a virtual door people are invited to take just five minutes for reflection so as to find moments of peace and to rediscover the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.  

The seasons of Advent and Christmas occur in the depth of winter reminding us that Christ was born to bring hope to a darkened world. The Covid-19 virus may have reared its menacing head again in a fourth wave  but, it cannot  and will not destroy our hope and our conviction that God remains especially near to his people.  As the prophet Isaiah said “the people that walk in darkness have seen a great light”.  During Advent, let us reflect on the uplifting promise of Christmas, that Christ is alive and that He is our hope.

CONFIRMATION & COMMUNION 2022

The proposed dates for Sacraments for 2022 are as follows:

Confirmation

Saturday 5th February (all schools)

First Communion

Sat 7th May, Scoil Mhuire & Scoil Bhríde

Sat 14th May, Ballinamere & Gaelscoil Eiscir Ríada

Sun 15th May, Parish School

Sat 21st May, St Joseph’s NS

Durrow to be confirmed.

Schools will notify you of times. 

PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN IN SECOND CLASS

The next "Do This in Memory" Mass in preparation for First Penance and First Communion is as follows:

Sat Dec 11th, 6.30pm, St Joseph's NS

Sun Dec 12th, 10.00am, Ballinamere NS & Gaelscoil Eiscir Ríada

Sun Dec 12th, 11.30am, Scoil Bhríde, Scoil Mhuire, the Parish School

Sun Dec 12th, 11.30am Durrow NS in Durrow Church.

Hope to see you all there.  The Parish Team

MASS INTENTIONS   

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

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. 

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL

(LUKE 3:1-6)

The manner in which Luke identifies in detail the time when John the Baptist started his preaching shows that Luke regarded this as a historic moment.  Perhaps you can recall in detail the time and the circumstances of particularly significant moments in your life?

John called people to give expression to their desire for a change of heart by a symbolic baptism in the Jordan.  When have you found it helpful to symbolize your desire to change for the better by some symbolic gesture, e.g., burning a packet of cigarettes, sending a card, making a phone call, etc.

‘A voice crying in the wilderness’ is sometimes taken to refer to a voice that is ignored.  Pope Francis has issued a call to all of us to take part in the consultation process preparing for the synod in 2023.  What can you, and your faith community, do to make sure his call is answered.

John Byrne OSA Intercom December 2021

PARENTS FIRST

Volunteer for 1-2 hours a week? parents/grandparents to pass on knowledge & experience in bringing up children. Contact Dolores 0858565252 or Rhona 0861959221 Email: coordinator @ parentsfirst.ie

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.

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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 .