Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ 20th July 2014 Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P MASS TIMES Weekend Masses Church of the Assumption: Saturday (Vigil) 6.30pm Sunday 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am & 1.00pm St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: Sunday 11.30am Holy Days Church of the Assumption: Vigil 6.30pm; 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm, 6.30pm. St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: 8.00pm Weekday Masses Monday-Friday 7.45am & 10.00am Saturday 10.00am First Friday 7.45am & 10.00am. CONFESSIONS Saturday: 12 noon-1.00pm, 3.00-4.00pm GET IN TOUCH St Mary’s Parish Centre, Benburb St, Tullamore Phone: 0579321587 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Web: www.tullamoreparish.ie Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm; 1.30-5pm to book weddings, baptisms, certs, etc; Reception service 5-9pm. Priest available for emergencies 24 hours daily. Parish Shop selling a selection of religious items. Teas after 10am Mass Mon, Wed & Fri. Meeting Rooms available: Contact Administrator for details of rates, availability etc. Parish Support Services: Bereavement Counselling, etc. For appointment,ph 0579326604, Monday-Thursday 9.30am-1.00pm; Wednesday & Thursday 6.00-8.00pm. HELP IN OUR WEAKNESS We could well feel weak if, as a stalk of wheat, we experienced being choked by weeds which we think should not be there in the first place. Our equivalent to weeds might be disasters, sickness, human cruelty – all things we feel block the space we need to expand. In the parable we are told that the weeds were not meant to bethere – an enemy has done this. However, God can use the damage done by the enemy to grow the seed of faith planted in the field of our hearts, so that we become even stronger than had things been otherwise. We are so precious to the Gardener that in case we might be damaged during the removal of the weeds, He will leave them until harvest time. More than likely in our weakness and blindness we would pray for the wrong things in this situation – but God has a protective remedy for that. The second reading says, “the Spirit comes to the help of our weakness and prays within us”: a prayer that is always the right one to bring us growth and fuller life. “Holy Spirit, Light of our hearts, pray within us that which is for our eternal joy and happiness”. CEMETERY DAYS IN THE PARISH Cemetery Sunday in Clonminch is on 17th August at 1.00pm and in Durrow on 14th September, with blessing of graves after 11.30am Mass. PARISH FUNDRAISER – MEDITATIVE MOVEMENT & DANCE Experience gentle dances/movement for meditation and wellbeing, Thursday 24, 7.30-9.00pm, Parish Centre.Donation €5, towards parish funds. CHARITABLE DONATIONS – CHY4 CERTS A good number of parishioners have returned their CHY 4 certs to the parish office and we thank them for this. The parish is able to claim tax back on these forms and it is a vital source of revenue. Therefore, we would ask parishioners who have not yet returned their forms to try and do so now. If you have misled the original form sent to you and would like a new one issued, please contact Noeleen, the Parish Secretary. JUNIOR PPC SENIOR CITIZEN’S BINGO Senior Citizen’s Bingo will be on Friday 25th, in the Parish Centre, after 10.00am Mass. NEW PARISH EMAIL ADDRESS If you want to send notices, queries, etc to the parish office, by emails, please use This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Your emails may no longer be coming through on our old ‘iol’ address. SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS Matthew 13:24-43 The owner of the field who allowed the wheat and the darnel to grow together is a reminder to us to be patient with ourselves and with others when we see everything is not right. Sometimes a preoccupation with the negative (the darnel) can blind us to seeing the positive in our own lives and in the lives of others. When have you found that a willingness to live with the messiness of the present created the conditions for future growth? Have you ever found that it was through accepting the darnel that you learned important lessons for life, e.g., learning by making mistakes, or asking stupid questions, or taking foolish risks? The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven are reminders that seemingly insignificant things can have very positive results. Have you ever been surprised by the benefit to yourself or others of a kind gesture, a small initiative, or a word of encouragement?- John Byrne OSA, Intercom July/August 2014 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The next available Baptism date is on: Sun 7th Sept in Tullamore. The pre-baptism meeting for this is on Wednesday 20th Aug. To book in for the meeting and baptisms, contact the Parish Secretary, at the Parish Office, Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE It is advisable to give six months’ notice of your intention to marry to both the Church and the Registrar. To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary, Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5.00pm. All couples getting married must attend a pre-marriage course. Contact ACCORD, 9341831 or www.accord.ie. ACCORD alsoavailable for marriage and relationship counselling. NB: NOTICESFOR THE BULLETIN MUST BE IN THE PARISH CENTRE BY 9.30AM WEDNESDAY Only notices from parish groups, non-profit making organisations& clubs included. MASS INTENTIONS Mon 21: 7.45 Michael Reade 10.00 Jim Flanagan Tues 22: 7.45 InaWrafter 10.00 Margaret O’Brien, Ballykilmurray Wed 23: 7.45 Joe, Brigid, Jane & Harry Higgins, Chapel St 10.00 Bro Mark Hogan Fri 25: 7.45 Willie Duffy, Healy St Sat26: 10.00 P J Deegan 6.30 Megan Ward, Mon Mem Sun27: 8.30 William Smyth, Ballydaly 10.00 Peg, Jim, Ned & Lizzie Dolan 1.00 Elena Merkele, Mon Mem You are reminded that 6.30pm Vigil, 11.30am & 1.00pm Masses are for Months Memories and 1st Anniversaries only. Shared Masses: The next available Shared Masses are on Sun 3rd Aug 11.30am, in Durrow& Saturday 16th Aug, 10.00am in Tullamore. When booking intentions into these Masses please make sure you haven’t included your loved ones already. These Masses are for the anniversary of death only. BAPTISMS Welcome to God’s family Rían Padraig Murphy & Eoin James Deering who were baptised recently. PARISH COLLECTIONS Tullamore €3303; Durrow €142; Envelopes €3180 Thank you for your continued support. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHIONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22ND AUGUST, 1996. COMMUNITY NOTICES PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION in Hospital Chapel day & night. ARDEN VALE 40TH ANNIVERSARY Sun 27. Mass 5pm followed by refreshments. All former residents welcome to come and renew old acquaintances DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK, Sun 10 Aug. Bus from Tullamore, 9.30am; dep Knock 5.45pm, €10. Ph PJ 0876386270 CARERS’ ASSOC: Support Group meeting Fri 25, 11am-12.30pm. Please return tickets for fundraising draw. Details 0867957086. TULLAMORE MACRA thank all who supported recent successful old style sports day. SUE RYDER SHOP looking for donations, in good condition. “Help share the care”. POWER4GOOD CHARITY SHOP:Volunteers & donations wanted for shop in Kilbride Plaza. Ph Molly 0872914302. BARNARDOS looking for Team Leaders to help coordinate a collection in Tullamore,Fri Sept 19. Contact Sarah 1850 222 300 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it TARA: 4-night break, Glass House, Hotel, Sligo, Mon 22-Fri 26 Sept. More details from Benny, 0579351295/0872146172. MIDLAND LIVING LINKS support for anyone who has lost a loved one, friend or colleague to suicide ph Bernie 086 1600641. DOCHAS; Offaly Cancer Support Group Drop-in Centre, Offaly St, 9328268. SEXUAL ABUSE & RAPE CRISIS CENTRE: Confidential Counselling Service, Helpline 1800323232. OFFALY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICE: Helpline 9351886 for information or to make an appointment. YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL, Cistercian College, Roscrea, Thurs 14 – Sun 17 Aug, for young people 16-35, an opportunity to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new people. Donation only. For more information see www.youth2000.ie , phone 01 6753690, or facebook (youthtwothousandIreland). FOUND: Sum of money. Owner contact Parish Secretary. |