Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 4th Sunday of Easter ~ 26th April 2015 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 Listening, etc. For appointment, ph 0579326604, Monday-Thursday 9.30am-1.00pm; Wednesday & Thursday 6.00-8.00pm. THE CALL OF THE SHEPHERD As we gather here today, we are a mixed group of people age-wise. One thing we have in common is God’s call and our response. We cannot all be priests and religious, but the majority of us are called to a lay vocation in the particular circumstances of our lives. Today is set aside as a day of prayer for vocations, and on this Good Shepherd Sunday, the Church prays especially for those whose vocation is to lead God’s people to experience His love and spread the Gospel message. In the second Reading we are told we become children of God by following His example – living by love. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!” 1 Jn3:1. Is our love for our fellow human beings as selfless as Christ’s love for us? We are called to be Good Shepherds to each other, in accordance with our vocation in life. Today, make this love the source from which we direct and live our lives. Say Yes. NIGHT FEVER Evening of Prayer for those interested in “Nightfever”, on Wednesday 29th at 8.00pm in the Parish Centre. SACRED DANCE & MEDITATIVE MOVEMENT Experience gentle dances/movement for meditation and well-being, on Thursday 30th, in the Parish Centre, from 7.30 -9.00pm. Donation of €5 goes towards Parish Funds. Ph Carmel Bracken RSM, 087 6425786, for more details. PARISH FUNDRAISER - MAY DAY CAKE SALE & RAFFLE Cake Sale & Raffle to take place next Friday, 1st, in the Bridge Centre, 10.00am-1.00pm. Tickets, €2, available from Parish Centre or any fundraising committee member. Donations of home baking would be most welcome on the day. REFLECTION FOR VOCATIONS SUNDAY Every single person has a vocation, a calling, a dream held for us by God as to who God would have us be and what God would have us do with our lives. When we speak of “praying for vocations” it is somewhat inaccurate. Vocations are freely given by God. What we are really praying for is God’s help to find and follow our own particular call. At this time in our part of the world, the call to a life of service and ministry in the Church is not very popular, for a variety of reasons. It’s not so much that God is not calling, so much as people might not be tuned in too well to listening! Another element is that whilst God does the calling, it is up to us to do the informing and inviting; that is telling people about religious life and priesthood – the fulfillment and joy it can bring – and actively inviting/encouraging them to think about it as a possible choice. Imagine if, in every parish and faith community, people were encouraged to spend a few minutes discerning who in their midst might be a possible candidate for religious life/priesthood? Then, if they gently and sensitively shared the fruit of their reflection with that person, saying what they saw in the person and then left it for him/her to think and pray about it? What would happen? Only God knows! As well as full time ministry, every community has a need for willing people to serve as readers, ministers of the Eucharist, Mass servers, catechists or members of various committees. Gods Kingdom needs people willing to say yes and give their hands, feet and hearts. God is saying, “Whom shall I send?” What are you saying in reply? PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS God, Our Father, Thank you for your son, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who leads us to the fullness of life. By our baptism we are called by name to continue the mission of Jesus. Give us the grace to listen with an open heart to the voice of Jesus and to respond generously with a joyful spirit. Strengthen the men and women you called to serve through marriage, the single life, the diaconate, priesthood, and consecrated life. Guide all who are discerning their Christian vocation. In gratitude we offer this prayer through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, unite with you forever. Amen. POPE FRANCIS TWEETS The world makes us look towards ourselves, our possessions, our desires. The Gospel invites us to be open to others, to share with the poor. No one saves oneself. The community is essential. I cannot imagine a Christian who does not know how to smile. May we joyfully witness to our faith. Dear young people, let us not be satisfied with a mediocre life. Be amazed by what is true and beautiful, what is of God! We are called to live our batism every day, as new creatures, clothed in Christ. How powerful prayer is! May we never lose the courage to say: Lord, give us your peace. This is Christian hope: that the future is in God’s hands. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The next available Baptism dates are Sat 23rd May & Sun 7th June in Tullamore & Sun 14th June in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these dates is on Wednesday 20th May. 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 also available for marriage and relationship counselling. NB: NOTICES FOR 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 27th 7.45am Thomas Connor 10.00am Edward & Mary Jane Hughes Tues 28th 10.00am Patrick Boland, 43 Pearse Park Wed 29th 10.00am Margaret Brazel, Ballydaly Thurs 30th 7.45am Larry Geoghegan & Family 10.00am Amy Hope Power Sat 2nd 10.00am Tom & Phyl Gilson 6.30pm Claire Walsh, Months Mem Sun 3rd 8.30am Tommy & Mary Gaynor, Arbutus Court & Daughter Margaret, Swords 10.00am Thomas Geoghegan 11.30am Peter Leonard, Month Mem 1.00pm Jack Lowbridge, Pearse Park, 1st Ann Durrow Sun 3rd: Austin, Mary & Michael Heagney; David Snr & David Jnr Waters & Margaret Kelly; Jenny, John & Jim Donoghue & Family; Jim & Nan Donoghue & Murray Family; Maureen & Stephen Lynam; Joe, Kitty, Joe Jnr, Jim Daly & Vincent Lennon; Michael & Brigid Fox & grandson Peter; Marion Molloy, John & Julia Bermingham; John & Mary Murray; Quinn Family; Thomas & Margaret Sullivan; Tom Regan; P.J. Dwyer; Paddy & May Flanagan & their parents. 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 Sat 30th May in Tullamore & Sun 3rd May in Durrow. 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. DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Philomena O’Brennan, Alex Brophy & Patryk Kubaci. PARISH COLLECTIONS Tullamore €3397; Durrow €154; Envelopes €3283 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 PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 30 July-6 Aug, €699. Ph Fr John Nally 0874114450, Pat Kidney 0863192399, PJ Smyth 0868796190. GROW: Strengthening mental health & well being, looking for people to take part in a community survey, ph 086 7940549 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . HOLY HOUR FOR PREVENTION OF SUICIDE Thurs 30, Day Chapel, 6.30-7.30pm. All welcome. IRISH CANCER SOCIETY: Volunteers wanted to drive local patients to and from chemotherapy treatments. Volunteer expenses are paid, ph 01 2316642 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . SHS MUSEUM: Mon 18 May, SHS. If you have artifacts to display ph Sean or Roxanne 057 9321747 to arrange drop in time. MEATH DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: 12-17 Sept, €689, ph 016359300. Youths (over 18) ph 087 7631916, hospital pilgrims ph 087 7914828. 1ST FRI/SAT DEVOTIONS TO UNITED HEARTS OF JESUS & MARY: Fri 1 May, Rosary 6.15pm, Mass 7pm, Parish Centre, All welcome. CARERS ASSOCIATION: Group Meeting, Fri 1, 11am-12.30pm; 50/50 Lotto Draw to raise funds will be held. Ph 086 7957086. PARENTS FIRST: Volunteer parents needed, 1-2 hours weekly to help share their experiences. Ph 057 9322996 or 086 1959221. C.N.G. PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK Sat 2. Ph A Boland 087 7914828. LOST: Gent’s prescription sunglasses, O’Connor Sq area. Finder ph 0851417556 |