Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 12th March 2017 ~2nd Sunday of Lent 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: 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm, 6.30pm. St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: Vigil 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 FEAST OF ENCOURAGEMENT Transfiguration is described as a change of form or appearance. In today’s Gospel, the Apostles Peter, James and John witness an unveiling of the divinity of Christ and the appearance before them of Moses and Elijah. “He was transfigured before them”, (Mt 17:2). What a revelation for them, seeing their friend Jesus in a new way, glimpsing the very nature of God; the beauty within bursting forth. This was to strengthen the faith of the Apostles prior to His crucifixion and His death and that they would know that Christ was divine. Moses and Elijah bore witness to Him and the voice of God speaking from the cloud. The transfiguration gives us a glimpse of the glory He has won for us in Heaven. Sometimes we have our own mini-Tabor moments of grace in prayer and become more loving and alive to God in our lives. Who we are is merely a shadow of who we can be when we do not limit God in what He can enable us to become. Let us befriend Jesus in prayer and encourage others to experience His transforming presence in their lives. MASSES FOR ST PATRICK’S DAY Friday next, 17th, is St Patrick’s Day. Masses will be as follows: Tullamore Vigil 6.30pm; 8.30am, 10.00am & 11.30am. (No 1.00pm). Durrow 11.30am. Beannachtaína Feile Phádraigoraibh to léir DISCOVERING CHRIST In today's gospel Peter says to Jesus 'Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here'. Participants and volunteers of Discovering Christ have echoed these words of Peter over the last five weeks. The weeks are flying by and this weekend we have our Holy Spirit retreat. Lord we thank you for the wonderful experience Discovering Christ is turning out to be for all of us and we pray that you continue to bless and guide us in the final weeks. PARISH FINANCE REPORT 2016 On 31 December 2015 we had a parish debt of €973,806. Our aim was to reduce this below €700,000 during the year. We are pleased to report that we have achieved this reduction in the debt. We have been able to reduce our debt by €275,098. The parish debt on 31 December 2016 is €698,708. This is a big achievement. Our collections have improved, our fundraising events were well supported and we have been able to reduce our expenditure and continue to run and maintain and develop our parish. Our main sources of income are Church Plate Collection, Envelope Collection and Offerings. We depend on these collections. This is our basic income. This is how we run the parish and pay our bills. Even a small increase in these collections on a regular basis will make a significant difference. During the year we also run fundraising events. We acknowledge the support you give these events, the support of business and sponsors in the town and the hard work of the fundraising committee. We have a large and vibrant Parish that we can be proud of. Servicing our debt continues to be a big challenge. We have made solid progress during the past year and this is a great encouragement to all of us. We thank you for your support and generosity. The Parish Finance Committee LENT 2017 Weekday Masses:7.30am, 10.00am & 7.30pm. Evening Prayer for Lent continues this Sunday, 12th, at 5.30pm in the Church of the Assumption. All are welcome. Monday Evenings in Lent Every Monday evening this Lent we have a guest speaker to lead us in prayer and reflection. This week we welcome Bishop Fintan Monaghan, Bishop of Killaloe. Mass begins at 7.30 and concludes with Lenten devotions and Benediction. Keeping Lent This is already the second week of Lent and like everything the season will pass by very quickly. Maybe you have observed Lent well since Ash Wednesday or maybe it has passed you by. It is never too late to start. As the scripture says "now is the favourable time, now is the day of salvation." The three aspects of Lent are prayer, fasting and alms giving. Starting today or continuing as you are make your mind up to do one thing in each of these.. MISSION APPEAL The Society of African Missions (SMA) fathers will be visiting the parish next weekend. They will speak at Masses, distribute literature and make their appeal. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The next available Baptism datesareSat 18th, Sat 25thMar& Sun 2nd Apr in Tullamore & Sun 9th Apr in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for this date is on Wed 15thMar. 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 13 7.30 Billy & Mairead Harvey 10.00 Alfie Quinn, O’Molloy St Tues 14 7.30 Our Lady’s Mass 10.00 James Farrell, Edenderry & Farrell Family 7.30 Sean Quinn Wed 15 10.00 William Cleary, Mon Mem 7.30 Kathleen & William Lynam Thurs 16 10.00 Moran & O’Connor Families 6.30 Jimmy Dunne & Maher Family Fri 17 8.30 William Dunne & Family 10.00 Dan & Brigid Molloy 11.30 Joseph Payappan Sat18 10.00 Kitty Flanagan, New Rd & Dr Kitty Molloy 6.30 Mark Mc Loughlin, 1st Ann Sun19 8.30 Rick Keenan 10.00 Richard Buckley, Ballycowen 11.30 Johnny Feery, Mon Mem 1.00 Brian Ellis, 1st Ann DURROW Fri 17: 11.30 Fr Arthur Waters DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Eleanor Cregan & Dan O’Brien. BAPTISMS Welcome to God’s Family Hannah Kate Tyrrell, Jessica Casey Spain, Fiadh Breege Molloy, Liam Shay Waters, Trevor William Ward Mills & Jamie Desmond Connolly who were baptised recently. PARISH COLLECTIONS: Tullamore €3727; Durrow €298; Envelopes €3137. 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 HOSPITAL CHAPEL:Can you spend an hour to sit with the Lord: Sun 5-6pm; Mon 2-3pm;Tues 2-3pm; Wed 4-5pm; Thurs 2-3pm?Ph 0851162668. ACCORD are looking for Facilitators for premarriage courses. Professional training provided. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it LEGION OF MARY: Rosary, Alfie Lambe House, Arden Rd, Mon 13, 8.15pm. All are welcome. READY: Dinner & Social, Sun 19, Maunsells, 8pm sharp. Booking at 9341232/0877625463. LA LECHE LEAGUE: Breastfeeding Support Group meeting Thurs 16,8pm, Health Centre.Ph 0872764382/ Caroline (085) 1760632. Find us on Facebook La Leche League Tullamore. FRIENDS OF CHERNOBYL CHILDREN TULLAMORE: Host families wanted for summer.If interested phone Mary 087 0635232/Alma 086 3857374 on or before Mon 20 Mar. ST PHILOMENA’S NS: Thank all who donated to recent church gate collection. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. DÓCHAS OFFALY CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE: Providing supportive care, factual information, holistic therapies, counselling and mindfulness, Mon-Thurs, 10am-2pm.or ph 057 9328268 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ROSARY for new evangelisation, Saturdays, after Vigil Mass. MEDITATION: Mondays, 7-8pm, Parish Centre. All welcome. MEATH DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: Led by Bishop Smith, 12-17 Sept. Section for sick pilgrims.Contact Pilgrimage Abroad Ltd, 164 Lower Baggot St, Dublin 2, 01-6359300.Youth section, 18-30 years. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it FAMILY CARERS IRELAND providing support and home respite services. For more info contact Sheilah Kinsella at 086 0208507 or 057 9322920: email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 10TH ANNIVERSARY ST PATRICK’S DAY PRAYER VIGIL CluainChiarán, Clonmacnois Fri 17. Mass at 9pm. Adoration and Prayers follow until 2.15am. Contact Dave 085-7746763 WEEKEND OF PRAYER, SCRIPTURE TALK & HEALING by Mr Johnson, Day Chapel Sat 18 after 10am Mass, Sun 19 2-6pm. Ph Patrick 0863740040/Veena 0872883050. |