Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 15th October 2017 ~ 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P MASS TIMES Weekend Masses Church of the Assumption: Saturday (Vigil) 6.30pm Sunday 8.30a.m, 10.00a.m, 11.30am & 1.00p.m St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: Sunday 11.30a.m Holy Days Church of the Assumption: 7.45a.m, 10.00a.m, 1.10p.m, 6.30p.m. 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. INVITATION OR IMPOSITION - YOUR CHOICE The main theme in the readings is one of happiness, joy and celebration. Matthew has another interesting and thought provoking parable which at times can be challenging to understand. In the last part of the parable, in particular, we are faced with what might seem a gross contradiction. The language is harsh and quite strong “for many are called but few are chosen” but maybe this is because it clearly reflects the reality of the church today. Yes, we are all invited to experience the love of God in our lives but not all will take the plunge. Everyone, no matter what their past, receives the same invitation to sit at God’s table. However, having initially answered the invitation, we cannot take things for granted or be complacent. Faith is a gift freely available to all and the question we must ask ourselves is do we see the living out of our faith as an imposition or as an invitation? Today, we pray that we will become disciples who hear and live the teaching of Jesus. We pray for a deeper faith, for a better spirit of service and a sense of responsibility to our community. MISSION SUNDAY Next Sunday, 22nd October, the Holy Father invites all Catholics to contribute to a special collection. Every person in every parish, in every country where the Church is present will be celebrating together and sharing what they have, no matter how little. It is the one Sunday in the year when the Mass is celebrated exclusively for missionary activity. Donations are collected at these worldwide Masses and they go to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. It is also the one Sunday in the year when your generosity goes directly to help mission parishes overseas and reach out with Jesus’ message of hope and love. World Missions Ireland is the Holy Father’s official charity for overseas mission. It is responsible for coordinating Mission Sunday in Ireland and, through local bishops, churches, and missionary congregations around the world, ensures that resources are distributed equitably and justly on the basis of need. In offering our prayers, we join with missionaries everywhere in communion and compassion to support them in spreading the Good News, and by giving a donation, we respond to Christ's call to feed the hungry and clothe the naked so please give what you can. Fr. Maurice Henry and his team from the SMA Fathers will be speaking at Masses about their work on the Missions. There will be an exit collection after each Mass. SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS Matthew 22:1-14 Scripture often speaks of the kingdom of God as a banquet. The image of people being at a meal where everyone is happy and welcome and where hunger and thirst is satisfied gets the idea across the idea that God loves, accepts and welcomes us and wants us to make that experience available to one another. Think of times in your life when you have had ‘banquet’ experiences and when you have felt accepted and loved? The host enlists the help of his servants to invite people to the banquet. We are commissioned by the Lord to invite people to the banquet of the kingdom, to the fullness of life- as parents, teachers, friends, etc. What has it been like for you to play a part in leading others to a fuller life? As in the parable last week, there was a message about being alert to invitations that offer a fuller life and the danger of losing out if we neglect to respond to such invitations. Perhaps there have been opportunities offered to you that you missed, and now regret. Think also of the blessings you received because you seized the moment and took an opportunity that presented itself. The second parable puts the focus on how we respond to invitations. Some invitations are ones that challenge us to change, to conversion, to put on a ‘wedding garment’. What has been your experience of changing in response to an invitation you received? (John Byrne, OSA, Intercom 2017) THOUGHT FOR THE DAY …God created the world out of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us… (Martin Luther) SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The next available Baptism dates are Sat 21st & Sun 05th Nov in Tullamore and Sun 12th Nov in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these dates is on Wed 18th Oct. 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 counseling. 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 Tues 17 7.45 John Grogan & Parents 10.00 PJ Ryan Wed 18 10.00 Kate Mills Thurs 19 10.00 Jocelynn Longworth & Family Fri 20 10.00 Francis Winter Sat 21 6.30 Nuala Murray , Cormac St, Mon Mem Nan Hughes, Mon Mem & husband Liam Sun 22 8.30 Patrick & Molly Cleary, son Noel & grandson Brando 10.00 Michael McNally 11.30 Marie Hughes, Mon Mem 1.00 Angela Redican, Mon Mem Sean McCaffrey, Mon Mem Shared Mass, Sat 21, 10am: Pamela Finlay; Phil & Ann Deevy; James, Margaret, Rose & MaryAnn Graham & Eddie Shevlin; Christy Brennan; Tony & Rose Heffernan; Joseph O’ Connor & Family; Eileen & Peter McLoughlin; Michael Cuskelly; Annie & Paddy Heffernan; Louise Waters; Bridget & Jackie McNair; Mary Kate & Michael Heffernan; Millie Bryan; Owen & James Daly & Kathleen & Martin Howard; Josephine Brennan; Lulu & Martin Colsh; Aiden Stones; Christy Brennan; John Lewis; Daniel O’Brien; John Galvin, Margaret Cunningham; Larry, Peter & Angela Rigney; Jack, Josephine & Sinead Boland; Eileen & Aiden Egan; Michael Kavanagh; Michael & Anna May McRedmond; John & Annie Connolly; James & Elizabeth O’Connor; Maylon Mahon; Joseph & Elizabeth Gorman & Family; Hussey & Duffy families; Susan Daly. DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Nellie McCann & Seamus O’Dea. BAPTISMS Welcome to God’s family Muireann Noelle Lally, Robbie John Collins & Callie Mae McDonagh who were baptised recently. PARISH COLLECTIONS Tullamore €3203; Durrow €374 Envelopes €2675 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 sit one hour with the Lord, very urgent, Sun 3-4am or any hour? Ph: 085-1162668. TULLAMORE COMMUNITY RADIO: Info meeting, Wed 25, St. Mary’s Youth Centre, 7.30pm. Volunteers required, all welcome. For details ph: 0879455061. LA LECHE LEAGUE BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP: Thurs 19, 8pm Health Centre. Ph 0872764382/0851760632. TULLAMORE’S 5th DIECAST, TOY & MODEL SHOW: Sun 22nd, Tullamore Court Hotel, 10.30am. All proceeds to (L.O.F.F.A) Laois,Offaly,Families for Autism . OFFALY COUNTY CHILDCARE COMMITTEE: Free info clinic for parents. Wed 25th, Arden View Family Resource Centre. To book ph: 057 9135878. THE IRISH WHEELCHAIR ASSOC (Ballinagar branch), CE Scheme vacancies available, Resource & Outreach Centre. Contact Employment Services, Tara Buildings, Castle St, quoting Job Ref. CES-2049275 or scheme Supervisor on 0579350065. BECOME A FOSTER CARER: Info event, Tues 17, 5.30-7.30pm, Tullamore Library. CLONMACNOISE PRAYER VIGIL: Cluain Chiaran Prayer Centre, Fri 20. Mass 9pm. All Welcome. Enquiries Dave; 085-7746763. SIMON CASEY & FRIENDS FUNDRAISING CONCERT: St. Catherines Church, Hophill, Thurs 19, 8pm in aid of Oncology Ward, Tullamore. Tickets €15. Contact Tina Stones:0868753512 SCOIL EOIN PHÓL ll NAOFA: Annual 5km Run, Sun 22. Registration 9am, starting at 11am. All welcome. WESTMEATH BRANCH OF THE DIABETES ASSOC: Info evening, Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar, Tues 18th, 7pm. All welcome, Admission free. GROW: Wed 11am, Tullamore Library. If you are lonely, isolated or suffering from stress why not come along to the support group. Contact Michelle 086 418 3805. |