29 March 2024

alt

Parish of the Assumption

Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510
www.tullamoreparish.ie 
E-mail Parish Secretary:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The baptism of the Lord ~ 7th January 2018

Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P
Rt Rev Sean Heaney CC VG
Fr. Shane Crombie C.C.
Fr Kevin Fleming SSC
Sr. Genny Hassey
Sr. Margaret Burke    

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.


THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

Today, we celebrate the baptism of Our Lord, when Jesus was baptised by John in the Jordan. After thirty years of hidden development, Jesus undergoes an extraordinary experience. The divine promise made to Abraham to raise up a witness for the nations and a guide for the peoples, is realised on the banks of the Jordan. Jesus is made manifest as the Chosen One of God. The heavens were torn apart and the Spirit descended like a dove to Jesus.  God speaks from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you”. Through his baptism, Jesus is recognised clearly and publicly as God’s “Son and Beloved”. At that time he became the spiritual healer and teacher, the one who will restore humankind to God, the one we must follow.

When we were baptised as Christians, a statement was made on our behalf, a statement of intent to follow Jesus in our private and public lives. This is our baptism promise – to follow the path mapped out for us by Jesus. We must love God and love our neighbour. We must do our utmost to keep the Commandments. Our response to Baptism should be visible in our faith lives, our lifestyles and in our love for our families and our neighbours, near and far.


LITURGY GROUP

The first Liturgy Group meeting for the New Year will be on Wednesday 10th at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre.


SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS

Mark 1:7-11

John gives an example of humility as a person confident in his own role but not seeking to claim to be more than he is.  He is able to acknowledge that Jesus is greater.  There is a freedom in being able to acknowledge the gifts of others without losing a sense of one’s own giftedness.  Recall times when you were able to do this.

The baptism of Jesus was an extraordinary religious experience for him.  Something happened that was a major step forward for Jesus in coming to know that he was the beloved Son of God.  We all have events in our lives that are milestones along the road of discovering who we are.  What have been these milestones for you?

‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Bring to mind memories of experiences in which you knew you were the beloved (of God or of another person) and that the one who loved you was well pleased. Bring these experiences to mind with gratitude, knowing that the only proper response to love received is thankfulness. Perhaps you have also given that experience to another.

It is easy to lament the growing secularisation in the world today, but the Spirit of God who spoke loudly to the world in the Christ-event is active today. How can we be open to the new things the Spirit is saying to the Church today?

(John Byrne, OSA, Intercom, January 2018) 


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

… Never fear shadows, they simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby… 


A SEARCHING GOD

He came in search of John.

He came in search of baptism.

He came in search of blessing.

He came in search of the Spirit.

He came in search of God’s favour.

He came in search of God’s love.

The first active step that Jesus takes as he begins his ministry is to search. He journeys from Nazareth to the river Jordan to find John, in order to be baptised. While John feels he is ‘not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals’, Jesus still seeks him out. He needs this moment of baptism and blessing to begin his ministry. This is his moment of divine calling and endorsment from the Father: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’.

We know what it is like to search. We yearn for meaning, for love, and our hearts are always searching for God. 

Today’s first reading from Isaiah speaks of this great thirst: ‘Oh come to the water all you who are thirsty’; ‘Seek the Lord while he is still to be found’. We must seek constantly to bring ourselves into the presence of God, who will give us his blessing and strength for the road ahead.

‘You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you’. (St Augustine)

(Tríona Doherty, Intercom, Jan 2018)


SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

The next available Baptism dates are Sat 20th & Sat 27th Jan & Sun 4th Feb in Tullamore & Sun 11th Feb in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these dates is on Wed 17th Jan.

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

Mon 8      7.45  Our Lady’s Mass

             10.00  Kathleen Claffey

Tues 9   10.00  Daniel Dunne, Church Rd

Wed 10    7.45  Ned & Eileen Grennan, Loughaun

             10.00  Margaret ‘Peggy’ McDonagh, Kilcruttin

Thurs 11  7.45  Hugh Lynch, Rahan Rd

             10.00  Mary Vickers, Park Ave

Fri 12    10.00  Patrick A Wrafter

Sat 13    10.00  Mick Halloran

               6.30  Alice Bannon, 66 Pearse Park, Mon Mem

Sun 14     8.30  Molly & Paddy Dunne & Maureen Halewood, Marian Place

            10.00 Marcella Egan, 21A Marion Place.


DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the families of William McEvoy, Bridget Quinn, Bridie Byrne, Teresa Ann Lowbridge, Vincent Wynter, Brenda Quinn, Julia Weir & Dean Cobbe.


PARISH COLLECTIONS

Sun 24: Tullamore €3067; Durrow €157; Envelopes €5595

Christmas Day: Tullamore €10482; Durrow €1042

Sun 31:  Tullamore €2977; Durrow €213; Envelopes €3338

Thank you for your continued support


PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHIONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22ND AUG 1996.


COMMUNITY NOTICES

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION HOSPITAL CHAPEL:  Have you considered a positive, spiritual gift for yourself as a new year’s resolution?  Enjoy a quiet and relaxing hour of Adoration and experience the personal benefits.  Hours available to suit your weekly routine.  Ph Pat 085-1162668.  Happy New Year!

WELLBEING GROUPS: All groups resume this week in the Parish Centre. For more info contact Carmel at 0876425786. 

THE FRIENDS OF THE HOSPITAL: Wish to thank all who supported the recent Church Gate Collection. Your support will allow the friends to purchase extra equipment for the A/E Department.

DURROW CEILI CLUB: Ceili & set dancing classes resume Tues 9, Durrow Hall, 8.30pm. New members welcome.

FR. ANDREW MULLEN:  Mass, celebrated by Rev. Denis Nulty, Daingean Church, Sun 14, 11.15am to mark 200th Ann of his death. Prayers at graveside following mass (weather permitting).

MOJO: mental health & wellbeing programme for men, 18 years & older. The next 12 week programme starts 24 & 25 Jan, Offaly Local Development Company, Main Street. For further info: mojo.ngo or 087-6028801. 

FOSTER CARERS: needed for children within Laois/Offaly in Jan. For more info: tusla.ie or Ph: 0578692567. 

RADIO MARIA IRELAND: Irish run Catholic Talk-Radio, available to download free, free streaming: www.radiomaria.ie or hear it directly on phone 014373277 for price of a phone call.

TULLAMORE CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP: Wed, 7.45pm, Presbyterian Church. Everyone welcome.

GROW: Wed 11am, Tullamore Library. Ph: 0864183805.

AWARE: Support & Self Care Group every Mon, 7.30 (except Bank Holidays), Riada House, Arden Rd, free, no referral needed.

SOSAD: Free, Confidential Counselling service. Ph: 0579346704, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

OFFALY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICES: Helpline 9351886 for information or to make an appointment.

DOCHAS OFFALY CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: Drop In Centre, Offaly St, Mon to Thurs, 10am-2pm. Phone9328268

SEXUAL ABUSE & RAPE CRISIS CENTRE: Confidential Counselling Service, Helpline 1800323232.