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

4th December 2022  ~ 2nd Sunday of Advent

Fr. Joseph Gallagher, P.P., V.G.
Rt Rev Sean Heaney, P.E.
Fr. Joe Campbell, C.C.,
Fr. Fergal Cummins, C.C.
Fr. Damian Budau, C.C
Sr. Margaret Burke.

GET IN TOUCH

St Mary’s Parish Centre, Benburb St, Tullamore, 

Office Hours:  Mon-Thurs, 9.30-1; 1.30-5pm.  

Phone: 0579321587 
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Web: www.tullamoreparish.ie

Reception service Friday, 9.30-5.  

Priest available for emergencies 24 hours daily.

Meeting Rooms available:  Contact Administrator for details of availability, rates, etc.

Teas after 10.00am Mass Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

Bereavement Listening Support:  Ph 0579326604.

WEEKEND MASSES

Church of the Assumption:(Vigil) 6.30pm

Sunday 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am & 1.00pm

Durrow:  Sunday 11.30am

WEEKDAY MASSES

Monday-Friday 7.45am, 10.00am

Saturday 10.00am 

First Friday 7.45am & 10.00am

JOIN US ON PARISH WEBCAMS ON PARISH WEBSITE.

CONFESSIONS

Saturday 2.00-3.00pm in the Day Chapel.

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE

In today’s readings we cannot help feel a great sense of expectation, something new, a waiting.  We can picture a future of Christ’s perfection, which in Isaiah 11:8-10 seems to unfold like a canvas before our eyes, but in our human condition, seems more like a dream - a hope - a wish.  But we have work to do and the encouragement of the Scriptures to give us hope.

What is it in our lives that need healing or change?  Is there something in our attitude to our family or others that challenges us?  With John the Baptist there was no holding back on the road to repentance.  Age is no barrier to change, to reforming our lives.  Waiting may be the hardest time of all but the absence of hope is the greatest poverty of all.

Advent offers us an opportunity to prepare for the Lord and His Kingdom in our world and in our hearts.

Try to recognize His presence in others today’s and keep the hope alive!

ADVENT INVITATION!

PRAY AND MEDITATE WITH US

Scripture Reflections posted weekly, on our Youtube channel (Tullamore Parish) containing prayers, a short reflection and discussions about the Mass Readings.  We hope it will be of great spiritual benefit to you!

Evening Prayer for Advent continues this evening, Sunday 4th, at 5.30pm.  It will continue on Sunday Sunday 18th Dec (please note, not on Sunday 11th).

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Next Thursday, 8th Dec, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Mass times are as follows:

Vigil (7th) Durrow 8.00pm; 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm & 6.30pm Tullamore

1ST COMMUNION RITUAL

Our next Ritual for First Communion is as follows:

St Joseph’s, Sat Dec 10th, 6.30pm

Ballinamere NS/GaelScoil an Eiscir Riada, Sun Dec 11th, 10.00am

Scoil Bhríde/Scoil Mhuire, Parish School Sun Dec 11th, 11.30am

Durrow NS, Sun Dec 11th, 11.30am in Durrow Church.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE

A Christmas Carol Service will take place on Sunday 11th Dec at 7.00pm in the Church of the Assumption.  It will feature the Meath Diocesan Choir (Director Jim Walsh) along with local choirs from Durrow NS, Ballinamere NS, Sacred Heart School and Children’s Mass Group.

Admission is free but there will be collection boxes available for voluntary contributions to go to nominated charities for Christmas.

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus.  Who have been the people who have borne witness to us of the good news of the gospel that God loves us – a friend, a parent, a teacher, etc...?  To whom have we borne that witness?

John appears in the story as one who had the courage to be himself in the face of opposition.  He was also a person who knew his own value, did not make exaggerated claims and was content with his mission. Can you recall times when you have been content to be yourself, without pretending to be more than you are?  What was it like to have that freedom, even in the face of criticism from others?

John was ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness’ – announcing confidently to those in the wilderness that they must not despair because God’s grace may come to them at any moment.  Have you had the experience of being in the wilderness, feeling lost? From whom did you hear a voice that gave you hope? Have you been able to give hope to other people when they were in the wilderness?

John Byrne OSA Intercom December 2022

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Baptisms take place monthly on the first Sunday in Tullamore, second Sunday in Durrow, third and fourth Saturday in Tullamore.  Contact the Parish Secretary.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary at least three months in advance.  All couples getting married must complete a pre-marriage course.  Contact ACCORD 0579341831 or www.accord.ie. 

ACCORD also provide couple and relationship counseling In-Person and Online in Tullamore.  Phone 057 9341831 or 0864669926 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NB:  NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN MUST BE IN THE PARISH CENTRE BY 9.30AM WEDNESDAY.

Only notices from parish groups, non-profit making organizations & clubs included

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22nd AUGUST 1996

MASS INTENTIONS

Mon     5   ..7.45 Ann McKeon

Tues     6   .7.45 Nancy Lloyd

                 10.00 Mary Ellen & Michael Cowley &

 .....................Sr Monica Kearney & Family

Wed     7  . 7.45 John, Tess, Kathleen & Joe Hand

Thurs   8  . 7.45 Our Lady’s Mass

                 10.00 Mary & Martin Mannion

                   6.30 Des Hensey

Fri         9   7.45 May Mangan, Harbour St

                 10.00 Maura & Jack Wrafter & daughter

..................... Madeline McHugh

Sun     11  . 8.30 Rose, Martin & Thomas Fenlon

                 10.00 Seamus Daly, Arden View

     ..........1.00 Tess Cunningham, 1st Ann

Shared Mass Sat 10, 10am:  Esther, Michael & PJ Grogan & Family; Bridie & Paddy Kidney, daughter Mary & grandson Glen; John O’Brien; Mick & Mary O’Grady; Thomas Carroll; Larry & Maisie Dunne, Dunne & Gilly Families; Gladys, Michael, Billy & John Lawlor; Kelly Family & baby Damien Dwane; Mary-Frances & James Bracken & Family; Francis Adcock; Dora, John, Johnjoe & Paddy Behan & Dolores & Paul Keyes; Kathleen Whelan; Nan & Eddie Connolly; Annie & Thomas Fox; William, Catherine & Joe Egan, John Clarke & Colin Carey; Stella Horan; Alice Bannon; Paddy, Chris & Noeleen Bracken & Frank Owens; Terry Morgan; Tom & Mary-Kate Owens & Family; Marrinan & Donohoe Families; Harney & Keaveney Families; Ciaran Mulligan & Victoria Ritson; Theresa Guinan; Christopher & Mary Hughes; John & Annie Sweeney; Jackie Lynam; Ned & Sadie Leonard & Family; Joe McInerney & Noel Condon; Tom & Eileen Sheerin

Durrow Sun 11, 11.30:  Pat Corcoran, Mon Mem.

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the family of Sean Dolan.

BAPTISMS

Welcome to God’s Family Reece Joseph Rizos who was baptised recently.

COLLECTIONS

Plate: Tullamore €2588; Durrow €275 

Envelopes €1714

Thank you for your continued support.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

CAROL SERVICE: St Catherine's Hophill, Sun 11, 4pm. Featuring Cheile Singers, HSE  & Offaly Co Co choirs.

 “CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED”: A celebration of Christmas Carols for all the family, presented by Tullamore Stage School (Director Regina McCarthy), Tues 20, 7pm, Tullamore Church.  All proceeds to Tullamore Parish Support Services & Offaly Domestic Violence Support Services.  Tickets can be purchased on 'gr8 Events’ or contact any member of Tullamore Stage School, 087 3928477.

READY:  Christmas Dinner Dance, Town House, Sun 11, 7pm.

MEN’S ROSARY: Sat 10, 1.15pm, Our Lady’s Statue Church Grounds.  All welcome.

MIDLANDS LIVING LINKS:  Coffee morning Mon 5, Parish Centre, 10.30am.

SECULAR FRANCISCANS:  Meeting Tues 6, 6.45pm, Mercy Convent.