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  

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ 17th January 2021

Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P
Rt Rev Sean Heaney CC VG
Fr Kevin Fleming SSC
Fr. Luke Ohiemi C.C.
Fr. Fergal Cummins C.C.
Sr. Genny Hassey
Sr. Margaret Burke  

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 8.30am-5pm; Sat 2.00pm to 4.00pm to book Holy Mass tickets, weddings, baptisms, certs, etc;  

Priest available for emergencies 24 hours daily.

 Parish Support Services:  Bereavement Listening, etc.  For appointment, ph 0579326604, Monday-Thursday 9.30am-1.00pm; Wednesday & Thursday 6.00-8.00pm.

WEEKEND MASSES

Church of the Assumption: (Vigil) 6.00pm 

Sunday 9.00am, 11.00am & 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 BOTH IN DURROW & TULLAMORE.  GO TO PARISH WEBSITE.

CONFESSIONS

Not taking place at the moment.

GROWING FROM INITIAL ENCOUNTER TO PERSONAL ENCOUNTER

We all have our moments of first and initial introduction to the faith.  Most of us were brought to the faith as babies by our families, when we were introduced to the faith, baptised and took on our Christian identity as disciples of Christ.  There are others who were introduced to the faith through their spouse - they became Christians or Catholic through their spouse.  There are others who became Christians or Catholics because they went to a Catholic school.  And there are others who were brought to the faith through a family member or a friend.  So whether this happened while I was a baby, a young person or as adult, it is true that somehow, every one of us got introduced to the faith by our families, or through some other people. 

The occasion of that first introduction was our moment of initial encounter with Christ.  It happened through others.  But as we grow in life and in the faith, it becomes necessary for us to move beyond that initial introduction and encounter, to a more personal encounter.  It is a great blessing that God used our family or friends or spouse or school to bring us to the faith, but it is not enough.  How we got to the faith depends on others, but what we make of the faith depends on us. 

From our Gospel reading, we see John the Baptist introducing Christ, the messiah to his disciples.  From that initial introduction, Andrew went further to a more intimate and personal encounter with Christ, to spend time with Christ and from there, Andrew also introduced his own brother Simon to Christ. 

Generally, it could be said that whenever anyone points out Christ to us, it requires that we move beyond that initial introduction to a more personal and intimate encounter with Christ.  This year, may our personal closeness with Christ grow deeper so that like Andrew we in turn can bring others to Christ.

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS

John 1:35-42

John pointed the disciples towards Jesus as the one they should follow.  Remember the people in your life who have pointed you in a new and life-giving direction?  Perhaps in some cases this may have involved directing you away from your association with them – e.g., leaving home, changing jobs, etc.

Jesus invited the disciples to come and see how he lived.  How have you come to learn how Jesus lived, and what he was looking for in life?  How has this attracted you to follow him?

What is your experience of gathering in small groups to learn to live like Jesus by listening to the gospel together?  Where two or three are gathered in his name, Jesus is there with them.  What group experiences have helped your faith to grow?

Andrew did not keep the good news to himself but also invited his brother to join him in following Jesus.  What is your experience of receiving, or giving, an invitation to join in some worthwhile venture? 

John Byrne osa, Intercom Jan 2021

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

St Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament, I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.  

Since I now cannot receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace you and unite myself to you; Permit not that I should ever be separated from You.  Amen

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Not taking place at the moment.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary.

PARISH COLLECTIONS

Envelopes €1693

You can donate to the parish in a number of ways:- 

1) Parish Envelopes, Cash or cheque donations can be left into the Parish Centre or Parochial House or into the White Collection Box at the Harbour Street entrance to the Church. 

2) Credit card donations can be made by phoning the parish office at 057-9321587 

3) Standing Orders can be set up.  See parish webpage for details.

4) Credit Transfer to Tullamore Parish Account.

Bank of Ireland, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

IBAN – IE34 BOFI 9019 0987 1557 41

BIC – BOFIIE2D

Thank you for your continued support.

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

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

MASS INTENTIONS

Thurs 21 10.00 Matthew & Catherine Reid, Kilbride St;

Kathleen Claffey

Sat 23 10.00 John O’Toole, Pearse Park

                  6.00   Anne Keegan, 1st Ann;

Tom O’Brien, 1st Ann

Sun 24       9.00 Alfie Lambe;

Molly & Paddy Dunne & Maureen Halewood & Paddy Muldoon

All Masses can be viewed on parish webcam.

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the family of Joe Burke.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

MABS: Helpline 0761 07 2000 Mon to Fri 9am - 8pm.

ALONE: COVID support line for older people.  Ph 0818 222 024, 8am-8pm daily.

AA: Offaly House, Offaly St, Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat &  Sun 8.15pm, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun, 1pm.

TULLAMORE RAPE CRISIS CENTRE:  Opening times Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Ph 0579322500; Freephone  800323232; email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; website www.tullamorerapecrisis.ie