Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 Tel: 93 21587 - 93 22415 Fax: 93 51510 Third Sunday of Christmas Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P 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 All Masses both in Tullamore and Durrow can be viewed on the webcam. Go to www.tullamoreparish.ie Not taking place at the moment. COME TO THE WATER Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, the moment when God reveals who Jesus is. Our readings are rich with water imagery. Water is a powerful symbol throughout the Scriptures, from the story of creation and the crossing of the Red Sea, to the wedding feast at Cana and Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. It is a symbol of life and newness, an opportunity for God to reach out to us, be present with us and teach us something, as well as an opportunity for cleansing and a fresh start. Our gospel today tells of Jesus being baptised by John in the river Jordan. This immersion in water marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. By approaching John for baptism, along with all the others, Jesus is identifying with the people and allowing himself to be counted among sinners. It is a sign that he submitting to God’s will. At this crucial moment, as soon as he emerges from the Jordan, Jesus sees the heavens open and the voice of God confirming him as ‘Beloved Son’. It is a moment of divine approval, confirming Jesus’ identity and launching him on his new mission. The baptism of Jesus is a reminder of our own identity and mission. We are beloved daughters and sons of God, sisters and brothers of Jesus, members of God’s family. In today’s first reading we are invited: ‘Come to the water all you who are thirsty’. We are called to the water, to that moment when we recognise who Jesus is, who we are, and our mission to live as children of God. ‘In order to live a life of holiness, we must first receive new life from God — we must be born from above.’ J. Vernon McGee Triona Doherty, Intercom January 2021 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 acknowledges 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 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. Remember these experiences 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 Jan 2021 PARISH COLLECTIONS Christmas Day Plate: Tullamore €3281; Durrow €463 Envelopes €4758; 3/1/21 - €1589 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. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Not taking place at the moment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary. 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 Mon 11 7.45 Hugh Lynch 10.00 Mary Vicars, Park Avenue Tues 12 10.00 Thomas Carroll, Mon Mem Jim Clarke Wed 13 7.45 Marcella Martin Thurs 14 7.45 Michael Weir 10.00 Patrick A Wrafter Fri 15 10.00 Paddy Clarke Sun 17 9.00 Pat Smyth, Rahan Rd Jack Douglas 11.00 Philomena Boland, Mon Mem 1.00 Paul Merriman, Mon Mem
Shared Mass Sat 16, 10am: Patrick Longworth; Mick Halloran; Anne, Frank & Agnes Dunne; Joseph & Mary Ann Feery & Family; William Walsh; Paddy & Annie Pidgeon; Tom Kelly; Robert Alexander; Tommy Deevy; Mike & Julia Egan & Paddy Cunningham; Terry Hilliard; Paddy Egan; Marie McIntyre; Gerardine & Dermot Cusack; Marrinan & Donohoe Families; John, Jerome & Desmond Murphy; Paddy & Sheila O’Reilly, Dooley Family & Jimmy & Molly McGarry; Stephen, Harry & John Lowbridge & Family; John, Margaret, Sean & Paschal Murray; Esther, Michael & P J Grogan; Frances Keoghan; Michael, Kathleen & Ted Casey & Raymond McKernan; Matt & Una Grennan; John Molloy; Craven Family; Niall Mealiff.
All Masses can be viewed on parish webcam. DEATHS We offer our sympathy to the families of Josephine Brady, Brendan Condron, Mary Gillick, Maura O’Toole, William Egan, Mary Barron nee Gallagher, Margaret Duffy, Ethna Moran, Eamonn Walsh & Carmel McEvoy. COMMUNITY NOTICES BIRTHDAY GREETING: We send our best wishes to Margaret Sullivan, Durrow who has just celebrated her 100th birthday. Her neighbours and many good friends celebrate with her this important time. Not many people live to be 100, and we thank God for Margaret's many years and wish her every health and blessing. 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 |