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

19th November 2023  ~  33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Mon-Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 2-6pm Enquiries 085 1162668.

JOIN US ON PARISH WEBCAMS ON PARISH WEBSITE.

CONFESSIONS - Saturday 2.00-3.00pm in the Day Chapel.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

It is hard not to feel sorry for the third servant in today’s gospel. The first two servants are praised for making the most of the ‘talents’ (money) given to them by their master. In return, they are promised even greater things. The third man, paralysed by uncertainty, buries his small amount of money in the ground instead of doing something with it. His actions are based in fear – he has heard the master is tough and does not want to take any risks. He reasons that at least he is able to return what he has been given.

But he is shocked to learn that instead of praise, or even a neutral reaction to match his own neutral actions, he is reprimanded as ‘wicked and lazy’ and cast out. This parable has been described as a story of ‘tragic miscalculation’. The servant doesn’t do anything awful – which is why we tend to have some sympathy for him – but he didn’t do his best either. The real tragedy is not that he didn’t make any more money; it is that he failed to appreciate the opportunity he had been given and to make the most of it.

We are all dealt difficult cards in life, and undoubtedly some are much tougher than others. We are like the servants in the parable who are given different amounts of money to look after. The point is not the amount of ‘talents’ given to each. It is not the circumstances of our lives or our natural gifts that are important, but how we use them.  Jesus was cautioned against playing safe. Instead of turning inwards or living in fear, we are called to meet challenges head on and discover what wonderful things might happen.

“Talent is like electricity.  We don’t understand electricity.  We use it.”  Maya Angelou

- Jane Mellett, Intercom Nov 2020. 

CONFIRMATION RITUALS

Our next Confirmation Ritual Masses will be in Tullamore Church next weekend:

  6.30pm  Scoil Eoin Phóil II; St Philomena’s

10.00am  Ballinamere, Durrow, Gaelscoil Eiscir Ríada

11.30am  Scoil Mhuire, Scoil Bhríde, Parish Sacramental Preparation Class

Confirmation Candidates will receive an Advent Calendar at the end of Mass.

MASS FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD 

On Tuesday 21st at 7.30pm in the Church of the Assumption, we will support and pray for parents who have lost a child.  At this Mass we will pray for all parents, family members and friends who have had to cope with the tragic and untimely death of their infant, child, teenager or adult son or daughter.  We will remember with love and celebrate the lives of babies who have died before or around the time of birth.  We also welcome parents who have undergone the trauma of abortion.  All are most welcome.

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR - Sunday 19th Nov

Prayer to the Creator

Lord, Father of our human family, you created all human beings equal in dignity: pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter, dialogue, justice and peace.  Move us to create healthier societies and a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.  May our hearts be open to all the peoples and nations of the earth.  May we recognize the goodness and beauty that you have sown in each of us, and thus forge bonds of unity, common projects, and shared dreams.  Amen.       

(Pope Francis. Fratelli Tutti).

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Baptisms take place monthly on the first Sunday in Tullamore, second Sunday in Durrow, third and fourth Saturday in Tullamore.  Pre-Baptism Meetings are on the third Wednesday monthly.  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 counselling 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 20  .. 7.45 .Kevin Moran

........... 10.00 .Anne Wilson

Tues 21  . 7.45. Our Lady’s Mass

...........10.00. Teresa Kenny & Kenny Family

Wed 22 ..10.00. Kathleen McGinley

Thurs 23 10.00 .Shannon Coyne

Fri 24 ....10.00 .Eileen Smollen

Sat 25  ....6.30 Joe Walsh, Mon Mem

Sun 26 ....10.00 Michael Kelly, Chancery Lane

.....................Robbie, Nancy, Danny & Michael Carson

............. 11.30 Sean Dolan, 1st Ann

Sat 25, 10am:  Tom & Eileen Sheerin; McNamara Family; Michael & Catherine Killeavy & Mary Poland; Patsy Hughes; Mary & Maryann Smyth; Michael, Bridie & Michael Snr Scully; Con & Catherine Leavy & Colette Grennan; Maureen Herley Deevy, Phylis Moran, Philly Deevy, Liam Cornally, Tom Herley & Bobby Gorman; Phylis & Paudge Mooney; Larry Fox, Paddy Beatty, Tom & Mary-Kate Owens; John & Anne Kearney, Mary Doyle, Bryd, Kit, Harry & Gerard Lee, Dan, Annie & Sean Fox, May, Charlie, Pat & Larry Mallon, Mai, Jimmy & Billy Walsh, Jack & Aggie Digan & Mick Hackett; Michael, Annie, Oliver & Dolores Clarke, Sheila & Don Lehane, Brigid & Tony McCann, Josephine & Mike Jacob; Clem McMorris; John, Annie, Ann Smyth & Murray Family; James, Elizabeth & Joe Dwane, Denis, Anne, Marie & Colette Dunne, Michael, Mary & Jimmy Yates; John & Gladys Collins; Mai Sullivan & Molyneaux Family; Jack & Kathleen Brophy; John, Elizabeth, Brendan & Alfie Elstone; Michael & Mary Coleman & Mary Wynne; James Dervin; Tom & Rosie Martin; Edward, Frances & Marianne Garry & Bridget Day; Terry McDonald; Nan & Ned Egan. 

Durrow Sun 26, 11.30am:  Liam Cornally; Kealan Walsh; Michael, Margaret & Thomas Smith & Smith Family; James Berry; Tess, Matt & Eilish Flynn

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the families of Frankie Coughlan & Michael Hogan.

BAPTISMS

Welcome to God’s family Pippa Rose McCormack, Jordi Tom Conway, Róisín May Carroll, Ryan Jodie Carroll, Rían Brendan Conway, Tadgh Peter Callan & Finn James Heffernan who were baptised recently.

COLLECTIONS

Plate: Tullamore €2857; Durrow €244

Envelopes €1945

Thank you for your continued support.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

TULLAMORE GARDEN CLUB:  Christmas Floral Decorations by K Flowers, Wed 29, 8pm, Charleville Centre.  Ph Mark 0873843412; Julie 0868411301

OFFALY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICES:  For support call 0579351886 or 0860419154.  www.odvss.ie

TULLAMORE RAPE CRISIS CENTRE:  Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm.  Ph 0579322500; Freephone 1800323232

ST VINCENT DE PAUL:  Contact 0579346507, 0877557294 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AA:  Offaly House, Offaly St, Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat 8.15pm; Tues, Wed, Fri 1pm; Sun 12noon & 8.15pm.

DOCHAS OFFALY CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: Mon–Fri, 9.30-5pm. Ph 0579328268. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Website www.dochasoffaly.com