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

5th November 2023  ~  31st 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 llam-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.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH 

In the first reading, the prophet Malachi appeals to the fact that the Israelites are equal before God their Father and Creator, in order to condemn the priests for their abuse of position.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus warns his disciples against the Scribes and Pharisees – past masters at telling others what should be done, without doing it themselves.  “They do not practice what they preach”.  Everything they do is done to attract attention, for position, for making themselves look good and important in the eyes of other people. 

However, Jesus warns us that we must not be like the Scribes and Pharisees.  Do we often, or even sometimes, in our own lives strive to give an impression that we are better, or even much better, than we really are?  Do we like to look good and for people to think highly of us?  Are we honest and fair with others?  Are we kind, forgiving and humble in our dealings with others?  This is what we expect from others, but do we practice what we preach?

We should not be bothered about position, title or rank.  Jesus tells us, “the greatest among you must be your servant.  Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted”.

ADORATION RENEWAL WEEKEND 

The Eucharistic Adoration Committee wish to thank Fr Joe Gallagher PP & Team for facilitating our Eucharistic Adoration Renewal last weekend.  Also a big ‘thank you’ to the Meath Diocesan Adoration Committee, speakers and local volunteers who gave so generously of their time.  Lastly, our appreciation to all regular Adorers for continued support and a warm welcome to new Adorers, whom we will be in contact with shortly.

SECOND RITUAL FOR FIRST COMMUNION CHILDREN 

Sat 11,   6.30pm   St Joseph’s

Sun 12, 10.00am  Ballinamere, Gaelscoil Eiscir Ríada

Sun 12, 11.30am  Scoil Bhríde, Scoil Mhuire, Parish

                            Sacramental Preparation Programme

Sun 12, 11.30am  Durrow NS in Durrow Church

SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS

Matthew 23:1-23 

The condemnation of the scribes and pharisees by Jesus brings to mind the public discourse about the Church in recent years.  This has highlighted the failures of church people to live up to the values of the Gospel.  This has had a negative effect on many people and on their religious practice.  How do you find hope in the midst of this negative criticism? 

When our actions match our words about gospel values, then our words carry more weight.  Recall people whom you admired for this quality.  Perhaps your own experience at times confirms this. 

Our passage ends with a paradox.  Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  For Jesus the way to greatness and a full life is through service of others.  When have you found the way of service brought unexpected rewards?

John Byrne osa Intercom November 2023

WHEN I AM GONE 

When I am gone, release me.  Let me go.  I have so many things to see and do.  You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears.  Be happy that we had so many beautiful years.  

I gave to you my love.  You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.  I thank you for the love you have shown, but now it’s time I travelled on alone.  So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must.  Then let your grief be comforted by trust.  It’s only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart.  I won’t be far away, for life goes on.  So if you need me, call and I will come.  Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.  

And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear all my love around you soft and clear.  And then, when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and say ‘welcome home’.

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   6  . 7.45 Kathleen Cullen, Patrick St

..........10.00 Mary Thomas

.................. Peter Duffy, Convent View

Tues  7 . 7.45 McCormac Family

.........10.00 Julia, Frank & James Kelly

................. Mary & Ken Sweeting

Wed 8. 10.00 McRedmond & Deegan Families

Thurs 9  7.45 Timothy & Mathilda Burns, 

..................Mary & Denis O’Neill & Mikie

Fri 10 .10.00 Margaret, Charlie, Conor Lawlor

Sat 11   .6.30 Mai Choiseul, Mon Mem

Sun 12   8.30 Frances Hayes

.........10.00 Rosemary Mannion

.................Michael McNally

.........11.30 Lorna Kearney, Mon Mem

.........  1.00 Phylis Donohoe, Mon Mem

.................Maxine Power, 1st Ann

Shared Mass Sat 11, 10am:  Joe & Mary Lambe; Lar, Kieran & Mags Malone; Kitty & Seamus Martin & Esther Fleming; Jackie Lynam; Maud & Paddy O’Brien, Katie Walsh, O’Brien & Kelly Families; Alice & Paddy Vicars, Jordan & Vicars Families; Charles, Mary & Bridget Ann Kavanagh; Kathleen, Erney, Tony, Martin, Gerry McGuire, Margaret & Peadar Smyth; Nora & Sonny Berrigan, Maura & Mio Dempsey, Brigid & Paddy Kelly; Sr Mary Ellen, Patricia & John McLoughlin; Brian, Patricia & Edmund Rhatigan & Dodi Nuzum; Willie & Christa Brandt, Frances & Tommy Martin; Sheila, Patrick, Jimmy & Kathleen Kirby; Martin Heffernan; Robert Lawlor; Ann Mahon nee Condron; Oliver, Michael & Nancy Condron; Paddy & May Flaherty; Annie & John Carroll; Dick, Carmel & Christine Freer; Frank & Chrissie O’Brien; Patrick, Ellen, William & Patricia Egan; Valerie Kelly; Tilly & PJ Hoctor; Joyce Marsden; Donal & Maresa Kelleher; Patrick Collins; James & Bridget Caffrey, Betty Berry & James Harrington; Anne O’Brien; Brian & Stephen Power & Family; Olive Harding

DEATHS

We offer our sympathy to the families of Teresa Olegario nee Power, Adam Jozef Bajak, Mary Conway & Kate Darcy.

BAPTISMS

Welcome to God’s family Patrick Steven Donovan & Aziz Benhenida who were baptised recently.

COLLECTIONS

Plate: Tullamore €2972; Durrow €200

Holy Day Tullamore €1174; Durrow €121

Envelopes €2236

Thank you for your continued support.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

TULLAMORE SOCIAL SERVICES:  Thank all who supported & helped recent church gate collection.

READY:  Dinner dance, Sun 12, 7pm, Town House.

KNITTING & CROCHET GROUP: Tues, Tullamore Library, 6.30-8pm.  Ph Eileen 0868069921 for more details.

SCIENCE WEEK: ‘EXPLORING DRUGS USE’, Town Library, Thurs 16, 7.30pm. Register on www.midlandsscience.ie

TULLAMORE DRAMA:  TADS present “Portia Coughlan”, by Marina Carr, Esker Arts, Tues 7-Sat 11, 8pm.  Adm €15. Booking at Esker Arts or on eskerarts.ie.  (Some scenes may offend or cause distress)

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

IRISH WHEELCHAIR ASSOC (Offaly Branch): AGM Wed 8, 8pm, Presbyterian Church.  All members welcome.

STOMA SUPPORT GROUP: – Meeting Tues 14, 6.30-8pm, Dochas, Offaly St.  For info ph Ann 0863074846.

TULLAMORE UNION OF PARISHES CAKE SALE & RAFFLE:  Fri 10, Bridge Centre, 9.30am-1.30pm, in aid of Gaza Crisis Appeal.  (unicef for every child).

TULLAMORE CAMOGIE CLUB:  50th Ann Banquet, Sat 18, Bridge House.  Tickets €50 from Doyles or ph 0851511862.