Would you like to do something for

Our Lady? Join the Legion of Mary. Weekly meetings in the Prayer Room

every Wednesday at 8pm. Works include

home to home visitation, hospital

visitation, sale of Catholic papers, any

other contact - work to spread the faith.

For further details contact the Prayer

Room on any Wednesday night at

8:00pm or phone 086 - 1513515.

The Sue Ryder Shop always welcome donations of ladies & gents good quality

clothing, shoes, bric-a-brac, jewellery,

gift sets, household appliances, unwanted

presents, curtains, bed linen, blankets,

furniture etc. Queries to Marguerite @

(057) 8672506.

Alateen: If you are a teenager and your

Mum or Dad has a drinking problem, you

can see what it’s doing to them. But can

you see what it’s doing to you? For

Information on your local meeting,

Contact: Jacinta on 087 - 2929315 or

(057) 8663013.

S.O.S., S.O.S, S.O.S,: “Share our Story”,

Can we Help You? Parents supporting

Parents, why: to provide support for

parents whose children have been

diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia,

Dyspraxia and other related challenging

behaviours. Contact: 086-2037713.

Pro-Bono Life Coach Available:

Free 1 hour sessions. Discover through

Communication the life you can have

and what process to take to get that life.

Contact: Anthony Collins on

087 - 2473808.

Stammering Support – Midlands S e l f -h e lp Group fo r Adu l t s

who stammer, meets 1st Thursday

of every month in the Bridge

House Hotel, Tullamore at 8pm.

All are very welcome to attend. Irish

Stammering Association, 01-8724405,

www.stammeringireland.ie.

Kilminchy Tennis Club Notes:

An 8 week Coaching Programme

commenced on the 4th of July. It is open

to Juniors and Seniors. New Players are

welcome to join at any stage. A Junior

Tennis Session is held every Wednesday

from 2pm - 5:30pm. Senior Club Night is

every Thursday from 7:00pm.

Three Day Pilgrimage to Lough Derg:

6th - 8th August. Bus from Tullamore

7:30am and Mullingar 8am. For further

details, contact: Tullamore Parish Office

on (057) 9321587.

Ardara Hillwalking: For all walks wear

waterproof hillwalking footwear.

New members welcome. Sunday 26th.

'B' grade (13mls / 6hrs) Victory Lock /

Shannon walk. Bus from Cadamstown at

11am. Also on Sunday 26th 'C' grade

walk, for details contact Eddie

on 087 - 9240652. Visit the website,

www.ardarahillwalking.com for the

2009 calendar of walks.

Accord Marriage & Relationship

Counselling, Parish Centre, Portlaoise:

Offers Marriage and Relationship

Counselling in a Safe, Professional &

Confidential way, facilitating Couples

and Individuals to Explore, Reflect, and

Resolve difficulties in their Marriages

and Relationships. For Appointment,

Contact: (057) 8661581.

AWARE: Need help for Depression?

Weekly Aware Meetings are held in the

Parish Centre, St Peter & Paul’s Church,

Portlaoise on Monday’s at 8pm.

Contact: (059) 8625898.

Amen: Support Service for Male

Victims of Domestic Abuse. Weekly

Support Group Meetings – Tuesday

Night 8pm - 10pm. Contact 046-9023718

for information.

Al - Anon Meeting: Tuesday Night

@ 8pm in Mount St Anne’s to help

people affected by alcoholism.

All Welcome to Attend.

Counselling Service:

Strictly confidential - low self esteem,

anxiety, emotional distress, loss /

bereavement. Contact Edel on

086 - 1241297.

Gorta, 5 Kelton House, Portlaoise:

Donations of the following items would

be greatly appreciated: Ladies, Mens and

Children’s Clothing, Books, Curtains

Bed Linen, Shoes, Ornaments, Gift Sets

and small Furniture. All items must be

clean and in good condition. Open

Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Contact Liz

(057) 8622966.

Shine: Formerly Schizophrenia

Ireland. Supporting people affected by

mental ill health, 10 Patrick St.

Tullamore, Offaly, (057) 9323111 /

Information Helpline - 1890 621 631.

Grow Community Mental Health

Support Group meets every Wed. at

7:30pm in the Community Mental Health

Centre, Bridge St. Portlaoise. If you

are suffering from Depression, Shyness,

Anxiety, Panic Attacks, then why

not come along. Contact: John for details

on 086 - 8033126.

Mad Science Space Camp is blasting

off on Monday 27th July at 2pm in

St. Mary's Sports Centre, Portlaoise.

4 days of Planets, Stars, Comets,

Rockets, Astronauts and lots of

Science Kits to take home - all for just

€75. NASA approved programme.

For kids age 5 - 12. For more details call

(091) 768557 or visit our website:

www.madscience.org/ie.

Camro s s C eo l t ó i r í E i r eann :

The Camross branch of Comhaltas

Ceoltóirí Eireann will be hosting a

seisiún at the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise

every Friday night from 9pm - 11pm

until August 14th. All are welcome

to attend and we look forward to

seeing you there!!

50+ Active Age Group:

Programme for August 2009 Wed. 19th August: We travel to

Dublin for a Boat Trip on the River

Liffey and a visit to Dalkey Castle. Bus

leaves the Parish Centre at 9am sharp.

Some seats are still available on our

Trip to Devon and Cornwall from

27th September to 4th October,

details available from (057) 8621754.

Parents Together: Parent & Toddler

Group takes place every Wednesday in

the Methodist Church, Railway St.,

Portlaoise. Free of Charge!! Contact:

Lisa on 085 - 7620874.

Laois Talking Newspaper is a free

90-minute audio cassette tape

recording of local news, features,

entertainment and sports produced

every week. With readings from The

Leinster Express and The Nationalist,

the Talking Newspaper is free to

anyone with a disability or infirmity

which prevents them from reading the

printed word. Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Contact us through Portlaoise Support

Group, Old Parochial House, Dublin

Road, Portlaoise or call Suzanne on

(057) 8661754 or you can e-mail:

talkingnewspaper@gmail.com.

Cura: A voluntary Organisation which

offers support and help to those who are

faced with a crisis pregnancy. There are

16 Centres around the country. Contact

1850 - 622626 for your nearest .

Céilí: every Monday night in the

community centre Ballyfin at 8:30pm.

Music by Danny Webster. All are

welcome to come along and enjoy great

music, friendship and gentle exercise.

Dance and smile your way through

the recession for €8. For further

details, contact: Maureen Culleton on

(057) 8755249.

E.B.T. (Employer Based Training)

Programme Portlaoise: Are you

unemployed due to Accident, Illness or

Disability? Are you in receipt of

Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit /

Invalidity Pension? Are you interested

in returning to work? If so, you could

be entitled to FAS funded training and

we may be able to help. For further

information on this programme please

contact: Peter McDermott, National

Learning Network, Dublin Rd,

Portlaoise on (057) 8621263 or e-mail:

portlaoise@nln.ie

La Leche League Monthly Meeting

takes place in the Parish Centre at

10:00am on the 1st Tuesday of every

month. All are Welcome to attend.

For Sale 2007 Audi A3,

1.6 Petrol, Black,

One owner, mint

condition, loaded with

extras, €16,500,

Contact:

086 - 3385767

Wanted: Reliable Honest Lady required

to clean house, laundry, ironing and

prepare occasional meal. Would be

required every 7 - 10 days, Contact:

087-6456175 after 6:30pm.

Emo Sports Day which was postponed

due to rain will now be held on this

Sunday 19th July at 3pm, weather

permitting. There is something for

everyone, Wheel of Fortune, Gold Fish,

Penalty Kicks, Novelty Races and

Juvenile Matches, Homemade Cakes and

lots more, a great way to spend an

afternoon at Emo Community Centre.

Dance: Ballyfin Parish are holding a

Dance on Saturday 1st August in the

Community Centre - Music by Danny

Gorman. Admission €10. Dancing

10 - 12:30 in aid of Parish Funds. Your

support would be greatly appreciated.

Sincere Thanks from the Coombe

Women & Infants University Hospital

to Mrs Sarah Chambers and all those

who knit and donated beautiful baby

hats. Items so small are very hard to

come by so anyone who has the talent

and is willing to knit for us is a great

addition to the unit. Please keep the

good work up!! We are also in need of

some baby blankets.

Laois County Council Summer

Arts Programme: Workshops places are

still available. Fun Art Classes with

artist Siobhan Keogh will take place in

St. Francis School from 27th to 31st July

for ages 7 to 9 from 10.30am - 1.00pm &

for ages 9 to 12 from 2.00pm - 4.30pm.

Fee €30. Prior booking is essential and

application forms are available from the

Arts Office, Tel: (057) 8674342 / 41

or can be downloaded from the website

www.laois.ie

Laois County Childcare Committee

Free Pre-School Scheme: Public

Information Meetings on the E.C.C.E.

Scheme will be held in the following

locations: Portlaoise Parish Centre

Monday 27th July from 7pm - 9pm.

Na Pa is t i Communi ty Créche

Portarlington Tuesday 28th July from

7pm - 9pm. Abbeyleix Heritage House

Wednesday 29th July from 7pm - 9pm.

Open to anyone interested in the scheme.

For Further Information Contact:

L.C.C.C. on (057) 8661029.

For Sale: Top Quality Black Turf from

Ferbane, now ready for delivery, place

your order. Lorry Loads (10-11 Tons),

€80 per ton delivered, bags also

available, Contact Mick 087 - 4183655.

For Sale: Cosatto Duet Lite Double

Buggy, Black, umbrella fold, rain cover,

very good condition, €170 o.n.o., suit new

born and toddler. Contact: 086 - 3304093.

For Sale: Stanley Super 80 solid fuel

cooker, white and brown in colour.

Excellent condition. Heats 8 radiators

plus, can be seen working. Cost €900

o.n.o., Contact: 086 - 3164601.

For Sale: Guitar Heroes World Tour, full

band set for Nintendo Wii, €100 o.n.o.,

Contact: 086 - 4073004.

For Sale: Solid Oak Kitchen, 13 Presses,

Cream Counter Top (Dishwasher &

Oven), all N.A.F.F., €800, Contact:

086 - 8716165.

For Sale: Handmade Sturdy Picnic

Tables, also Selection of Seats. Contact:

(057) 8731191.

For Sale: Debs Dress, Size 6, Deep

Purple, Boned Bodice, lace-up detail on

back, worn once, Perfect Condition,

Contact: 087 - 6550246.

For Sale: Astra Saloon 1.4 (Blue), Tax

04/10, NCT 05/10, Perfect Condition,

Offers to 087 - 2068976.

For Sale: Mothercare Buggy, Navy in

Colour with Travel System and Rain

Cover, Excellent Condition, €50 o.n.o.,

Contact: 086 - 3689245.

Domestic Abuse Office is relocating

to 3 Kellyville Court, Portlaoise: We are looking for donations of the following items please: Office Desks, A Boardroom Style Table and Chairs, Filing Cabinets, Chairs for Clients, Office Chairs, A Bookcase, Small Filing Cabinet or Pedestal, Notice Board, Shredder, Photocopier, Crockery, Cutlery, Mugs / Cups, Cushions, Throws, Candles, Oil Burners or any other items which you may feel would be useful to us. Thanking you in advance for your support.

The Heath Community Games: Congratu lat ions to a l l the Heath Rounders Teams who competed in the Leinster Finals in Graiguecullen Carlow on Saturday 11th July. Congratulations to the U-13 and U-15 girls teams who qualified for the All Ireland Finals and will represent Laois in Athlone in August. Unfortunately the U-13 and U-15 boys didn’t qualify but represented the Heath proudly. A special word of thanks to Michael, Cathal, Alan, Jamie, Rory, Gerard and all the parents who took part in our success. Also we would like to thank Graiguecullen GAA for their hospitality. Careers in Care: If you are currently out of work and looking for a Career in the Care Sector, local training company Vision are offering an opportunity to re-skill. 20 people will have the chance to gain a qualification in Health Care or Ch i ld Care . We a re speci f i ca l l y interested in hearing from individuals who are in receipt of Social Welfare Payments or have a spouse or partner in receipt of such payments. This includes those people in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance. These individuals may be substantially assisted with Course Fees through the Department of Social & Family Affairs. If you feel that a Career in Care is for you but don’t have the qualifications then contact us. All courses are delivered in an adult friendly setting. Both training courses will commence in September, with places being allocated in July. The courses will be delivered over one full day per week for a period of 12 weeks. Places are limited and further details are available from (059) 9142208 / 086 - 1704157.

Hypnosis . Time for Change?

Stop Smoking easily ( with no weight

gain), Weight loss, Phobia Control,

Freedom from Addiction, Asthma

Control, Medical Hypnosis, Contact

David (D.H.P . adv.M. I .C .H.P . ) ,

Kilminchy, Portlaoise, 087-6985816.

House to Rent: 3-Bed House to rent in

Rossvale Portlaoise, recently decorated,

€600 per month, social security accepted.

Contact: 087 - 9709881.

Mount St. Anne’s, Killenard,

Portarlington - Sunday Lunch: Served

12:30pm - 2pm, 3 or 4 Course Menu

available. For Reservations, Contact:

(057) 8626153.

Caroline’s Holistics (M.N.R.R.I),

Reflexology, Indian Head Massage,

Hopi Ear Candle treatment, Bliss

Beauty Salon and at home. Contact:

086 - 4055618.

Drafting Service: For Houses, Offices

and Shops. Also building energy rating

service available for all structures.

Reasonable Rates. Qualified Personnel.

Contact: 087 - 2327705 or e-mail

ber-assessor@ireland.com.

Corby Boiler Services: Specialists in

Oil Fired Boiler Service and Repair,

O.F.T.E.C. Registered, Installation and

Retro Fit of New Oil Boilers and Oil

Tanks. Contact: 087 - 2886512 or

(057) 8738942.

For Sale:

Good Quality

Turf. Contact:

087 - 6371937.

Small Notices €6.00 (20 - 25 Words) or €10.00 in a Box as above.

Carpentry, Building &

Tiling Services Available Get your home in shape for the year ahead. Have your Bathroom or Kitchen re-tiled or your doors replaced, all types of Timber Flooring

fitted to the highest standards, Skirting & Architrave fitted, Coving and Ceiling Cornice fitted, Painting - Garden Fencing & Garden Gates, Facia & Soffit, Extensions & Renovations. Over 10 Years Experience. Very Reasonable Prices.

085 - 7831554

St. Vincent de Paul (057) 8660486 1 Dublin Road

Open Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm

Typing Service

Available Do you need your

Projects, C.V.’s, Thesis,

Letters or any other

Documentation typed?

Very Reasonable Rates.

086 - 2514743

For Hire Teleporter €300 per

week, Mini Digger

€300 per week,

Dumper €150 per

week, Contact:

086 - 3811222

OPENING SOON

DAIZY MARKET PORTLAOISE - SATURDAYS

Antiques, Bric-a-Brac, Books,

Tools, Home Baking, Clothes,

Jewellery, Crafts, Plants,

Flowers, Farm Produce etc.

Spaces Available - Must have

own Insurance. Contact:

085 - 7704889

Painting &

Decorating • Interior & Exterior

• Quality Work

• Clean & Tidy

Contact:

087 - 7848320

To Rent 2 Bed detached bungalow in The Green, Kilminchy, excellent condition located in lovely well maintained environment, ideal for

over 55’s, attractive rent, Contact:

087 - 6599252

Experienced

Plumber

Available For all work, reasonable

rates, no job too big or

too small!! Contact:

086 - 2422950

Clotheslines Supplied and Fitted. Reduce

your E.S.B. costs, not your

clothes. No shrinkage/ironing.

Outdoor air drying clothes will

extend the life of your clothes!

Also Garden Gates, Sheds &

Dog Houses. Contact:

087 - 2675106

D & K Gardening

Services Lawn Cutting, Hedges Trimmed,

Shrubs Planted, Flower Beds

Weeded and Planted, Power

Washing and also Grave

Clean-ups. Contact:

087 - 9503100

087 - 6636010

Irish Courses Build Confidence in your

spoken and written Irish!

Leaving Certs. Oral Irish Prep.

Course incl. Grammar & Irish

Conversation. 3rd - 7th Aug. incl.

Junior Cert. Course: Open to Pre

& Junior Cert. Students. 10th to

14th Aug. incl. Places are limited.

Booking is essential before Tues.

28th July. For details, contact:

086 - 1023411

Mature Reliable

Childminder

Available to care for children in minder’s

own home, many years exp.

flexi hours if desired, own

transport, reliable, kind,

trustworthy, reasonable rates,

references available. Contact:

086 - 0815133.

Clothes Alterations

and Repairs

Carried out to a very

high standard.

(Mobile Service).

Available to call to your

home if needed. Contact:

087 - 7956769

PAID

IN

FULL A little boy

came into

the kitchen

one evening

while his

mother was

fixing supper. He handed her a

piece of paper he’d been writing

on. After wiping her hands on her

apron, she read it, and this is

what it said:

For mowing the lawn - €5.00

For dressing my own bed this

week - €1.00

For going to the shop - €0.50

For playing with baby brother

while you were busy - €2.00

For taking out the rubbish

bin - €1.00

For getting a good report from

school - €10.00

Well, the mother looked at him

standing there expectantly, and a

thousand memories flashed

through her mind. So, she picked

up the paper, and turning it over,

this is what she wrote:

For nine months I carried you,

growing inside me - No Charge

For the nights I sat up with

you, doctored you, prayed for

you - No Charge

For the time and the tears,

and the cost through the years -

No charge.

For the nights filled with

dread, and the worries ahead -

No Charge.

For advice and knowledge,

and the cost of your education -

No Charge.

For the toys, food and clothes -

No Charge.

Son, when you add it all up,

the full cost of my love is -

No Charge

Well, when he finished reading,

the little boy had great big tears

in his eyes.

Then he took the pen, and, in

great big letters he wrote:

PAID IN FULL (Taken from the Pioneer Magazine

July / August Edition)

Pride of Place

All Ireland Winner

2008

Manager Declan Kelly 057 8621142

Parish Office At The Parish Centre Monday to Friday

9am - 5pm Parish Secretary

Michelle Bartley Mon - Fri 9am - 2pm

Receptionist Mary Bowe

Mon - Thurs 1pm - 5pm

Ph: 057 8621142 Fax. 057 8660260

Accounts Michelle Conroy

057 8621142

Caretaker Danny Marum 6pm to 10pm

Parish Catechist Margaret Dooley

057 8621142

Sacristan Martin O’Neill 057 8692151

(The phone in the sacristy is attended prior to Mass times)

Secretary Julie Conroy

Office Hours Monday to Thursday

11am to 5pm

057 8692154 Advertising Deadline

Tuesday 5pm julie@portlaoiseparish.ie

Now available online at www.portlaoiseparish.ie

Parish Shop Nicholas & Maureen Keary

Religious Goods, Books

and gifts items

Internet Café Internet Café Internet Café Internet Café in the foyer of the in the foyer of the in the foyer of the in the foyer of the

Parish Centre. Very reasonable rates.Parish Centre. Very reasonable rates.Parish Centre. Very reasonable rates.Parish Centre. Very reasonable rates.

Portlaoise Parish Portlaoise Parish Portlaoise Parish Portlaoise Parish ---- Sunday 12th July Sunday 12th July Sunday 12th July Sunday 12th July

Offertory Collection €2, 850.00 Development Collection €3, 600.00 €6, 450.00

Our thanks and appreciation to all who Our thanks and appreciation to all who Our thanks and appreciation to all who Our thanks and appreciation to all who subscribe so generously to the Parish.subscribe so generously to the Parish.subscribe so generously to the Parish.subscribe so generously to the Parish.

FailteFailteFailteFailte We welcomed the following into the Christian Community through the

Sacrament of Baptism:

Olivia Lily Tilly, Kilminchy.

Eliska Halenkovicova, Forest Park.

Aisling Angela Lambe, Kyle.

Ryan John Mannion, Maryborough Village.

Tiffeny Louise Dwane, O’Moore Place.

Ryan Thomas O’Brien-McCormack,

Glenkeen Park.

ST. MARY

MAGDALENE

22ND JULY The whole story of Mary as a sinner, who is f a l l e n and redeemed, is a very powerful i m a g e o f r e d emp t i o n . Powerful as this image may be, it is not the story of Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene is mentioned in each of the four gospels in the New Testament, but not once does it mention that she was a sinner. At some point Mary Magdalene became confused with two other women in the Bible: Mary, the sister of Martha and the unnamed sinner from Luke's Gospel (7:36-50). In 1969 the Catholic Church declared that Mary Magdalene was not the penitent sinner of Luke’s Gospel but sadly the reputation still lingers.

Words of WisdomWords of WisdomWords of WisdomWords of Wisdom

If you care about people, it will show.

A sleeping cat will not catch a mouse.

Do everything generously and wisely.

Smile at people. It costs nothing, but

it is priceless.