MASS TIMES: The church is now fully reopened and will seat 50 in the body of the church , 42 in one side aisle and 39 in the other.  All Masses will be stewarded and the church will be fully sanitised after each Mass. Mass on Monday at 7pm,  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am except if there is a funeral then Mass will be at 11am,  Mass on Saturday morning at 11am.  Vigil Mass on Saturday evening at 6.30pm and Sunday Masses at 10am and 12 noon.  Confessions on Saturday next after 11am Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

WEST LIMERICK COMMUNITY RADIO:  WL102fm has provided a great service throughout West Limerick since the lockdown began with Mass being broadcast every Sunday, loads of country and western music, (all genres of music but you see where my heart lies!), a daily rosary and local news from the county as well as current affairs and documentaries.   By the terms of the licence that they get to broadcast, they must raise a share of their running costs in the community that they serve and over the years volunteers have organised concerts, car boot sales, tea dances and sold raffle tickets as well as organising a yearly church gate collection at all the local churches.  That all came to a halt on March 14 last and they are now hoping to restart the weekly draw in order to get an income stream going again.  Tickets are on sale all over the West Limerick area and in Abbeyfeale at Ann Lyons’s, The Square for €2 each.  Please be generous in your support. 

ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT:  Chairman James Stack, Secretary Mossie Gleeson, Assistant Secretary Mary McArthur, Joint Treasurers Kathleen Collins and Marian Harnett.  Community Garda Roger O’Donoghue. Funds received from participants when we set up the Text Alert system some years ago have now run out so if you are still interested in receiving text alerts then we’d appreciate a further contribution of €10 payable to whoever you joined with originally.  If you don’t know your Eircode ring 0818 300005 and key in 4 on the menu and a real human will talk to you and look up your code It’s the most important part of your address because if you have to have an ambulance come for you or yours and you give them your Eircode they can travel straight to your home without having to be getting directions from people they meet on the road thus saving a pile of time.  If you are the victim of domestic abuse the Gardai ‘have a pro – arrest policy where a power of arrest exists to protect spouses or partners and your family’. 

When you reach the age of 65 and live alone or with a person/s aged over 65 you are entitled to receive a monitored alarm system. But if you have younger people living in the house who are out for long periods of the day then,  because you are spending hours alone you are also entitled to the system provided that you are over 65.  The free equipment is provided by Pobal following an application from Abbeyfeale Community Alert, there will be a monitoring fee to be paid from the second year of installation to the installing company of €72.  There may be some confusion over the word free -the equipment which costs in the region of €400 is provided free of charge by Pobal as is the first year of monitoring but after that you will be charged by the installing company for the monitoring.  If you fulfil the criteria for a panic button the installing company will drop the gear to your door and then let you set up the connection yourself with assistance over the phone from their staff.  I have been assured that it’s only a matter of connecting a cable and anyone can do it.   I have not included the phone numbers of the committee in this notice but if you want to get a panic button then ring Abbeyfeale Garda Station on 068 30010 and they will contact one of us. Should you not have a landline the installing company Task provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per month payable from day one.  Then, in year two you will also receive a bill for the monitoring fee so in year one the bill will be €90 and in year two and every other year after it will €162 approx. If you wish you can arrange a direct debit and pay this amount off monthly.    We recently received a query about the application of VAT to the monitoring charge, your bill shows VAT but it is included in the cost not extra to it.  Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Maurice O’Connell, Marian Harnett.

YOUTH 2020: Summer E-Festival: (14th-16th August), Register Free on www.youth2000.ie.  Youth 2000’s primary objective is to provide young people with a real retreat, not just an educational conference.  We strive to lead each young soul to a genuine encounter with the Living God even within these restrictive circumstances.  We usually have over 1,000 attendees at the Summer Festival, so the possibility of reaching even more online is immense.  For more information you can contact [email protected] or phone 00447539546149. Our motto is ‘Youth leading youth, to the Heart of the Church’. 

CARS AND VANS ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY:  Dogs being stolen – be careful.  Several reports locally of men calling to houses looking to buy dogs.  Don’t leave them out unless they are accompanied.

FARMERS’ MARKET REOPENS:  The weekly market has returned to the small square from 9-1pm every Friday.  We thank you for your continued support.

FACE MASKS:  Kathleen Quinn has made face masks which were donated to local nursing homes.  She has a selection available for sale so contact her on 087 2802704.  There are also masks available from Peg Grady at Batt’s and Maureen Hickey of Pins and Needles.

by Damien Aherne

Athea GAA

The Athea Ladies Team will play a challenge match against near neighbours, Fr Casey’s, on Tuesday evening August 4th in Athea at 7.30pm. The next championship game is scheduled to take place at home to Ahane on August 30th. 

Our Junior A Men’s Team are scheduled to play Bruree in the first round of the championship on Sunday August 16th at the Bog Garden, the date is subject to change, so please keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.

We received some good news this week that we have received a grant from Healthy Ireland valued at €2000 to carry out a project on our track focusing on positive mental health in the community. This will involve erecting signage promoting ‘The Little Things Campaign’ and installing a sit  & chat bench. More details to follow. 

Tickets continue to be on sale for our Club Development Draw 2020. Tickets are priced at just €50 which covers entry into all 5 draws. Tickets can be purchased online through clubforce by following the link – https://clubforce.com/clubs/gaa-athea-gaa-club-limerick/. Tickets can also be purchased by contacting any of the following sellers; Kevin O’Keeffe, Roger Ryan, Paul Curry, Matthew Tierney, Neddie Hunt, Pat O’Sullivan, Mossie Ahern, Gerard Ahern, John Hunt, Ger Collins, Liz O’Sullivan, Dan McMahon, Martin Chawke, Podge Reidy, Mark Reidy, Oliver McGrath, Ned Mahony, Magella Dalton, Declan Dalton, Pa Ahern, Kathleen Mullane or Timmy Enright. Tickets also available to purchase at Athea & District Credit Union. Many thanks to everyone for your continued support, allowing us to continue to invest in our facilities at Pairc na nGael.  

Following numerous requests, the new Athea Minor Jersey will be available online shortly and will be available in a variety of sizes from kids to adults in both maroon and white. Huge thanks again to our sponsor Ciaran Barrett from Athea Painting & Decorating.

Our pitch is looking particularly well at the moment having been recently lined in preparation for some important games on the horizon. The seats for our dugouts have also arrived by courier and plans are currently being made for their installation. 

by Jer Kennelly

CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH KNOCKANURE:  Re-opened Sunday 2^nd August  for private prayer and visitation and will be open daily from 11am to 3pm.  The resumption of the celebration of Mass commences on First Friday, August 7th. First Sunday Mass is on August 9th at the new time of 9.30am. As with Moyvane, Sunday Masses will be relayed via a new tannoy system in the car park  Numbers in adherence to HSE & Government guidelines not to exceed 30 people.   Individually it’s three per seat. Family seats can have more than three per seat.  Please be guided by stewards. 

St. Padre Pio & First Friday Evening Mass at 7.00pm in Listowel.

ROAD WORKS UPDATE – Reach Active Works: Minor works along the Kilmorna, Trien, Athea and Moyvane – Knockanure Roads next week, under stop and go/traffic light system. Jerry Clancy 086/6072159.

KN Works:  Minor works will continue on the L1010, Piermount, Bog line, and Moyvane Roads next week, under stop and go/ traffic light system. For current project status contact Shane Sheehan on 087/9829576.

DEATH took place of Patrick Shanahan, Kilbaha, Moyvane, on Friday evening 24th July. Predeceased by his son John and brother Brendan. Sadly missed by his wife Kathleen, children Tom, Joanne, Karina, Padraig and James, grandchildren, Cara, Emily, Oisín, Seán, Cian, Aaron, Ellie, Katie, Conor, Aislinn, Aoife and John Patrick, brother John Joe, daughters in law, Patricia, Claire and Gina, sons in law, Aidan and Mark, brother in law John, sisters in law, Mary, Helen and Bridget, nieces, and nephews.

DEATH has taken place of occurred of Nellie Aherne, Dirreen, Athea, in her 95th year, on 30th July 2020. Predeceased by her parents William & Margaret, brothers Willie & Tom, sisters Nora, Bridie, Margaret, Kathy & Mai.

ANNIVERSARIES: Margaret Finucane, Leah Erin O’Donoghue, John P Walsh, John Purtill, Mary Kennelly O’Connor, Betty Griffin, Sr. Benedict Cotter, Sean Redmond, Dora Ahern, Paddy Casey, Pearl Dean, Nell O’Connor, Sr. Rosalie Enright, Mary Flaherty, Eileen McNamara, Lizzie Burns, Joe Kearney, Kitty Barrett, Fr. Noel Moran, Sr. Brendan Sheehy, Jerry Mulvihill, Eileen Ahern. Mass in Moyvane on Sat 1st  at 7.30pm for Jackie Lyons, Derry, Listowel; Sun 2nd  at 11.00am for Damien Lyne, Killarney (Rec Dec); Mass on  Sat 8th at 2.00pm for Esther & Seán Foley, Ashgrove (Mass of thanksgiving for their Golden Jubilee, 50 years of marriage) and  7.30pm Mass for Dora & Mossie Ahern, Kilbaha (Anni); Sun 9th at  11.00am for Pat Hayes, Clounbrane (Rec Dec). Mass  Knockanure – Friday 7th at 7.30pm for Ellen Collins, Lisaniskea (Anni), her husband Laurence & their son Maurice and Mass on Sun 9th  at 9.30am for a Special Intention (sick) (please note Mass time has changed to 9.30am.

SCOIL CHORP CHRÍOST FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:  The parents of the 2020 Scoil Chorp Chríost First Holy Communion class, have approached Fr. Kevin and the principal Mrs. Donegan, seeking approval for the forthcoming Holy Communion ceremony to take place in the Church of Assumption, Moyvane, in order to fully comply with social distancing guidelines and to allow siblings to attend. Fr. Kevin and Mrs Donegan have kindly agreed that this is a more suitable arrangement in these difficult times. The First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday the 12th of September at 11.30am in the Church of Assumption, Moyvane. 

MURHUR N.S. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:  This celebration will take place on Saturday 22nd August at  1pm in the Church of the Assumption, Moyvane.  Both schools are actively communicating with parents regarding safe numbers for both celebrations.

CEMETERY MASSES:  As you are aware our Cemetery Masses have been cancelled for this year.  However, as this coming week, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday would have been the dates for these celebrations can I suggest the following:  Monday 3rd Ahavoher Cemetery – all who have loved ones buried in this Cemetery would light a candle at home and pray the Angelus either at 12 noon or at 6pm.  In the same way on Tuesday for those buried in Knockanure Cemetery and on Wednesday for those buried in Murhur.  If these times are not suitable choose your own time but please honour it with prayer and if possible, a lighted candle in honour of the good men and women who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. We pray that this year in particular they will pray for us in the presence of the Risen Lord that we will continue to be safe and well during these anxious times. May they Rest In Peace.  A prayerful visit to either of our Churches would honour them in an extra special way. Moyvane Church open from 10am to 5pm daily and Knockanure Church open from 11am to 3pm daily.

BOOK Masses (Months Minds & Anniversaries) Baptisms & Weddings during Office hours. Office times: Closed Mon 2nd; Open Tues 10am – 1pm; Closed Wed; Thurs 10am-12; Thurs 10-1.  068/49308.

EXHIBITION opened by Mr. Jimmy Deenihan of Mary Lavery Carrig’s, Wild Irish Wildflower Exhibition took place at St John’s Theatre Listowel on Friday, 31st July. The first event there since the closedown began in March.

RADIO: Horizons at 9 on Radio Kerry on 9 Aug-A Higher Power – Addiction. Local Stories of Addiction and how faith helped cope.

FLOWERS are in full bloom along many road margins, pity the main roads are cut before the flower.

Dead head roses, as they prevent a second bloom. Hanging baskets in the village of Athea are looking great. 

TOILETS: Now that most of the usual toilets are not accessible, it prevents many from going places, elderly men frequently need toilets. Surely the council could provide some basic urinals. Drinking water should also be provided, for people to fill their bottles.

HOME Schooling should also be practised this year for those who are capable of doing the job and it would relieve the schools and taxpayers of making provisions, which may to be discarded next year, it would be also good for the environment. 

ROAD works costing E600.000 are to be carried out in the district according to recent reports, no breakdown on the cost of the actual roadwork. Many are complaining about the view at junctions being impaired by shrubbery.

GAA Athea: Tickets are now for sale for their Club Development Draw 2020. Tickets are €50 which covers entry into all 5 draws. Tickets can be purchased online through clubforce by following the link – https://clubforce.com/clubs/gaa-athea-gaa-club-limerick/.

NOVENA: Father Richard Gibbons, the Rector of Knock Shrine, has announced that the National Novena to Our Lady of Knock is postponed until perhaps later this year, depending on latest Government guidance. The annual Novena began in 1977 and has continued in unbroken tradition since.

WALK: On the Saturday supplement of the Irish independent ‘travel addict’ Pol O’Conghaile included The Knights Walk in Glin among the 25 Best Family Friendly Walks in Ireland. A 4km. walk that takes you through Glin Demesne, through the Rook Hall Wood and the Furry Hill Wood, rising up to ‘super views’ from Tullyglass Hill. Suitable for all ages the walk takes about 1.5 hours. The Knights Walk is just one of three walks included in The Glin Walking Heritage Trails. The Path and The Knockaranna walks take you along the Estuary with some beautiful scenery and a wide variety of flora and fauna.

VITAMIN D: Overall, obese older adults had much higher rates of vitamin D deficiency both in winter and summer (Figures 6-7). During winter, rates of vitamin D deficiency in the obese were 27.3% for those aged 55+ and 35.3% for those aged 70+ compared to 20.8% and 27.0% respectively for those not obese. Similar trends were also observed during summer

https://tilda.tcd.ie/publications/reports/pdf/Report_Covid19VitaminD.pdf

DIPLOMA: Interested in studying Theology in 2020? The one year, part-time Higher Diploma in Theological Studies at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth is now offered as a “Blended Learning” programme. Suitable for those with an undergraduate degree in any discipline (or equivalent), the course will run from September to May. The course  meets the Teaching Council’s requirements for the teaching of Religion in Secondary Schools. Closing date for applications: 14th August. For more information, please contact Barbara Mahon, Admissions & Marketing Officer, at [email protected] or 017084772