After The Snow
The snow and ice took us all by surprise just after Christmas but it did remind us of how ill-prepared we are to deal with such an event. In other countries they have this type of weather for at least six months every year and it does not stop them from going about their business as usual. In view of the fact that climate is changing maybe it is time for all of us to look to the future and see what we can do to be more ready when it happens again. It did however give us an extension to the Christmas holidays so the news isn’t all bad!!
Change in Fr. Kelly’ s Mass
The proposed mass for Canon Kelly which was to have been celebrated this Friday evening 17th has been postponed for a short while as more Community involvement will be taking place on the new date in recognition of his time with us in Athea.
Mass however will go ahead at 7pm on Friday 17th.
Athea Community Council “Lucky Numbers” Jackpot
is now a massive €24,000
To be in with a chance to win,hHave your ticket in!!
Draws takes place on Mondays at 6 p.m.
Lucky Numbers Draw
13/01/2025 No’s Drawn: 3, 6, 22, 28. No Winner
Lucky Dips
Eileen Barry, Upper Athea
Mary Brosnan, Derry, Listowel
Mary O’Connor, c/o Donal & Ann’s
Sean O’Connor, c/o Ned Mahony
Sellers Prize: Collins’ Shop & Batt’s Bar
Next Draw: 20/01/’25 Venue: Brown Joe’s
Jackpot €24,000
Church Notices
Parish Pastoral Unit (Athea/ Abbeyfeale/ Mountcollins/ Templeglantine/ Tournafulla).
Fr. Tom Mangan 087-2348226, Fr. Willie Russell 087 2272825, Fr. Dan Lane 087 2621911.
Masses this week- Tuesday morning 9.30am, Friday evening 7pm and Sunday 11am.
Eucharistic Adoration and the Devine Mercy Chaplet every Tuesday morning after mass.
Mass Intentions:
Sunday Jan 19th Mike Dalton (1st A/v). Molly & Jack Ahearn (Knockanare). Mary Collins. Mary Leahy & all deceased members of the Leahy family. Sr. Margaret & Sr. Josephine Lynch
To book a Mass intention contact the sacristy after mass or contact Siobhan on 087-3331459.
All masses are streamed live on https://www.churchservices.tv/athea
Baptisms take place on the fourth weekend of the month. Parents who wish to baptise their child in the next few months should contact Siobhan on 087-3331459.
Parish Administration: Tues-Fri 11am-1pm. call Siobhan on 087-3331459, outside of these hours text or email [email protected] Facebook: Athea Parish Church Community
The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
As I was writing last weeks piece, which never made it into hard copy but was available on line, I mentioned the fact that it was snowing but little did I think that it would be as severe as it was. In recent years we have got used to very mild winters with the odd exception but I have never seen anything like this years beginning since 1963. I remember it well because I was supposed to go back to England after Christmas but wasn’t able to travel for six weeks with all the snow on the ground and freezing temperatures. Maybe the snowfall wasn’t as heavy as this year but it was driven by a storm that made huge drifts. It was also much colder with very low temperatures which caused the rivers to freeze over. I was talking to a man in Abbeyfeale the other day who remembers that time and how all the youngsters went skating on the Feale . In those days we weren’t told what the temperature was. There was a snowdrift about f1ve feet high just down the from our house that made the road impassable until my father eventually backed his lorry into it and made a passage through. Even though it was worse than the present freeze people didn’t suffer as much because they weren’t relying as much on electricity or cars as we are today. In those days people rarely shopped except for things like tea and sugar because they had all they needed at home. The potatoes were in the pit, the pig in the barrel and cabbage or turnips added for a good dinner and there were plenty of eggs and bread which could be baked over the open fire or range. There was plenty of turf in the sheds so, apart from being able to travel, life went on as usual. Now it is totally different. People who followed the best advice now have homes that totally depend on electricity. There is no fireplace, no stove fuelled by oil, gas or turf, no chimney, everything depending on electricity, even the car. When the power goes off the household is in real trouble. Why does the power go out so easily? I was listening to the Abbeyfeale County Councillor, Liam Galvin, on the radio the other day and he made a few good observations. One was the fact that we have power lines running through forests too close to trees that fall on the wires through the weight of snow or the force of a storm. He said there should be discussions with those in power to cut back those trees so that contact with the power lines would be minimal. I totally agree and the question should also be asked; why are all the power lines not underground where they would be protected? I don’t expect much to change because this will be forgotten in a few days and everything will go back to normal but times are changing and the weather is getting less predictable. It is likely that we will have more storms and cold snaps in the future so it is vital that we prepare ourselves for all eventualities. I am lucky that I have a gas fire that we were able to use for heat and a gas stove for cooking. In card-playing terms it is “keeping a guard to the knave” so I think every house should have something to fall back on. I know there is a move away from fossil fuels but it wouldn’t make much difference if they were only used in emergencies. Though the weather was really bad last week it somehow brought out the best in people. Those who could travel with tractors and four wheel drives made sure their less fortunate neighbours weren’t left isolated and brought necessary supplies from the shops. There was a great sense of community, something that we took for granted years ago but is less in evidence today. We fawn over so-called “celebrities” but the real heroes are the crews who were out 24/7 trying to restore power and water to thousands of houses and businesses. The technicians could not do their job until a path was made to the location of a fault and then another crew had to cut and clear away the trees that had fallen on the lines. I don’t know what they get paid but whatever it is would not repay them for what they did on our behalf. There were also a lot of elderly people who depend on meals on wheels for their daily dinner. It was impossible fior the cars and vans that normally deliver but, again, those with suitable vehicles chipped in and made sure nobody was left hungry. “Ar scath a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” is an old Irish saying which means we live in each others shadow and so we depend on each other.
I am worried about the way society is developing in Ireland at the moment. No week goes by now without news of another murder somewhere. When I was young murders were very rare indeed. I remember a murder, back in Kerry between Lyreacrompane and Tralee, of a man in a land dispute. It was the talk of the day and the night for weeks and people would mention it in hushed voices. It was the inspiration for John B. Keane’s play “The Field”. Why have we become so violent? We had our disputes and rows long ago but the worst that happened was a bloody nose or a split lip but now knives and guns a re used with little regard for life. I firmly believe that young people are being influenced by violent films and social media content that have nothing to do with reality. I don’t know what the answer is but I think anybody found carrying a lethal weapon should be prosecuted and taken off the streets. Over the years I have walked the streets of major cities at all hours of the night and never feared for my safety. Now there are parts of local towns where I wouldn’t venture, even in the daytime.