Sheila Kearney, Margaret Sheehy, Mary O’Mahony and Margart McAuliffe enjoying the Christmas Dinner at the Hall

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 19^th Mike Dalton (1^st 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.

by Kathleen Mullane

GREAT COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Hopefully, at this stage, everyone has survived the snow and the slippery conditions that we all experienced over the past week or so. The absence of electricity coupled with having no water was the worst situation for many, and one wonders how they managed in days gone by without these essentials. However, many families took the time and enjoyed playing a lot of games such as cards, charades, and Monopoly with their kids with the aid of candles and flash lamps and really enjoyed the slower pace of life that the darkness and bad conditions outside brought. Many, however, were suffering from cabin fever from not being able to go out even for a walk. No doubt the walking track up at the GAA pitch saw many getting back to their daily walk since the thaw. Many chutes on houses and sheds fell down with the weight of the snow; however, these are only minor problems in comparison to the devastation they are experiencing in Los Angeles at the moment, so we aren’t badly off at all. And wasn’t it heart-warming to see the amount of community spirit all over the country, including our own little village where farmers came out on their tractors and brought food and supplies to those living alone, or anyone who couldn’t get out to get the necessary, so well done to all those good people. Another thing that the week brought was it showed kids especially how people could survive by burying food in bags, etc., in the freezing snow when their freezers were out of action, and that life can be tough at times.

Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Thomas Griffin of Blaine Athea, who went to his eternal reward over the weekend. He reposed at Finucane’s Funeral Parlour on Sunday evening last, with many coming to pay their respects. Requiem mass on Monday was celebrated by Fr. Tom Mangan, and burial followed to Holy Cross Cemetery. May he rest in eternal peace.

It’s hard to believe I was reading that it’s been 3 years since the murder of teacher Aisling Murphy as she went for her jog along by the river near her home. And more frightening that since then there have been almost 30 women murdered, indeed terrible statistics whatever has gone wrong.

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.

Also, on Sunday evening next, the AGM of Athea GAA will be held in the hall at 7:30 pm. All are welcome to come along and give your opinions and share your ideas.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

When life gives you more than you can stand — JUST KNEEL.

by Peg Prendeville

Well, what a start to the new year of 2025. After a lovely mild Christmas and some lovely family gatherings the flu invaded one of the houses and my daughter and hubby and her family of five were laid low and only recovering now. Thankfully we escaped in Glenbawn and kept our distance which was further enhanced by the most snow we have seen in a long long time. We measured 14 inches deep in the yard and lawn at one stage. Then along comes the power cut where the parish and surrounding parishes endured three days and nights of no heat, no water, no power. Due to Jim’s condition we are so-called “vulnerable customers” and rely on electricity for beds, chairs etc but it made no difference. I am not blaming anybody as I have the highest respect for those people who braved the elements to try and restore power to all. On Little Christmas, instead of welcoming the three wise men, I had two wise men (my sons) bringing flasks of hot water and shovelling snow outside our door. God help those who live completely alone with nobody to call for help. Anyway we lived to tell the tale and all is well again. But the snow did a lot of damage with branches breaking off trees, hedges being flattened and cars sliding into ditches and needing repairs. On top of that I dread to think of the amount of food which had to be thrown out due to freezers defrosting and spoiling good food.

Nothing, I know, in comparison to the damage being done in LA with the wild fires. It is awful to even think about it and to realise we are at the mercy of the elements of wind, fire and water.

In the midst of all this chaos I received the sad news of the death of one of my favourite cousins – Pauline Curtin, formerly of Mountcollins but now living in the USA. She has many relations scattered through Abbeyfeale and Mountcollins and all were very fond of her. She was a very generous woman always. May she rest in peace.

But we must keep the bright side out and look forward to the Spring and new growth. Both Athea and Ballyhahill drama groups are keeping up the rehearsals giving us some fun to look forward to later in February and March.

I speak about my grandchild Lucy from time to time – she was born with spina bifida and developed scoliosis. All going well, by the time you read these notes, she will have had her spinal surgery which is planned for this Wednesday January 15. She has been waiting for months for this so please God all will be successful this time. So in spite of the rocky start it may be the best year yet! We trust and we hope.