By Kathleen Mullane

‘Out & About’ 

Well following the awful destruction that hurricane ‘Harvey’ and ‘Irma’ has caused in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico etc with the earthquake there, we should be extremely grateful that we, here in Ireland, are only experiencing a few heavy showers and we still complain. One wonders what it would be like to wake up one morning, with the roof over our head blown off – no home – all your belongings gone. I wonder would we be able to cope? And when you see little children walking through the mud barefoot – trying to get some food and to safety, we should be extremely grateful for what we have.

A reminder about the Annual Coffee Morning at the hall this Thursday, September 14th starting around 9.00 am until the afternoon, with all proceeds going to Milford Hospice – your support, as always, would be appreciated. You can give any donation you want – big or small will be welcome in the boxes on the tables. And of course there will be the lovely cakes, buns etc to go with the tea/coffee. Well done to all the organizers each year.

September 21st is “World Gratitude Day” – so if you need to say “Thank You” to anyone for anything they have done, this is the day! “Thanks” – costs nothing!

It was great to see the Limerick U21s hurling team winning the All Ireland on Saturday in Thurles. I had particular interest on the day with our cousin Paudie Aherne from Kileedy on the panel. My father Mossie would have been so proud God rest him. Fr. Duggan at mass praised the team mentors etc, as he also did the U14s and U16s Athea boys who are into Co. Finals. ‘Sport’ is a blessing and does so much for families, individuals and communities.

A reminder if any of you Athea parishioners did their Leaving Cert in 1984 in St. Joseph’s Secondary school in Abbeyfeale, a re-union has been organized for October 20th at ‘The Winners Circle’ in Abbeyfeale. €10 ticket can be bought at the door. A great night is anticipated. Phone numbers etc in the local papers and newsletters to text if you are going.

Any children who are interested in céilí / set dancing – classes will be in the hall with John Joe on Tuesday nights at 6.45pm. All are welcome, especially newcomers.

The ‘annual’ special mass for the Athea N.S. children takes place on this Wednesday morning at 9.40 approx here in the church, to start them off in their new school year. Best of luck to all the new students.

Thought for the Week:- “One doesn’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they are happy”