By Kathleen Mullane

Well “Spring is with us at last, although as I write these lines while keeping an eye on the Limerick/Galway game this Sunday afternoon, it doesn’t seem like Spring – with the amount of rain that’s falling – however, the temperatures are quite high for this time of the year. Hopefully the snow, frost and ice wont’ arrive!

Carol, our sacristan, thanks all who gave to her collection over the weekend. Carol does great work daily in our church and for anyone who still needs an envelope for her collection, they are still available at the church doors or you can use your own and put your name on it.

Next weekend’s church gate collection is in aid of St. Vincent’s, Lisnagry who support people with Special Needs. Your support for this cause would be welcome.

Athea Drama group take to the stage on this Thursday night for their 1st night of 6 nights for their production of Jimmy Keary’s “Looking for Love” – and by all accounts it’s meant to be ‘a laugh a minute’ and everyone needs a laugh nowadays. We wish them all the very best.

A reminder that the Irish Blood Transfusion services are holding their Donor Clinic at Ceol Corbraí in Glin on this Thursday, February 6th from 5-8pm. Blood is badly needed in all hospitals, so they would be glad if you could give some.

Father Duggan gave a very touching yet powerful sermon at both masses over the weekend concerning the dreadful impact that drugs are having on all sections of our society – with so many young lives being lost and families devastated by drug-taking. Drugs are ‘Evil’ and the message he said that parents and grandparents must try to get across to their children is, to learn to say ‘NO’. Children as young as ‘13’ sadly are even dabbling. It’s up to everyone to fight and battle against this deadly ‘scourge’. The message Fr. Duggan said was to keep ‘eyes and ears’ open before it’s too late. Giving an example of a Garda’s only son, who last year died of a drug overdose at the Electric Picnic music festival. The latest trend it seems is students having their Debs are now saving to buy drugs for their “Special Deb’s Night”. Like Andrew McGinley last week who so sadly lost his 3 young children so tragically said in his eulogy – “Spend as much time as you can with your kids – give them cuddles and every day tell them that you love them”.

‘Teen Creed’

Don’t let your parents down, they brought you up,

Be humble enough to obey, you may give orders some day.

Choose companions with care, you become what they are.

Guard your thoughts, what you think you are.

Choose only a date who would make a good mate.

Be master of your habits, or they will master you.

Don’t be a show-off when you drive, drive with safety and arrive.

Don’t let the crowd pressure you, stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.