By Marian Harnett

PROLOGUE: “Some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen  next.                                            Gilda Radner

GLÓRACH DRIVE IN BINGO: Regret to say that the drive in bingo is cancelled until further notice.

DEATH: Sincere sympathy to Mary and family on the death of John Ward.  We also offer our sympathies on the death of John’s sister in Roscommon this week.  May they both rest in peace.

CLOCKS go back one hour on Sunday 25^th October.

THE FAMILY ROSARY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER: Archbishop Eamonn Martin has asked families to pray the rosary together in what is called the Family Rosary Crusade.

EVENING CLASSES:  New Courses starting October 2020 in the Further Education & Training Centre, Abbeyfeale (The Old Tech).  The following free classes are starting up soon:  Beginners Art, Painting Level 5, Cookery class, Machine sewing, Furniture Upholstery, Furniture Restoration (Level 5),   If you wish to register for any of the above free classes, please call Mary in the office: 06831198 or log onto www.learningandskills.ie, click on ‘our courses, and select the location as ‘Abbeyfeale’.

MISSION SUNDAY: This weekend parishes in over 120 countries will celebrate World Mission Sunday. World Mission Sunday is a direct appeal from Pope Francis. He is asking all of us to give what we can so that overseas missionaries can reach and care for suffering men, women and children. On World Mission Sunday, all Mass collections, including those from the most impoverished churches in the developing world, will be offered to help further the reach of missionaries and mission. The collection is a lifeline, not only to missionaries, but also the future of the Church.  However, it is in jeopardy. The worldwide pandemic means that less of us can physically attend Mass, resulting in fewer offerings in the basket. Its implications for suffering overseas communities in the months ahead will be devastating.  COVID-19 brings fear, but it also shows us that selfless and courageous actions are not reserved solely for saints. In fact, they can be found in every one of us, and that by standing in solidarity together we can do more. Please, if you can, be extra generous this weekend. Your kindness will be used in the coming months to support overseas missionaries who dedicate their lives to some of the most impoverished and overcrowded communities in the world.  To give what you can donate at www.wmi/mission, call Fiona in World Missions Ireland on 01 4972035, or lodge money directly: IBAN -IE12 BOFI 90007 5456 9616 36, BIC -BOFIIE2D, Account Name -Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

ACCORD PRE–MARRIAGE COURSES AND COUNSELLING SERVICES: Until at least May 2021 Accord pre-marriage courses will take place live on-line with up to 12 couples; via ZOOM, they will be interactive and delivered by 2 presenters. Accord has also resumed face to face counselling. Contact Accord by Phone or online to book.

BE WINTER READY:  Keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel. You should eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active.  Ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need. Keep active indoors.  Have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home.  Ask your relatives and neighbours for help if you need it. Keep their phone numbers on a list beside your phone.  In icy weather, wear well-fitted shoes with non-slip soles if you have to go out but try to limit walking outside during the cold weather.  Consider wearing a personal alarm so that family or neighbours are alerted if you fall.  If you have a fall, even a minor one, make sure you visit your doctor for a check up.  Leave a low energy light on at night time, preferably one with a high light output. Use a non-slip shower or bath mat.  Make sure wires or cords from lamps, telephones etc. do not trail where you walk.  Arrange furniture so that you can easily move around all your rooms.  Remove rugs or use non-slip tape or backing so rugs will not slip,  Consider installing hand rails on both sides of the stairs.

WEST LIMERICK COMMUNITY RADIO PLAYING THEIR PART:  WL102fm has provided a great service throughout West Limerick since the lockdown began with Mass broadcast every Sunday morning at 10am to all the people who are cocooning .  Advertising and fundraising pay their expenses and like everyone else they need money to survive.  Please buy a ticket for their weekly draw and help them stay on air – it’s as simple as that – you’ll never miss the water ‘til the well runs dry.  Tickets on sale at Ann Lyons’s, The Square for €2 each.  Please be generous in your support.  They are also need volunteers to help run the station.

ALONE:  We provide resources and training to new and well established befriending and support services. Training options are available to both the staff of services and their volunteers.  It might be worthwhile contacting WLR on 06962222 to see if they would coordinate a group of volunteers and then organise training.  Further information : email [email protected] or call ALONE on 01-679 1032.