by Marian Harnett
PROLOGUE: “You can get totally messed up trying to please everyone with what you do, but ultimately, you have to please yourself.”
Pierce Brosnan
DEATH: Sincere sympathy to Trish and family on death of Ritchie Roche, Ballaugh and late of Castlemahon. May he rest in peace. His funeral Mass was held on Saturday in the Church of the Assumption.
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.
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.
ABBEYFEALE DRAMA GROUP STALWART: There was widespread dismay as the news broke this week that Richie Roche had gone to his eternal reward. Ritchie, the son, husband, father, Kostal supervisor, church reader, actor, sports fan and great neighbour gone far too soon. He was a worthy successor to Dick Woulfe with his expressive mobile face that could convey a multitude of feelings on stage in the blink of an eye. Everyone who knew him will have their memory of him and this is mine: We had a cow calving unexpectedly and no calving jack to hand so I asked Ritchie who happened to be passing would he come in and lend a hand. Ritchie was dressed for going out, not for farming, but without hesitation he came into the shed and caught a hoof and had the calf out in a couple of minutes. She was a fine heifer calf who grew into a fine cow that had several calves of her own and was known always in our yard as Ritchie’s cow. You have left your mark, Ritchie on Abbeyfeale, and we will all be the worse off for your loss.
PRAYER FOR OUR DEAD: November is the month of remembrance and for Christians it is a special time of prayer for all the faithful departed. It is a difficult time for all those who have lost loved ones. But for people of faith, there is comfort in the knowledge that our loved ones are in God’s safe keeping. The November Lists (Purgatorial Society) for the Dead are in your Box of Weekly Envelopes and also available at the entrance door to the Blessed Sacrament Church. Your loved ones will be remembered and prayed for at Mass on All Souls Day which is on Monday, November 2 and at every Mass during the month of November. Our dead are also prayed for at Mass on each First Friday during the year. All Souls Day Mass will be celebrated at 7.00p.m. on Monday, November 2. Parishioners can drop off their November Lists, Mission Sunday donation and Weekly Offerings to the Blessed Sacrament Church next Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm. Thank you for your continued support
BLESSING OF CANDLES AND REEMBRANCE CEREMONY: Prayer Services for the dead will take place in Cathedrals and Churches throughout the country at 3pm on Sunday, November 1. People are invited to participate via webcam and other online media services. The Ceremony in Abbeyfeale will begin at 3.00pm. During the ceremony a blessing will take place of your own personal candle at home which you may decide to take to your family graves at a later stage, observing social distancing and the travel restrictions.
ABBEYFEALE FARMERS’ MARKET: Abbeyfeale Community Council (ACC) will distribute free Sanitiser at Abbeyfeale Farmers Market this Friday 9:30am -12 noon. Must bring own bottle. 500ml per person while stocks lasts.
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.
THE ANNUAL NOVEMBER MASS FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE DIED IN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL KERRY IN THE PAST YEAR: This includes those who have died in the hospital, those who have experienced pregnancy loss, and those who have died within the Palliative Care Services. We also remember at this Mass deceased employees of UHK both current and retired. Monday, November 2 at 7pm. Live streamed on www.churchservices.tv/tralee.
WEST LIMERICK RESOURCES: The Offices of West Limerick Resources remain closed to the public but all staff are available to contact. Please ring 069 62222 with any queries and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member.
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.