By Marian Harnett
DEATHS: Sincere sympathy is offered to Nuala and the family of the late John Sheeran, Graigue whose funeral was held on Saturday. We also offer sympathy to Padraig, the late John’s brother, whose wife Margaret, nee Keane, died on Sunday and to the Lyons family on the death of Ann, The Square who also died on Sunday. Abbeyfeale is heartbroken after losing so many of our people in the last few months. May they all rest in peace.
NEW COURSES AT THE OLD TECH: The following free classes are starting up in January: Beginners Woodturning, Beginners Art, Craft class (Papermaking, paper crafts, felting and more!), Knitting for beginners, Experimenting with art (drawing, painting making etc), Basic cooking, Cookery for blokes, baking (Breads, pastry’s & Desserts), Healthy eating made easy, taste of Italy cookery class, Easy entertaining/summer cookery class, Machine sewing, Furniture Upholstery, Grow your own vegetables class, Beginners Sign Language, Childcare Level 5 & 6, Healthcare Level 5, Beginners Computers, intermediate computers. 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’.
COME TO BETHLEHEM: An Invitation to all Families in our parish. Due to the restrictions on Mass attendance it is not possible to accommodate all who would like to attend Mass this Christmas. As an alternative we are inviting all families to make a short visit to the Church on Christmas Eve, to visit and pray as a family at the Crib. You are also encouraged to bring the baby Jesus from your own home Nativity set to be blessed. On returning home the youngest member of the family can place the baby Jesus in the family crib. The Church will be open on Christmas Eve from 1.00pm to 4.00pm Fr Tony & Fr Dan will be there to greet you and to give your family a blessing for Christmas. Entrance through the front door of the Church.
GLORACH BINGO: The weekly bingo will take place outdoors at the GAA Carpark on the Duagh Road 2pm Sunday, December 20 €3,100 minimum in prizes.
SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION: During the current pandemic it has been difficult for us to assemble as a Christian community to celebrate the sacraments. This year because of the pandemic there will be no parish Reconciliation Service. However, a service of preparation for an act of perfect contrition in the season of Advent will be celebrated online only, on Tuesday evening next at 7.00pm. Parishioners can join us on the parish webcam at www.churchservcies.tv or on www.abeyfeale.ie It will be an ideal way to prepare for Christmas in the current circumstances.
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 and also at Moss the Farmers’, Killarney Road.
PROLOGUE: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires (here mention your request) through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ and of His blessed Mother. Amen.