By Marian Harnett
PROLOGUE: Use what talents you possess – the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
HAPPY 101ST. BIRTDAY:
Congratulations to Mrs. Kitty Flynn, Flynn’s Restaurant, Main St. who celebrated her 101st birthday on Sunday last and received a beautiful gift from President Higgins. We wish you many more, healthy, happy days Mrs. Flynn.
‘ONE SUNRISE TOGETHER FOR PIETA: Pieta and Electric Ireland encourage the people of Newcastle West and throughout West Limerick to share ‘One Sunrise Together’ on May 8th for Darkness into Light. Pieta and Electric Ireland urge people to sign up at darknessintolight.ie and take part in a special Darkness into Light Sunrise on May 8th. This year, participants can walk, run, swim, hike, bike or simply share One Sunrise Together for Darkness into Light, as organised walks are not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions.
April 2021-One year on from when the country went into lockdown, Pieta’s services are in demand more than ever and they need the public’s support. Electric Ireland is proud to support Pieta for a ninth year and together with Pieta are encouraging people to register at www.darknessintolight.ie to take part in a special Darkness into Light that can unite us all whilst still staying physically apart. By taking part in Darkness Into Light, participants will unite in every corner of Ireland to help shine a light on suicide and self-harm while raising vital funds for Pieta’s lifesaving services.
Last year when it wasn’t possible to all walk together for Darkness into Light, Pieta faced a funding crisis, but Ireland came together as one community and got behind the event, with hundreds of thousands rising at dawn and sharing sunrise moments from across the country. The support that shone through was nothing short of amazing with over €4 million raised following a tremendous public fundraising effort to ensure Pieta could continue to deliver their services through 2020.
In 2021, Covid-19 continues to impact not only the nations physical health but its mental health too; it has impacted everything from people’s financial stability to their social habits. People are struggling with loneliness; a fact that is worsened with physical distance measures in place. Pieta relies on the generous support of those who participate in Darkness Into Light each year to provide this important national mental health service free of charge, 24/7. While Covid-19 has been difficult, Darkness Into Light is a chance for communities to look towards brighter days to come while sharing One Sunrise Together on May 8th.
Calls and texts to Pieta’s helpline directly relating to suicide, self-harm and suicide bereavement rose by 25% in December 2020 vs. December 2019, and Pieta is expecting the pandemic burden to have far reaching implications throughout 2021.
Pieta’s counselling services have remained available throughout lockdown with phone, video and face-to-face appointments, in 2020, Pieta delivered over 52,000 hours of therapy and answered over 70,000 calls and texts for help through their 24/7 crisis helpline.
Every single person faces challenges and Pieta worked with well-known ambassadors, including Miriam O Callaghan, Donal Ryan and Oliver Dingley who shared Sunrise Notes, detailing how they have found light in the dark, especially over the last 12 months. Sunrise Notes from the ambassadors are available to read at https://www.electricireland.ie/sunrise-notes. Pieta is also
encouraging the nation to take pen to paper to write their own Sunrise Note and share their stories of finding hope in the darkness online using the hashtag, #DIL2021. The concept of writing and sharing a heartfelt note will help normalise the challenges people have been facing this year, bringing people together through shared experiences of finding light in the darkness.
Speaking about this year’s Darkness into Light, Elaine Austin, Pieta CEO, said “We have all been faced with some incredible and daunting challenges over the last year. Pieta is here to support all of those in suicidal crisis and our free counselling has continued, uninterrupted throughout the Covid lockdowns. Our clinical team provide services over the phone, via text and in-person in twenty centres nationwide and, since last year, we now provide free counselling over video. Darkness Into Light is crucial in delivering the funds needed to support this level of service. We have a great partnership with Electric Ireland and the company have been unwavering in their support over the years. We are grateful too for our Darkness into Light committees who galvanise support for the event across the country year after year. It’s important for all of us to hold on to hope and Darkness Into Light gives us the opportunity to come together under this one common purpose, to remember our loved ones and to help those struggling at this time, and I do hope you will all join us on May 8th.”
‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.’
You can sign up for ‘One Sunrise Together’ at darknessintolight.ie or donate athttps://www.darknessintolight.ie/fundraisers/newcastlewest/limerick
CHURCHES REOPEN: Fr. Tony writes: “We are delighted with the news that from Monday, May 10th churches and places of worship will be open for people to attend Mass or other religious ceremonies. Our first Mass open to the public will be on Monday, May 10th at 7.00p.m. The maximum number of people allowed to attend is 50. The two-metre social distancing rule still applies. As when we opened last summer there will only be one entry point that is the main door at the front of the Church. Stewards will direct you to the hand sanitizing stations and then to your seats. The seats will be clearly marked. Three individual people from different households to a seat. Families from the same household may sit together. The stewards will direct you to Holy Communion and at the end of Mass we are asking people to exit the church gradually and safely. Because the maximum number of people allowed to attend is confined to 50 for the moment, it may not be possible to accommodate everyone who may wish to come into the church. In that case parishioners will be able to hear Mass in the car park through the Car Park Radio. Tune your car radio to 107FM. For Holy Communion we ask you to remain in your car and Holy Communion will be brought to you. For the time being we suggest that parishioners come to Mass once a week in order to give all those who wish to attend an opportunity to attend Mass within the church building. We ask you to follow the guidance of the stewards at all times. The church will need to be cleaned thoroughly after each time that it is used. The cleaning of the building after each Mass is essential to maintain safety and prevent the spread of the virus. Stewards: I want to thank the great army of stewards who volunteered all last year to keep the church open and safe for all those who visited the church. Stewards are essential if the church is to be opened safely. Once again we need the assistance of many stewards and helpers. I want to thank all those who have already volunteered, but we need many more helpers. Any individual over 18 years of age and with no underlying health conditions is welcome to help with the stewarding and cleaning. We ask all our current stewards and anyone else who is willing to help out with the stewarding to contact Anne our parish secretary this week to confirm that you are available. Tel 086/8661651 Church 51915 Office 31133. The current Mass schedule will remain in place for the summer months.