By Marian Harnett

PROLOGUE:  Addiction is giving up Everything for one thing, Recovery is giving up one thing for Everything.

UNVEILING OF PLAQUE:  Former Minister of Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs and MEP Gerard Collins was the keynote speaker on Sunday morning 11th July at 11am to mark exactly to the minute the Centenary of the ending of the Irish War of Independence. The plaque which, was sculpted by well known Abbeyfeale stonemason Ruairi Dennison was unveiled jointly by Cllr. Francis Foley and Cllr. Liam Galvin. An additional plaque also unveiled commemorated the Joy’s Corner Ambush which took place during the Irish War of Independence on June 5, 1921. The event was attended by public representatives and descendents of the men who carried out the ambush.

CLASSIC MOVIEPLEX REOPENS:  The Listowel cinema has reopened after 6 months closure and looking forward to welcoming back all their customers.  There are two shows daily – 4.30pm and 8.15pm.  Bookings can be made online on www.listowel-cinema.com and you can also just turn up but come early.  For further information call 068 22796.  It is an ideal venue to spend some time away from our rainy summer and supporting a local venture at the same time.  Use it or lose it.

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR ABBEYFEALE TOWN PARK:  A box for donations to help keep Abbeyfeale Town Park open has been affixed to the wall of the public toilets in the park.  A Go Fund Me page has also been set up.  The park which has proved to be such a godsend during the lockdown is struggling because the usual fundraising activities it depends on for support have had to be curtailed.  It is used daily by hundreds of people and takes a lot of upkeep so funds are urgently required.

WEST LIMERICK MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION:  Wellness Wednesday – a 30 minute programme on WL102fm and sponsored by the West Limerick Mental Health Association begins on July 14 from 11 -11.30am.

GLÓRACH BINGO AT FR. CASEY’S: “We have been encouraged by your support of our initiative and in association with our partners in the venture, Fr Casey’s GAA Club, whose grounds and facilities we use, and Abbeyfeale District Search & Rescue who provide stewarding for the event, want to state our great appreciation and thanks to you in providing much needed revenue for all three voluntary organisations.  And, as there are plans for further enhancements to the facility when funds permit, our need for continuing streams of revenue is greater than ever as is our need for your support and patronage. We will continue to host Drive-In Bingo at the GAA grounds in Abbeyfeale every Sunday, until further notice, with a 2pm start.

BARNAGH GARDENS: A big shout out to Olive and Maurice Sheehan and family who have re-opened Barnagh Gardens to act as a Greenway Hub.  This hub and the restaurant Platform 22 on the top of Barnagh  along the Limerick Greenway offers wonderful food and great views as well as coffee which is the real deal and a menu that showcases food locally sourced in West Limerick – food  such as Rigney’s Farm granola.  You will also find Spindoctors from Mountmahon there with adult hybrid and electric bikes, children’s bikes as well as child seats. Book their bikes online at https://www.spindoctorcycles.ie/locomotion-bike-rental

GRAVEYARD CLEANING:  A clean up takes place every Tuesday evening weather permitting at Reilig Ide Naofa from 7-8pm. Families are encouraged to attend to their family graves it would help to keep the graveyards looking as well as they are. Thanks to all the volunteers who look after the three graveyards in the parish.

  1. ITA’S DAY CARE CENTRE: St Ita’s Day Care Centre, Abbeyfeale are now doing Meals on Wheels. If anyone is interested or would like further information please contact Jane/Norma at 068 51850.

CHURCH NEWS:    Fr Tony Mullins 0872600414, Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030, Fr Denis Mullane 087/26219. Priest on Call during the summer months Fr Dan Lane will be on call every Wednesday. Fr Mullins will not be available on Wednesdays. Fr Lane can be contacted on 087-2533030I.  www.abbeyfealeparish.ie email [email protected] Church Sacristy 068 -51915 Parish Office 068ers -31133.   Mass Intentions:   Wednesday 10am Jim White, Killarney Road. Thursday 10am Special Intention (Operation). No Saturday morning Mass   6.30pm Nora & Patrick Quirke, Ballaugh.  Joe O’Connor Caherhayes and his daughter Michelle 2nd Anniversary.  Sunday 10am Daisy Fealey, Knockbrack 1st Anniversary.  Patrick O’Connor, Mountmahon . Hugh Collins, Dromtrasna Collins 2nd Anniversary. 12 noon Nell & Francie Healy and deceased family members. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will resume here in the parish on Friday, July 23. Adoration will begin after the 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm each Friday. “A Holy Hour of adoration helps bring everlasting peace to your soul and in your family. It brings us personal peace and strength. It brings us a greater love for Jesus, for each other, and for the poor. Every holy hour deepens our union with Him and bears much fruit. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

BE SUN SMART:  The forecast is for a warm spell and it can’t be emphasised enough that no one should leave the house without adequate sun protection which includes a sun hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and lashings of factor 50 sun screen.

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY: Throughout his papacy Pope Francis has reminded us to value the many gifts of our grandparents and elderly and, in recognition of their role, the Holy Father has now instituted an annual World Day into the Church calendar to be celebrated on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen for this inaugural year is ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20), highlighting that promise of closeness that generations share with each other. Not only are our young people called to be present in the lives of older people, but so too grandparents and elders have a mission to encourage young people on their faith journey. The First World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday, July 25.