By Marian Harnett
PROLOGUE: Remember that you’re as good as any, better than most and after that you’re tops.
WRITE A SHORT STORY: If you are a member of the ICA you might consider entering their competition to write a short story entitled “The Window” max 2,000 words, the closing date is January 28 for entries.
GLORACH BINGO: After a very successful start bingo will continue every Sunday at the GAA grounds at 1.30pm.
BOOKS: “Mountcollins and its Vicinity, a 440 page book, by Larry Begley, is now completely sold out. There are still some copies of ‘As tough as tathfhéithleann’ – a rare and beautiful collection of Irish words and phrases written by Timmy Woulfe, Athea.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION: The Church of the Assumption was built during the years 1966 – 1968 under the leadership of Philip Canon Enright, who is buried in the grounds. The Church replaced St Mary’s Church which was located in New Street and where St Mary’s Boys National School now resides. The land was kindly donated by the Broderick family and the Sisters of Mercy Abbeyfeale. It provides valuable parking for those entering the town of Abbeyfeale today. In the grounds of the Church, there is a statue to the memory of James Joseph Sheehy who died in 1948 in Chicago. Mr. Sheehy was a native of the area and it was erected by Fr. Vincent J. Sheehy in 1985 who was a priest in Miami. The Holy Water font in the grounds is believed to come from the original Cistercian Abbey. A Grotto has also been erected to the right of the Church. To the left of the Church, there is a small plot where priests who served in the area or came from the area are buried. Three members of the McEnery family are buried here. Thomas, Patrick and Denis were all priests in the Diocese of Duluth in Minnesota. Also, two brothers of the Murphy family, Seán and T. J. were priests in Rockhampton, Australia. Two other priests who preached the Gospels in far-flung places were J. Downey in Canberra, Australia, and Monsignor Daniel P. Collins in Los Angeles. Two local priests are also buried here, Monsignor Dan Gallagher and Canon O’Donoghue.There is a stained glass window of Mary at the back of the church. In the left Transept, there is a stained glass window depicting Jesus healing the sick. There is also a Crucifix in this Transept. The adjoining plaque states that the crucifix is to Denis Bailey of Rockchapel, who contributed to the Sheltered Housing Scheme.An interesting feature of this church is the small chapel to Jesus attached to the left transept. To the left of the altar in this Chapel, there is a statue of the Sacred Heart, while to the right is a statue of Mary. Stained glass windows in this Chapel depict the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles, the Crucifixion, and the bread and wine of Mass. These stained glass windows are donated in memory of Denis and Mary Lyons of Port, Abbeyfeale, Dick and Mary Hartnett of Port, Sr. Theresa, Joe and Eily, Connie, Sr. Immaculata, and Bridie Hartnett of Port, and James and Julia Quirke respectively. The chapel was opened in June 1991 by Bishop Newman. In the main Church, there is a stained glass window of the Good Samaritan on the left behind the altar, while the stained glass window on the right depicts Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. There is a shrine to Mary Immaculate to the left of the main Altar. In the right Transept of the church there are two shrines, one to St Joseph, and one to Mary. The stained glass window in the right Transept depicts the healing of the lepers. (Taken from the parish website.)
CITIZENS ADVICE: They are available to deal with queries Monday to Friday between 9.30am – 4.15pm and can be contacted by phone on 0761 07 5780 or by email on [email protected]
CHURCH NEWS: Fr Tony Mullins 0872600414, Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030, Fr Denis Mullane 087/26219. Fr Dan Lane will be on call every Wednesday. Fr Mullins will not be available on Wednesdays. Fr Lane can be contacted on 087-2533030 www.abbeyfealeparish.ie email [email protected] Church Sacristy 068 -51915 Parish Office 068 -31133. To book a |Mass intention contact the church before or after Mass on 0668 51915. Mass Intentions: Thursday 10am Christina Harnett, Dromtrasna Harnett.
Month Mind. Friday 10am Timmy Nolan (80th Birthday remembrance). Feast of St Ita Saturday, January 15. St Ita was born in Co. Waterford of noble and Christian parents. Early on she set her mind on serving Christ in religious life. She founded a monastery in Kileedy, Co Limerick, which attracted a great variety of young people. She was given the title ‘Foster –Mother of the Saints of Ireland’. She died in 570. St Ita’s feast day will be celebrated in the parish of Kileedy on Saturday, January 15.
THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD:
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the seven wonders of the world. Though there were disagreements, the following received the most votes:
- Egypt’s Great Pyramids,
- The Taj Mahal,
3. The Grand Canyon, - Panama Canal,
- The Empire State Building,
6. St Peter’s Basilica, - China’s Great Wall.
While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one quiet student hadn’t returned her paper yet. So, she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl
replied, “Yes a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind, because there were so many” The teacher said “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help,”
The girl hesitated, then read,
“I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to see,
- to hear,
- to touch,
- to taste,
- to feel,
6. to laugh, - to love.”
The room was so quiet; you could hear a pin drop.
The things we overlook as simple and ordinary, which we take for granted, are wondrous.