By Marian Harnett

PROLOGUE:  The elevator to success is out of order, you’ll have to take the stairs one step at a time.

DEATHS:  We offer our sympathy to the family of Jeremiah Healy, Knocknasna whose funeral took place on Wednesday.  May he rest in peace.

We also offer our sincere sympathy to Sheila, John  and Robert and the extended Cree family on the death of Lawrence. May he rest in peace.  We also offer our sympathy to the family of the late Micheal Fahy, Lyreacompane who introduced several generations of ladies to Yoga here in Abbeyfeale.  May he rest in peace.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT:  Grief is the normal response that a person has, in the face of a life altering loss. The following information may be of support to you and yours in your loss. While not every grieving person needs counselling, every person who is grieving needs and deserves our support. Everyone grieves, and yet each of us will grieve differently.
Grief lasts as long as it takes us to accept and learn to live with our loss, and that’s different for everyone. This does not mean that we try to put our loss behind us, but thatwe now have to adjust to a life without the person that meant so much to us. As we grieve, we try to make sense of what has happened while learning to live our life without that person.  For some people, that grief process lasts a few months. For others, it may take years.  Even within a family, grief is different for each person, because everyone had a different relationship with the person we have lost. Most people cope with their griefwith the support of family and friends. Local community, parish, neighbours, can all offer practical, emotional and other supports at this difficult time. If you are struggling with a life altering loss, please: Seek out good, clear information about grief & loss. Be patient and gentle with yourself as you grieve. Recognise the extent of your loss. Allow yourself to cope & grieve in a way that suits you. Try to sleep well, eat well and take gentle exercise. Try not to make major or rash decisions while you grieve. Accept emotional and practical support from friends and family.  Get professional help if you are finding it too difficult.
Sometimes family and community support isn’t enough. Bereavement counselling may be a support to you if your loss was unexpected, unexplained, possibly avoidable or sudden; if your relationship with the person who has died wasn’t fully resolved, if you are alone or feel unsupported in your grief, or if you have a lot of other stress in your life. Bereavement Counselling Services: Bereavement Counselling is available through the Limerick Social Service Centre, Tel. No 061-314111 and the Milford Care Centre.

FEALE CULTURE NIGHT:  The inaugural Feale Culture Night was held at the Glórach on Saturday evening, opening with a memorable performance by the YouthTrad group.  Under the guidance of Mícheál and Eibhlín Broderick, the group have come on in leaps and bounds since rehearsals commenced at the Glórach at the end of September and the hard work and dedication really showed on the night.  Eibhlín and her brother Liam would duet beautifully on their version of the song, ‘Shenandoah’, while there were also excellent performances from the Ballybehy ensemble of sisters Sarah and Laura O’Donoghue and Susanne Quille, who were also joined on stage by Susanne’s daughter Chloe.  Maurice O’Connell evoked the role of the Seanchaí in the retelling of the Desmond Love story, Seán and Lorcan played out a sporting vignette, while Jim Dennison, backed by Ríona Ní Curtáin on piano, and joined by the whole group, ended the night with a rendition of ‘The Wild Mountain Thyme’.  From all involved with the Feale Culture Group, a massive thanks to everyone who participated in the concert, to the Glórach for the use of the venue and their support, to all the patrons who attended and supported our raffle, to the stage hands, ticket sellers and volunteers in the lobby.  It was in the lobby that the night lingered on, with a large and richly-deserved repast held  for all the participants.

GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT:  For the first time since 2019 we will be able to celebrate Christmas in our parish church without any restrictions. We are delighted to announce the return of the annual Christmas Concert. This year we are delighted to welcome to Abbeyfeale the singing group, ‘CELTIC BROTHERS’ formerly known as ‘The Willoughby Brothers’. They have entertained and endeared audiences for the past number of years and are delighted to bring their Christmas Show to the Church of the Assumption, Abbeyfeale on Sunday 11th of December 2022. Their repertoire features a blend of Irish Ballads, popular classics and contemporary songs that take their audience on an emotive musical journey. The Christmas Concert in Abbeyfeale will have many seasonal songs. The funds raised from the concert will go towards the St Ita’s Hall (Hall Ide Naofa), Renovation Fund.   St Ita’s Hall is a very significant resource centre for the people of Abbeyfeale, and surrounding parishes and provides a wide range of support services for all members of the local community.   St Ita’s  Hall will be 100 years old in 2028 and significant renovations plans have been drawn up to update the building, so that it is fit for purpose and continues to serve the needs of the local community. Tickets are available in the church and are also on sale in many outlets throughout the town.  Tickets can also be booked by calling 089- 4314765. Let’s shake off the restrictive spirit of Covid and get into the Christmas Spirit! It is time to celebrate and what better time of the year to get together than the lead up to Christmas the Feast of the birth of Jesus our Saviour.

COMMUNITY ALERT:  Tickets for our annual Christmas Party in Fr. Casey’s Club House with dancing after lunch to Paddy Qulligan cost €25 and are selling out fast.   They are on sale in Kathleen’s Foodstore, An Siopa Milsean, Gourmet Green and the Post Office in Templeglantine.  There will be goodie bags for everyone in the audience and talks from the local Fire Station Officer and our new Community Garda Tommy Commane. A raffle will also take place on the date.

TABLE TOP SALE:  In Knockanure Community Centre on December 18th there will be a ‘Sale of Work’/Table Top Sale.  Further information from 068 49799.