by Marian Harnett
PROLOGUE: Drugs and alcohol don’t love you, but they’ll take you away from the ones who do.
DEATH: We offer our sympathy to the family of Eugene Pascal O’Rourke, Mountmahon whose funeral took place on Saturday . May he rest in peace.
TIMELY REMINDER: Remember all the local businesses that you’ve asked over the years to donate to local teams, clubs and organisations. They need you to support them now and do your Christmas Shopping locally, give vouchers as gifts, have coffee,eat lunch, dinner or a few drinks in their premises and if possible pay with cash.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH: Abbeyfeale Cmmunity Alert would like to invite you to our annual Christmas Luncheon at 1pm and Social Afternoon with dancing to the wonderful smooth mellow sound of Paddy Quilligan. Tickets at €20 are on sale in Kathleen’s Food Store, Batt’s in the Square and An Siopa Milsean this week and in order to be able to confirm numbers with the caterers will be removed mid week. There will be no reserved tickets so all tickets must be bought and paid for in advance. There will be a talk from the Community Garda Tommy Commane on staying safe and also from the Abbeyfeale Fire Officer on fire safety in the home.
ADORATION FOR PEACE: There will be Adoration after the 10am Mass until 12noon in the Main Church to Pray for peace in our world. All are welcome. Tuesday 28th of November. Names to cover each hour can be written on the chart by the tabernacle.
ABBEYFEALE FOR AFRICA: Our annual cake sale in aid of the late Fr. Tim Galvin’s Mission in South Sudan will be held in St. Ita’s Day Care Centre on Sunday, November 26 from 10-1pm. We’re sending out a call to our bakers and those who would like to donate home baking to drop their offerings to Batt in the Square before Saturday, November 25 or directly to the Day Care Centre. Teas, Coffee and scones will be available in the morning so come along and enjoy a sociable chat as well as making a purchase or two. The account for Abbeyfeale for Africa remains open at the Credit Union.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Popular singing group Celtic Brothers, formally known as the Willoughby Brothers are returning to Our Lady of the Assumption Church Abbeyfeale, on Friday 15th of December for what promises tobe a feast of festive music and song. The brothers from County Wicklow, made their first visit to Abbeyfeale last Christmas and gave a memorable performance of Irish Ballads, popular classics, contemporary songs and Christmas favourites. Their passion forsinging and performing, combined with a genuine closeness, stems from a childhood filled with music and singing, a love they have carried with them throughout the years and into their adulthood. The funds raised from the concert in Abbeyfeale will go towards the St Ita’s Hall (Hall Ide Naofa), Renovation Fund. The work on the hall began in the second week of September 2023 and it is hope to have it completed by early Spring 2023. The project is being funded by grant aid from the Community Centre Investment Fund, provided by theDepartment of Rural and Community Development and by funds raised locally. €100,000 needs to be raised locally towards the project and we are almost half way towards achieving that goal. Tickets for our Christmas Concert go on sale this weekend and are available in the sacristy and at various shops and outlets in Abbeyfeale and throughoutWest Limerick. For further information on ticket sales contact 089-2646772.
If any business or individual would like to help with the costs of staging theChristmas Concert, sponsorship will be very welcome. For more information,contact Fr Tony on 087-2600414 or Fr Willie on 087-2272825.All support will be gratefully received.
MARY COUGHLAN COMES TO THE GLÓRACH: Set the date of Saturday, 9th December aside as Mary Coughlan makes her debut at the Glórach Theatre. The famed Galwegian blues singer has a long association with Limerick, including a stint in the Arts College many moons ago, and numerous gigs in the city and county throughout the years. Always honest and soulful in her renditions, Mary will be joined on the night by Ultan Conlon. A gig not to be missed, and maybe a possible early Christmas present. Curtains up at 8 pm, and tickets can be booked at 0871383940 or www.glorachabbeyfeale.com.
SONG & STORY EVENING: Templeglantine Comhaltas will hold a song and story evening will be held at Halla Inse Bhán on Sunday, November 26th, 4-6pm and there will be a Céad Míle Fáilte for singers, storytellers as well as those who might recite a verse or two. There will be a mug of Inse Bhán Tae for everybody. Those who would like to come along and just listen will be very welcome also.
WEST LIMERICK SINGING CLUB: Our last Singing Session of 2023 will take place on Friday, December 1 at the Ramble Inn with guest artist Brigid Delaney from 8.30pm.
FUNDRAISING BINGO: Mountccollins NS Parents Association are hosting their annual bingo in Mountcollins Community Centre on Sunday, November 26 at 3pm sharp. Prize money €2,000.
INVITATION TO JOIN THE CHURCH CHOIR: Join the Abbeyfeale Church Choir just in time for the Christmas Season! Are you a male singer looking to be a part of something truly special this holiday season? Abbeyfeale Church Choir is thrilled to invite talented male vocalists like you to join us as we prepare for the festive and joyous Christmas celebrations! We welcome male singers of all ages and experience levels to be a part of our choir. Whether you’re a tenor, baritone, or bass, if you have a passion for singing and want to add your voice to our harmonious ensemble, we would love to have you!
Our rehearsals take place every Wednesday evening from 7.30-8. To express your interest please email Rebecca at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can also visit the sacristy during church hours to sign up. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this wonderful musical journey as we prepare for the Christmas Season. We can’t wait to welcome you and make beautiful memories together!
DIGITAL LEARNING HUB every Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 in Listowel Library. For more information or booking, please contact Mary Swaine, Kerry ETB ALL Team, 086 7969627.
ABBEYFEALE BRIDGE: Abbeyfeale Bridge is on Thursday nights in the Day Care Centre at 7.30pm. New Members welcome.
OPEN DAY AT THE DAY CARE CENTRE: There’s always a welcome at St. Ita’s Day Care Centre every Tuesday to come along and socialise with your friends. Join them for tea and scones, bingo, a card game or two, 4 course lunch, music, singing, poetry, a story or two before you head off sustained by more tea and some goodies. Call Manager Jane 068 51850 for more information. Chiropody Services restarting at St Ita’s Day Care Centre on Monday 20th November and every 6 weeks thereafter. For appointments ring 068 51850.
FERRY: Winter Schedule Ferry Time Change: The winter sailing schedule commenced Sunday, 1st October 2023 with sailings from Killimer every hour on the hour from 7.00am to 7.00pm and sailings from Tarbert every hour on the half hour from 7.30am to 7.30pm. Sunday sailings commence two hours later at 9.00am from Killimer and 9.30am from Tarbert.
SET DANCING IN MONAGAE: Fiona 086 3510774 has two classes in Monagae – Tuesday 8.30pm and Thursdays 9pm.
GROW MENTAL HEALTH GROUP meets in Seanchaí Centre, Listowel every Wednesday evening at 8:00 pm. No referrals necessary. Just come along or telephone Jerry at 086-0271990.
DANCE CLASSES IN FR. CASEY’S: Every Tuesday from 8-10pm.
CHURCH NEWS: Contact numbers for the Parish Priests of the Pastoral Area: Fr Denis Mullane 087/2621911.Fr Tony Mullins 087/2600414. Fr Willie Russell 087/2272825. Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030. Fr James Ambrose (Retired) Tel 087/774075. Baptisms in Abbeyfeale will be celebrated on the first Saturday of each month at 5.00pm. Also, on the second Sunday of the month after the 12noon Mass. Contact the Sacristy 068/51915 during Mass Times. Parish office 086/8661651 Anne Secretary 11am to 1pm. Eucharist Adoration every Friday in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel from 10.30am – 7pm. Baptisms in Abbeyfeale will be celebrated on the first Saturday of each month at 5.00pm. Also, on the second Sunday of the month after the 12noon Mass. Contact the Sacristy 068/51915 during Mass Times. Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel every Friday after morning Mass until 7pm. Divine Mercy Meeting takes place every Monday evening after the 7pm Mass Confessions on Saturday evenings at 6.00pm and after Mass Thursday before the First Friday. A priest will be available after Mass on weekdays if a parishioner wishes to celebrate the sacrament. Mass Intentions: Wednesday 10am Cornelius O’Rourke and Lucy O’Rourke. Special Intention ( Operation ). Thurs 10am Michael Scully London and late of Mountmahon. Moss Lane formerly Kilconlea & Newbridge. Friday 10am For the Sick of the Parish. Saturday 6.30pm Séan Enright, Purt/Caher.Vincent McNally.Tom Doody Kilconlea Upper and Deceased members of the Doody family. Mary Wallace Coolewest Athea Month’s mind. Sunday 10am Eileen Casey, Knocknasna. 12noon Nick & Eleanor Cotter Upper Purt.Deceased members of the ARA. Conversations with Bishop Leahy. Bishop Leahy has begun his round of “conversation” gatherings across the Diocese, beginning in Kilmallock last Monday night and in Limerick City on Wednesday night. The meeting for our Pastoral Unit will be held in the Longcourt Hotel, Newcastle West, on Wednesday night next the 22nd of November at7.30p.m. These meetings are to offer people a chance to open up questions andissues regarding the future of our faith community, its mission arrangements andstructures. It is an occasion to present to people some of the data about our parishes and the diocese and to enter into an informal conversation. In announcing these gatherings, Bishop Leahy said, “We won’t make big decisions immediately but we’ll be moving along the pathway of community discernment. I would ask you to spread the word about these meetings, everyone is welcome to attend.” All who are concerned about the future of our faith community in this area of the diocese are encouraged to attend. For further information, contact and any of the priests in the area. Contact numbers are printed in this newsletter. Limerick Diocese Overview Report:Additional copies of the Diocesan Overview Report are available this weekend. We encourage you to take one home and share it with family and friends.Bishop Leahy asks people to take copies of it not just for themselves but perhaps also for sons or daughters not coming regularly to Church but nevertheless still in some way incontact through baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies. The Overview is a snapshot of the life of our Diocese. In reading the Overview you’ll find statistics of where things are at today, giving a greater understanding of the profile of clergy, financial arrangements and the challenges facing us in the Diocese. Altar Servers: Our Parish here in Abbeyfeale has always had a great tradition of children being involved in the Ministry of Altar Serving. During Covid this Ministry stopped. At this stage we would like to get the Ministry back and would like to invite boys and girls from the Parish who have made their First Holy Communion to consider becoming Altar Servers. Time Commitment – You would be asked to serve at Mass at weekends on one of thefollowing times. Saturday evening at 6.30pm or on Sunday at 10.00am or 12noon. You will be invited to come for some training before you would serve at Mass.Wish to volunteer for this Ministry?If you are interested in your child becoming an Altar Server, you can ask for a form in theSacristy. At all times our Child ProtectionGuidelines will be followed for the safety of our young people. If you would like anyfurther information, please contact Anne in the sacristy. Tel 068-51915 or email the parish office at [email protected] Our thanks to all who helped make the celebration of Mass for all who died in thepast twelve months a very special liturgy.We pray it will bring comfort and healing to all the bereaved in our community.
USED STAMPS: Your used stamps can do so much and it is worth taking the time to keep them cut approximately l” around them and drop them into a box provided in the Church in NCW under the table in the porch Sacristy side entrance. There are 120 girls in St. Mary’s Home Mynmar the Servite sisters look after them providing food, shelter and education up until 2020 they were going to school but since then schools are closed. They live in a regime now that is controlling, dangerous along with prices escalating for rice, oil and food, struggling as are the poor people in Mynmar. We manage to get money out to Sister Salette in person from friends who are travelling home to their district where the sisters live. With the used stamps we collected we give them to a stamp collector who gives us €5 per kilo so the more stamps we can get the more funds we receive. If you wish to post stamps to me my name is Maureen Finnegan please give me a call 087 9845102. Thank you for helping.
KEEP FIT: classes in Athea every Tuesday morning at 11.30am. Details Ring 087 9459971.
MASS SCHEDULES FOR THE WINTER; Weekend Mass in Tournafulla is on Saturdays at 7.30pm and in Mountcollins on Sundays at 11am.
FAIR DAY Glin: Saturday 2nd December in the Square. All are welcome. The Craft Fair takes place in Ceol Corbrai Community Hall, table spaces are limited. To book your table, please Contact John on 087-207-9268.
PRAYER MEETING IN THE DESMOND COMPLEX: Janice Carraig hosts a prayer meeting on the last Sunday of each month at the Desmond Complex.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Open Public Meeting in The Rose Hotel, Tralee on Friday, November 24 at 8.30pm. Info ph; 087 2444128.. All Welcome.
ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIEST SOCIETY: The monthly meeting of the society takes place on the first Tuesday of the month in the parish office.
SOCIAL DANCING IN DUAGH: “Social dancing has commenced in the Duagh Sports and Leisure Complex on Friday nights 8:30 – 10:30pm. €8 entry fee. Complimentary teas and coffee. Door prize on the night”.
CYCLISTS ON THE GREENWAY: A request has issued that cyclists would ring their bells to signal their approach as walkers who can be engrossed in conversation or the scenery or listening to music get a shock when they, the cyclists suddenly whizz past and accidents could easily occur if walkers were not aware of cyclists about to pass them out. I’ve also been asked to remind cyclists that they should not cycle on the footpaths when they come up town.
MEALS ON WHEELS: Available from St. Ita’s Day Care, Convent St. Collect or have delivered. Order before 11am. Phone 068 51850. Monday, November 20 Lamb Chop or Braised Steak. Tuesday, November 21 Bacon and Cabbage or Turkey Burger. Wednesday November 22 Chicken Curry or Pork Chop. Thursday November 23 Shepherd’s Pie or Turkey Steak. Friday November 24 Fish of the Day or Meat Alternative.
DANCING Classes with Timmy Woulfe in the Marian Hall Moyvane Monday nights at 8pm.
PILGRIMAGE To Medjugorje Spiritual Director: Fr. Francis Nolan. 11 – 18 Sept 2024. Return flights from Cork to Dubrovnik. Cost €879. Book and pay before 1 December and save €100 per person. For details & bookings contact: Group Leader – Maura O’Keeffe Harcksen (Tralee),Tel: 066 7127143 or 087 1517696.
RAMBLING House in Tarbert on last Saturday of the month. Listowel the last Thursday of the month. Knockanure Rambling House first Thursday in the month. Ita’s Rambling House at the Desmond Complex is on the 3rd. Friday each month. Knocalucka is on the 3rd. Tuesday of the month.
GRINDS: Eimhear Flannery 086 8822215 is offering grinds to 5th years and Leaving Certs in Biology and Chemistry.
AGM: Fr. Casey’s Ladies Football Club AGM is being held in Fr. Casey’sclubhouse, Abbeyfeale on 23rd November 2023 at 7.30pm. Everyone iswelcome to attend. These meetings provide us with a wonderful opportunity tocelebrate the past season; to signal a need to take a little break and togently cast our thoughts forward to the 2024 season. We are very grateful to the coaches, mentors, players and committee members of Fr. Casey’s Ladies FootballClub. Our players are the future of the town; the future of thec ommunity; the future of the club. We have much to celebrate and much to plan for -looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, 23rd November at 7.30pm.Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.
COMMUNITY ALERT: Don’t forget our Christmas Lunch and Dancing this Sunday. Press your panic button to check that it is in working order before the winter. Kids who spend hours on their phones scrolling through social media are showing more aggression, depression and anxiety, say Canadian researchers. Emma Duerden holds the Canada Research Chair in neuroscience and learning disorders at Western University, where she uses brain imaging to study the impact of social media use on children’s brains. She and others found that screen time has fallen just slightly from the record 13 hours a day some Canadian parents reported for six- to 12-year-olds in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re seeing lots of these effects. Children are reporting high levels of depression and anxiety or aggression. It really is a thing.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/