by Marian Harnett
PROLOGUE: Life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some are happy and some are exciting, but if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter has in store for you.
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. The account for Abbeyfeale for Africa remains open at the Credit Union.
CAP FOR IRELAND: Huge congratulations to Christian Foley, Dromtrasna and Locomotion Bike Rental, son of Aoife and Eamonn and grandson of Nancy, The Hill and Ann and Henry Keogh, Rockchapel. He got his first cap for Ireland over the weekend.
COFFEE MORNING IN THE ROCK FOR HOPE FOUNDATION: Ellie McCarthy is travelling to Calcutta with Hope. She and her family are hosting a coffee morning in aid of the Hope Foundation on Friday, November 12 from 10-2pm in the Community Centre, Rockchapel. Your support would be very welcome.
CALAMITY JANE: Newcastle West Musical Society presents Calamity Jane in Feohanagh/Castlemahon Hall V42 XH99 for three nights from this Thursday. Tickets: Adults €20, Children €10. Admission paid at the door. Doors open at 7.30pm..Get there early and take your seat because it’s going to be a complete sell when the word gets out about how good it is. Mary Jo Prendeville’s granddaughter continues the thespian tradition of the Prendevilles and produced a stellar performance in the lead role of Calamity yearning after the Lieutenant played by Pádraig O’Shea who in turn only had eyes for Katie Brown played by Leah Walsh and who has an amazingly beautiful voice and will be heard of yet. Eamonn O’Connor as the proprietor of The Golden Garter( den of iniquity/ hotel/saloon) was a hoot and who will forget Wild Bill Hickock – the handsomest man on the stage with the big smile and the gamey eye. You’re in for a great treat and it’s all brought together by Susan Browne whose Abbeyfeale connections are immpeciable.
SHOPPING TRIP: Fitzpatrick’s bus will start picking up people in the Square, Listowel at 8am next Sunday, November 12 then onto Abbeyfeale bus stop opposite church 8.15am.Killarney Road NCW 8.20am. then onto Newcastle West bus stop opposite the Longcourt Hse Hotel 8.30am. Rathkeale Hse Hotel gate entrance8.50am. Adare Heritage Centre 9.10am. and finally the South CourtHotel Car Park 9.30am. Our next stop will be at Barack Obama’s Plaza for breakfast where everyone will be responsible for their own refreshments. Now we are ready to browse through 180 shops and when you feel you’d like a cuppa you have a choice of 25 different restaurants. If you want to deposit some of your shopping to lighten your load all you need do is ring me Maureen and I will arrange for the driver to open the bus to deposit your items.On our way home we are going to Bobby Byrne;s restaurant where we will be served, delicious choice of menu dinner, dessert and freshly brewedcuppa/coffee. Going to print we have a few seats available so if you would like to join us don’t hesitate ring Maureen 087 9845102 to book your seat which must be confirmed by payment before travelling.
SAVE THE DATE!: We are delighted to announce that the singing group Celtic Brothers are returning to Abbeyfeale for our annual Christmas Concert which will be held on Friday 15th December. More information in the coming weeks. Tickets will go on sale on the 1st of November. All proceeds in aid of St Ita’s Hall renovation work.
ABBEYFEALE AFTERSCHOOLS: Jobs available for Afterschool Assistants, Fetac Level 5. Email cv’s to brookviewchildcaretralee@ gmail.com
CHRISTMAS LUNCH: Abbeyfeale Community Alert would like to invite you to our annual Christmas Luncheon and Social Afternoon with dancing to the wonderful smooth mellow sound of Paddy Quilligan. Tickets at €20 are on sale in Kathleen’s FoodStore, 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 on Monday, November 20th. There will be no reserved tickets so all tickets must be bought and paid for.
ONE WOMAN SHOW: ‘Live n’ kickin’ Frances Kennedy’s new one woman show in St. John’s Theatre, Listowel on Friday, November 10 at 8pm. Bookings 06822566. Tickets selling fast so give them a ring.
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 7.30-8.30pm with our next rehearsal on November 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!
VOCATIONS: 18th-19th November in St. Patrick’s College Maynooth for those interested in exploring a vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood. Accommodation and meals will be provided for in the seminary. Those wishing to attend should contact Deacon Conor Bradley, Vocations Director, on 087-3664057 to reserve a place.
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.
BUSINESS START UP TRAINING FOR UKRAINIAN PEOPLE: A 2 day Start Your Own Business Training programme for Ukrainian people will take place over 2 days on November 14/15 at the Longcourt House Hotel Newcastle West and will be delivered with the help of an interperter. Participants who complete this training will understand the process and legal requirements of starting a business in Ireland. Places are limited and need to be booked in advance by contacting Brenda on 087 766 9952 or Kseniia on 087 117 7283. A limited number of one-to-one meetings with a professional business advisor will also be available to participants who complete this training programme.
SSE RENEWABLES AIRTRICITY COMMUNITY FUND IS NOW OPEN: Through Tournafulla, Rathcahill, Dromada and Athea wind farms in West Limerick and Lenamore projects. Eligibility: Applications are welcome from local community groups and not for profit organisations located within 20 kilometres of the wind farms with priority given to groups within 5 kilometres. Closing date for applications is November 17 th , 2023. For further information please emailcommunityfundireland@sse.
ANAM CARA Kerry, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Tuesday, November 14th at 7:15pm in the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee Co. Kerry. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online support group and you can get further information on this by contacting us in [email protected]
CANCER: Recovery Haven Kerry (Cancer Support House) are starting a 6 week Thriving and Surviving course on Wednesday, November 8th – to Wednesday, December 13th from 10.30 am – 1 pm. This course is to help support people recovering after cancer treatment. This will be held at the Primary Care Centre in Listowel.If you are interested, please ring Reception on 066 7192122.
ABBEYFEALE BRIDGE: Abbeyfeale Bridge is on Thursday nights in the Day Care Centre at 7.30pm. New Members welcome.
HEALING: Service with Eddie Stones from Emmanuel House of Prayer, Clonfert; Rosary, Celebration of the Eucharist, Confession on Friday, November 17th at 7pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastlewest. All Welcome.
MARKET IN KNOCKNAGOSHEL: Knocknagoshel Over 55’S Services annual Christmas Market on Sunday, November 19 at 12 noon in the Community Centre V92 WV70. Contact Noreen to book a table 0863487298.
LISTOWEL FOOD FAIR: Celebrates its 28th anniversary this year from Thursday 9th – Monday 13th November.Opening ‘Celebratory Awards Banquet’ with Darina Allen at the Listowel Arms Hotel on Thursday, November 9. More on Food Fair at www.listowelfoodfair.ie
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. There will be a talk on beekeeping on Tuesday, November 14 from 2.30pm with Knocknagoshel Honey founder Seamus Quinlan. 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.
ST. ITA’S HALL RENOVATION WORKS: O’Callaghan Contractors have begun work in St Ita’s Hall. They were awarded the contract following a Public Procurement Process. All works are scheduled to be finished by the 31st January 2024.
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 Margaret & John O’Connell Meenkilly and their daughter Maureen Burke Anniv. Thursday 10am McGill Family Anniv. Saturday 6.30pm Patrick & David O’Connor Caherhayes Anniv. Kathleen O’Connor, Knocknasan Anniv. Ann Molyneaux Athea / Glin. Jeremiah Healy Knocknasna 1st Anniv. Sunday10am Mary & Johnny Flynn Banard Anniv. David Healy, Killarney Road Anniv. 12noon Eamonn Daly Main Street / Castleknock. Bridget & Patrick Cleary Birmingham & Main Street. Kathy Scanlon Anniv. Nora Canty Fealesbridge Anniv.
ANNUAL MASS FOR ALL THOSE WHO DIED IN 2023 :The Annual Mass for all those who died since this time last year will be celebrated on Friday 17th of November at 7.00pm. During Mass a candle will be lit for each person who has died during the past twelve months and a member of their family will be invited to bring the candle to the altar. For those whose relatives died outside of the parish and you wish to remember them on that evening please call into the church and give their name to be added to the list. It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead. We have loved them in life, let us not forget them in death . St Ambrose
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.
PRAYER MEETING IN THE DESMOND COMPLEX: Janice Carraig hosts a prayer meeting on the last Sunday of each month at the Desmond Complex.
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 6 Lamb Chop or Chicken with Black Pudding. Tuesday, November 7 Bacon or Braised SteakWednesday November 8 Shepherds Pie or Chicken Fillet. Thursday November 9 Toddy’s Homemade Sausages or Turkey Burger. Friday November 10 Fish Pie or Meat Alternative.
DANCING Classes with Timmy Woulfe in the Marian Hall Moyvane Monday nights at 8pm.
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.
COMMUNITY ALERT: Press your panic button to check that it is in working order before the winter. The staff in Task ask you to press the button every month, they don’t mind whether you press it accidentally at other times too – that’s what they are paid for. The annual Christmas Lunch will take place in Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse on Sunday, November 26 followed by music and dancing to Paddy Quilligan. If something sounds too good to be true then more than likely it is so be careful out there. Warn your teenagers about how easy it is to become a money mule but if they receive a criminal record it could affect their chances of travelling or taking out a morgage. Take care on the roads and make sure that you are visible to other road users so if walking wear a high viz jacket and after dusk carry a torch and if driving turn on your lights if the wipers are on. Lock the doors of your car when you are inside, do not leave a handbag visible on the seat. When you are at home keep the two doors locked so that if someone calls a second person cannot enter the house through the back door while you are occupied at the front door. Whether at home or going out, turn on some lights, use timer switches. Lock all doors and windows and get into the habit of never leaving the house without setting the house alarm. Store keys safely away from windows and letterboxes and never leave one under the mat outside. Record details of valuables and don’t keep large cash amounts at home. Once you reach the age of 65 and live alone or with a person/s aged over 65 you are entitled to receive a monitored alarm system. But if you have younger people living in the house who are out for long periods of the day then because you are spending hours alone you are also entitled to the system provided that you are over 65. The free equipment is provided by Pobal following an application from Abbeyfeale Community Alert, there will be a monitoring fee to be paid from the second year of installation to the installing company of €72. Please note that this fee has increased by €6 and is payable in a lump sum each year after year one. Should you not have a landline the installing company Task provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per month payable from day one. Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Susan Daly, Catherine Daly, Marian Harnett.