by Marian Harnett
PROLOGUE: May Christmas bring love to your heart, Health to your body and Peace and Joy to your home in 2024.
DEATH: We offer our sympathy to the family of Patrick O’Brien London / Abbeyfeale whose funeral took place on Friday. May he rest in peace.
HAIL AND BLESSED: Hail and blessed by the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Ours Saviour Jesus Christ and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
GLÓRACH NOTES: PRO Lorcan Curtin writes: “Our final bingo of 2023 took place on Monday evening with a raffle of numerous hampers and prizes. Thanks to all who sponsored the prizes and also to our loyal patrons for supporting us throughout the year, and we look forward to returning to weekly bingo in the New Year on Monday 9th January. A hearty thanks to all our volunteers who have kept the Glórach Theatre on the go in terms of running concerts, plays, films and facilitating its use by local groups, and to everyone in the locality and beyond who has supported the events we have run. We look forward to providing a diverse offering in 2024, but for now we’ll enjoy a well-earned break. Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.
CONNIE HARNETT SWIM: The 9th annual Connie Harnett Memorial Swim takes place on New Year’s Day with all proceeds going to the Paediatric Diabetes Dept of UHL where the late Connie’s grandson is being treated for type 1 Diabetes.
FILM SHOWING AT THE GLÓRACH: On Sunday 17th last the 2019 documentary film Gaza was screened at the Glórach Theatre. The film – a portrait of a people attempting to lead meaningful lives as conflict rages all around them was directed by Irish filmmakers Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell and left the small audience in stunned silence when it ended. The film was screened in partnership with Access Film with the proceeds of €325 going to Trócaire and in my estimation every person who complains about anything at all should sit through this film and reflect on how blessed we are to live in a country which offers us freedom and choice and safety. Gaza is bordered by Egypt on one side and Israel on the east and north and also by the Mediterranean Sea with a three mile exclusion zone being operated by Israeli gun boats. It has a population of 2 million and is roughly the size of Munster.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES: Saturday 23rd, Vigil Mass at 6.30pm. Sunday 24th Christmas Eve Morning Mass at 10.00am & 12noon. Carol Singing at 7.30pm. Vigil Mass at 8.00pm. Christmas Day Mass at 10.00am & 12noon. St Stephen’s Day Mass at 11.00am. Confessions Monday 18th at 7.00pm. Special Pastoral Unit Celebration in Preparation for Christmas Saturday 23rd 11.00am – 1.00pm, Saturday 23rd 6.00pm – 6.25pm and again after the Vigil Mass. Sunday 24th after 10.00am and 12 noon Mass.
BAMBINELLI SUNDAY: (Christmas Eve at 12noon) Bambinelli Sunday is an Italian tradition where children and parents bring the figure of the infant Jesus from the family crib to Mass, so that the little figure of the baby Jesus can be blessed and then brought home after Mass and placed in the crib at home. All families in the parish are invited to come to the 12noon Mass next Sunday 24th (Christmas Eve) for this special blessing.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: We are so blessed here in Abbeyfeale with the musical entertainment that’s on offer every Christmas season. It started with Mary Coughlan in the Glórach, then the Cantata by the Girls National School and then – the highlight of the year Celtic Brothers – who served us up a veritable feast of festive music and song and a memorable performance of Irish Ballads, popular classics and contemporary songs. Our Church Cantors Katie O’Connor and Rebecca Stryker accompanied by Riona Curtin opened the night with some beautiful Christmas hymns and reminded us of the reason for the season and then the four brothers took over and we had two hours of first class entertainment – highlights included Boolavogue about the life and death of parish priest Fr. John Murphy and Red is the Rose, a duet with Fr. Tony.
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.
PANTO TIME: The Pantomine will be on Sunday 28th January, matinee 3pm. Leaving
Newcastle West at 12 noon we will stop for cupa before going to the panto and after the panto on the homeward journey we will stop at the River Island for dinner. This will happen once we have sufficient people interested. Once we know numbers of people wanting to travel we can then book bus, tickets and dinner. There won’t be any booking fee for tickets which is a good saving. These performers are non-professional but they put on a professional show. The colour and costumes are just outstanding. So don’t hesitate call Maureen on 087 9845102 to book. There is great entertainment on the bus with our
talented singers.
ABBEYFEALE BRIDGE CLUB: Abbeyfeale Bridge club is on Thursday nights in the Day Care Centre at 7.30pm. New Members welcome.
BARNAGH TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS MARKET: Feale Crafters, Hot food, Story time with Mrs. Claus, Pottery Fun, Santa Visit, Carol Singers, Christmas Jumper Competions and much more. 6-9pm, Friday December 22. Free entry. Book your visit to Santa 085 2552890.
ALONE: ‘Would you be willing to provide companionship to an older person locally? ALONE are seeking volunteers in your area. Full training and support provided. If interested, please apply via the ALONE website at www.alone.ie or for further information please contact Caroline on 086-0591399 or via email [email protected] If you are over 60 and would like to know more about the services ALONE can offer you, please call 0818 222 024.’
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 socialize 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 have restarted at St Ita’s Day Care Centre . 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.
CONGRATULATIONS DEE: 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 and also on Tuesday morning after Mass to pray for peace. The Meaning and Importance of the Crib; The presence of the poor and the lowly in the nativity scene remind us that God became man for the sake of those who feel most in need of his love and who ask him to draw near to them. Jesus, ‘gentle and humble in heart’ (Mt 11:29), was born in poverty and led a simple life in order to teach us to recognise what is essential and to act accordingly. The nativity scene clearly teaches that we cannot let ourselves be fooled by wealth and fleeting promises of happiness. From the manger, Jesus proclaims, in a meek yet powerful way, the need for sharing with the poor as the path to a more human and fraternal world in which no one is excluded or marginalised. Pope Francis, Admirabile Signum. Divine Mercy Meeting takes place every Monday evening after the 7pm Mass. Divine Mercy Meetings will not take until Monday 8th January. Mass in Athea Church Christmas Eve at 5.00pm & 8.00pm Christmas Day at 11.00am 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 10amShelia & Timothy Murphy, Knocknagoshel. Intentions for next weekend Saturday 6.30pm Edward & Kate Reilly and deceased family members. Philly & Donie Cusack, Cratloe. Pat Collins Clash. Paddy Flaherty 1st Anniversary. Patie & Betty Lane, Kilconlea . Geraldine Kavanagh, Cratloe. Saturday10am Jim O’Connor, Rathorna 1st Anniversary. Nora Morrisroe, Killarney Road . Ellen & Myles Kehoe & Cathy Kehoe. Codyre & Quinn families. 12noon Jim Lane, New Street. Teresa & D M O’Connor, Caherhayes. Bambinelli Sunday Family Mass . The Christmas Dues collection in support of the priests of the parish will be collected at all Masses next weekend. We depend on your generosity for this the principal collection of the year, and we thank you for your support and generosity during the past year. We request that no church gate collection take place on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
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. 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 the following 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 the Sacristy. At all times our Child Protection Guidelines will be followed for the safety of our young people. If you would like any further information, please contact Anne in the sacristy. Tel 068-51915 or email the parish office at [email protected]
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.
HOSPITAL: University Hospital Kerry is overcrowded. There were 32 patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital on last Friday morning according to Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
Management at the hospital is asking members of the public that, where possible, a GP or South Doc out of hour’s service be consulted in the first instance, before arriving at emergency.
SWIM on Christmas Day in Ballybunion, at 12.30pm.
ST JOHN’S: on Tuesday 19th-at 7pm- Theatre- Shout out Youth Theatre, full details from 068 22566.
WALK: Duagh Christmas Charity Walk in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital on St Stephen’s Day, begins at 11.30am, details from 087 817 2745.
STEP IT OUT TO THE BEAT IN ATHEA: Step to the Beat at Athea Thursday evening from 7pm – 8pm. For the weeks in December, Christmas Music will play over the speaker system.
WALK: annual St Stephen’s Day Walk in aid of the Kerry Hospice Foundation, organised by Michael ‘Fox’ O’Connor, is held every year in memory of the late Bill Kirby, from 11am in front of Kirby’s
Brogue Inn on Rock Street contact 087 9833075. Donations accepted on the day.
TINTEAN Ballybunion; Mike Denver on Saturday, January 6.
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE: Pilgrimage to Medjugorje Departing from Shannon to Mostar on May 22nd and August 28th. €50 discount for bookings received before February 2nd, early booking advisable. Contact Group Leader John O Brien 086 8586304 Christmas vouchers also available .
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. Further information 087 6174639.
- 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”.
MEALS ON WHEELS: Available from St. Ita’s Day Care, Convent St. Collect or have delivered. Order before 11am. Phone 068 51850. Monday December 18, Chicken Maryland or Braised Steak. Tuesday, December 19 Pork Chop or Beef Burger. Wednesday December 20 Lamb Chop or Chicken Curry. Thursday, December 21 Toddy’s Homemade Sausages or Roast Beef. Friday, December 22 Closed. Price List: Soup 1 euro, Main Course 7 euro, half portion 5 euro, Plate of Vegetables and Potatoes 3 euro.
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.
COMMUNITY ALERT: Forecast is not too bad for the coming week thank God. Try and check on your neighbours who live alone, just a phone call will be much appreciated. Press your panic button to check that it is in working order before the winter. No matter how many texts you get threatening you with large fines do not click on any links or engage in any way. 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.