by Kathleen Mullane

HAPPY VALENTINES

Its a week filled with many important days, as I start my bits of news this Monday night. Firstly we have Pancake Tuesday. It was the day in years gone by that the women of the houses would gather up their bits of flour, eggs and milk in preparation for Lent when they would all be fasting for the 6 weeks and 4 days. Nowadays however families have all types of pancakes and crepes whatever day takes their fancy. Then we have Ash Wednesday when nowadays we are urged not so much to give up things but to take on things. As Bishop Brendan said in his letter read out at Mass on Sunday, to call and visit someone who may have little or no visitors or pick up the phone and ring someone who may need a listening ear to help them with a problem. Kindness and generosity are important during Lent and all year round too.

Wednesday is also Valentines Day when no doubt there will be flowers and chocolates in abundance being given out to loved ones. Again in days gone by there would always be excitement if one received a Valentines Card with “Guess Who” written from an admirer and everyone trying to guess who it was, such simple fun and a laugh.

An idea also that came up during the week for Lent was to get a bin bag and each day until Easter put 1 item in the bag whether it be clothing, a picture, an ornament, a book or such and then at the end of Lent give in to a Charity Shop .

Sympathy is extended to the family relatives and friends of Jimmy O Sullivan of Knocknagorna who passed away last week after a short illness ,at the Community Hospital in Listowel. Many came to pay their respects at our church in Athea on Wednesday evening last. Requiem Mass on Thursday was concelebrated by Fr Willie Russell and Canon Declan O Connor with burial after to Holy Cross. May the light of Heaven be Jimmy’s, a lovely gentle, quiet and unassuming man.

The death also took place last week in Tralee of Helen Shanahan nee Costello formerly of Athea . Her remains reposed at Gleasure’s Funeral Home, Tralee on Wednesday evening last where many paid their respects to her family to whom sympathy is offered and to her brother Tony here in Athea and sisters Yvonne and Maureen. May she rest in peace.

The best of luck to Tarbert Comprehensive School on Saturday next when they play the Munster School Final  with 3 Athea players on the Tarbert team, Callum Buckley, Evan Curry and James Broderick. The game will be played in Banteer against Bantry a very strong team. We wish them well.

You are reminded that you can still get a reduction for track users which is usually 30 euro if you do with clubforce its 27 euro and I’m sure we all agree its a small sum to help improve things further and get rid of the debt in the GAA pitch .With complete safety, car park, CCTV,  cameras, toilet facilities and lit up after dark, its great for everyone especially during the wet dark Winter months.

    THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK FOR LENT

Scatter seeds of kindness everywhere you go,

Scatter bits of courtesy watch them grow and grow

Gather buds of friendship keep them till full-blown

Then you’ll find more happiness than you’ve ever known.