PROLOGUE: "I have great faith in fools — my friends call it self-confidence."
Edgar Allan Poe.
DEATH: Sincere sympathy is offered to Barbara, Sara and the family of the late Jim McGill, The Hill whose death occurred recently. May he rest in peace.
CALLING ALL SENIOR CYCLE PARENTS: “Stay Drugs and Alcohol Free” – a seminar at the Gael Scoil, Newcastle West on Wednesday[mh1] , November 19 at 7.30pm will give all parents the knowledge and tools to cope with the scourge of addiction in their area. This is Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Week from November 17-21 and a speaker from the Community Substance Misuse Team as well as the Community Garda will attend.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK: An information meeting on the proposed public participation network will take place at the Adult Education Centre on Wednesday, November 19 at 8pm. Everyone welcome.
I.C.A; PRO Bridie O’Shea writes: We are continuing with the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the foundation of the Abbeyfeale I.C.A. On Tuesday, November 11 we had a most enjoyable evening with our guest of honour, National President Liz Wall. Members from Ballyhahill, Loughill, Castlemahon, Feenagh, Glin and Kilmeedy guilds also attended. It was another night of nostalgia, anecdotes, much laughter and of course feasting. We had an exhibition of arts and crafts made by some of the members and lots of old photographs which told their own story. A craft evening is planned for the next meeting. Many thanks to the members for their response to the Christmas Shoe Box appeal.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Tony Noonan is all set up and ready to go for another year of lighting up the skies over Meenoline. The official lighting up will take place on Friday next, November 21 at 7pm with Santa doing the honours and as usual Tony, Siobhan and Hannah issue a special invitation to everyone to come along for the fun and the craic. All funds collected go to local charities.
YOUTH CLUBS: Abbey legends are in St.Ita’s on Friday 8- 9.30pm. Teens
Together are in the Complex and the Yolo club are in St. Ita’s on Saturday night 7.45 – 9.15pm. Permission slips for the rugby have be back on Friday and Saturday night.
FUNDRAISER WITH A DIFFERENCE: A Christmas Wine Tasting followed by a music evening takes place at Jack and Aine Ryan’s Bar, Main St. on Friday night next, November 21 at 8.30pm. The wine night will be similar to the one held in June. Sommelier Gary Ring will give a little spiel about 4 different wines, and we’ll get to taste them. The focus being on wines that would go nicely with Christmas dinner.
There’ll be finger food & a raffle, all followed by music. Admission €5.
SANTA VISITS SALE OF WORK: The annual Templeglantine Sale of Work and Bazaar takes place on Sunday next, November 23. Santa will pay his annual visit arriving at 2.30pm and will meet with the children from near and far throughout the afternoon. The various goods stalls will be in operation and a wonderful selection of prizes have been assembled for the big draws. The event is always a good social occasion and quite enjoyable. Doors open at 2.00pm. Beidh fáilte roimh gach duine.
HEN HARRIER SPECIAL MEETING: An important meeting for all farmers with designated land will be held at the Railway Bar on Tuesday next, November 25 @ 8.30pm. Public reps will be in attendance.
COMMUNITY MEETING: A meeting will be held at the Adult Education Centre on Tuesday, November 25 at 7.30pm to start the business of forming a committee to work on keeping the Adult Education Centre open. Everyone is invited and all ideas will be welcomed.
OPEN NIGHT: Coláiste Íde agus Iosef host an open night on Tuesday, November 25 at 7pm. Sixth class students and their parents/ guardians are invited to visit the school campus. Here they will able to experience the modern state of the art facilities, meet teachers and hear about the many options available to them at second level. At 7.30 p.m there will be a short presentation by the principal Mr. Jim Tierney, which will outline the spirit of the school community, the comprehensive subject range offered and the practical procedures of school life at Coláiste Íde agus Iosef. Further information from (068) 30631 orwww.abbeyfealecollege.ie.
ENROLMENT DAY: For First Year Students 2015-16 in Colaiste Ide agus Iosef will take place on Saturday, November 29 from 10.00 -12.30 p.m. Those unable to enrol on that day may enrol by forwarding a completed application form to the school on or before the enrolment date. We look forward to meeting you.
ABBEYFEALE FOR AFRICA: The annual cake sale will take place in St Ita’s hall on Sunday December 14 from 10am– 2pm. Everyone welcome. Come early. Funds in aid of Fr. Tim Galvin`s mission. We hope all our usual bakers will support this worthy cause. New bakers always welcome.
THE TWELVE APOSTLES; If you missed Mairead Heffernan’s very interesting documentary on the death of Con Carey in Brosna in 1978 and his subsequent burial and reburial then log onto http://t.co/FF9tHojkNL
COMMUNITY ALERT: As part of the RSA’s commitment to bringing road safety into all communities, it has set up a Nationwide Road Safety Education Service. A team of road safety educators are available to travel to your pre-school, school, college, community, place of work etc. and deliver established and effective programmes to everyone which tackle all elements of road safety including walking, cycling, travel by public transport, being a passenger, urban rural transport issues and the practicing of safe road behaviour in general. A member of our team will provide all members of the community, young and old, with an understanding of the importance of road safety through a series of fun interactive resources which will be tailored in an age appropriate way and will focus on road safety issues relevant to the community in which they live. Log onto www. Rsa.ie to book a visit. We are all community and if each family took it upon themselves to help an elderly neighbour, think of the change that could make in someone’s life. We have also been asked to try and keep all our Christmas shopping local, do less shopping on line and keep money in our local economy.
ABBEY HERITAGE: The local training initiative who offer second chance education to adults and are based in St. Ita’s Hall would like to say “Thank you to Tesco who are allowing us to bag pack on Friday, November 21. We also wish to thank those who nominated us for the Tesco Community Fund and ask you to donate the blue tokens to our container in the shop.”
RAMBLING HOUSE: Listowel Rambling House will take place in the Seanchaí Centre on Thursday November 27 from 9.15 pm. Admission free, tea/coffee served. Mick Sheehys Rambling House, Knockalougha is held on the 3rd. Tuesday of each month from 9pm.
FEALE FIT NEWS: Well done to the Fealefit team that took part in ‘ I’m a parishioner get me out of here ‘ Fundraiser for Suicide prevention in the GAA last Saturday night. Dates for the Diary : Fealefit will have our annual Festive 5k Run / walk on December 7 and most important of all our Xmas party is set for December 13 in The Winners Circle, if last year is anything to go by it promises to be a great night for all our loyal members. Contact Shane 087 2891015 for details.. Check out www.Fealefit.comfor all details on Classes..
FEALE PINK FOR MOVEMBER: We’re looking for the Men & Women of Abbeyfeale to join forces to raise Funds & awareness for cancer research by growing the Mo and dressing in pink. On November 29 we will finish Movember with a Pink themed Candle light walk from Fealefit to remember loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer. The walk will be followed by a Pink Party Fundraiser in Micks Local with the Modelling and the removal of the Mo’s. All proceeds will go to Mid-western cancer Research. If you wish to donate online go to www.mycharity.ie/events/fealepink. All donations welcome no matter how big or small. If we reach 200 donations we will dye our Moustaches Pink for the remainder of Movember and anyone who donates will be entered in a draw for prizes.
SUE RYDER: Manager Maria Moloney says: “Here at Sue Ryder, we have a wide range of winter clothing including scarves and hats, all at very low prices. Our books are still on offer, 4 books only €3. We also have bedding, boots, shoes and bric a brac for you to browse through. As usual we are always grateful for donations, especially bric a brac, bedding and curtains that you may have. Also if you have any unwanted gift sets, toiletries, or toys in good condition, we would really appreciate them at this time. Thank you again for your continued support.
MARIAN’S DANCING: There will be no further classes until after Christmas.
LISTOWEL FOOD FAIR: The Food Fair takes place this week but the Farming Seminar has been put back to Monday, December 8 in the Listowel Arms Hotel with Minister Simon Coveney as the guest of honour.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Anyone seeking Christmas Help for themselves or on behalf of someone else must fill out an application form. These will be available in St. Itas Hall on Wednesday, November 12 from 10.30- 1.00pm and Wednesday, November 19 from 2.00- 4.30 p.m. All applications will be treated in strictest confidence.
REILIG IDE NAOFA: Access to the graveyard will be pedestrian only for the next few weeks while the wall at the top of the graveyard is being built.
AFTERNOON TEA DANCING AT SHANNON HOUSE: On Sunday, November 23 Big Maggie has a tea dance organised, it will run from 3-6pm with dancing to Mike’s Solo Band. Supper will be served. Admission €10.
FEALESBRIDGE SOCIAL: Fealebridge and Headley’s Bridge Co-Op are holding their 45th Annual Social at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine on Friday, December 5 at 8.30 pm. Music is provided by Heart and Soul, and there will be plenty of spot-prizes on the night. Tickets are available at both creameries and from staff and committee members.
GUITAR LESSONS: Daniel Hannon Barry Guitar lessons every Saturday. Contact 0879978609.
ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH NOTES: Parish office 11-1pm Tuesday-Friday 068 31133. Parish Support Worker 068/31019. Counselling Appointment 061/314213.Church 068/51915, Canon John O’Shea P.P.: Tel: 068 – 31157 : 087 – 9708282, Fr Joe Foley CC: Tel: 087 – 2618412. Mass Tuesday – Saturday at 10am except in the event of a funeral when Mass is 11am. Mass Monday at 7pm, Mass on Saturday 11am followed by Confessions, Vigil Mass 7pm, Sunday 9.30am and 12 noon. Mass Intentions: Friday 8.15am Lucy & Corneilus O’Rourke, 10am Perpetual Help Novena. Saturday 7pm Michael Reidy, Meenkilly, Bridget & James McEnery, Kilconlea Upper, Sunday 9.30am Eileen & Patrick Roche, Killarney Rd., Jacques Collins & Jim Collins and Joan White. 12noon Fintan Hoare, Knockbrack, Sheila O’Connell, Kilconlea. Monday 7pm Micheal Scully, late of Mountmahon and England.
St Anthony Novena takes place each Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. Adoration on Tuesday and Friday from 10am – 10pm and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8pm. It is now the responsibility of family members and relatives, if they require a visit, to let the priest know when people are in hospital.
FILM: The song of Bernadette a wonderful film on the story of Lourdes showing at the Desmond complex on Sunday, November 23 @ 4pm. €5 All are welcome. Refreshment served.
MASS: Memorial Mass will be held for deceased members of Kerry Ingredients, Listowel at St Michaels Church Lixnaw on Wednesday, November 19 @ 8pm. All are welcome.
SAM MAGUIRE CUP: Anthony Maher and the Sam Maguire Cup will be visiting the Duagh Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday, November 22 @ 8pm. Music and refreshments afterwards. All are welcome.
CEILI CLASSES: Social Dance Wednesday 8-9pm. Ceili classes in the GAA Club Abbeyfeale on Wednesday @ 9pm. Beginner’s Top of the town Athea Monday 8.30pm. Learn how to dance in Athea. If you already dance come to Abbeyfeale.
LESSONS: Lessons on concertina and fiddle from beginners to advanced with Lisa. Contact 087 3182574.
ABBEYFEALE LABYRINTH: Dennis Daly from Caherconnell, Meenkilly has constructed a 7 circuit labyrinth this summer in Caherconnell , people are welcome to visit by appointment, his number is 087 6843070. A labyrinth is an ancient, sacred, archetypal pattern that has been found throughout the world in many forms and sizes. Labyrinths have a single path to and from the centre. Labyrinths are one of the few archetypal patterns that we can physically interact with. Labyrinths are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as tools for meditation and healing. The process of walking the labyrinth helps many people become more centred and balanced. A labyrinth is a right brain task involving intuition imagery and creativity. With a labyrinth there is only one choice: the choice to enter or not.
BINGO BUSSES: Eoin 087 2522402 leaves for Castleisland from outside Tuohig’s Supervalue at 7.40 pm every Tuesday and Dinjoe goes to Shanagolden.
BRIDGE: Abbeyfeale Bridge Club every Thursday at 7:30 pm at the Railway Bar. Visitors welcome. Anybody interested in Bridge Lessons contact 087 3344909.
BUS SERVICE: Cork Colleges Bus Service: Fitzpatricks of Listowel & Abbey Coaches. A bus will serve Abbeyfeale (5.20pm), Newcastlewest (5.40pm), Dromcollogher (6pm) each Sunday evening and will return on Fridays at 1.30pm and 6pm. €10 per seat, Call 087 3966399.
PLANNING & PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS:
West Limerick Resources will be offering this two session programme this November. Session 1 will focus on identifying the needs within a community and planning to develop projects, services and actions to meet these needs. The key elements of project management and evaluation will be addressed including funding opportunities and identifying partners. Session 2 will provide training on policies and good practice in relation to health & safety and working with young and/or vulnerable people. To register contact Suzanne on 069 79114 or email srowley
ABBEYFEALE PARENT & TODDLER GROUP: The Abbeyfeale Parent and Toddler Group meets every Tuesday in St. Ita’s Hall, Abbeyfeale from 11am to 12.30pm. Contact Mary, West Limerick Resources on 087 9382883.
ADAPT: There is a support worker in Abbeyfeale each week to meet women one to one by appointment. The worker can listen to women and support them in keeping themselves and their children safe. Ring Sheila on 061 412354 for more information or to make an appointment.
DANCING IN BALLYHAHILL: Seamus O’Sullivan set dancing classes in Ballyhahill on Monday nights from 8.30pm – 10.30pm.
ENGLISH CLASSES FOR MIGRANTS: English Conversation Classes for Migrants Newcastle West Family and Community Hub which is located in the Community Centre. The classes will run for 10 weeks, Wednesday evenings from 7:30- 9pm. Text Irene at 087 2298204 if interested.
BUSINESS MENTORING: Are you thinking of starting your own business? Have you an idea that you would like to discuss with someone or are you an existing small business who would like advice on new product development or new direction for your company? Are you a new or existing business in need of advice and guidance? West Limerick Resources is offering a free and confidential one to one business mentoring service to businesses based in the West Limerick area. Contact Eleanor on 069 66299 or Joan on 069 66294.
SEAN NOS DANCE CLASSES: Sean Nos dancing class in the Top of the town Athea Thursday evening with the Mc Cormack Kelly School of Dancing . There is a step dancing class at 6.30pm for children followed by the children’s Sean nos Class at 8.00pm. Adult Sean Nos Class at 9.00pm.
ABUSE OF STIMUNANTS: For support around drug and alcohol use the HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9.30am and 5.30pm. This confidential service has both a freephone Helpline helpline).
FURNITURE WANTED: Unwanted furniture is needed for the West Limerick Resources run Back 2 New community based Upcycling Project in Newcastle West. The Back 2 New furniture upcycling project provides work placements for long term unemployed individuals and re-designs/ upcycles furniture that is unwanted or being thrown out by local households. Unfortunately sofas, beds or woodworm cannot be taken by the project. Contact the project at 069 66298 or 087 2727742 and if suitable, we can collect!
WEST LIMERICK TOASTMASTERS: Afraid you’ll freeze, choke or faint during a speech? Toastmasters is the best place to learn, to build your confidence, and to push yourself outside your comfort zone. It’s a safe place where there is no penalty for failure! If you would like to learn more then why not come along to the next Toastmasters meeting at the Desmond Complex on Wednesday, November 19 at 8.30pm. Further information from Bill on 087 9079223.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPPORT: The local group can be contacted at 068- 31230/51984 /31262.
FREE TALKS IN MARY I.: Dr Gary MacDarby, Biomedical Scientist and Engineer‘The First Eight Weeks – the Bare Scientific Facts’. November 20 @ 5pm.Most Rev Dr. Donal Murray, Moral theologian and Emeritus Bishop of Limerick ‘Let There Be You – the Gift of Life and Relationship’ November 27 @ 5pm.
The Advent Wreath:
THE ADVENT WREATH: Advent traditions reflect a spirit of expectation and, therefore, unfold gradually. Probably the most popular tradition today is the lighting of candles on an Advent Wreath in both churches and homes. This custom originated among Lutherans in Germany in the sixteenth century and quickly became popular in other areas. Along with the Christmas tree, it is probably an example of Christianising practices popular from pre-Christian times. There had always been a festival of burning special lights and fire at the end of November and beginning of December in Germanic lands as the darkness of winter becomes more severe. This tradition continued into modern times. In the 1500s it took on a distinct Christian symbolism as the Advent Wreath, first among Lutherans in eastern Germany and then among all German Protestants and Catholics. This tradition came to America with German immigrants. It was popularized among Catholics with the liturgical movement in the mid-1900s,
The Advent Wreath, which may be of any size, is made of evergreens and is placed on a table or suspended from the ceiling. Originally there were four candles, one for each week of Advent. The colour of the candles is not an essential factor because the symbolism is primarily in the flame. It is popular, however, that three of them be violet or purple, the traditional colour of Advent and one is rose, the traditional colour of the Third Sunday of Advent, originally called Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday from the first word of the entrance antiphon for Mass. A fifth (white) candle which has been added in recent years symbolises Christmas.
After the wreath is blessed on the first Sunday of Advent, a prayer is prayed and a candle lit. This ceremony repeats on each of the following three Sundays. Light increases, pushing out darkness, as each additional candle is lit.
Wreaths have always been symbolic of victory and glory. The ba¬sic symbolism of the Advent Wreath goes beyond this. It lies in the tension between darkness and light. It represents the long time when people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the corning of the Messiah, the light or the world. Each year in Advent people wait once again in darkness for the coming of the Lord, his historical coming in the mystery of Bethlehem, his final coming at the end of time, and his special coming in every moment of grace.
(Adapted from Greg Dues book Catholic Customs & Traditions—available from the Abbey Bookshop O’Connell St.)
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 