PROLOGUE: “Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day” Abbeyfeale Parish Newsletter.
CHRISM MASS: Chrism Mass in Redemptorist Church Limerick @ 7.15pm Wednesday April 1.
RECOMISSIONING OF EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST: Recomissioning of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will take place during Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening at 8pm. The First Holy Children will lead the procession to the Altar of Repose. Adoration will continue until 10pm.
GOOD FRIDAY: 3pm Veneration of the Cross. It is a day of fast and abstinence to prepare ourselves to celebrate the joys of the resurrection. Good Friday 8pm; The Betrayal and Passion of Christ with Stations of the Cross. Dramatised by the Youth Club Hours to make a difference. Dawn to Dusk Trocaire family fast on Good Friday. You are invited to take part in the fast. What you save on this Good Friday fast give to Trocaire. Boxes can be placed in the containers at the back of the church over the weekend.
HOLY SATURDAY: Holy Saturday 9pm Easter Vigil. Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence and stillness. As we await the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord. St Augustine called the Easter Vigil the ‘mother’ of all vigils. Christians everywhere are called to celebrate it with faithfulness and reverence. See you at 9pm please God, Christ is risen. Alleluia. We invite you to join us celebrating Holy Week in our Parish May the peace and Joy of the Risen Lord renew each of us, so that in the present challenging times we may grow in love, care and friendship for each other. Happy Easter.
DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS: Church of the Assumption, Abbeyfeale. Sunday, April 12 next. Confessions @ 2.30pm, Stations of the Cross, Holy Mass @ 3pm followed by Eucharistic Healing Service. All welcome.
WALK TO THE WELL: The annual walk to the Holy Well at Killeenagh took place last Sunday. The numbers continue to grow each Palm Sunday with over 200 hundred people processing from Dromtrasna N.S, and through the lands of Nicky Cotter to the Holy Well site. A ceremony of Light for the Confirmation children was conducted by Fr. Joe and Fr. John with the parents and sponsors making a commitment to support the children in their faith journey. Each child received a gift of a band to wear on their wrist on their Confirmation Day which will take place on Friday, April 24. Following the rosary there was a talk on the history of the area by local historian Sr. Delia who told us that the old road from Killeedy to Abbeyfeale used to pass right beside the well. The statue was erected at the well during the 1960s and it is said locally that the stone from the famine church was used in the building of the wall at the well. The stream beneath the well flows into the river Allaughan. The well has never run dry. In his homily, Fr. John told us that there is a local belief that the water can cure sore eyes and that the sick visited the well before sunrise. Flowers and religious objects used to be left at the well. Rags were also tied to the whitethorn trees as offerings. Legend has it that a woman washed clothes in the well and the well moved. St. Patrick heard about the well and blessed the well from a distance. It is said that St Ita walked to this point with St Brendan, as he would return home to Kerry with his carers. We were then treated to a Barbeque in Cotters yard with the best tastiest hamburgers cooked by our own Kevin Reidy and served by members of the Parish Council. It may have been cold and breezy but all those who took part in this pilgrimage left Dromtrasna glowing with good will and delighted to be part of a community that has kept the faith through persecution and famine and into the 21st century.
.DEATH: The death has occurred of Ita O’Connell, Kilmanahan. Sincere sympathy is offered to her bereaved husband and family. May she rest in peace.
AFTERNOON TEA DANCE: The monthly afternoon tea dance takes place in Fr. Casey’s on Sunday, April 12 with dancing to the Seamus Sheehy Band. Dancing 3-6pm, teas served, raffle. Proceeds to the O’Neill Lane Memorial Fund.
UPDATE ON FR. PAT MOORE: “My friend Mossie Brick led a Mass for the sick, including myself in St. Michael’s Lixnaw last Friday evening. That prayer finds its way to me as does the Masses Declan, Tom and Paul say in St. Bridget’s Duagh, and Fr Jack in Lyre, Fr Kevin in Gneeveguilla, Fr Padraig in my native Asdee, Fr John Keeting at Kileedy.
These heartfelt prayers enter my room when I am feeling "unimagined weakness" because the treatment is working.
Then Anne Marie sent me this message last night:
"Both treatments are working together in tandem doing what they are supposed to do, treating that one area in your body. Those treatments work on tiny, tiny, damaged cells by destroying their energy to grow and divide and switch off their power supply. Just picture the main cable of their power supply being clipped by a pliers because that’s exactly what’s happening now. It’s an amazing treatment and you will do great. Rest the weekend."
ATHEA DRAMA GROUP: DVDS of our production of ‘It’s the Real McCoy’ are available to buy at Brouder’s Shop Athea and Ann Lyons in Abbeyfeale.
ABBA DELICIOUS TRIBUTE SHOW: Gather by the Feale are proud to present the music of Abba as performed by the Abba Delicious Tribute Show in the Railway Bar on Easter Sunday night. This is a glamtastic stage show which takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride though the 70’s with white flares, platform shoes, and full costumes. The show is an authentic throwback to the carefree times of the 70’s with all of Abba’s greatest hits. Hear all the hits live, Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Supertroopper, Fernando and many more. The show features lights, lasers, props and costumes changes and is a perfect reconstruction of the energy and excitement of Sweden’s greatest export. Tickets €10, show starts 9pm.
TIDY TOWNS: Abbeyfeale Tidy Towns will be supporting the Team Limerick Clean Up TLC Campaign on Good Friday April 3 from 11am-1pm, meet in the Square 10.50am.
All volunteers welcome!
I.C.A.: The Abbeyfeale ICA guild held it’s AGM on Thursday March 24. We were delighted to welcome facilitator, Mary Canty. All our officers were re-elected as they are all in their third year. Eileen White is the new Chief Hostess and Kathleen Leahy is the new Timire. A delicious tea was served when the business was finished.
Our next guild meeting will be held on Tuesday April 7and on the following Tuesday April 14 we will be having the final session of Pilates with Breda O’Grady from Shakti Fitness & Wellness studio Abbeyfeale. The best of this course was that it catered for all levels of fitness and it was enjoyed by all the members. The guest speaker for our meeting on Tuesday April 21 will be Mairead Heffernan who will give us a talk on skin care. The previous session had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. Our meetings are held at the Community Education Centre, Mountmahon, and new members are always welcome
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FLEADH BY THE FEALE: While work on the Fleadh by the Feale 21st celebrations continues, the committee wishes to announce that the Busking Competition Friday May 1st will start at 7pm. This earlier start time will allow our ever growing numbers of competitors to enjoy the evening too and the entertainment on stage. This year we welcome Davy Murphy & the Ballaugh Wren Boys to the stage. The Busking is an important element of our weekend and we invite one and all to join us and support our young people. Tickets are on sale for the Celebrity Concert on Sunday evening in Coláiste Íde & Iosef with The Kilfenora Céilí Band Show. The Concert is once again sponsored by Kostal GmbH. At €20, the tickets are available from Slice of Life Main Street Abbeyfeale 068 32655, Abbey Tiles Main Street on 068 31109, John O’Sullivan on 086 3165848 and Celine McNally on 087 7697672. Don’t miss out! The iconic Kilfenora Céilí Band returns to Abbeyfeale with a show full of energy and rhythms that there won’t be a toe untapped this May Bank Holiday weekend. With the large numbers that come to town for the Fleadh, if anyone is interested in offering B&B in Abbeyfeale town over the weekend, please contact Celine McNally on 087 7697672 to discuss. Finally, the committee would like to thank all the businesses and people who have supported the Fleadh over the last 21 years and who continue to do so. Your support makes the weekend happen and worthwhile and the benefits are clearly visible in our community.
LOURDES INVALID FUND COLLECTION: A big thank you to everyone who donated to the church gate collection recently and also a big thank you to the collectors who manned the gates both days.
TROCAIRE DAWN TO DUSK FAST: This fast takes place on Good Friday, April 3 and families are invited to place money saved on food on the day in the Trocaire Box.
YOUTH CLUBS: Abbey Legends will be performing the Stations of the Cross on Friday night at 8pm. Members to be at the church at 6pm. No clubs Saturday night. Anyone interested in becoming a leader for the new club contact Kate murphy on 0876210490.
MEENKILLY N.S. CARD GAME: Winners with 14 games Mary McCarthy, Michael O’Kelly, Mossie Collins. Runners up with 13 games; Jamsie McEnery, Liam O’ Connor, Noreen O’ Callaghan. Laurence McAulliffe, Willie Woulfe and Jackie Brouder. Door prize Gobnait Scannell, Christina O’Donoghue. Table prize; Dan Brosnan, Nora Lyons, John Lyons. Tickets; Michael O’ Kelly, Ger Roche, Betty Daly, Liam Lane, Bridie Collins and Noel Murphy. Please note. We are holding a special Easter card game on Tuesday April 7 with a guaranteed prize fund of €500 on the night the game will start at 9 pm., everyone welcome.
SINGING CLUB: West Limerick singing club monthly traditional singing session takes place on Thursday, April 2 @ 9pm. This month’s session is a special fundraiser for the Limerick Fleadh Cheoil which takes place this year in Glin. All proceeds from our raffle on the night will be donated to the Fleadh committee. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who performed at our recent fund raising concert, all who attended on the night, the staff of Fr Casey’s GAA club, The Abbeyfeale drama group and anyone else who helped in any way. A fantastic night was had by all and the feedback from the audience was very positive. A very successful night all round.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CARD PLAYING: 6 FREE introductory Bridge Lessons, lessons have commenced every Thursday @ 7.30pm in the Railway Bar, Abbeyfeale. All welcome. Tel: 087 3344909.
WEST LIMERICK TOASTMASTERS: Toastmasters hold their meetings in the Desmond Complex on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from September to June from 8.30 – 10.30pm. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April15. Further information from Bill on 087 9079223.
REMEMBERING ZOË: A variety concert will take place in the Glorach Theatre on Friday, May 15 to open the weekend of festivities celebrating the all too short life of young Zoë Scannell, the concert will feature some of Zoë’s young friends. Then on Saturday the 105km cycle of 8 parishes as well as the shorter circuit of Abbeyfeale parish will take place and if you would like to register please contact John Collins. (087) 2258808 or Tom O’ Shaughnessy (087) 6820506. Later that evening, Michael Collins and his band will provide the entertainment for a benefit dance in Fr. Casey’s and then on the Sunday a family fun day encompassing a dog show, athletics, kiddie disco, basketball and camogie blitzes as well as loads of surprises will bring the weekend to an end. All proceeds will go to Bru Columbanus and FirstLight, both of these organisations have been of inestimable help to Alisha and the Scannell family. A donation has already been made to the Hope Foundation.
ST. ITA’S FAITH CAMP: This annual camp will take place on August 4-7 in the Boys N.S. If you would like to help out please contact Lorraine on 086 3765751 or Martina on 087 2788834.
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: Wednesday 10am Timmy & Ita O’Donoghue, Ballaugh . No morning Mass on Thursday, 8pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Friday Passion Liturgy @ 3pm, Stations of the Cross @ 8pm with Abbeyfeale Youth club. Saturday Easter Vigil Mass @ 9pm.
. St. Anthony Novena takes place each Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena each Friday morning at 10am. 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.
BEE KEEPING COURSE: The course with tutor Seamus Quinlan of the Kingdom Beekeepers has finished. Later in the spring the hive in the community garden will be opened up to examine how the bees withstood the winter and anyone with an interest in seeing this can contact Seamus.
MEN’S SHED: The Men’s Shed is open every Monday evening from 6-9pm. New members are always very welcome. Please donate your Tesco Blue Tokens to our container in the Abbeyfeale store.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPPORT: A support programme for Adults will commence in St. Ita’s Hall on Thursday, March 26 from 7.30-9pm. The local group can be contacted at 068- 31203/31262/31741/31322 or 51894.
DAY TRIP: Maureen Finnegan NCW says” Monday, May 18 – we have a sweet treat for everyone as we are going to the Skelligs Chocolate Facotory in Kerry. We will be takiing in all the beautiful scenery and many places of interest. Breakfast and four course dinner in the River Island Hotel, Castleisland. Going to print we have a few seats available so immediate booking is advisable. Contact Maureen 087 9845102.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Ireland’s Annual Collection – Friday, April 24- Volunteers needed. The money raised on the day will be used to ensure its promise of offering people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in sport in their lives. If you can spare one hour please contact Ann McCarten 086-849437 or Maureen Finnegan 087 9845102. Thank you.
COFFEE MORNING: Parkinson’s Awareness Week will run from April 6-11 and as part of this the Mid-West Branch of the Parkinson’s Association will hold a Fundraising Coffee Morning at Bobby Byrne’s Wolfe Tone Bar, O’Connell Avenue, Limerick, on Thursday, April 9 next from 10.00am to 12 noon. This is part of our continuous and ongoing efforts to raise much needed funding – wee do not receive any State support. There are approximately 450 people in the Mid-West who suffer with Parkinson’s disease. The Mid – West Branch is run by voluntary effort so all monies raised are used for the provision of services for patients.The services include information meetings addressed by Guest Speakers with specialist knowledge of Parkinson’s disease; Physical Therapy, Hydrotherapy and Speech Therapy through the medium of signing
TOWN PARK NEWS:
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ALCOHOL ACTION IRELAND PRESENT: Girls, Women and Alcohol: The changing nature of female alcohol consumption in Ireland – Tuesday, April 21, Westin Hotel, Dublin 2 10.30am – 4pm. events or call on 01-8780610.
PRIDE OF PLACE: Limerick City and County Council are currently seeking expressions of interest from communities interested in taking part in this year’s Pride of Place Competition. Pride of Place is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. Its focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities. Entry is by way of county, city or district council nomination only. http://www.limerick.ie/council/pride-place-2015
ENROL IN SCOIL NAOMH PÁDRAIG: The country, co-educational, catholic primary school located at Knocknasna, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick is now accepting enrolments for September 2015. Come and visit us to meet our teachers and see our facilities. Arrange an appointment for a time convenient to you. Tel: 068 32121 Mobile: 087 9601506 Email: knocknasnans Website: www.knocknasnans.ie
FUND FOR TIMOTHY O’NEILL LANE MEMORIAL: If you wish to make a donation to the memorial, bank contact details are as follows; IBAN No: IE09 BOFI90413011389816 BIC No. /Swift: BOFIIE2D. The monthly tea dance with the Seamus Sheehy Band to be held on Sunday, April 12 in Fr. Casey’s will donate all proceeds to the fund.
LIGHT ON STONE PROJECT: You are invited to get involved in the Light on Stone Project for Abbeyfeale if you are caring for somebody or grieving and would like to get involved and take some creative time out. If you have any queries please contact Mary Shanahan on 087 2237363 or Mary O Connor on 087 9382883
.FIGHT NIGHT: Michael O’Brien from the Six Crosses just outside Listowel is a qualified IABA Boxing Coach with a Black Belt in Korean Kickboxing. He is holding an International Kickboxing fight night at the Devon Inn on Saturday, April 11 next. Michael who won a Silver Medal with the Irish team at the 2008 WKA World Championships in Florida and went on to win a Gold Medal in the WKC 2011 World Kickboxing Championships in Cadiz had worked with Zoe Scannell and has offered the proceeds of the night to the Remembering Zoe weekend. Tickets are on sale now in the Devon Inn @ €20 or €25 on the night. VIP tickets also on sale @ €100 per head including a ringside seat, 4 course meal and champagne. This is the first event of its type ever held in the Abbeyfeale area and will be a must for all sporting enthusiasts. For further details contact Michael on 0879154209.
CLEAN UP LIMERICK: The big clean-up for Limerick city and county will take place on Good Friday between 9 -1am. Team Limerick Clean-up (TLC), is an initiative sponsored by the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, and supported by Limerick City and County Council.
Abbeyfeale Tidy Towns will be taking part in this initiative and will meet in the Square at 10.50am to be ready to go from 11am – 1pm. That’s also a fast day so this will help take your mind off your rumbling tummy!
SPACES FOR JOBSEEKERS: ‘Spaces for Jobseekers’ in Abbeyfeale meet on a weekly basis. Activities include training, information sessions etc. The group meets in the Old Tech, Room 10 on Mondays at 2.30pm. If you are interested, please contact Ivana at West Limerick Resources on 069 61316, or simply come along and check what it’s all about.
DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE: ADAPT has a 24 hour Freephone helpline 1800 200 504 and 24 hour access to safe refuge in Limerick. Services ADAPT offers are available to women over 18 years of age and their children and are free of charge.
PRESCHOOL: Teach Mhuire Montessori Pre School have part time places for immediate start. They are also taking bookings for the free preschool year for 2015.
SUE RYDER! We have two rails of clothes suitable to wear at the Abba night in the Railway Easter Sunday night! Donations for the shop and recycling are always welcome and appreciated. We can recycle clothing, shoes and bags. Unfortunately we are unable to accept electrical items and duvets or pillows. Thank you for your continued support.
IRISH COUNTRY icmrrequests
.RAMBLING HOUSES: Ita McQuinn holds her monthly Rambling House on the 3rd. Monday of the month in Monagae Community Centre while Mick Sheehys Rambling House, Knockalougha is held on the 3rd. Tuesday of each month from 9pm.
BINGO BUSSES: Eoin 087 2522402 leaves for Castleisland from outside Tuohig’s Supervalue at 7.40 pm every Tuesday and Dinjoe goes to Shanagolden.
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.
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).
COUNTRY MUSIC ON THE INTERNET: Joe’s Country Kingdom www.irishcountrymusicradio.com Saturday 9pm-Midnight (Irish Time)
Tuesday 8-11pm (Irish Time) features Irish Country Music, Irish traditional music, humourous stories and Cowboy Corner.
LIMERICK BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION: Membership details can be found on http://www.limerickbees.net
ACTION ON ALCOHOL WEEK: If you would like to organise an event in your community for Action on Alcohol Week 20-24 April then register on www.alcoholforum.org
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 