PROLOGUE: Happiness is your dentist telling you it won’t hurt and then him catching his hand in the drill. Anon.
WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS: Best wishes for a long and happy life together to Richard Gleeson, son of Bernie and Mossie Gleeson, Kilconlea and Martina Collins, daughter of Timmie and the late Noreen Collins, Rockchapel who were married recently.
MEET UNDER FR. CASEY: Abbeyfeale Tidy Towns will be meeting in the Square this Wednesday May 10 from 7pm-8pm. We are looking for new members & would welcome anyone who has an hour to spare to come & join us.
KILEENAGH HOLY WELL: The Rosary will be recited at the Holy Well in Kileenagh each Friday evening during Mary’s Month – May. If it’s too far for you to travel to – there is also a rosary recited every weekday evening at 7.30pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel all year round by the Legion of Mary and in the main Church every Saturday evening at 6.30opm before the Vigil Mass.
AFTERNOON TEA DANCE: The last of the tea dances for this season takes place at Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse on Sunday, May 21 with dancing to Noel Cronin. Funds raised go to Abbeyfeale Parish Community Garden.
GRAVEYARD SPRING CLEAN: Reilig Ide Naofa spring clean is on every Tuesday from 7-9pm. More help always welcome. Bring gloves.
SVP: We are recruiting volunteers for our new St. Vincent De Paul shop in the town. The shop will be open from Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 5.00pm. The shop will have two shifts – 10.00 – 1.30pm and 1.30 – 5.00pm. If you have some time to give and would like to be part of our team or need more information please contact us on 087 1213560. We would love to have you work in our shop. The work and time you will give to the Vincent de Paul as a volunteer in our shop will be invaluable. By this work you will be making a huge difference in the lives of so many people. Volunteering is a gift to the community.
ABBEYFEALE TOWN PARK: The annual Dog Show takes place at the Town Park from 2pm on Sunday, May 21.
FEALEFIT OFFERS TRAINING PACKAGE: Fealefit Strength & Conditioning are offering a young Athlete between the ages of 12-16 the opportunity to win a Training package worth €2500 and take their training to the next level & compete at a higher level in their chosen field whether it be an individual or team sport! We are delighted to have teamed up with Adrenalin Sports who will kit out the chosen athlete with footwear, apparel and accessories. We will coach, track, liaise, monitor & develop the individual’s functional movement and strength & conditioning capabilities relevant to their sport and age and help them to progress. They will have unlimited use of our facilities, constant functional assessment & fitness testing, nutritional advice and one to one sessions every week with our team of trainers. This is an excellent opportunity for a young local athlete to excel under our guidance. Send us an email to Fealefit@hotmail.com on your sporting / training background & why you would excel at this opportunity.
ABBEYFEALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Calling All Businesses – James Ring, CEO of Limerick Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday, May 10 in The Glórach Theatre at 7.30pm with regards to the benefits of Abbeyfeale having its own Chamber of Commerce. This meeting will form part of an open discussion and all Business Owners in the Abbeyfeale area are encouraged to attend.
REMEMBERING ZOE: The third Remembering Zoë Cycle Challenge around the 8 parishes which surround Abbeyfeale will be held on Sunday, May 14 starting at 9am from Fr. Casey’s. The road from the GAA Club via New Street to Buckley’s Cross on the Athea road will be closed from 09 – 09.15am. The Cycle will pass through the Town between the times of 10.30 – 1.30pm. In the afternoon the Cycle will pass through Ballaugh, Ballybehy, Healy’s Forge, Knockbrack, between the times of 12.00 – 3pm. All participating cyclists will receive a specially designed finisher’s medal. Then on Sunday, May 28 the annual Fun Day takes place at Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse and grounds with gates open at 2pm.
FAIRTRADE: Irish people can celebrate Fairtrade along with millions of other people around the planet in the World Fairtrade Challenge on May 12-14, 2017. Each year, we’re buying more Fairtrade products like bananas, coffee and chocolate. Thanks to people like you, more hard-working farmers and workers around the world can build better lives and brighter futures. That’s why we want to celebrate Fairtrade with you!From 12-14 May 2017, join Fairtrade farmers, workers and supporters for the World Fairtrade Challenge. Treat your colleagues, friends or customers to Fairtrade products, register your purchase or event on our website and let’s create the biggest Fairtrade Celebration the world’s ever seen!Register your purchase or event on the international World Fairtrade Challenge website
https://www.fairtradechallenge.org/int-en/home/
CONFIRMATION: Confirmation will take place on Thursday, May 11 @ 11am. The church yard gates will be locked on Wednesday evening @ 8pm. Please do not leave any cars parked overnight. Both sides will be locked to facilitate parking for Thursday. Practice for children and their sponsors will take place on Tuesday evening.
FR.CASEYS LADIES GAA FEILE FUNDRAISER: Please donate your unwanted clothes & textiles to raise funds for Fr. Casey’s Girls U14 team who have qualified for the Feile finals in Cavan in June. Any REWEARABLE clothes, paired shoes, belts, handbags, curtains, towels, bed linen, soft toys are accepted. Please drop off bags at the GAA complex on Sunday mornings, 10.30-11.30 am between now and the end of May. Contact Mike 0872279922, Ha 0861071620, Laura 0871651529 or Pat 0879030745 if you need any assistance.
TOASTMASTERS: Next meeting of West Limerick Toastmasters on Wednesday, May 17 in the Desmond Complex NCW. Further information 087 7972855. The newly formed club in Listowel holds their next meeting on Thursday, May 18 at the Listowel Arms Hotel . Contact 087 2193670.
ST. JOSEPHS YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY: Diocesan meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society to hold our Vigil of Prayer for Vocations again this year in St. Nessan’s church, Raheen, on Saturday, May 13. The vigil commences with Holy Mass at 6pm and is followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. During Adoration there is recitation of the Rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet, a reflection by Bishop Brendan Leahy, and the Vigil concludes with Benediction.
ABBEYFEALE PARENT & TODDLER GROUP meets every Tuesday and Thursday in St. Ita’s Hall In Abbeyfeale from 11am to 12.30pm. New people always welcome. Contact Mary at West Limerick Resources on 087 9382883.
HELP NEEDED: Volunteers wanted for Remembering Zoe Funday 2-4pm @ Fr Caseys GAA Club Sunday May 28. Contact Shane 0872891015.
COMMUNITY NATTERS: West Limerick Resources are now producing a monthly community newsletter entitled ‘Community Natters’. With this newsletter, we hope to reach out to the many community groups in our area and communicate some useful hints and information as well as highlighting some new and interesting projects happening around us. As always, we are hoping to engage with as many voluntary organisations as possible, so please feel free to get in touch with any member of the team at West Limerick Resources if you have any events/projects currently happening in your community. Please let us know by emailing us at damien.ahern@wlr.ie or dcleary@wlr.ie. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, please log onto our website www.wlr.ie and enter your email address in the subscription box.
ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT: Thank you for your support of our church gate collection last weekend. Please do not keep money in the house. Lodge it in the Credit Union or the local Bank. We have been asked to remind people that once they reach the age of 65 and live alone or with a person/s aged over 65 then they are entitled to receive a monitored alarm system. The free equipment is provided by Pobal following an application from Abbeyfeale Community Alert but there will be a monitoring fee to be paid yearly to the installing company which is currently in the region of €65. If you do not have a land line the company will organise a sim card for a mobile phone for a monthly fee of approx. €12 on top of the monitoring fee. If you are a victim of or have witnessed domestic abuse then log onto whatwouldyoudo.ie We constantly update our FB page with local alerts and information on keeping safe so do keep an eye on that. Plans are underway to hold a summer outing for the elderly in our community, keep an eye on the notes each week and the FB page for further details. Committee members are Sean Broderick, Micheal O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, Brody and Brenda Barry, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Mary Jo O’Connell, James Joy, Neily Lyons, Marian Harnett and Garda Roger O’Donoghue.
DIGITAL SKILLS FOR CITIZENS: COMPUTERS FOR BEGINNERS Little or no experience with computers? Looking to get IT savvy, get some skills under your belt? Then we have a great opportunity for you, we are offering a Digital Skills for Citizens course. We are currently taking names for a waiting list for this FREE 5-week run in conjunction with Mobile IT. Priority given to those in receipt of a social welfare payment or actively job seeking. To find out more please contact Adrienne on 087 2273294.
SELF EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS: If you are considering Self Employment and would like to know more about the process involved you should contact our Enterprise Officer Brenda Heath. We are currently rolling out a series of FREE Enterprise Training Workshops for all those considering this route including workshops on Steps to starting your Business, Book-keeping, Marketing and Health & Safety. If you wish to find out more please contact Brenda Heath at West Limerick Resources on 069 66297 / bheath@wlr.ie or our support Worker Dee Collins on 069 62222 / dcollins@wlr.ie.
RURAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (RES) / YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (YES): If you need support job seeking and feel that you are a little lost in deciding what you want to do, then you should contact the RES / YES which offers 1:1 support and career planning to individuals around education, training and employment opportunities. To find out more you can contact Finn or Lynne at West Limerick Resources on 069 61316 or Adrienne & Dee on 069 62222. Keep up to date with us on Facebook: www.wlr.ie/facebook OR www.facebook.com/wlr.res Phone us on 069 62222 or call in to see us on St. Mary’s Road, Newcastle West.
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS: First Tuesday of the month in Monagae Church at 7pm. Blessing with 1st. class relic.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES & SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS: West Limerick Resources will host a free workshop for community groups on how to make a successful funding application & current funding opportunities open to groups on Thursday, May 18 from 7:30 – 9:30pm at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West. To book a place or for further information contact Damien at West Limerick Resources on 0879042477 or email damien.ahern@wlr.ie.
JUBILEE 2018: In June 2018 the parish will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of our parish church. A Golden Jubilee is a significant event in the life of any parish. The Pastoral Council are beginning to plan for the 50th celebrations. At this stage we are seeking any photographs of the construction phase of the building and any articles or publications covering the opening Mass and consecration ceremony.
CHURCH NOTES: Canon Anthony Mullins 087/2600414. Fr Joseph Foley CC Tel: Mobile : 087 – 2618412. Parish Church 068/51915. Parish Office: Open 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Tues. – Fri. (068) 31133 Email: fealechurch Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203, 068/ 31262, 068/51984. Parish Support Worker 068/31019 St Vincent De Paul 087/1213560
Counselling Appointment 061/314213 . Accord NCW 069/61000. Samaritans: 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-814342551984 Console 061-306792. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. Mass Tuesday – Saturday at 10am except in the event of a funeral when Mass is 11am. Mass on Saturday 11am. Thursday 11am Confirmation Mass. Friday 10am Lizzie Cahill ( nee Foley) Dromtrasna Collins and her son Timmy Cahill. Saturday 11am James & Mary Keane and deceased famliy members Kilmanihan. 7pm James Collins, Dromtrasna. Moss & Lily Colbert, New Street. Sunday 9.30am Rhona Danaher, Church Street & Shanbally 1st Anniv. Louis McEnery, Dromtrasna . 12noon Pro Populo Mon 7pm Mai & Tade (Heck) Collins, Ballaugh.
Novena prayers to St Anthony on Mondays during the 7pm Mass. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Fridays during the 10am Mass. Adoration has resumed. It will continue then as usual every Tuesday and Friday. New adorers are always very welcome. We thank you all for making our Perpetual Adoration such a success. Because of your commitment to an hour per week we are able to continue this wonderful gift we have in our Parish. As due to data protection laws, priests can no longer go to the reception desk in local hospitals and get a list of parishioners who are patients, you are requested to contact either Fr. Joe or Fr. Tony if you wish them to visit. Faithcast is the new weekly podcast from catholicnews.ie, the news source for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Presented by Brenda Drumm, Faithcast is a mixture of interviews and news snippets from the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is published every Monday and is available on catholicnews.ie.
To see the daily readings you may log on to www.abbefelaeparish.ie and click on daily reading on the home page. Log onto www.churchservices.tv/abbeyfealeparish for the church webcam. You can now watch all services from home if you have access to a computer. You are asked to use car parking spaces in the Church car park before you start parking in the middle of the yard. Invitation from Fr. Mullins: “I want to extend an open invitation to all parishioners, particularly young people to share their God given talents with the community. We are always in need of Musicians, Singers, Readers of the Word, Altar Servers, Ministers of the Eucharist, Flower arrangers, Collectors and Stewards. You may have IT skills which we need to help us use social media in bringing God’s message to parishioners. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated”.
PADRE PIO: Prayer Meeting takes place in Lixnaw Church on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm.
LIMERICK COUNTY BEEKEEPERS: Limerick Beekeepers Association May meeting will take place on Thursday, May 11 in the GAA Hall, Mungret at 8pm. John McMullan will give a lecture entitled “Important Elements in Honeybee Welfare”.
MAUREEN IS OFF ON HER TRAVELS AGAIN: She’s taking a bus to Inishboffin on Sunday, May 21 and if you have the free travel you won’t have to pay on the ferry. The bus will pick up en route in Listowel, Abbeyfeale, NCW, Rathkeale, Adare and the South Court. Early booking is essential 087 9845102.
PILGRIMAGES: Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2017 from June 21-26. The Lourdes office is open in the Social Service Centre, Henry St. All details concerning the Pilgrimage Tel 061/314111.
JIM LYONS’S RAMBLING HOUSE: Held on the third Tuesday of the month in Knockalougha.
MONAGAE RAMBLING HOUSE: The monthly rambling house in Monagae Community Centre takes place on the 2nd Monday of the month.
GROW: Grow is a community based organisation that provides support and education around emotional and mental well-being. Our 12-Step Recovery Program provides effective peer support, motivation and empowerment to enable people to take action and improve their mental health. It is a free, confidential service, and there is no referral process – anyone over the age of 18 can simply turn up at a meeting. The Newcastle west Meeting (which serves the greater West Limerick area) is held every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm at the Desmond Complex. Anyone wishing to know more about GROW and our services please come to this meeting, check our website WWW.GROW.IE, or contact Eimear Purcell at 086-7780664.
OUR LADY OF LIMERICK FESTIVAL: There was an older tradition in Limerick to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Limerick over three days with great pride and joy. The Dominican sisters are hoping to revive that great festivity with a three day festival of prayer in Limerick this May. We will be giving honour to Our Lady of Limerick with a Triduum from Thursday, May 25 – Saturday, May 27. Each day, Fr. John Harris, OP will celebrate Mass at 1pm followed by devotions. On Thursday and Friday night, the Dominican Sisters will offer reflections followed by night prayer. The Triduum will conclude with an outdoor festival on Saturday afternoon with games, music and more. All are welcome! The timetable is as follows: Thursday May 25 & Friday May 26 1:00pm – Mass followed by Devotion with Fr John Harris (OP) 7:00pm – Reflection and Compline – Reflection, Night Prayer and Procession to Our Lady with the Dominican Sisters. Saturday, May 27 1:00pm – Closing Mass and Procession with Fr John Harris (OP). 2:00pm – FAMILY FESTIVAL – We are having a Party on The Plaza in front of the Church. The surrounding streets will be closed to traffic for safety where we will have lots of activities & games for the young and the young at heart. There will be Food Stalls, Live Music, Face painting, etc (all supervised). Thankfully, the local business community and Gardai have really got behind this event. If you wish to get involved and help out, please contact the Parish Office on 061 – 311728 or by email stsavioursdominican@gmail.com.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 