PROLOGUE: Kindness, Kindness and Kindness are the three most important words in the English language. Henry James.
ADORATION POSTPONED: Due to the forecasted severe weather the 24 hour Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament chapel has been cancelled from 9pm tonight Tuesday, February 27 until Monday, March 5 at 10am.
PRO-LIFE CAMPAIGN: Those interested in joining the Pro-Life Campaign are invited to an open meeting in St. Ita’s Hall on Wednesday, February 28 at 8pm.
TRANSITION YEAR MUSICAL: Owing to the weather alert the musical ‘Back in the Habit’ will now take place on Tuesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 8 at 7.30pm with doors open at 7pm. Tickets are only €10 and can be booked at reception during school hours or by calling (068) 30631. Don’t miss this Holy show or you’ll be nun the wiser.
WELL DONE: Glorach Drama Group has been invited to stage their production of The Two Loves of Gabriel Foley at Knockaderry Hall on Sunday, March 4 at 8pm as part of The West Limerick Drama Competition. Participation has been by invitation only with just 5 drama groups staging performances. Glorach Theatre is justly proud of the recognition being afforded to the Glorach Drama Group and wish the Group every possible success.
Even though the competition is formidable we have every confidence and expectation that our band of cast and crew will deliver a memorable performance.
And in invoking theatre vernacular to wish our group good luck – we say "break a leg".
RAMBLING HOUSE: Benny Thade McCarthy Spring Rambling house will resume on Monday, March 5 at 8.30pm in Fr Casey’s Club House Abbeyfeale. We welcome all singers, musicians, dancers and storytellers. A raffle will take place and refreshments will be served. Further information 0879918546 .
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 2018: Preparations are continuing for the annual Abbeyfeale St Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will start from Mountmahon at 4pm and proceed down Main Street and past the reviewing stand in The Square. We look forward to another big entry of floats and novelties again this year, and already many businesses and clubs have signalled their intention to take part. Participants are asked to assemble at the Industrial Estate from 3pm and they are reminded that they are responsible for their own insurance cover and will be required to sign a waiver to that effect. Prizes will be awarded for Best Float, Best Decorated Window and Best Youth Entry. The next meeting of the organizing committee will be held at St Ita’s Hall on next Monday,March 5 at 7pm. All are welcome. The annual church gate collection took place on the weekend of February 24/25. Your support was greatly appreciated.
‘PRETENDING TO BE SICK’: This year’s play in Athea will run for one more night and if laughter is the best cure for sickness then get there on Saturday, March 3 by 7pm and prepare to howl at some of the capers. If you do have to visit Dr. Murphy I’d advise making sure that the syringe that he was armed with on stage remains on stage and not in his surgery!
DUAGH MISSION: Mass Saturday, February 24 at 7.30pm, Sunday 11.30am (Blessing of Babies and Young Children at this Mass). Weekday Masses Monday to Friday 7.30am and 11am. Evening Services; Wednesday 28 at 8pm. Thursday March 1 at 8pm. Friday, March 2 at 8pm Youth Service. It will be led by the Redemptorists, Limerick.
TALKS AT THE LIBRARY: Healthy Ireland at Abbeyfeale Library supported by W LR presents a series of Talks on Health and Well Being. 1. General Nutrition with a focus on Food Intolerance & Healthy Meal Planning for busy people/cooking for one will take place on Wednesday, February 28 in Abbeyfeale Library from 7- 8pm. Presented by Sid Sheehan Chef and Nutritional Therapist. Sid has been a chef for many years working in many fine restaurants in Kerry. He then qualified in Nutritional Therapy and wholeheartedly understands the effect both negative and positive on our bodies by the food we eat. 2. Our Anxiety and Connecting with Teenagers will take place on Thursday, March 15 from 7 – 8 pm. Presented by Anthony O Shaughnessy ACI/APCP. Anthony has been working as a counsellor and therapist for over twenty years. He is a graduate of the National Counselling Institute of Ireland and of Trinity College Dublin. Over these years, he has worked with people of all ages, supporting their emotional needs in times of crisis. This is a Healthy Ireland Initiative, supported by your local library and West Limerick Resources. Upcoming events Healthy, happy baby bonanza in April. All these events are FREE and all welcome, booking essential on (068) 32488 to accommodate numbers.
KNOCKNASNA N.S.: Due to popular demand, further copies of “Caoga Blian ag Fás” have been printed and the final ten copies are available to purchase from Anne Lyons sweet shop Abbeyfeale or Scoil Naomh Pádraig – Knocknasna 0879601506. The book contains nearly a hundred photos taken over the last fifty years at Scoil Naomh Pádraig – Knocknasna.
DANCE CLASSES: Social dance classes with Josephine, Tuesdays, The Railway 8.30pm.
NEW MASS TIMES FOR 2018: Saturday evening Mass will now be @ 6.30pm and Sunday morning Mass will be at 9.15am. No change to the 12 noon Mass. Holy day’s Mass will be 11am & 6.30pm. Daily Mass remains as always – 10am unless when there is a funeral.
WEST LIMERICK SINGING CLUB: West Limerick singing club will hold their annual traditional concert with special guest Anna Marie O’Riordan in Fr Casey’s Gaa Hall, Abbeyfeale on Saturday March 10 @ 8pm. Admission €10.
NEW STROKE UNIT OPEN AT KERRY GENERAL: An article in this week’s Kerryman brings the good news that a dedicated stroke unit has opened in recent days.
GLÓRACH NOTES: For those of you who didn’t get a chance to see our in-house production of the hilarious comedy, The Two Loves of Gabriel Foley by Jimmy Keary, the good news is that we will be resurrecting it for one night this coming weekend. The play sold out to packed audiences at the Glórach last November, and we are delighted to announce we will be taking this successful comedy to the West Limerick Drama Festival in Knockaderry. The show takes place on Sunday, March 4 at Knockaderry Community Hall, starting at 8 pm sharp and tickets can be purchased at the door on the night.
FREE COMPUTER CLASSES: Iolar Training is running some more free Digital Skills for Citizens computer and internet training courses in Newcastle West beginning on February 19/20. The courses are open to everyone and will run for two hours per week for five weeks. Training is aimed at beginners and new users and gives participants the knowledge, skills and confidence to use the internet. Last year, almost 500 Limerick city and county residents completed our free Digital Skills for Citizens courses going from learning how to switch on a computer to booking flights and making video calls. The core topics covered include: Safety & security, Using email, Using search engines and websites, Accessing government services online, Conducting everyday transactions, Using apps, Voice and video calls online. Optional modules include: Online shopping, online banking and security, Social media, Video, TV and radio online, Digital photography, Using YouTube instructional videos and advanced government services. Training is free for all participants. An Eircode (postcode) is required to register. For more information, or to reserve your place on the courses, please call Iolar Training on 089 420 7708.
HISTORICAL TALK: RATHKEALE, NEWCASTLEWEST, CAPPAGH AND GENERAL
‘RATHKEALE TOWN THROUGH THE YEARS’: On Friday, March 9 a talk will take place at Rathkeale Arts Centre at 8.30pm. This will be one of a series of talks organised by Rathkeale and District Historical Society. Admission is free and all are welcome.During the course of the talk we will recall the businesses which traded in Rathkeale and remember the people who owned and ran the many successful commercial enterprises from 1820 to date. Rathkeale was once the largest town in County Limerick with a population of 4,995. The present population is 1,440.
LOOKING FOR WORK: Are you a looking for work or interested in returning to work? Employability Limerick supports people with an injury, illness or disability to secure and maintain employment. We cover Limerick City and County. Please contact us on info for more information.
HORSE AND PONY RACES: After 12 successful years, the Abbeyfeale Horse and Pony race committee are looking forward to this year’s races at Relihans Inch on Sunday July 1.
ABBEYFEALE PARENT & TODDLER GROUP meets every Tuesday and Thursday in St. Ita’s Hall in Abbeyfeale from 11 – 12:30pm. New people always welcome. This group is a great way to introduce your child to a pre-school environment, teaching them to play and share with other children and a fantastic way for parents to make new friends as well. Activities each week include singing nursery rhymes, painting/colouring, table-top art and crafts, also messy play, which encourages children’s imagination and they learn about different textures & help develop their motor skills (hand eye co-ordination). Parents have time to chat, with a cup of tea, sing and play also. Please contact Mary at West Limerick Resources on 087 9382883.
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018: You can currently only book tickets for the 3 day Congress (1 day or 5 day), but when booking a congress ticket you can register for the free weekend tickets. Every person attending each event must be registered to gain access to that event. You can book as an individual (over 18), as a family or group, or as a priest. Where a family wishes to register, a single family leader can register all members together. When part of a family/group, all children under 18 are free but each person must be registered in order to receive their ticket. Costs for adults: 5 day ticket €68, 1 day ticket €38. Book at www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Tickets/Congress-Registration
GARDA NOTICE: The Gardai have asked us to inform parishioners that parking is prohibited on the road leading into Cedarville. Parking is not allowed where there are double yellow lines. Parking while at Mass on this roadway is causing traffic congestion. Recently an ambulance had difficulty in getting through. Your cooperation would be very much appreciated. This notice has now appeared for the last three weeks and on Sunday there were still six cars parked there at 9.15 Mass. It seems that from now on you are liable to get a ticket and while doing the church gate collection this Sunday I saw the squad car around.
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: The Mustard Seed in Ballingarry is hosting a special supper to mark International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8. The dinner will shine a light on leading female food producers with a menu that includes dishes incorporating ingredients from West Limerick and beyond. Pre booking for the €48.00 5 course dinner is essential by phoning mustard
COMMUNITY ALERT: Abbeyfeale Community Alert, set up in 2008, is made up of volunteers, all of whom are giving their time voluntarily, to help the elderly in our community feel safe in their own homes. BOI will never send you a text looking for you to log on and re-enter your details.
If someone arrives into your yard or to your door wanting to sell you a power washer or the like take their registration and ring the Gardai on 068 30010 or in the unlikely event that you can’t get through then ring 069 20650. Remember there is no such thing as a free lunch so how can you expect a bargain of a washer, more than likely it’s stolen. Ask for Angela; if you are out in company and feel vulnerable there is a new initiative where you can approach a member of staff in a pub, restaurant, and nightclub and ask for Angela. The member of staff will recognise that you feel in danger and call you a taxi and see that you get home safe. If you feel isolated and would like a friendly voice on the end of the phone ring the Farm and Rural Stress line any evening between 6-10pm for a chat. An avalanche of scam calls are hitting some people, only answer a call you recognise and never ring back. New regulations concerning braking, lighting and weights on agricultural vehicles came into effect on January 1. 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 and this fee includes insurance against breakages and is currently €80. If you do not want the insurance cover then the fee is €65. If you do not have a land line the company will organise a sim card for a mobile phone for a quarterly fee of approx. €56. This works out cheaper that the rent of a landline which is currently €25 per month. The installing company are required to provide identification on their equipment, their vans and their staff and before you admit anyone to your house you should ask for this identification. We constantly update our FB page with local alerts and information on keeping safe so do keep an eye on that. The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme used to improve the condition of an older person’s home is aimed at people 66 years of age and older and is means tested. People with a disability or who are elderly can apply for a grant to purchase grab rails, a level access shower, access ramps or a stair lift. Contact 061 496000 for further details. Committee members are Sean Broderick, Micheal O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, Buddy and Brenda Barry, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Mary Jo O’Connell, James Joy, Denis Collins, Marian Harnett.
WEST LIMERICK TOASTMASTERS: Learn to speak with confidence, make presentations at work, chat up a prospective partner and much more at the Desmond Complex on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 8-10pm.
RCCN (HOUSING) LTD: This is a not for profit company based in NCW which provide a cost effective housing maintenance, small repairs and adaption service principally for the over 60’s or disabled in West Limerick. Services offered include; roof maintenance, outside maintenance, carpentry and flooring, painting etc. For further information contact Kathleen on 069 69315.
FINE INCREASE: The fine for parking in a disabled bay will increase from €80 to €150 from March 1.
FUNDRAISING DANCES: Fundraising dances for the redevelopment of the former Ashford Tavern to the Ashford Community Resource Centre will take place on the first Friday of the month. Doors open 9pm with dancing from 9.30pm. Forthcoming Attractions: Friday, March 2 Micheal Collins Band. Friday April 6 Dave Lawlor. Friday, May 4 P.J. Murrihy. Friday, June 1 Muriel O’ Connor and.Fran Curry. Friday July 6 T.R.Dallas. Admission €10.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR BEREAVEMENT: Abbeyfeale Bereavement Support Group Tel. 068/31230 or 068/51984 or 068/31262.
SOCIAL FARMING: West Limerick Resources is delighted to support the development of Social Farming in the region – Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and parts of Kerry and Cork. Calling interested farmers & farm families who would like to hear more about Social Farming please contact Stefanie, at West Limerick Resources, on 087 366 3842 or 069 66290. We look forward to hearing from you.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SHOP: If you have an hour or two to spare why not consider volunteering your time to help the work of St Vincent de Paul. If you are interested contact Fr Tony on 087-2600414. The Abbeyfeale shop will open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week between 10-4pm. Further information 087 1213560.
ABBEYFEALE CRAFTY CORNER: Meets every Tuesday evening in the West Limerick Resources Hub Room based in the Further Education & Training Centre Abbeyfeale, from 7pm to 9pm. New members are welcome. Contact West Limerick Resources on 068 31198 or Madeline on 087 9707989.
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS: Devotions on the first Tuesday of the month in Monagae Church at 7pm. Blessing with 1st. class relic.
WEST LIMERICK 102FM: Every Monday evening from 7pm to 7.30pm tune into a little bit of Heaven with Fr. Kevin.
CHURCH NOTES: Canon Anthony Mullins fealechurch Limerick Social Services: 061-314111 Accord NCW 069/61000. Priest on Duty for Emergency only (Sunday) Fr. Noonan (087)6796217. Parish Church 068/51915. Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203, 068/ 31262, 068/5198. Parish Support Worker 068/31019. St Vincent De Paul 087/1213560. 087 – 2618412. To book a Mass intention telephone the church 068/51915 during Mass times. Counselling Appointment 061/314213. Accord NCW 069/61000. Samaritans: 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 061-306792. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. Saturday Masses 11am and 6.30pm. Sunday 9.15am and 12 noon. Mass Intentions: 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 takes place each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6-8pm and on Tuesday and Friday from 8.30am- 10pm. Mass Intentions: Wednesday 10am Mrs Anne Mullane Newcastle on Tyne/Athea who died recently. Saturday 11am Margaret, Mick and Patrick Corbett. 6.30pm Rose Curtin, Killarney Rd., Eileen Cahill, The Square Month’s Mind. Vera Broderick, New St. Francis Ryan, Meenahorna, Duagh. Sunday, 12 noon Ted Mulcahy Dromtrasna. Lectio will take place every Tuesday morning after 10am Mass during Lent. 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 Fr. Tony if you wish him 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. Counselling takes place every week in West Limerick Tel 061/3147213 for appointment. 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.
WORLD BOOK DAY: To celebrate World Book Day 2018 the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel will host a morning ‘open mic’ reading on Thursday March 1 from 11 -1 pm. Admission is free and all are welcome along to read from their favourite book, or from their own work.
SET DANCE CÉILÍ:
A Set Céilí will take place in the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel on Friday March 9from 9.30 pm. Sets will be called by Timmy Woulfe and music is by Donie Nolan. Admission €10. For more details visit www.kerrywritersmuseum.com.
LIVING WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES: Book a place on our free X-PERT course (6 weeks, 2 ½ hours). The course is run by HSE Community Dietitians. Visit www.hse.ie/xpert or call 087 673 4035 to book a place on an upcoming course in Listowel.
ANNUAL STRICKEEN MOUNTAIN CHARITY EVENT Saturday, March 3. Registration at Kate Kearney’s Cottage from 10:00am -11:00am. Dance that night in Kate Kearney’s. Contact Mary on 087-2227188 .
PRO LIFE RALLY: You are urged to attend the rally to save the 8th amendment on Saturday, March 10 at 2pm Parnell Sq. Dublin. All that is needed for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing. If you are travelling ring Marie on 0879361812.
FREE ASTHMA AND COPD ADVICE LINE: Speak to a specialist nurse over the phone about your or your child’s asthma or COPD. Free phone 1800 44 54 64 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday to book an appointment
MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE: ex Cork May 31 to June 7 €719.00 pps half board. 15 places still available. €200.00 deposit secure seat. Spiritual Director: Fr. Sean Corkery, Contact: Sean 0862959380.
ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUPS: Listowel first Friday of every month. Monagae first Tuesday of every month. Ceremonies begin 6.45pm.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 