Abbeyfeale notes

PROLOGUE: Advent Prayer: Hail and Blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the pure Virgin Mary, at midnight in a stable in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At the same hour vouchsafe O My God, hear my prayer and grant my petition.

WEDDING BELLS: Congratulations to Fiona Harnett and John Murphy who celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage in Abbeyfeale recently.

BOOK LAUNCH: Fluid Forms: Liam Flynn. A Limited edition of 128 page hard back full colour coffee table book featuring over 90 colour photographs of Liam Flynn’s artwork will be launched at 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 11 at Abbeyfeale Library. Everyone welcome.

SHOP LOCAL: Vouchers will be available to give as Christmas gifts and help encourage the shop local campaign.

SEENAGER CHOIR AKA JIMMY AND THE JEZEBELLES: 25 beautiful ladies, with voices to match plus an array of African drums and Jimmy! In Concert at Glórach Thursday, December 5 at 7pm. Abbeyfeale’s latest close harmony choir have been put through their paces, during the past 5 weeks, by none other than Ruth and Joyce O’Leary, otherwise known as Sephira, who will orchestrate and conduct the entire evening. Therefore, we may expect a thoroughly professional performance from the ladies as they sing and drum their way through such classics as The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Edelweiss, your favourite Xmas Carols and many more tunes that have become standards. Who knows, Ruth and Joyce may even perform a song or two! Jimmy Dennison is the token male presence in the choir, however, we have bolstered the male numbers by adding Kerry Seanachai Timmy Hannafin to the line up, who can brighten up any winter’s night. Free admission tickets from West Limerick Resources 087 9042477.

CONGRATULATIONS: Jack Ennis’s uncle Padddy Finucane would like to congratulate Jack and the Brosna team on reaching the North Kerry Football final on Sunday, December 15 in Ballylongford.

CHRISTMAS TRACTOR RUN:"Estuary Rollers will hold a Christmas Tractor Run on Sunday, December 15. Registration will begin from 1.30pm at Abbeyfeale Mart with a fee of €20 per tractor. The run will start at Abbeyfeale Mart before heading up through Abbeyfeale Town, it will then continue to Athea, Moyvane, Tarbert, Glin before concluding for refreshments in The Knockdown Arms. There will also be a prize for the most decorated Christmas tractor. All proceeds are in aid of a wonderful local charity – Milford Hospice."

ABBEYFEALE FOR AFRICA CAKE SALE: The annual cake sale to support Fr. Tim Galvin’s Mission in South Sudan takes place on Sunday, December 8 at St. Ita’s Hall from 9-1pm. Calling all our usual bakers and supporters. Home baking can be left into Batt’s in the Square for collection or delivered to the Hall on the morning of December 8. As always we appreciate your continued support for our local man.

ARA COFFEE MORNING: Abbeyfeale’s Active Retirement Group are hosting a coffee morning on Friday, December 6 with the proceeds being donated to the Christmas Lights.

NIGHT AT THE OSKARS: Casting night for Abbeyfeale’s Night at the Oskars was on Tuesday last in St. Ita’s Day Care Centre. The events company will now come back to us shortly with the films that they have chosen and the participants in each film, they will then provide acting coaching . We will shortly have a date for the commencement of the training which will take place over 4 weeks.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH MICHEAL ENGLISH: Micheal English will give a Christmas themed concert and will also sing a selection of his own popular songs next Friday, December 6. A few tickets are still available. All proceeds will go towards the ongoing maintenance of St. Ita’s Hall – the Hall on Main St. that provides a warm comfortable convenient meeting place for up to 20 groups including the youth club, crafty corner, writers group, Wednesday club to name but a few. Tickets at €25 are available by ringing the dedicated ticket line on 089 4356981 or from Moss the Farmers, The Coffee Pot, Ann Lyons. O’Donoghues Spar and Kathleen’s Foodstore in Abbeyfeale, Around the county, Ardagh where our pastor Fr. Tony comes from tickets are available at Greaney’s Butchers, in NCW they can be purchased at the Zip Yard and in Hayes’s Newsagent. Tickets are also available in Pat Buckley’s Templeglantine, Templeglantine PO, the PO in Duagh, the parish office in Listowel, Collins’s in Athea and Daffys in Kilmallock and Lisselton. If you’d like to dine before attending the concert Leens Hotel are offering an Early Bird Dinner and Ticket for the concert for €45, reservations to be made directly with the hotel at 068 31121. Doors open at 7pm and there will be a raffle for giant hampers.

CONCERT: West Limerick 102fm Community Radio Grand Variety Christmas Concert in The Longcourt House Hotel on Wednesday, December 11 at 8pm. Admission €15. Doors open 7.30pm.

GATE CLOSED: The church gates will be locked each evening at 8pm for the winter months.

YOGA CLASS: Wednesday from 7 – 8.30pm Abbeyfeale Rugby Club. Ring Mike on 087 2732591.

NOONAN’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: The landscape is lit up with the lights from Noonan’s lights which were officially switched on last Friday night.

MANCHESTER UNITED CLUB: Paddy Finucane is sending out a call to old and new members to join him in reforming the Manchester United Club in Donal and Ann’s Bar at 9pm on Friday, December 13.

ARIES: Advancing Recovery in Ireland Education Service serving the Mid-West region. If you have an interest in mental health, well-being and recovery, please make a note of our free workshop in St. Ita’s Community Hall, Convent St., Abbeyfeale, on December 5 from 2pm – 5pm. To book places contact Mike O’Neill on 085-8768517 or at michael.oneill8. For more information visit www.hse.ie/mwaries

WEST LIMERICK SINGING CLUB: The club meet on the first Friday of each month in Philip Enrights, The Ramble Inn, Church Street from 9pm.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Annual church gate collection on the weekend of December 7 and 8.

FIRST FRIDAY REFLECTIONS WITH FR. SHOJI: On the First Friday of each month, Fr Shoji will lead an hour of Praise and Worship in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel beginning at 9am.

SEENAGER CHOIR: A Community that sings together, stays together’. A little over 6 weeks ago, a group of Seenagers (senior teenagers) came together in Abbeyfeale to form a ‘singalong choir’. After 6 most enjoyable weeks of rehearsing, both singing and drumming, the group would like to invite you to a group singalong performance on Thursday December 5 at the Glórach Theatre, Abbeyfeale at 7pm. Refreshments will also be served. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance by contacting Damien Ahern on 087 9042477. This project is funded by the SICAP programme. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE MISUSE TEAM: A free and confidential service for under 18’s and their families impacted by substance misuse is provided on the first Wednesday of the month in St. Ita’s Hall from 2.30pm – 5pm. Contact Kristeen Laing 086 4141854.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC CLASSES ATHEA: Tutor Michael Broderick, Top of the Town Friday nights; Beginners 7.15 – 7.45pm, Advanced 7.45 – 8.15pm.

COMMUNITY ALERT: Staying Safe around Christmas: Plan nights out, leave word where you’re going and what time you’ll be back, park your car in secure well lit areas and always lock it. Don’t leave Christmas presents in view, drive with the doors locked and do not put your handbag on the seat and always turn on your alarm when leaving home. The day which was most enjoyable concluded with dancing to Paddy Quilligan and a presentation to our new curate Fr. Shoji . Tesco Abbeyfeale have given us their blue token collection for eight weeks so please place your tokens in the container as you leave the store. At the recent crime prevention meeting in the Glórach we were asked not to flash oncoming cars if we pass a Garda roadblock because we may be alerting the criminal who is around checking out easy targets and who turns and takes a different road when he get the beck. At least if he comes through the roadblock the Gardai are alerted to his presence in the area. 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 of €72. Please note that this fee has increased by €6 and is payable in a lump sum each year after year one. Should you not have a landline the installing company Task provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per month payable from day one. Then, in year two you will also receive a bill for the monitoring fee so in year one the bill will be €90 and in year two and every other year after it will €162 approx. Committee members are Sean Broderick, Michael 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.

BAPTISMAL TEAM MEETING: Templeglantine Sacristy Tuesday, December 10 at 8pm.

NEW COURSES STARTING IN JANUARY 2020 IN THE OLD TECH: The following new classes are starting up at the start of January 2020: Beginners Computers for all ages, Demonstration cookery, Machine sewing, Childcare QQI Level 5 & 6, Healthcare QQI Level 5, Upcycling Furniture, Beginners Art, Payroll Manual & Computerised, Arts and Crafts, Beginners Horticulture, Pilates and Creative writing.

If you wish to register for any of the above free classes, please call Mary in the office: 06831198 or log onto www.learningandskills.ie.

HARNETT MAGAZINE: Some Harnett Reunion magazines are still available at Ann Lyons Shop and from James Harnett, also the final items of Harnett merchandise are available at Heavenly Gifts.

KNOCK ALL NIGHT VIGIL: Pro-Life Vigil on Saturday, December 7 Saturday midnight to Sunday morning departing Dero’s Main St at 3pm on December 7. Contact Deros 064 6631251.

GLÓRACH: Bingo every Monday night at 8.30pm

KNOCK SHRINE 2019 NIGHT VIGIL; Saturday, December 7. With Fitzpatrick’s of Listowel. Vigil programme 10pm. Confessions in the Chapel of Reconciliation, 12am vigil in Basilica, 4am concelebrated mass. Fare €30. Coach will leave Listowel @ 4.30pm. Phone (068) 21707 or (087) 3966399.

FR. CASEY’S CARD GAME: Cards have resumed on Friday nights in GAA Clubhouse @ 9pm.

ABBEYFEALE PARENT & TODDLER GROUP: 11am – 12.30pm every Tuesday and Thursday, St Ita’s Hall. New people always welcome. Suitable for parents/care givers and children aged birth to 4 years including children attending pre-school. This group is an opportunity to meet other parents and play time with your baby/toddler. This is a free service and priority is given to those in receipt of social welfare payment or living in social housing. Contact Mary on 087 9382883.

WEST LIMERICK TOASTMASTERS: Develop your speaking skills and your self confidence at West Limerick Toastmasters. First and third Wednesday of the month September – June in the Desmond Complex from 8 – 10pm. New members welcome. Contact Charles 087 7972855.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA: Sephira School of Music and Drama has opened on Main St . All ages are welcome. Contact Ruth Joyce on 085 2052384 /info or look them up on Facebook.

ABBEYFEALE BOOK CLUB: St. Ita’s Hall, the second Wednesday of each month September – June from 7.30 -9pm. All welcome. Refreshments served.

THE IRISH CANCER SOCIETY is looking for volunteers to drive patients to and from their chemotherapy treatments in all public hospitals nationwide. Volunteers will need their own car but all expenses are paid. If you have 2 free days a month (Monday – Friday) and an active email address we would love to hear from you. Please call Laura on 01 2310 594, email transport or go to www.cancer.ie for more information.

HELPLINE FOR MEN SUFFERING DOMESTIC ABUSE: A new helpline has been set up and will operate 36 hours a week on 1800816588.

GROW COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT IN IRELAND. Meet on Wednesday’s at 8pm in the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel. This programme is open to all and is free of charge. No introductions needed. Just come along. For more information, contact Jerry, 086 0271990.

MASS TIMES IN THE PASTORAL AREA UNIT: Abbeyfeale – Saturday 6.30pm and Sunday 9.15am & 12noon. Athea – Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 10.30am. Mountcollins – Sunday 11am. Templeglantine – Saturday 6pm and Sunday 10.00 am. Tournafulla – Saturday 7.30pm.

ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH: Fr Tony Mullins PP 087/2600414. Fr Brendan Duggan 087/0562674. Fr Denis Mullane 087/2621911. Fr Shoji Vargihese 089/4431922 Parish Church 068/51915. Parish Office; Open 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Tues. – Fri. (068) 31133 Email: fealechurch Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. AA 061/311222 Al-Anon 086/8143425. Parent Support worker 068/31019. Accord NCW 069/61000. Samaritans Freephone 116123 or text 087/2609090 or email jo Aware (Depression & Anxiety) 1980 303 302 National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House) 1800 247 247 Irish Advocacy Network (Peer advocacy in mental health) 01 872 8684 Pieta House (Suicide & self-harm) 01 623 5606 IACP (Counselling & Psychotherapy) 01 230 3536 Shine: (Supporting people effected by mental ill health) 01 860 1620 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222 A l-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203 068/ 31262 068/51984 St Vincent De Paul Tel 087/1213560 . Counselling Appointment 061/314213. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. Daily Mass 10am Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday except in the event of a funeral when Mass will be at 11am. Saturday Masses 11am and 6.30pm. Sunday 9.15am and 12 noon.. Mass Intentions: Saturday 6.30pm Bridget Healy and deceased members of the Saunders family. Ramey Leahy, New St. Vincent McNally 23rd Anniversary. ICA deceased members. Sunday 9.15am Paddy Barry and deceased family members. Hannah Mai Scannell, Dromtrasna Collins. 12 noon Peggy O’Riordan, St. Ita’s Sheltered Housing. Liam and Kitty O’Callaghan and Kitty’s brother Paddy Leahy, Ballybehy. Thomas Dillane, Kilconlea.

RAMBLING House is taking place on Thursday 5th December 2019 at 8 pm in Knockanure Community Centre. Everyone is welcome. Please come along and enjoy a great night of music, song and dance. Admission free. Refreshment will be served. Contact Ann Flavin at 086/ 3090948.

SOCIAL day for the Active Retirement takes place on Monday 9th December 2019. On that day Mass will take place at 12pm for Christmas and followed by a Meal. Music by Stevie Donegan. It is important that we know numbers attending in advance. If attending please ring office on 068/ 49799. New members especially welcome.

RAMBLING HOUSE: Thursday, December, 5 at 8 pm in Knockanure Community Centre. Everyone is welcome. Please come along and enjoy a great night of music, song and dance. Admission free. Refreshment will be served. Contact Ann Flavin at 086/ 3090948.

B-ALERT GROUP: Anyone wishing to join the Knockanure B-Alert group contact Danny on 087/6863726.

ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP Listowel, The first Friday of every month. The ceremony begins with the Rosary at 6.45pm,

CONCERT AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH, LISTOWEL: Kerry Choral Union are presenting An Evening of Christmas Music & Carols In St. Mary’s Church, Listowel on Sunday evening 8th December at 7.30pm.

SENIORS PARTY: The Going Strong Christmas Party will take place on Wednesday, December 4th. Mass will be celebrated in the Top of the Town, Athea at 12 noon sharp followed by Dinner & Music by Blue Rhythm. To book please contact Maireád Langan on 087-6407026 or Eileen O’Sullivan on 087-9848247.

FAIR in Glin. The much anticipated traditional Glin Old Fair Day takes place this year on Saturday, December 7. If you are interested in securing a table please contact Michael Donnellan on 087 9953577.

RAMBLING HOUSES: Monagae 2nd. Monday of the month. Knockalougha, Duagh on the third Tuesday of every month.