PROLOGUE: From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life."
Arthur Ashe

SAINT ROCK (Feast Day – 16th August). O God, who by the ministry of an angel didst give to glorious Saint Rock a promise engraved on a tablet, that whosoever would invoke his name should be preserved from pestilence and all mortal and contagious diseases. Grant that we who revere his memory, may through his intercession be delivered in soul and body from all mortal and contagious diseases through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Saint Rock, please pray for us and preserve us from all mortal and contagious diseases, including the coronavirus COVID-19. Amen

MASS TIMES: The church is now fully reopened and will seat 50 in the body of the church , 42 in one side aisle and 39 in the other. All Masses will be stewarded and the church will be fully sanitised after each Mass . Mass on Monday at 7pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am except if there is a funeral then Mass which will be private will be at 11am. Mass on Saturday morning at 11am. There will be a Vigil Mass on Friday, August 14 prior to the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 as our church is dedicated to the Feast of the Assumption. Vigil Mass on Saturday evening at 6.30pm and Sunday Masses at 10am and 12 noon. Confessions on Saturday after 11am Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. If the church is full then people are welcome to park on the Grotto side of the car park as Mass is broadcast there and Holy Communion will be distributed at the Grotto by a Minister for the Eucharist.

CONGRATULATIONS: Cllr. John Sheahan, Glin has recently been elected Chairman of the Southern Regional Assembly for 2020-21, he was first elected to Limerick County Council in 2004 and is one of our three local FG representatives on LCC along with Cllr. Liam Galvin Abbeyfeale and Cllr. Tom Ruddle, NCW.

WEST LIMERICK COMMUNITY RADIO: WL102fm has provided a great service throughout West Limerick since the lockdown began with Mass being broadcast every Sunday, loads of country and western music, (all genres of music but you see where my heart lies!), a daily rosary and local news from the county as well as current affairs and documentaries. By the terms of the licence that they get to broadcast, they must raise a share of their running costs in the community that they serve and over the years volunteers have organised concerts, car boot sales, tea dances and sold raffle tickets as well as organising a yearly church gate collection at all the local churches. That all came to a halt on March 14 last and they are now hoping to restart the weekly draw in order to get an income stream going again. Tickets are on sale all over the West Limerick area and in Abbeyfeale at Ann Lyons’s, The Square for €2 each. Please be generous in your support.

WORLD NEWS: 300,000 people have been left homeless by the explosion in Beirut. Over 10 million people have been forced to flee their homes in Yemen and starvation is rampant there.

SCAMS: If you get a text from Bank of Ireland saying that your credit card has been compromised do not click on the link provided. Memorise the pin number and do not carry it with the actual card and always cover the pin pad before you type in your pin. If you have worries ring the Bank 01 40440000 or call into the bank in the Square. between 10 – 1pm Monday to Friday. Local people have been getting a call from an 021 number, don’t ring them back or any number for that matter – if they want you they’ll leave you a voice mail.

MORE LOCAL HISTORY FROM JER KENEALLY: Catherine Murphy was joined In wedlock to James J. Barrett on Sunday. Nov. 8. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. James J. Barrett. The wedding ceremony took place at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 125th street and Morningside avenue. The church was filled with the friends and relatives. The bride was dressed in panne velvet and was attended by her niece, Miss Nora Lawlor of Bayonne, N. J. The groom was attended by William J. Ahern, brother of the bride. A beautiful bouquet of flowers was presented to the bride by John Barrett, son of the groom. The bride is a native of Athea. Co. Limerick, and the groom hails from Knocknasnaw, Abbeyfeale. Dinner was served to about 50 guests at the home of the bride and Groom, at 288 St. Nicholas avenue. Among some of those present were: Rev. James J. Barrett and John Barrett (sons), Mr. and Mrs. Lawlor, sister of the bride; William and James Caledon, | Ahern, brothers of the bride; Miss Nora Lawlor (niece), Miss Marguerita Ahern (niece), Dennis and James Murphy (nephews), Mrs. Shanahan, Miss John O’Neill, Mfg. Patrick Ryan, Miss Eileen Dalton. Timothy Dalton. Michael Lynch and Stephen Ahern (cousins). The entertainment was directed by Mr. John J. Sheahan. Music was furnished by two well-known players —Joe McNally and Michael Kennelly. Exhibitions of Irish step-dancing were given by Michael Lynch and Miss Eileen Ahern. New York NY Irish American Advocate 1928-1929 – 0943.pdf

16 Nov 1929

FARMERS’ MARKET REOPENS: The weekly market has returned to the small square from 9-1pm every Friday. We thank you for your continued support.

FACE MASKS: Kathleen Quinn has made face masks which were donated to local nursing homes. She has a selection available for sale so contact her on 087 2802704. There are also masks available from Peg Grady at Batt’s and Maureen Hickey of Pins and Needles.

ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT: We are still accepting donations of €10 to help run our text alert system as the funds we raised some years ago have now run out. If you are the owner of a dog please be aware that there are gangs of people going around searching out dogs and stealing them for puppy farms or as bait for dog fights or to be sold on as family pets. They sometimes mark house piers or fences or gates with chalk or cable ties so keep an eye on your property if you own a dog. If you don’t own a pet why not rescue a dog from one of the many dog rescue organisations if you have decided to get a pet. If you are the victim of domestic abuse the Gardai ‘have a pro – arrest policy where a power of arrest exists to protect spouses or partners and your family so please contact 068 30010 if you feel threatened. When 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. There may be some confusion over the word free – the equipment which costs in the region of €400 is provided free of charge by Pobal as is the first year of monitoring but after that you will be charged by the installing company for the monitoring. If you fulfil the criteria for a panic button the installing company will drop the gear to your door and then let you set up the connection yourself with assistance over the phone from their staff. I have been assured that it’s only a matter of connecting a cable and anyone can do it. I have not included the phone numbers of the committee in this notice but if you want to get a panic button then ring Abbeyfeale Garda Station on 068 30010 and they will contact one of us. 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. If you wish you can arrange a direct debit and pay this amount off monthly. We recently received a query about the application of VAT to the monitoring charge, your bill shows VAT but it is included in the cost not extra to it. Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Maurice O’Connell, Marian Harnett.

YOUTH 2020 : Summer E-Festival: (14th-16th August), Register Free on development or phone 00447539546149. Our motto is ‘Youth leading youth, to the Heart of the Church’.

WEST LIMERICK RESOURCES: The Offices of West Limerick Resources remain closed to the public but all staff are available to contact. Please ring 069 62222 with any queries and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

SICAP 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 around education, training and employment opportunities. To find out more contact Finn on 087 759 1951 or email ffitzgerald or Eddie on 087 653 5156 or email eoshaughnessy or Dee on 087 918 5557 or email dcollins or Adrienne on 087 277 3294 or email aoconnell. Check out the RES Facebook page for the latest in employment and training opportunities in County Limerick & beyond www.facebook.com/RES-144618922850869/

FURTHER EDUCATION: Even in these difficult times it is good to make positive plans for the future. If you hope/intend on going to college in September 2020 WLR can support you with your SUSI Grant Application Form. Leaving Cert Students, Mature Students and Parents are welcome to contact Adrienne on 087 277 3294 or email aoconnell for advice and guidance. 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

SOCIAL FARMING: Social Farming is the practice of offering activity on family farms as a form of Social Support service. In Social Farming the farm remains a working farm at its core but invites people to participate in the day to day activities on the farm. Interested farmers & farm families who would like to hear more about Social Farming please contact James, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 087 366 3842 or email him jledwith

EMERGENCY SOLIDARITY FUND: The Pope has established this Emergency Solidarity Fund to come to the aid of those people and communities who are being tragically impacted by the spread of COVID-19. It supports religious Sisters and Brothers, priests, and lay pastoral workers who reach out through hospitals and small clinics, and parish and social ministries, providing vital health care, as well as basic needs, including food and shelter. The Church is often on the front lines of major threats to human well-being. In Africa alone, there are over 74,000 religious Sisters and over 46,000 priests operating 7,274 hospitals and clinics, 2,346 homes for elderly and the vulnerable, and educating over 19 million children in 45,088 primary schools. In many rural areas they are the only providers of healthcare and education.

HELPLINES: Jigsaw support line is now up and running on freefone 1800 JIGSAW (544 729). It will provide free mental health support and advice to young people aged 12 to 25 years old, and parents or concerned adults who live in the Republic of Ireland.

Men suffering domestic abuse operates 36 hours a week on 1800816588. Men’s Aid (Amen) 01 5543811 Monday – Friday 9-5pm. 24 hour helplines for women suffering domestic abuse 1800 341900 or Adapt 1800 200504. Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. AA 061/311222 Al-Anon 086/8143425. Parent Support worker 068/31019. Accord NCW 069/61000. BEREAVEMENT SERVICE: A new national freephone bereavement support line has been launched by the Irish Hospice Foundation in conjunction with the HSE to assist staff and the public during the Pandemic.. The national freephone service, 1800 80 70 77 is available Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm. 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 affected by mental ill health) 01 860 1620 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222. ACCORD; are now offering over the phone counselling for couples, Individuals & family members during this time of unprecedented stress & pressure during these weeks of COVID-19. Call: 01 5313331.

Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203 068/ 31262 068/51984 St Vincent De Paul Tel 087/1213560 . Counselling Appointment 061/314213. ALONE; has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.

Virus-free. www.avast.com

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