PROLOGUE: “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”
Paulo Coelho
BIRTHDAY WISHES: Delighted to wish a happy 91st Birthday to our retired parish priest Canon James Neville who continues to help out in the parish. We wish you plenty more years of good health here in Abbeyfeale, Canon.
GET WELL WISHES: We hope that retired County Councillor Sean Broderick will make a complete recovery and we wish him well.
CHOOSE LIFE: 24 hours of Adoration here in the parish on Friday. Prayer for the Protection of the Unborn. Holy hour each day from 3-4pm Join us every day in the blessed sacrament Chapel from 3-4pm. We will have an hour of prayer for the protection of the 8th Amendment. Including the rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and time for quiet prayer.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Abbeyfeale First Holy Communion takes place on Saturday May 26 at 11am. The gates of the Church will be locked on Friday evening @ 9 pm to facilitate parking for Saturday morning.
CELEBRATING WORLD BEE DAY AT ABBEYFEALE FARMERS’ MARKET: We hope to have a demonstration hive on display at the Farmers’ Market on Friday, May 25 from 10 -12 noon. This is a weather dependent event and if the sun is out and it’s not pouring rain we’ll have some local beekeepers present to talk to people about bee keeping.
KEEP THE DAY FREE: Abbeyfeale Community Alert are planning their summer outing for July 4 next, it’s Independence Day in the US and we’re going to celebrate it in style. Details to follow.
WALK TO THE WELL: The annual walk to Killeenagh Holy Well, will take place on Sunday, May 27. The visit to Killeenagh Well in Dromtrasna has a special link with the celebration of Confirmation in the parish. A few weeks ago the children who are receiving Confirmation this year, took part in what is called The ‘Abbeyfeale Initiative’. This is a programme on healthy life choices, run by the Catholic Church for Confirmation students with the help of Transition Year students, who are trained to deliver the programme to the children in sixth class. It has been up and running very successfully in the parish for ten years. The programme concludes with the annual walk to Killeenagh Holy Well, where the young people from the Confirmation Class make a commitment to abstain from alcohol and drugs during their teenage years. As an acknowledgment of their participation in the programme, the children receive wrist bands which are very popular with them, and the visit to the Well concludes with a barbecue on the Cotter farm yard. This year the walk to the well will be video recorded. It is planned that a short video clip featuring the Confirmation preparation programme will be part of a presentation made at the World Meeting of Families gathering in Dublin. It will also be presented in the Phoenix Park prior to the Mass with Pope Francis, along with a number of other initiatives from parishes around the country. It is a very successful project, one that the parish can be proud of. Put Sunday, May 27 in your diary and join us for the Walk to the Well in this special Jubilee Year in the parish, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening and blessing of our Parish Church.
POLKAS AT THE RAILWAY: Learn to dance a polka every Monday evening at the Railway, Abbeyfeale. Classes from 8.30pm. No partner needed.
CRAFT COOPERATIVE: The Craft Co-op is holding a Pop-up Café on Thursday, May 24 at 11am in St. Ita’s Hall. We invite you for tea, coffee, sandwiches, scones and most of all we invite you to talk with us about developing the Craft Co-operative in Abbeyfeale. This is for you if you have a general interest in craft or if you have a craft you’d like to develop, or a skill you would like to display. Whether you want to learn something new, meet like-minded people, make social connections, have ideas you want to contribute or simply be part of this new local movement. This is for you, no matter where you are from or what language you speak. You are invited to share a cuppa and take part in the conversation. Don’t hide your talent. We invite you to bring a sample of your craft with you if you like. This is a community development initiative funded by Healthy Limerick and supported by Glórach Community Theatre, West Limerick Resources and Abbeyfeale Community Council. For further information please contact WLR St. Ita’s Hall on 068 30849.
AFTERNOON TEA DANCING: The Wednesday Club, Abbeyfeale are holding a Tea Dance in Fr Casey’s clubhouse on Sunday, June 10. Dancing to Paddy Quilligan from 3-6pm. Tickets €5 each. Proceeds being divided between Kerry Hospice and Recovery Haven Cancer Support House. All donations gratefully accepted. Raffle.
GLORACH: Bingo every Monday night at 8.30pm.
CEILI: West Limerick Set Dancing Club in Devon Inn Sunday next May 27 at 4pm. Music by Ui Bhrians. All Welcome, teas etc served, enquiries 0876259340.
FUNDRAISER FOR U14’S: A clothes collection will take place until June 4 to raise funds for Fr. Casey’s Under 14 football team who represent Limerick in the Feile Peil na N’Óg in Trim Co. Meath at the end of June If you wish to donate reusable items of clothing, paired shoes, belts, handbags, bed linen, towels and curtains please drop bags to The Railway Bar, Athea Road, Abbeyfeale.
MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN DUAGH: On the day of the Referendum a special mass of the Holy Spirit will be celebrated in Duagh Church @ 10am seeking inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit that our country may vote to ensure the protection of the un-born.
ST. ITA’S FAITH CAMP 2018: We need Volunteers from 16 years upwards to help out at our camp which this year will take place from August 7-10. Four days full of fun, laughter and joy are guaranteed. Please contact Martina (0872788834) immediately as we need every volunteer Garda vetted before June 1. We will also need Host Families to accommodate Fr. Patrick and his team.
GRAVEYARD: There will be a weekly clean up in the Reilig Idé Graveyard every Tuesday from 7-9pm. More help is always appreciated as the graveyard is quite big. In order to help with this families are encouraged to maintain their own graves and a neglected one if that family is no longer able to. We appreciate any help you can give.
ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH: The church was opened in June 1968. A part of our Church Jubilee celebrations an exhibition of Parish and Church memorabilia from the mid 1960’s will be put on display on the weekend of June 8-10. We are now looking for items that would bring us back to that era. The Church foundation stone was laid in 1967 and the new Church building was opened on June 23, 1968. We are looking for photographs, publications, recordings, newspaper articles, religious objects. All items will be labelled and returned to the owner at the end of the exhibition.
VOLUNTEERS FOR ADAPT: The Domestic Abuse Services needs your help in Abbeyfeale on June 9/10 for the annual church gate collection, which helps to maintain the services for women and their children, provided by ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services. Please contact Deirdre Barrett at 061 412354 if you would like to help.
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. Contact Mary at West Limerick Resources on 087 9382883.
ROSARY: Mary’s Month May is the month dedicated to Our Blessed Lady. We invite you to honour her by joining us in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for recitation of the Rosary each night at 7.30pm Mon-Fri and before the vigil Mass on Saturday. The rosary will be recited at the Holy Well in Kileenagh each Friday evening during May. The Walk to the Well will take place on Sunday, May 27.
LOCAL DOCUMENTARY AT WRITER’S WEEK: The Window in Heaven’s Gable, a documentary on The Classic Cinema, the last of the vintage and independent cinemas in Ireland, will screen in The Classic Cinema itself in Listowel at 8:30pm on Thursday May 31 as part of Writer’s Week. The proceeds from the screening will be donated to Irish Motor Neuron Research as this is what Kieran Gleeson, the former owner of The Classic died from a couple of years ago. Local film-maker Ed O’Connor explained the background to why he wanted make this fascinating documentary: “Kieran Gleeson was a man who listened to his heart. He loved cinema so much he gave up his accountancy career to buy a derelict cinema in Listowel in the 1980′s. People said he was crazy as this was at a time when cinemas were closing everywhere with the proliferation of home video players. Most of the picture palaces in towns around Ireland were lost and now only a few family-owned cinemas remain open, one being The Classic Cinema in Listowel.” As well as profiling the life of Kieran Gleeson, the film also includes interviews with patrons of the cinema who tell us about their fascination with cinema and their amusing experiences in The Classic. Amongst these are film-makers like PJ Dillon (Game of Thrones, Vikings) and Gerard Barrett (Glassland, Pilgrim Hill) who relate how Kieran premiered their first films, starting them on their film-making journeys. As a massive film fan himself, O’Connor continued: “If you like cinema, you’ll love the journey this film will take you on. Now Kieran didn’t lick his interest in cinema from the stones. He was a third-generation cinema owner, his grandfather opening the first cinema in Cappamore, Co. Limerick in a workman’s shed he purchased from Siemens after the completion of the power station in Ardnacrusha. Kieran’s father ran the new purpose-built cinema that came afterwards and it was in the projection room here, with the loud clatter of the 35mm projector and the smell of hot celluloid, that the destiny of the young Kieran Gleeson was sown. The documentary is a no budget feature but it had something money couldn’t buy – communities working together in a fun way to honour what they value. If it takes a village to raise a child, then it took my village of Athea and our local town Listowel to make this film as so many people gave generously of their time, their stories and their fabulous acting talents.”
NEW MASS TIMES: Vigil Mass Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday 9.15am and 12 noon Mass. Holy day’s Mass 11am and 6.30pm. Daily Mass remains as always – 10am unless when there is a funeral.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL: Adoration will continue from 10-10pm every Tuesday and Friday and from 6-8pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. New adorers are always very welcome.
OFFICE MOVE: Please note that the Abbeyfeale Office of West Limerick Resources has relocated to St Ita’s Hall, Convent Street, Abbeyfeale. If you have any enquiries, please call to the office and speak to Nora or you can call Mary on 087 9382883.
PARISH OFFICE HOSTS MEETINGS: Narcotics Anonymous meet every Monday night @ 8pm in the parish Office. Al-anon meet on Tuesday evening @ 8pm. A.A. Meet every Wednesday afternoon @ 3pm, Friday night @ 8pm and Sunday mornings @ 10am. These organisations are a great voluntary support to many people and we are happy to host their meetings in our parish office.
BAG PACKERS SOUGHT: Irish Wheelchair Association are holding their National Bag Pack in Tesco Abbeyfeale on July 6/7. Can you volunteer just 2 hours? Register to volunteer at www.iwa.ie/tesco or call 046 9072539. Thank you.
LOURDES: Autumn Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Direct from Shannon Airport, staying at the Solitude Hotel, from September 22-27. Full Pilgrimage Programme. Booking forms available from Fr Tony Mullins. Fr John O’Shea & Fr Willie Fitzmaurice.
MICHAEL ENGLISH CONCERT: A fundraising concert in Moyvane church with Micheal English on Tuesday, June 5. Tickets are available by ringing 085/8110770. Doors open at 7pm and concert at 8pm sharp.
DRIVE TO SAVE LIVES: Limerick Pro Life Action now have a “Lifts for Life” scheme which is created to help Pro Life votes who have no means of transport. We need drivers to help take people, in their locality to the Polling Station on Polling Day to vote. If you are willing to help, please contact any of the following: Olive 085-7172970 John 087-1127477.
HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER MEETING: Janice and Moss Carraig will lead the Holy Spirit Prayer meeting on the second Sunday of each month in the Desmond Complex. Further information on 087 6174639.
BALLYHAHILL SOCIAL DANCING CLASSES: Classes have resumed for the summer months in Ballyhahill Community Centre in social dancing on Monday at 8pm. All are welcome.
NORTH KERRY GREENWAY: Kerry County Council is holding a public consultation day at the Listowel Arms on Thursday, May 24 from 11- 8pm regarding the proposed North Kerry Greenway – Listowel to Limerick County Bounds.
FREE COMPUTER CLASSES: Iolar Training is running some more free Digital Skills for Citizens computer and internet training courses in Newcastle West beginning on Tuesday, May 15. 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 Training is free for all participants. Having access to a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone is an advantage but not essential. 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.
LOURDES: Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2018 The Lourdes office, is open in the Social Service Centre, Henry St. Office Hours are: 10.00 – 12.30pm and 2.00 – 4.30pm Monday to Friday. All details concerning the Pilgrimage may be had from the office or from Fr. Tony. The fares for this year will be the same as last year, Pilgrims – All Hotels €719 except The Alba €709 and for a Hospital Pilgrim €609, this is inclusive of travel insurance and coach transfer to and from Lourdes Airport.
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 in the Ashford Tavern. Doors open 9pm with dancing from 9.30pm. Forthcoming Attractions: Friday, June 1 Muriel O’ Connor and Fran Curry. Friday July 6 T.R Dallas. Admission €10.
ADVICE FROM COMMUNITY ALERT: Abbeyfeale Garda Station 068 30010 (if station unattended the call will automatically be forwarded to NCW station 069 20650. Helpline for crime victims is 116006. Opening hours are; Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.00 – 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30 – 6.30pm, Saturday 2 – 4pm.Sunday- Closed. Keep July 4 free for our second annual day trip. Details as they come to hand.
Housing Aid for Older People Scheme which is 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. There 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. 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 €66. Should you not have a landline the installing company Task provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per month. Please note that this fee is payable in a lump sum each year after year one. 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.
DANCE CLASSES: Social dance classes with Josephine, Tuesdays, The Railway 8.30pm.
MUSICAL SUMMER CAMP: The Bruach Na Carraige Summer Camp for children between 6 and 15 years will be from July 16-27. Children attending this camp who have not played music before will learn a few new tunes on the whistle, those already playing will get new tunes, they will learn traditional songs and four or five ceili dances, all mixed with much games and fun.
ABHAILE: This is a new service to help homeowners find a resolution to home mortgage arrears. It’s 100% State funded, to qualify you must be: In mortgage arrears on your home. Insolvent. At risk of losing your home because of arrears. Contact local Mabs office.
WEST LIMERICK RADIO AGM: West Limerick 102fm Community Radio Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 12 in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West at 8pm. All are welcome.
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
SUPPORT GROUP FOR BEREAVEMENT: Abbeyfeale Bereavement Support Group Tel. 068/31230 or 068/51984 or 068/31262.
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.
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS: Devotions on the first Tuesday of the month in Monagae Church at 7pm. Blessing with 1st. class relic.
CHURCH NOTES: Canon Anthony Mullins 087/2600414. Fr Joseph Foley CC Tel: Mobile: 087 – 2618412. Fr Brendan Duggan 087/0562674 Parish Office: Parish 068/31133 Open 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Tues. – Fri. Email: [email protected] Limerick Social Services: 061-314111 Accord NCW 069/61000. . 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: Wednesday 10am Bridget O’Connell and deceased family members. Thursday 10am Lizzy Cahill nee Foley Dromtrasna Collins and her son Timmy Cahill. Friday 10am Jack & Nell Gleeson. Saturday 11am First Holy Communion. 6.30pm Joe Lyons, Knocknasna 1st Anniversary. Kathleen Wren, New St. and deceased family members. Bridget & Pats Murphy, Banard. Dan Joe & Jeremiah Murphy, Banard. Sunday 9.15am Tim & Ellen Healy, Caherlane and Eily Healy Caher & London and John Joe Healy. 12noon Nora Flynn and deceased relatives. Áine O’Gorman, Shalbally & Jack & Kathleen Murphy, Caherlane. Dick Richard Fitzgerald, The Railway Bar.
Prayers to St Anthony on Mondays during the 7pm Mass. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Fridays during the 10am Mass. Counselling takes place every week in West Limerick Tel 061/3147213 for appointment. A basket for the collection of stamps for Peru is at the back of the altar. The Next Baptismal meeting will take place in Templeglantine sacristy on June 12 @ 8pm.
A WORD OF THANKS AND ENCOURAGEMENT ON THE RIGHT TO LIFE OF THE UNBORN CHILD: BISHOP RAY SAYS: I thank the people and parishes of our diocese for the positive response I received to my Pastoral Message released two weeks ago. I am full of admiration for all who are involved in campaigning for the right to life of the unborn child. Also thanks to everyone for debating and discussing the issue gently, respectfully and sensitively. In recent weeks my thoughts have returned again and again to what “Doctors for Life” are saying. I believe it contains the key to this Referendum: “In every case I am dealing with two patients, the pregnant woman and the unborn child. Both are my patients. I cannot be involved in the death of one of them. Termination of pregnancy is not health care.” If the Referendum is passed the government’s proposed legislation is extreme. I believe it will introduce a system similar to Britain where many claim that 90% of babies aborted are healthy babies. I am voting ‘NO’ next Friday. I encourage, you to do the same. Please pray that the people of our country will choose to vote ‘NO’, thus honouring and defending the life of every unborn child. I conclude with the words of Pope Francis: “no alleged right to one’s own body can justify a decision to terminate the life of an innocent child growing in the mother’s womb”.
SAINT PADRE PIO: Limerick has been chosen to have one of four nine-foot Padre Pio sculptures carved by Tim Schmalz. It will be installed at St. Saviour’s Dominican Church during a special Mass of dedication celebrated by Bishop Brendan Leahy on Friday, May 25 at 1pm. Devotions will begin at 12:30pm (including veneration of Padre Pio’s glove) and tea and biscuits will be offered after the Mass and blessing of the statue.
KERRY BIODIVERSITY WEEK: Walks and talks, about bees, bats, birds, flowers and food. May 19-26. Find out about an event close to you on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/kerrybiodiversityweek2018/
PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUPS: Listowel first Friday of every month. Monagae first Tuesday of every month. Ceremonies begin 6.45pm.
UP COMING EVENTS: Holy Communion Saturday, May 26. Tralee Races Point to Point, Ballybeggan Racecourse May 26. To book a stall Sinead 087 6906104.
DOON CONVENT REUNION: A reunion (for anyone who attended St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Doon up until 1965) will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 in Ballykisteen Golf Hotel, Co Tipperary starting about mid-day. Further information is available from our website: www.DoonConventReunion.com
087 260 0414
