Community notices 4th Nov 2021

PROLOGUE:  They are not gone from us but gone before us. Ní imithe uainn atá siad, ach imithe romhainn.

PRAYERS IN THE GRAVEYARDS: Prayers for all who are buried in our parish graveyards will take place on Sunday, November 7 beginning at St Mary’s graveyard at 2.00pm, the Old Graveyard at 2.20pm and Reilig Íde Naofa  at 3.00pm. Even through the prayer ceremonies are outdoors, parishioners attending are advised to maintain a safe distance from one another and for additional safety are encouraged to wear a face mask.  This year, the Vatican has decided once again to grant a plenary indulgence to Catholics who visit a cemetery to pray for the dead on any day in the month of November.

HAVE A BREAK:  Daughters of Charity – Disability Support Services. Would you like to share your home and your heart with a child with disabilities? Have-a-Break is a Home-Based Respite Service which facilitates children with disabilities going to the home of a Carer for Short Breaks. This could be for a day, a night or even a few hours depending on your availability; Experience of caring in any capacity is not essential but can be beneficial , Training and Support is provided. Payment will also be provided depending on level of involvement. For more information please contact Catherine O’Sullivan, Have-a-Break Coordinator Daughters of Charity Lisnagry, on 087-4132888 or 061-501438 or email
[email protected]

GLÓRACH:  Amidst rain and wind of almost biblical proportions, our drive-in bingo took place last Sunday with much help from members of the Abbeyfeale Christmas Lights Committee.  Trying to keep the books dry between the vicious showers was as big a challenge as any, but despite the elements, a fine crowd turned up at the GAA grounds.  All profits from the day were given to the Abbeyfeale Christmas Lights Committee, and the horrible cold and wet of the day will be forgotten in the warm glow of lights around town when they will be switched on in a couple of weeks.  Our drive-in bingo continues as per normal next Sunday, November 7th, with the same starting time of 2 pm.

QUIT MID WEST:  Stop Smoking for 28 days and you’re 5 times more likely to stop for
good. Quit Mid-West is a free service for providing tips, tools and
support to help you stop smoking. For further information contact 065-6865841. A counselling service to support parishioners who wish to stop smoking is now available at
St Ita’s Hall, Abbeyfeale. For an appointment contact 065-6865841.

COLLECTION:  Hunger Crisis Looming  :Trócaire appeal to address humanitarian crisis in East Africa.  Trocaire is appealing to all of the people of Ireland  to support its special East Africa Appeal to help Trócaire’s vital work meeting the alarming increase in humanitarian needs in East Africa. There is  ‘deep concern’ at the sharp rise in the number of people in East Africa who have fallen into poverty and hunger. Trócaire CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, said: “A deadly mix of climate change, conflict, Covid-19 and desert locust infestation have pushed millions of people across East Africa to the very edge of starvation.  “Large-scale assistance – including food, nutrition, and water – must be delivered to save lives. Trócaire is responding in East Africa targeting the most vulnerable, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities and those who have been displaced from their homes by climate change and conflict.”Parishioners who wish to donate can do so by putting your donation into an envelope, write Trócaire East Africa Collection  on the outside of the envelope and drop the envelope into the collection boxes in the Church at all Masses next weekend. You can also donate directly by visiting https://www.trocaire.org/

ABHAILE:  This is a 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 0818 072000.

WALK: Healthy Athea invites you to join us at Páirc na nGael, Athea for a community walk/run each Tuesday from 7.30pm – 8.30pm.

COVID-19: Those attending Mass are still required to wear face masks as we are in an enclosed area and all visitors to the church should continue to sanitize their hands.
Windows will remain open for ventilation purposes. As the autumn approaches and the temperatures drop, parishioners are urged to wrap up well. Some seats will remain
closed off to help maintain some distance between people attending Mass. Any person with COVID-19 symptoms should not attend Mass. You should self-isolate and contact your doctor. We need to remind ourselves not to become complacent as we try to return to life with fewer restrictions. Thanks to everyone for your continued support and
understanding.   Religious services and weddings can proceed without capacity limits as existing measures remain (social distance/no physical handshakes/no full choir/no holy water in fonts/one way entry and exit/to Communion/Communion in hand only etc.)  All advised to be responsible as the incidence rate is very high at the moment.  Dispensation from Sunday Mass and Holy Days obligation remains while Mass during the week is encouraged in lieu.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration in the main church every Friday, after the 10.00am Mass – 6.00pm. Entrance through the front door of the church. Please note that when there is a Wedding Mass celebrated on a Friday, adoration will be from 4 to 6.00pm. Pope Paul VI: “Eucharistic adoration extends its influence far beyond the individual adorers, touching their homes and families and reaching out to the parish community and beyond”

TRAINING: Pre-Apprenticeship Route programme; To qualify you will need to be at least 16 years of age and have completed a Level 4 Major Award, or hold an equivalent qualification. To learn more, talk to at Pat 061 578 114 or email [email protected].

TRACTOR SKILLS FOR WOMEN:  Check out the  tractor and machinery skills course at Salesian Agricultural College, email [email protected]

SIGHT Loss; Retina 2021 public engagement day on Saturday, November 6 from 10am – 2pm, it is estimated that nearly 300,000 are living with vision impairment in this country,    details from www.fightingblindness.ie

BE WINTER READY:  Keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel. You should eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active.  Ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need. Keep active indoors.  Have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home.  Ask your relatives and neighbours for help if you need it. Keep their phone numbers on a list beside your phone.  In icy weather, wear well-fitted shoes with non-slip soles if you have to go out but try to limit walking outside during the cold weather.  Consider wearing a personal alarm so that family or neighbours are alerted if you fall.  If you have a fall, even a minor one, make sure you visit your doctor for a check up.  Leave a low energy light on at night time, preferably one with a high light output. Use a non-slip shower or bath mat.  Make sure wires or cords from lamps, telephones etc. do not trail where you walk.  Arrange furniture so that you can easily move around all your rooms.  Remove rugs or use non-slip tape or backing so rugs will not slip.   Consider installing hand rails on both sides of the stairs.We are getting daily warnings of scams.  So, don’t answer the phone unless you recognise the number, if they want you let them leave you a message and then you can return the call.  Never, ever give banking details to anyone, on the phone or by email or text and this includes your pin number which you should memorise.  When you go out wear a high viz jacket no matter what hour, make yourself visible to motorists.  If you are driving put on your lights and especially if it is raining.  Lock your car when parking it up, leave nothing of value visible, if driving alone lock the doors. Get a house alarm, buy a timer for lights so that the house looks occupied when you are out.  These are all sensible things to do and will help to deter the criminal.  Ring Abbeyfeale Gardai on 068 30010 ( Three hundred ten) if you have concerns over callers , if the phone is unattended the call will be answered in NCW and the local squad car will be notified.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND:  November 5-7, 2021 Restore Communication, Renew Commitment and Rekindle Romance. This is an online experience (using Zoom), starting on Friday evening at 8pm and ending on Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm. Details https://www.marriageencounter.ie

BEREAVED: Anam Cara Kerry is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Tuesday, November 9 at 7:20pm in the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee Co. Kerry. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents. For more information see anamcara.ie or call the information line on 01 4045378.

CHURCH NEWS:    Fr Tony Mullins 0872600414, Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030, Fr Denis Mullane 087/26219.  Fr Dan Lane will be on call every Wednesday. Fr Mullins will not be available on Wednesdays. Fr Lane can be contacted on 087-2533030  www.abbeyfealeparish.ie email [email protected] Church Sacristy 068 -51915 Parish Office 068 -31133. To book a |Mass intention contact the church before or after Mass on 0668 51915. Mass Intentions: Thursday 10am.  Maurice Griffin, Main Street. Noreen Flynn, Mountmahon.  Friday 10am Purgatoria. Friday 7pm Noreen J Murphy, Ballaugh Months Mind. Saturday 6.30pm John Joe Broderick. David Healy, Killarney Road.Juliann & Jimmy Browne Main Street and deceased members of the Browne and Lane family. Sunday 10am Tom Scanlon, Athea. Peter O’Connell, Purt. Kathleen O’Connor, Mountmahon. 12 noon Johnny Lane, Kilconlea Upper. Ita O’Connor, Rathorna 1st Anniversary.  Patrick & Bridget Cleary, Birmingham & Main Street .  Patrick & Kit Riordan, Purt.  Dan O’Riordan 1st Anniversary and Peggy O’Riordan . Michael O’Shea Coolaneelig.  Confessions will be heard on Saturday evenings just before the Vigil Mass from 6.00pm to 6.25pm.
.  We return to hearing Confessions in the Confession boxes. Some slight alterations have been made to the boxes to make them safer during the ongoing pandemic. We would ask that parishioners who want to go to Confession follow all safety guidelines by sanitizing their hands when entering the church, wearing a mask and follow the instructions which will be placed on the door of the confession boxes. If anyone would like to celebrate the sacrament outside of the confession box let Fr Tony know and he will make alternative arrangements for you.    Readers List The new list is being organized at the moment. New readers are always welcome. If interested in taking up this ministry telephone Fr Tony on 087/2600414 .

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COMMUNITY ALERT: The following is some advice on protecting your home taken from www.garda.ie;  ‘ Whether you are at home or going out, remember to turn on some lights, use timer switches, lock all doors and windows, use an alarm, store keys away from windows and letter boxes and do not keep large amounts of cash and jewellery in the house.’   If someone does call to your door and you are finding it hard to get rid of them then press your monitor which you should never take off and yes, I have been assured that it is waterproof.  Please be careful when answering the phone to never disclose bank a/c details to anyone purporting to be calling from your phone provider, bank, credit card company etc.  If they want those details over the phone then they are probably not for your good.  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  069 69315. If someone does call to your door or drive into your yard then  give the Gardai a ring on 06830010 and alert them that these people are around – this is an integral part of our community helping the Gardai to keep us all safe.   If you are 65, you 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 or if you spend long periods of the day on your own 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.  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 with a deposit of 6 months payable on the day of installation.  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.    Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Chairman Seamus Stack, Secretary Mossie Gleeson, Assistant Treasurer Kathleen Collins, Assistant Secretary Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Maurice O’Connell, Assistant Treasurer Marian Harnett.

.HELPLINES:  If you are experiencing domestic abuse, #CoerciveControl reach out and talk to someone you trust. Call or Text our support team on 0579351886/0860419154.  COVID-19 Support Line for Older People: The support line is open every day, 8am-8pm, by calling 081 822 2024.  Hospice Bereavement Line 1800807077 Monday to Friday 10am – 1pm. 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.  Text 50808 to receive support from a volunteer.  A helpline for 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.   Samaritans Freephone 116123 or text 087/2609090 or email [email protected] Aware (Depression & Anxiety 016617211.  National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House) 1800 247 247or text HELP to 51444.   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. .

DO YOU HAVE NEWS:  If there is something you’d like covered in the Abbeyfeale notes please contact me on 087 6866450 or email me on [email protected]