PROLOGUE: “We should be lifting each other up and cheering each other on, not trying to outshine one another. The sky would be awfully dark with just one star.” Author Unknown.
DEATH: We offer our sympathies to the family of the late Martin Ward, Ballaugh Cross. May he rest in peace.
PRAYER MEETING: A prayer meeting to celebrate Pentecost led by Janice and Moss Carrig will take place at The Desmond Complex, NCW on Sunday, June 5 at 3pm. There will be music, prayer and worship and everyone is welcome.
GLASSES FOUND: Contact Noreen Barry’s Playschool, New Street if you lost yours.
CONCERT FOR PEACE IN THE CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION: Preparations began some weeks ago with bi weekly rehearsals, tickets printed, posters distributed, spot prizes collected and finally on Friday the Blessed Sacrament moved to the tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel after 10am Mass with adorers for every hour until 6pm. The final sound checks and doors opened at 7.30pm with a line forming from 7pm in the car park. Dr. Mick O’Donnell, the band leader of The Lost Souls and organiser along with Donal Murphy of the concert had had a busy evening arranging the altar into a stage with cables and microphones and music stands. The night began on the dot of eight with Katie O’Connor and the Church cantors and musical accompaniment from their director Riona Curtin, these are the group who served us so well during lockdown when choirs were not allowed in church and they took it in turns to sing at Mass. Friday night they all came together and gave us a ten minute set finishing with the lively ‘Now I’m a believer’. Surprise guests included our own Philip Enright, the traditional singer singing the Sean McCarthy classic ‘Come Home to Abbeyfeale’ to rapturous applause. Indeed it was a night for rapturous applause and standing ovations between Fr. Tony our parish priest with his rendition of ‘Grace’ and the Murphy Family – Kevin on bodhran and banjo, Eilsh on the concert flute, Donal the patriarch on the accordion, Melanie on the fiddle and Owen on guitar who raised the rafters with their jigs, slides and polkas and even a waltz written by Donal during the lockdown in honour of their father and grandfather – the late Dan. We clapped and hollered and danced in the seats and enjoyed Donal’s stories about writing a tune to celebrate Owen’s christening twenty one years ago which is now part of a set of jigs known as the Christening jigs and which is on his new album. He told us too about how some years ago he and Mary his wife, went on a trip up the midlands to Cloonfad, Co. Roscommon to visit where his maternal grandmother was born and going into the empty church in the middle of the village to say a prayer for all belonging to him only to hear the strains of ‘Rock around the Clock’ echoing through the church and see an elderly priest playing a selection of rock and roll classics on the organ – it would only happen in Ireland. After a short break and the sale of raffle tickets for a load of prizes donated by local businesses, community groups and the Sisters of Mercy it was time for the Lost Souls to take to the stage and boy, they did not disappoint. We had everything from the Eagles to gospel to the Cranberries to Pink Floyds ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ and loads beside – I nearly forgot Dee Dennison’s wonderful singing of The Parting Glass. The latest addition to the group was Scott Fitzgerald on drums who brought the group to a new level. I’ve run out of superlatives but must mention Gary of the smooth mellow tones who sings and plays the Eagles. There was a saying above at home when I was young that when someone was that good that you’d bring them home and put them on top of the dresser and throw sugarstick at them!!! Band leader Dr. O’Donnell in his introduction spoke about what Ukraine is currently enduring and said it’s a misnomer when people say that the innocent people of the Ukraine are enduring a living hell because Hell is full of people who deserve to be there but that those poor people are innocent bystanders in something much worse than hell – a war not of their making. We were joined on the night by a family from Ukraine who have relocated to Abbeyfeale and hopefully they felt the love that was projected. Well done to the musicians without whom it couldn’t have taken place, the church stewards who manned the doors, collected the door tickets, sold the raffle tickets and generally kept everything ticking smoothly. Well done too to our parish clerk Anne who fed and watered the musicians, organised everything and with the help of Shane Pegley (who fumigates the church after every Mass and keeps us all safe) made sure that the church was returned to its usual pristine state before the weekend Masses with the Blessed Sacrament back in situ in the tabernacle.. It was a great outpouring of community spirit and to paraphrase Fr. Donal Neary S.J. editor of the Sacred Heart Messenger “We show our living Christian faith in our acts of loving care – the care we show for the marginalized and the dispossessed in our own communities or those who have been driven to our shores by war or climate change.”
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DANAHER MCGRATH TRUST SCHOLARSHIP: Young people from Athea, Abbeyfeale, Mountcollins, Tournafulla and Templeglantine are invited to apply for a range of scholarships from a minimum of €2,000 to a maximum of €5,000 that are open to full time college students. Application forms are available from Abbeyfeale Credit Union, local secondary schools or Woulfe Murphy Solicitors. Closing date is August 31 and terms and conditions apply.
A CALL OUT FOR SUMMER CLOTHES: – Ukrainian children boys & girls 4 to 10 years. T shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, shoes, runners, sandals etc. Clothes in good condition that your children have grown out of. These can be dropped out to the Ardagh Community Centre anytime between 8. 30am – 4p.m.Monday to Saturday. They are still looking for bikes for adults and children so that they could use the Greenway.
OUTING TO CORK; Knockfierna Heritage Society have organised an outing to Cork on Saturday, June 4. They will visit the butter market museum, Shandon Church, Cobh Cathedral, Spike Island etc. Contact Pat at 087-9977340, or Helena at 085-1190991.
PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK: The Abbeyfeale Eucharistic Adoration Committee are planning a pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on Saturday 18th of June. If you are interested in making this pilgrimage please contact Kathleen Kennelly or Theresa O’Connor. Interested parishioners from Athea, Mountcollins,Tournafulla and Templeglantine are very welcome to join with us.
PADRE PIO CASTLEISLAND: Prayer Meeting Tuesday, June 21 at 7.30pm, will include the Final witness given by the late Fr. Pat Moore. He literally told us how to manage a terminal illness in the final stages of life. Will, we ever forget the mantra “Do not get stuck in the Pot-Holes but always aim for the Horizon of light”
GLÓRACH BINGO; The signs on the approach roads to Abbeyfeale seem to have done the trick with large crowds attending our indoor Bingo at the Glórach, every Monday night starting at 8 pm.
HOT DESK: WorkBase E-Hub at Old Bank Building on Main Street is now open for Business. For full details and pricing on Private Office Suites, Meeting Room, Hot-desks etc contact Ken Tobin on 086 816 2105.
WRITERS WEEK: June 2-5 Peggy Seeger & Calum MacColl in concert on June Bank Holiday Monday 6th at 3pm and Tuesday 7th at 8pm in St. John’s. Tickets online or by ringing box office 068 22566. Writers Week Mass Listowel Sunday 5th at 11:30.
SCHOOL CELEBRATES IT’S CENTENARY: Athea National School are celebrating 100 years on Friday, June 10 at 12:00pm.
LIMERICK GARDEN AND FOOD FAIR: plant, garden & food fair, part of Limerick Garden Festival 2022 will take place on Sunday, June 19 at the Milk Market, Limerick.
HELP TO STOP SMOKING: “Quit Mid West is a Free Local HSE stop smoking service with clinics in your area. Quitting is much more likely to be successful with the right support, but many people still try to quit alone”. This month our Stop Smoking Advisor Stacey gives some top tips for beating cigarette cravings! HSE Quit Mid West – Dealing With Cravings – YouTube To request a call back from a stop smoking advisor phone Quit Mid West on 065 6865841 or email [email protected]”
SAFE DRIVING SKILLS: Tractor Driving Skills” course for 14- to 16-year-olds which will take place in Listowel, Tralee and Castleisland Marts between June 27-29. . Cost €35. Contact Helen 068-23429.
ROSARY RALLY: All Ireland Rosary Rally in Knock will take place on Saturday June 4th from 1.30pm in Knock. It will include Holy Mass, the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and a talk on the Rosary. The Main Celebrant for the Holy Mass is the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Jude Okolo. A bus leaving Kerry. Ring Tony: 087 9969393.
FLEADH: Athea Wednesday, June 1 – Monday, June 6. The Fleadh Competitions will be held on the Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday, June 1 a storytelling night will be held at the Top of the Town from 8pm. Thursday , a singing night takes place at the Top of the Town from 8pm. Friday the official opening will take place in the square followed by a Wrenboy Exhibition. Saturday a concert featuring Fuinneamh will take place in Con Colbert Hall at 8pm. Sunday there will be a Céilí with Donie Nolan in Con Colbert Hall at 9pm. Monday, the fleadh will conclude with informal sessions around the village. The Munster Fleadh finals will be held in Newcastle West from Wednesday, July 13, to Saturday, July 16.
CHORAL EVENING Sunday June 12 at 7pm in St. John’s Church in aid of Lebanon Trust. Featuring St. John’s Church Choir, Kerry Chamber Choir, Kerry School of Music Orchestra and Solo Performers. Tickets available at the door on the night. Doors open at 6.30pm.
OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY: August 7 -14.. Places for this Bavarian Event are available. Spiritual Director – Fr. Dan O’Riordan. Contact Premier Travel – 0214277700 or email [email protected]
CONCERT: Recovery Haven Kerry and a number of Kerry musicians and singers will have a gala summer concert at Tralee’s Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Sunday, June 19th.
ALONE: They are currently looking for befriending volunteers. Support and Befriending is a supported one-to-one relationship between a volunteer and an older person who has been linked in with ALONE. The ALONE Support and Befriending service provides companionship and practical support to older people who would like extra social contact through a weekly volunteer visit. The Support and Befriending service is designed to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, provide assistance to solve everyday problems and enable older people to feel secure at home. Visit www.alone.ie for more details and to sign up.
AIB COMMUNITY ONE MILLION FUND: The AIB Group has launched the AIB Community €1 Million Fund to support over 30 charitable organisations in communities across Ireland. Nominations will close on 22 June 2022. The nomination form and details on the AIB Community €1 Million Fund are available on the bank’s website. Customers and the public are required to submit the registration number of the charity they are nominating in order to complete the form.
NEW MABS OUTREACH CLINIC: On the second of Friday of each month (excluding bank holidays) a MABS Outreach Clinic will be held in St. Ita’s Hall from 9am -12.30pm. The contact number for appointments is 0818 072210 for the North Munster MABS Limerick Office. Those wishing to make an appointment must make the call themselves due to GDPR.
A CHANCE TO WIN TWO GARTH BROOKS CONCERT TICKETS: PRO of the Christmas Lights committee Wioleta Kelly has been in touch: Hi, I’m Wioleta and I’m messaging you on behalf of the Abbeyefeale Christmas Lights Committee. We have a raffle where you are in with a chance to win 2 tickets for the Garth Brooks concert this September. All money from the raffle will go towards buying more lights for our town. Here is a link to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Win2xGarthBrooksConcertTickets
HOME CARERS: Affordable Live-in Homecare provides live-in carers for the elderly in your area. If you are looking for a live-in carer for your relative, please call Eileen or Tom today on 087 991 6791 or 087 744 0729. Website is www.alhomecare.ie
THIRD AGE CHARITY: ‘Failte Isteach’is a community project involving predominately older volunteers welcoming migrants through conversational English classes. The project provides the necessary language skills to new migrants in a student centred, welcoming and inclusive manner while involving older volunteers and recognising their skills, expertise and contribution to the community. For more information log on to www. thirdageireland.ie/failte-isteach/locations.
LEAVING AND JUNIOR CERT STUDENTS: The Leaving and Junior Cert exams begin on Wednesday, June 8. The intentions o all students sitting exams will be included in the Vigil Mass next Saturday, June 4 at 6.30pm. All students and their families are invited to attend. During the period of exams, we will have a special prayer space set up in the church dedicated to exam students. We assure all students of our prayers at this time.
KERRY FLEADH ; It will take place over two weekends, 11th/12th June and 18th/19th June and will be held in the Dúchas Comhaltas Centre in Tralee.
CAMPA MHUIRE: Free online Catholic Faith Camp for children aged 5-12. The four day Summer Camp running from July 27th – 30th, Tuesday to Friday will include Music and Action Songs, Arts and Crafts, into the Deep Bible Stories, games, drama, live streamed daily Mass and more. No need to register, check out www.holyfamilymission.ie/camp-mhuire-mhathair
DAY CARE CENTRE: Now open to visitors every Tuesday. Contact Jane on 068 51850.
ACCORD CATHOLIC MARRIAGE CARE SERVICE: They are seeking marriage
preparation facilitators. If you have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic
Church. If you have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team in supporting couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage.Accord wants to hear from you. Successful applicants will receive professional training and will be part of a team delivering marriage preparation courses locally. Contact Aisling on 01-505 3112 for application
forms and additional information.
MEALS ON WHEELS NOW AVAILABLE FROM ST. ITA’S DAY CARE CENTRE: Meals on Wheels are available from the Centre – to book a delivery ring 068 51850.
LOUGH DERG THREE DAY PILGRIMAGE: The season opens on Wednesday, June 1 and runs until August 15, (Saturday, August 13 is
final day to begin the Pilgrimage).Admission €80 | Booking advised | Concessions
available for students, seniors and groups. All booking info, including organised parish groups available at www.loughderg.org,email [email protected] or telephone 0(0353)
71 9861518. Lough Derg, Pettigo, Co Donegal, F94 N289
RACING: Listowel Races June Festival take place on the June Bank Holiday weekend alongside Writers’ Week.
SOCIAL DANCE CLASS: Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse every Tuesday from 8.30 – 10.30pm. Further information from 087 7206449. Timmy Woulfe has resumed classes in Moyvane Hall every Monday night at 8.30pm.
ORCHARD FOSTERING: Ireland is experiencing a shortage of foster carers, and we need your help. If you would like to help support a child or young person in need, contact Orchard Fostering today on(021) 2038332 or visit www.orchardfostering.ie
RADIO MARIA IRELAND: Catholic Radio with a full programme, daily of catechesis, prayer, daily Mass, rosary, Stations of the Cross, Angelus, etc. You can listen by tuning into Saorview on your Television Channel 210 / Internet: www.radiomaria.ie
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: If you are interested in travelling to Lourdes this September 22-27 contact Fr. Tony. Staying at the Hotel La Solitude, complimentary group insurance, cost €789. Pilgrims must be fully vaccinated to travel as part of this group.
CITIZENS ADVICE: They are available to deal with queries Monday to Friday between 9.30am – 4.15pm and can be contacted by phone on 0818075780 or by email [email protected]
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. Confessions every Saturday evening at 6pm.. To book a Mass intention contact the church before or after Mass on 068 51915.. Mass Intentions: Saturday 6.30pm Michelle O’Connor and her father Joe O’Connor
Caherhayes Anniversary. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after 10am Mass until 8pm every Friday. Fr Denis and Fr Tony are assisted in the overall running of the five churches in the pastoral area by the Pastoral Area Council. The Pastoral Area Council is comprised of representative of the five churches in the area along with the priests of the area. There are 16 Pastoral Areas in the diocese. In the very near future there will be just two priests serving in each pastoral area in the diocese. In recent weeks parishes have been returning to basket collection at weekend masses. Here in the parish of Abbeyfeale, we plan to return to the basket collection in the near future. For this to happen efficiently we need six
people per mass to help with the collections. We are seeking volunteers to help. If you can oblige, please leave your name and mass preference into the sacristy
after mass. We thank you in anticipation of your help . Some of the changes taking place in the parish of Abbeyfeale include new arrangements for funerals and baptisms. After consultation with the Pastoral Area Council, and the parish councils in each of the five parishes, it was agreed, that due to the number of Sunday Masses celebrated in the five churches in the area, it will no longer be possible to have funeral Masses on a Sunday. Baptisms in Abbeyfeale will be celebrated on the first Saturday of each month at 5.00pm. Also, on the second Sunday of the month after the 12noon Mass. Baptisms in Athea will be celebrated on the third Saturday of the month during the summertime at 2.30pm and the third Sunday of the month in wintertime at 12noon. Baptisms booked in prior to these new arrangements will be celebrated on the date they are booked for. To book in a baptism in Abbeyfeale call to the sacristy after Mass at 10.30a.m Tuesday – Friday or after any of the weekend Masses or ring 068/51915 during Mass time. For further information contact the sacristy after Mass or telephone 068-51915 any morning between 10.00am and 10.45pm.
FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS FROM GALILEE TO JERUSALEM 2022: Take the trip of a lifetime to the Holy Land from August 31 – September 10 with Group Leader Mícheál de Barra and Spiritual Director,Fr. John Newman ( a Scripture Scholar). For further information ring Micheál de Barra on 086 8337681 or email [email protected]
RATHFREDAGH CHESHIRE HOME GARDEN FETE: Rathfredagh Sunday, July 3.
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 Eadaoin, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 087 366 3842 or email her [email protected]
BACK ON TRACK: Debt Solutions: Debt Relief Notice – You may be eligible for a DRN if a. Your unsecured debts are €35,000 or less. b, You do not have a mortgage or own a property or other large asset. c You have €60 or less left after reasonable living expenses each month – the Approved Intermediary will go through this with you. d. You meet the criteria for having very little assets apart from some essential items of value. e. You have not been granted a DRN before. Approved Intermediaries (AIs) can be found on www. backontrack.ie
HI DIGITAL Learn essential skills at Hi Digital. It’s a step by step course designed for anyone who needs a bit of help developing their digital skills, particularly those who have rarely or never been online ( often 65+). It has been developed as a free online course by Vodafone Ireland Foundation, in partnership with Active Retirement Ireland and ALONE. To register email hidigital @ activeir.ie or freephone 1800203030.
LIVING WELL: This is a programme for adults with long term health conditions. It is suitable for those over 18 and living with one or more long term health conditions or caring for someone with a long term health condition. It is not suitable for people with significant memory or learning difficulties. A free Living Well programme runs for 6 weeks with one workshop of two and a half hours per weekend. For further details contact Philip Hennessy on 087 1799396 or email [email protected] or Liz Cox on 087 1799392 [email protected]
POETRY: Michael Hartnett Poetry Award Competition Deadline: June 17. The Michael Hartnett Poetry Award is now open for submissions. This year, the award will be for collections of poems in English. The award will be made to the winning poet on the basis of a third, or subsequent book of poetry, published in the last two years, i.e. 2020 – 2021.
SCEILG MHICHÍL: The Unesco site reopened on May 14. The landing boat tour departs daily between 8.30 – 9.30am from Portmagee and costs approximately €140. A non landing boat tour also leaves from Portmagee every day and costs approximately €50.
087 260 0414
