Local Groups

For more informaion contact Mary Danaher and Liz Cullinane.

[email protected]

Tel: 068 31019

For more information contact Teresa O’Connell or Ann Eggliston.

For more information contact Bridie Collins

For more information contact Noreen Cotter, Philip Cotter, Jerry O’Sullivan, Mairead Daly and Deabhla Ahern.

For more information contact Sr. Delia Curtin.

For more information contact Helen Collins.

For more information contact Stephanie O’Donnell.

In a solemn, emotional and moving ceremony that lasted for almost three hours, Abbeyfeale native Dr. Michael Lenihan was recently consecrated as the first bishop of the newly created diocese of La Ceiba in Honduras. It marked the culmination of 28 years of tireless work by the Irishman in bringing the good news of the faith to the people of Central America.

The new bishop’s three siblings Julie Glancy, United States, Joe from Birmingham and Anthony from Abbeyfeale with other members of the family converged on Honduras to be present as their brother was consecrated bishop by Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriquez and his co consecrators Bishop Angel Garachana of San Pedro and the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Luigi Bianco. Almost 8,000 Catholics from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador joined members of the Lenihan family for the consecration which took place during open air Mass at a local football stadium.

A reception followed Mass and the consecration while next day an official ceremony took place at the entrance of the church in which Bishop Michael officially ‘took possession’ of the new cathedral in front of an overflowing congregation.

The Diocese of La Ceiba was created by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2011 and Dr. Lenihan, a member of the Franciscan order and the former Vicar General and Pastor in the Diocese of Comayagua, and 22 priests will minister to its almost 400,000 Catholics among its 600,000 inhabitants.

Michael Lenihan was born in Cragg, Abbeyfeale in September 1951, the third child of Jeremiah and Ellen Lenihan. Jeremiah was a native of Knocknagoshel while Ellen née Cahill was from Mountcollins. Michael’s early education was at Meenkilly National School up to 5th class before he completed his primary education at Mountcollins National School and took up a position as shop assistant and Moloney’s Hard-ware in Abbeyfeale. Retired principal Michael O’Kelly, who taught Michael at Meenkilly NS, fondly and vividly remembers the new bishop. “I would like to congratulate Bishop Michael Lenihan on his recent consecration as Bishop in Honduras. This is a well deserved honour for such a humble and dedicated missionary. His adult life is a reflection of his youth. His teachers in Meenkilly National School have lasting memories of him as an exemplary student. He was unassuming, diligent and an ideal pupil in class. May God be with him in the missionary work in the years ahead,” said Mr O’Kelly.

The teenager from Cragg made a life changing decision in early 1967 when he entered the Franciscan Order at Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal, and studied for the Leaving Certificate at Ballyshannon Community College, taking the exams in 1972. The future Bishop of La Ceiba entered the Franciscan novitiate in Killarney and made his first profession in September 1973. He commenced third level studies at U.C.G that year and graduated in English, Irish and philosophy in 1976 before going on to Rome to study theology. Following four years in Rome, Michael was ordained a priest by the then Bishop of Kerry, Dr, Kevin McNamara, on 12th July 1980.

Fr. Lenihan’s first appointment was for two years at Multyfarnham Agriculture College before being transferred to the Franciscan Friary in Wexford. He always harboured a desire to minister in Latin America, and in November 1984 he set off for El Salvador. It was a troubled country at the time, ravaged by civil war. He worked there for almost 16 years before moving to Honduras in 2000. After nine years in that country, Fr. Lenihan moved to Guatemala City in 2009 as Superior of the local Franciscan community including the Order’s house there, which contains the offices of the provincial curai, an infirmary, a residence for 40 students who attend the nearby university, the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a college for 500 students and a Franciscan spirituality centre.

On 20th December 2011 Fr. Lenihan was called to the Apostolic Enunciator to be informed that he had been appointed Bishop of the newly created diocese of La Ceiba. “I had to keep this a secret for ten days until it was made public on December 30th; this secret is called a pontifical secret and we are bound to strict secrecy until the appointment is made public,” he explained.

Bishop Lenihan’s brother Anthony made the trip from Abbeyfeale to Honduras for this very proud occasion for the Lenihan family: “We are extremely proud of him, he has done great work in Central America since he went there.” Admitting that it was a very emotional ceremony, Anthony said: “I could not stop thinking of my parents and all that they had done for him when he was studying for the priesthood. I think if they were alive that they would have been so happy.”

The Irish flag was flown at the consecration and it was also among the gifts during the Mass. “I am sorry that I did not take out a Mountcollins flag, we were born in the parish of Abbeyfeale but he is a Mountcollins man to the backbone,” said Anthony.

The Lenihan family are very grateful for the support their brother has received from home during his mission in America. “The people of Mountcollins, Abbeyfeale and all over West Limerick have given him tremendous support over the years to his mission in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Dances and various events were held to raise funds for various projects that he was involved in on his mission and I would like to thank everybody on his behalf.”

The people of Honduras were very welcoming for their new Bishop’s family, according to Anthony: “We would like to thank the people of Honduras for their warm welcome, their kindness and generosity during our stay there.” Dr. Lenihan paid a flying visit to West Limerick and to Anthony and his wife Eilis for three days prior to his consecration during which he celebrated Mass in Tournafulla and Mountcollins. He is due back for a longer break in July when he is sure to be accorded a huge welcome.

For more information contact Nora Finnerty.

For more information contact Mary O’Brien & Kathleen Quirke.

For more information contact Traoine Tobin.

For more information contact Mairead Daly.

• The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin in 1921 by Frank Duff
• Under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces it spread virtually all over the world in under thirty years
• The Abbeyfeale Praesidium of the Legion of Mary was founded in 1963 at the request of the then PP Canon Patrick Lynch and the late Rev. Dr. Casey who became its first Spiritual Director. At their request it was to be an all male group
• It is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church serves the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis.
• The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work.

What is it?

The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church, with well over three million active members in almost every country of the world. It has been active in the United States since 1931, has been approved by the last 6 Popes, and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council.

Activities of the Abbeyfeale Praesidium

Members meet once a week for prayer, planning and discussion in a family setting. They are expected to do two hours of definite work each week in pairs and under the guidance of their Spiritual Director. The works include: reciting the Rosary nightly – Monday to Saturday in the church, visiting the local residents in St. Ita’s Hospital and Kilcara Nursing Home, selling the catholic papers in the church at week-ends, regularly stocking the two C.T.S. stands in the church, preparing and mailing the emigrant newsletter – Núacht na Féile – six to eight times a year to Abbeyfeale emigrants all over the world.

Seasonal works include: reciting the Rosary once a week during the month of May at the blessed well in Killeenagh and preparing the altar there for the annual Mass, assisting with the organising of participants at the Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Lent, organising two pilgrimages to Knock shrine every year, assisting and sending two representatives to the annual Abbeyfeale re-union in London, to make public the true message of Christmas by display – a crib in a shop window on the Main Street.

As well as these works the members are available to assist the parish clergy when and where necessary such as preparing for Missions in the Church, charitable projects etc.

The members greatly appreciate the valuable assistance of a Spiritual Director Priest at all times.

New members are always welcome

If you are interested and adhere to the following: attend mass regularly; have the desire to participate in the Church’s apostolate through membership in the Legion and prepared to fulfil each and every duty which active membership in the Legion involves please contact: Sean 068 31213, Bernard 068 31565 or Daithi 087 0994272.

If there is no Legion of Mary in your parish, you can participate in a group in another parish until you can start one of your own with the assistance of other Legionaries and in cooperation with the priest.

New members are always welcome. For more information contact Sean Broderick.

Two things that could measure who we are:

“The way we manage when we have nothing and the way we behave when we have everything”

The Bi-Monthly Legion of Mary News letter, Núacht Na Féile, for Jan/Feb 2016 can be viewed by clicking here.

For information contact Anne O Mara or Michael Lane

Tel: (068) 311 33 – Parish Office
Email: [email protected]

For more information contact Teresa O’Connell or Ann Eggliston.

For more information contact Rita Horgan.

For more information contact Norma Healy.

For more information contact Dee Dennison.

For more information contact Ann Eggliston.

For more information contact Traoine Tobin.

Pope Francis has made a surprise announcement to dioceses around the world, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.

Addressing faithful in St. Peter’s Square at a Saturday evening prayer vigil for the Jubilee of Divine Mercy — 11 years to the day after the death of St. John Paul II — the pope announced his wish that, in every diocese, “a hospital, a home for the elderly, for abandoned children, a school where none exists, a home for the recovery of addicts,” or some similar structure be established as “a living memory” of the Year of Mercy.

The Pope said the idea came to him recently during a meeting with directors of a charitable agency. But he thought to himself: “I will share it in the square on Saturday.”

“There are so many things that could be done,” he said. “It would be very good for each diocese to consider: what can we leave as a living memory, as a work of living mercy, as a wound of the living Jesus for this Year of Mercy? Let us reflect on this and speak to the bishops about it.”

The surprise announcement came after Pope Francis told pilgrims at the prayer vigil that “a faith that cannot be merciful, as the Lord’s wounds were a sign of mercy, is not faith: it is an idea, an ideology.”

In Jesus, he said, “we are able not only to touch the mercy of God with our hands, but we are inspired to become instruments of his mercy.”

“A faith that is not able to touch the Lord’s wounds, is not faith!” he continued in impassioned and unscripted remarks. “Our faith is incarnated in a God who was made man, who became sin (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21), who was wounded for us. But if we really want to believe and have faith, we must draw near and touch those wounds, caress those wounds and even lower our head and allow others to sooth our wounds.”

The Divine Mercy prayer vigil also featured readings from Scripture, sacred music, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Anyone who wishes to contact the St Vincent de Paul can do so in Abbeyfeale by way of a letter through the Parish Office or by leaving a message on 087 1213560 .

You can contact the Newcastle West branch of St Vincent de Paul on 085 2103555

Every individual is treated with the strictest of confidence.

Website: www.svp.ie

For more information contact Stephanie O’Donnell.

For more information contact Marie Lyons.

YOUTH CLUB NOTES:  Abbey legends were in Oakwood last weekend.  A great weekend was had by leaders and youths. The weather was great and the fun mighty so what a way to end up the club after 3 and half years.   It was a fitting way to finish for a brilliant butch of youths and of course the leaders who gave their time over the years.   Leader’s night out on Saturday, July 18.

Our Clubs are open to young people from 10 to 17 years.

Programmes & activities: Arts & Crafts, dancing, Foosball (table soccer),healty eating programmes, interclub activites, music, sports tournaments & youth discos

Fridays, 19:00-21:30hrs

Where are we? You can find us at the following locations:

St. Ita’s Hall, Abbeyfeale or the Abbeyfeale GAA Grounds.

Contact: Eithne Stembridge, Club Support Worker, Limerick Youth Service, 5 Lower Glentworth St, Limerick.

Email: [email protected]

Mob: 087-0549343