Community notices 7th July 2021

PROLOGUE:  Normality is like a paved road, it’s comfortable to walk on but no flowers can grow.

DEATHS:  Sincere sympathy to Murie Sheehan, Knocknasna daughter of Jerry and Teresa on the death of her husband Anthony Reidy late of Ballyduff, Knocknagoshel son of Donie and Mary.  May he rest in peace.  We also offer sincere sympathy to Ellen Scanlon and family, Knockbrack on the death of her husband Michael whose funeral took place on Tuesday.

A MESSAGE FROM FR. TONY:  “Guidance on attending Mass; Since the parish church opened up in May to allow people attend Mass, the numbers attending have increased significantly, especially at weekends. This is good news and very encouraging.  However, we have to ensure that it is safe to do so for everybody. Because of the ongoing restrictions and the expected Delta wave we need to remind parishioners that we are limited in the number of people who can actually attend Mass within the church at any one time. We have a responsibility to follow seriously the guidance of the HSE for the opening of churches. We ask parishioners where possible, to attend Mass during the weekdays, where there is ample room at the moment for additional people to attend Mass, rather than Sunday morning  or Saturday evening. Once the maximum number of people allowed to be within church has been reached, a sign will be placed at the door informing people that the church is full. Parishioners then have the option of attending Mass in their cars and tuning into the church radio 107FM. Holy Communion will be brought to you at Communion time. Stewards are obliged to implement these rules and we ask you to follow the directions of the stewards at all times. Church doors and windows have to remain open at all times to ensure proper ventilation. We appreciate how important  it is for parishioners to be able to attend Mass and to  receive Holy Communion, but in order to be as safe as possible and to ensure that our churches remain open into the future, we all need to do our bit in complying with the requirements at this time.”

AUDITIONS FOR SIAMSA TÍRÉ:  Children aged between 7 and 12 who are interested in playing Irish music, singing traditional songs, or dancing reels, jigs, and hornpipes, might like to audition for Siamsa Tíre’s National Folk Training Academy.

BEST WISHES to Jimmy Deenihan, former Minister for the diaspora who despite losing his seat continues his work in the community and has just been elected the new chairperson of Munster Technological University based in Tralee.  The Technological University has €2,219,980 in funding to provide 837 places under the Government’s Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiatives for year 2021/2022.

REEK SUNDAY: The annual Reek Sunday Pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, will be going ahead this year in an extended format from Wednesday to Saturday, 1- 31 July. Pilgrims are asked to plan their climb well in advance, and to choose a weekday when Croagh Patrick is quieter. The Reek Pilgrimage normally takes place on the last Sunday in July.

KIRBY ENGINEERING ARE RECRUITING:  THE Limerick-based Kirby Group Engineering is to create 300 jobs as part of a significant expansion to meet demand for its services in Ireland and across Europe. The family-founded, privately owned company said the new jobs will include engineering, commercial, operations and administrative staff, with recruitment for many of these roles already underway.  Kirby has also announced a €2m plan to upgrade its company headquarters on the Raheen Business Park. The construction phase of this expansion is projected to take six months, with the facility expected to be fully operational by the end of 2021.  The company, which was set up in 1964, employs over 1,200 people with 200 new employees joining the company last year.  As part of its new recruitment drive, Kirby said it is looking for almost 100 people to be deployed across its Apprenticeship Scheme and Graduate Programme. (Limerick Post).

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR ABBEYFEALE TOWN PARK:  A box for donations to help keep Abbeyfeale Town Park open has been affixed to the wall of the public toilets in the park.  A Go Fund Me page has also been set up.  The park which has proved to be such a godsend during the lockdown is struggling because the usual fundraising activities it depends on for support have had to be curtailed.  It is used daily by hundreds of people and takes a lot of upkeep so funds are urgently required.

LEARN CPR:  Go onto the Irish Heart Foundation website and learn how to do CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and maybe if someone collapses you’ll have the skills to save their life.

WEST LIMERICK MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION:  Wellness Wednesday – a 30 minute programme on WL102fm and sponsored by the West Limerick Mental Health Association begins on July 14 from 11 -11.30am.

CAR BOOT SALE:  At the Community Centre NCW next to Aldi and the GAA pitch on Saturday, July 10 from 8.30am – 1pm.  Admission €2.  Stall holders may book by calling 069 69584.  All proceeds to the Community Centre.

GLÓRACH BINGO AT FR. CASEY’S:   “We have been encouraged by your support of our initiative and in association with our partners in the venture, Fr Casey’s GAA Club, whose grounds and facilities we use, and Abbeyfeale District Search & Rescue who provide stewarding for the event, want to state our great appreciation and thanks to you in providing much needed revenue for all three voluntary organisations.  And, as there are plans for further enhancements to the facility when funds permit, our need for continuing streams of revenue is greater than ever as is our need for your support and patronage.  We will continue to host Drive-In Bingo at the GAA grounds in Abbeyfeale every Sunday, until further notice, with a 2pm start.

BARNAGH GARDENS: A big shout out to Olive and Maurice Sheehan and family who have re-opened Barnagh Gardens to act as a Greenway Hub.  This hub and the restaurant Platform 22 on the top of Barnagh  along the Limerick Greenway offers wonderful food and great views as well as coffee which is the real deal and a menu that showcases locally sourced in West Limerick – food  such as @rigneysfarm granola.  You will also find Spindoctors from Mountmahon there with adult hybrid and electric bikes, children’s bikes as well as child seats. Book their bikes online at https://www.spindoctorcycles.ie/locomotion-bike-rental
·  ·ELDERLY: Bishops have welcomed the introduction by Pope Francis of a new World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which will be celebrated for the first time this year by the Universal Church on Sunday 25 July.  Mention of Pope Francis reminds me that the poor man is in hospital for  colon surgery at the moment and is making a good recovery.

ST. ITA’S DAY CARE CENTRE: St Ita’s Day Care Centre, Abbeyfeale are now doing Meals on Wheels. If anyone is interested or would like further information please contact Jane/Norma at 068 51850.

CHURCH NEWS:    Fr Tony Mullins 0872600414, Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030, Fr Denis Mullane 087/26219. Priest on Call during the summer months Fr Dan Lane will be on call every Wednesday. Fr Mullins will not be available on Wednesdays. Fr Lane can be contacted on 087-2533030I.  www.abbeyfealeparish.ie email [email protected] Church Sacristy 068 -51915 Parish Office 068 -31133.   No Saturday morning Mass. Wednesday 10am William & Julia Madden. James & John Bennis . Saturday  6.30pm Jeremiah & Bridie Moriarty, The Hill Moss & Lily Colbert New Street. Marie & Michael O’Donnell, Kilconlea Upper.  Sunday 1 12noon Eamon Roche, Riverbrook New Street Month Mind.  Monday July 12 Martin Collins, Glenashrone 2nd Anniversary.   Statement from Bishop Brendan Leahy on deferring First Holy Communion and Confirmation:  In a letter addressing parents and children, teachers and priests, Bishop Leahy said it is with great regret that, following both the email from the Taoiseach’s department on Wednesday and last week’s recommendation from the HSE, it is necessary to defer First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies until further notice. “Due to the uncertainty at the moment regarding the impact of the Delta variant, we have been strongly advised that no ceremonies should be rescheduled until public health advice allows,” Bishop Leahy wrote in the letter. “I deeply regret that we are in this position again of having to defer these special celebrations that you all had committed to and were so looking forward to. Your preparations still stand. “However, I appreciate this is a huge disappointment to all concerned and I would dearly wish if circumstances were different. It is not something we anticipated a number of weeks back when we were requested to defer until after the anticipated post July 5th lifting of restrictions. “But given that the Taoiseach’s request, based on public health advice, has come so quickly following last week’s recommendation from the HSE in the Mid-West, it is clear that there is really no choice but to take this on board.”Bishop Leahy acknowledged the huge inconvenience and disappointment this will be to families. “I also regret the timing and that families have only a matter of days to react ahead of the first scheduled ceremonies next week. While this is very difficult for people to take, we should not ignore warnings given about the substantial threat from the Delta variant and subsequent advice from the Taoiseach’s department relating to this. “If anything, this latest COVID-19 set-back is reminding us all again of our vulnerability. COVID has, indeed, reminded us of many things but, above all, our need to do whatever we can to protect the vulnerable in society. So, it is with a heavy heart that I ask you to accede to the Government’s strong advice to defer,” he concluded.

ESB: runs a visitor experience in the power station at Ardnacrusha from  May to September each year, with visitor numbers of 10,000 annually.

SPRINGBOARD 2021: 12,000 courses are being provided, details from 1800 303 523.

SCHOLARSHIP available from Danaher McGrath Trust, details from local schools.

VACCINE ETHICS AND EQUITY: Those who have received their full vaccination are encouraged to donate the price of a vaccine to Unicef to enable a person in the Third World to have equal opportunity with those of us lucky enough to live in the First World.

RADIO MARIA: Radio Maria is an Irish Catholic Radio station that has grown in strength and popularity in recent years. It broadcasts Mass, Rosary, Divine Mercy Hour etc. daily. It has many interesting programmes. Many people tune in to pray with them. The easiest way to tune in is via the television, Saorview channel 210, (if you go forward one channel from RTE1 you get RTE2, if you go back one from RTE1 you get Radio Maria). There is also a mobile App. All details are on their website, www.radiomaria.ie.

DESMOND CASTLE, NCW:   Outdoor tours only. Self-guiding access to ground floor of castle. Limited access to castle banqueting hall.

https://heritageireland.ie/visit/closures/

RECOVERY HAVEN CANCER SUPPORT: If you or someone you know is in need of support contact 066 7192122.

LOUGH DERG 2021:  Lough Derg regrets that it will not be possible in 2021 to reopen Station Island for the Traditional 3 Day Pilgrimage or even for the autumn programme of Day Retreats. Lough Derg will again offer the opportunity to “Do Lough Derg from wherever you are” on  July 3-5. The outdoor Pilgrimage on the Lough Shore Pilgrim Path will also be available as the summer goes on. Further information from Lough Derg office (0353) 719861518 or www.loughderg.org.

WEST LIMERICK MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION:  WLMHA have a Face Book page open to the public.  Log on and share for news of courses, help lines, inspirational words etc.

COMMUNITY RADIO:  WL102fm are relying on tickets sales for their weekly draw to keep them on air as this is the only fundraiser that they can hold at the minute.  Tickets are available in Kathleen’s Food Store, Convent St., Mikey’s stall in the Square, Moss the Farmers’ and also in the Siopa Nua.

COMMUNITY ALERT: If you are going on holiday and your home is going to be vacant, be mindful of what you post on social media. Even if you have enabled strict privacy settings, your holiday plans could be shared with unscrupulous people: Don’t post status updates about your holidays while you’re still away. Don’t post pictures while you’re away. Respect other people’s privacy, don’t tag others while you and they are on holidays. Avoid posting your upcoming  travel plans, and consider turning off the location sharing setting of your phone’s camera app.  You can see how secure your home is by carrying out the Home Security Checklist Challenge available to download on the Garda Website.  Gardai in Westmeath have recently reported the following:  “There are recent reports to our stations in Westmeath of people being called, from a person purporting to be a Garda and saying they owe money for a criminal fine or that their name and personal details were used by a criminal.  The caller does have certain details of the person being called. They then state that a named Garda will ring from a Garda station number which they do. The scammers can call with what appears to be a valid Garda station number. They ask for your details over the phone and for payment of a fine.”  No Garda will look for payment over the phone.  Gardaí are urging the public to spread the word of fraud prevention as people continue to fall victim to scams on a daily basis. There was a report that someone lost €19,000 to a scam call so no wonder the calls keep on coming, it would take a long time for the rest of us to ‘earn’ that amount tax free.  When the phone rings and it’s a number you don’t recognise answer if you must but do not speak, your voice activates their recorded message and there’s a possibility they are able to record your voice in order to use it in future scams.  On receipt of these communications, the advice of An Garda Síochána is as follows:  Do not engage with the caller. Do not return the call.   Do not follow the automated instructions – Do not press 1 etc.  Never disclose personal or financial information.  Hang up and block the number if possible. Whilst the scammers may change their stories and methods, their goal is always the same – they want to access your sensitive information and get their hands on your money.   If you believe you may have fallen victim to this scam, contact your financial institution and report the matter to local Gardaí.  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 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]