Notices

PROLOGUE:  EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, NOBODY.  This is a story about people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.  There was an important job to be done and Everybody thought Somebody would do it.  Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it.  Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job.  Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realised that Everybody would not do it.  It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

LOCAL AUTHOR LAUNCHES NEW BOOK:  A new collection of short stories by Pat McLoughlin has just been released. The title of the book is ‘Just One More Thing’. Multi award winning writer, Donal Ryan, described the stories as “humane, empathetic and blessedly sincere; adding that the collection was a joy to read. The bod ok is available at ‘An Siopa Milslean’ (Mary Flynn’s), Abbeyfeale or online at www.limerickwriterscentre.com.  Like Pat’s previous three books all proceeds will be donated to local charities.

COFFEE MORNING:  Thursday, September 30 from 11-4pm at Mary Mc Arthurs house on the road from Dillane’s shop to Mountcollins V94 ND17 in aid of Recovery Haven.

DOG SHOW AT THE PARK:  Sunday, October 3 at 2pm in the Town Park.  12 classes – 12 winners all competing for Best in Show.  Raffle, coffee and goodies from Busy Bean.  Enquiries to 087 27463999.  This is a fundraiser for the Town Park.

COVID-19: In Abbeyfeale we can accommodate up to 500 people for Mass. For marriage ceremonies the number of people allowed to attend is 100. In order to maintain safety, we suggest that no more
than 6 people sit in any one seat. People living in the same household may sit together. Stewards will continue to direct people to seating and we ask you to follow the
guidance of the church stewards, so that we don’t have a situation where people are all gathered together in one section of the church and other areas of the building are
empty. 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 for advice. Now that we have additional capacity we encourage more parishioners to attend Mass in the church.

MICHEAL HARTNETT POET:   Thank you to James Harnett Undertaker for this very informative piece;  “ On September 18^th 2021 we celebrated what would have been the 80^th birthday of our late, great poet Michael Hartnett.   Michael Hartnett(1941-1999) is an award winning poet from County Limerick.  Although his parents’ name was Harnett, he was registered in error as Hartnett on his birth certificate. In later life he declined to change this as his legal name was closer to the Irish Ó hAirtnéide.  Michael grew up in a poverty stricken street in Newcastle West Co. Limerick. The eldest of a large family, he has one sister Mary and four brothers William, Denis, Gerard and John.(Two siblings also died as infants). Times were difficult for the Hartnett family, they did however receive some fortune when they moved into a house, in the newly built local authority development Assumpta Park in the 1950s.  Michael spent a part of his childhood living with his native Irish speaking Grandmother Bridget Halpin in the Newcastle West townland of Camas.(She is the subject of Michael’s Poem “Death of an Irishwoman”) .                                                                                                                                 Bridget Halpin was originally from Cahirlane, Abbeyfeale and her family name was Roche. Members of the Roche family still live in Cahirlane. The house in Camas is now owned by Joe Dore, a first cousin of the late poet. Joe was traffic warden in Abbeyfeale for many years.

Bridget also was the first person to tell Michael that he had a poetic vocation. He was educated in the local national and secondary schools in Newcastle West. Hartnett emigrated to England the day after he finished his secondary education and went to work as a tea boy on a building site in London.  Hartnett had started writing by this time and his work came to the attention of the poet John Jordan, who was professor of English at University College Dublin. Jordan invited Hartnett to attend the university for a year. While back in Dublin, he co-edited the literary magazine Arena with James Liddy. He also worked as curator of Joyce’s tower at Sandycove for a time. He returned briefly to London, where he met Rosemary Grantley on 16 May 1965, and they were married on 4 April 1966. His first book, Anatomy of a Cliché, was published by Poetry Ireland in 1968 to critical acclaim and he returned permanently to Ireland that same year.

Back in Dublin, he worked as a night telephonist at the telephone exchange on Exchequer Street. He now entered a productive relationship with New Writers Press, run by Michael Smith and Trevor Joyce. They published his next three books. The first of these was a translation from the Irish, The Old Hag of Beare (1969), followed by Selected Poems (1970) and Tao (1972). This last book was a version of the Chinese Tao Te Ching. His Gypsy Ballads, a version of the Romancero Gitano of Federico Garcia Lorca (1973) was published by the Goldsmith Press.

In 1974 decided to leave Dublin to return to his rural roots and his relationship with the Irish language. He went to live in Templeglantine, just five miles from Newcastle West and worked for a time as a lecturer in creative writing at Thomond College of Education, Limerick.

In his 1975 book A Farewell to English he declared his intention to write only in Irish in the future, describing English as ‘the perfect language to sell pigs in’. A number of volumes in Irish followed: Adharca Broic (1978), An Phurgóid (1983) and Do Nuala: Foighne Chrainn (1984).”

LATIN MASS:   Will be offered on Sunday 26 September at 1 pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathass, Tralee by Fr. Martin Hegarty CC.

BEGINNERS WEB DESIGN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: West Limerick Resources in conjunction with Limerick Local Enterprise Office is offering a free introductory course to WordPress website design to local businesses.  Targeted at those with little or no experience, participants can learn how to create and manage their own simple website.  Course takes place online from 10am – 1pm on September 27 and October 4 & 11. To book a place email [email protected] or phone 069 66295

RACES ON THE SAND: Ballybunion race meeting is on Sunday 26^th September beginning at 1.30pm.

BOOK-KEEPING BASICS FOR SMALL BUSINESS START UPS: West Limerick Resources in conjunction with Limerick Local Enterprise Office is offering a free book-keeping basics course to small local businesses. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to keep simple and accurate financial records.  Course takes place online over two sessions from 6.30pm – 8.30pm on Tuesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 30. To book a place email [email protected] or phone 087 7669952.

HEALTHY PLANET, HEALTHY PEOPLE PETITION: The Season of Creation runs from September 1 (World Day of Prayer for Creation) to October 4 (the feast of St. Francis of Assisi). Amid numerous crises which have shaken our world, the theme this year is “Restoring Our Common Home”. During this season we are asked to join together to celebrate creation and protect our common home through prayer, reflection and action. After the Season of Creation there will be UN meeting on Climate Change in November of world leaders in Scotland (known as COP 26) and another UN Conference of world leaders on Biodiversity is scheduled to take place in China during Spring 2022.
In preparation for these UN meetings a petition known as the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition which has been endorsed by the Vatican Department for Integral
Human Development and is now available at http://healthyplanetandpeople.org/ for dioceses, parishes, and individuals to sign. It is envisaged that this petition with
signatures will be presented by Pope Francis to the Presidents of these upcoming UN conferences.
MOVING On is an employment programme for women, Information morning online from 10.00-12.00 Wednesday, September 22,  contact: Lisa O Flaherty on 087 764 7446 [email protected]. For more information go to: www.movingon.ie or Instgram / Twitter @movingonkerry

GLÓRACH BINGO:  Drive in Bingo at the GAA Grounds on the Duagh Road every Sunday at 2pm.

WALKING THE BALLYHOURAS:  The 25th Ballyhoura Walking Festival takes place from Friday, October 8 -  Sunday, October 10 in Kilfinane .Further information available from: Ballyhoura Centre, Kilfinane / 063-91300 / [email protected]

– https://visitballyhoura.com/events/ballyhoura-walking-festival-2021

UNICEF:  “Get a Vaccine/Give a Vaccine.” It hopes to deliver 2 billion COVID-19 vaccines to the most vulnerable families, in the poorest countries, including Health workers and the most high-risk people on our planet. UNICEF is inviting us to sponsor a present of the Vaccine to those in the Third World. The vaccine is freely accessible to us, and we don’t even have to pay for it. So many in the poorest countries have no access to it. Already, in appreciation of how lucky we are in comparison to them, the cost of almost 2,000,000 vaccines for people in the Third World has been donated.
What a nice way to put into practice the message of the Gospel ; – Of loving one another as He loved us and expressing that love by showing kindness to those who are in
no position to pay us back. If you would like to be part of this there are a few ways;- You can send your donation by post to Freepost, UNICEF Ireland, 33 Lower Ormond
Quay, Dublin D01 R283. By Phone; (01) 878 3000; By Email; [email protected]

ABBEYFEALE YOUTH CLUBS:  Appeal to Parents – Your Parish Youth Clubs needs You
Abbeyfeale Youth Club has been up and running for the past 16 years, providing an essential service for hundreds of young people. The success of the club is down to the participation of the many parent volunteers who over the years have given their time to the club. The
youth club is an essential service for our young parishioners, providing an opportunity for them to socialise together in a safe environment. The club leaders are currently planning the reopening of the club, but this can only happen with the support and participation of parent
volunteers.  We are now seeking the help of parents of first year, second year and
third year students in secondary school. In fact, the club will only reopen when there are sufficient parent volunteers in place. We are coming out of probably one of the most challenging times for young people in our lifetime. For the well-being of our teenagers it is essential that we get the clubs open, so that they can once again experience normal social interaction. This weekend we are appealing to the relevant parents to help us in this
important work. Do consider volunteering. If you would like further information please contact Noreen on 0872353306 or Fr Tony on 087-2600414. We would ask that grandparents bring the news of this appeal to their children and grandchildren. All Covi-19 requirements will be implemented by the clubs once they are open.

TRAILS MAINTENANCE TRAINING:  West Limerick Resources in conjunction with Sports Ireland is offering a three-day (9.30am-4.30pm approx.) trails maintenance course from Wednesday September 29^th to Friday October 1^st.  Training will consist of one day classroom based instruction followed by two days on site training and will cover a range of topics related to the development and maintenance of local walking tracks and trails. All training will take place in the vicinity of Ashford and is free of charge, but places are limited.  For more information or to register email Suzanne on [email protected]. Funded under the LEADER Programme.

PADRE PIO:   September Devotions Castleisland (3rd Tuesday) Tuesday 21st September at 7.30pm.   Witness by John Greene (formerly of Radio Kerry and Kerry today) Theme –” Tackling depression and how God works in mysterious ways”.  Watch live on churchservices.tv/castleisland.

BLACKSMITHING Fair will be held at Ballylongford on the 25^th and 26^th of September, it will be a family friendly weekend. There will be blacksmithing displays in the Creamery and grounds from Forged in Ireland and guest Blacksmiths, vintage tractors, hand forged and old wares for sale, food and refreshments and roving musicians.

NORTH KERRY, WEST LIMERICK: SMART VILLAGES, STRONGER COMMUNITIES:  This initiative is jointly led by NEWKD and West Limerick Resources in association with KPMG Future Analytics and University College Dublin and addresses the unique challenges facing Ireland’s rural regions by unlocking innovative new solutions for the sustainable growth and development of rural communities within the North Kerry – West Limerick region. The project will involve a combination of detailed data analysis, extensive public consultation and capacity-training workshops will be used to co-produce an integrated development plan for the North Kerry – West Limerick region.  Over the course of the project, the team will seek to engage with communities across Causeway, Ballyduff, Ballybunion, Ballylongford, Tarbert, Duagh , Moyvane, Brosna, Knocknagoshel, Listowel, Ballydonoghue, Lixnaw, Finuge, Abbeyfeale, Turnafulla, Mountcollins, Templeglantine, Athea/Carrigkerry, Glin, Loughill/Ballyhahill, Ardagh and Shanagolden. The project will officially launch with an online event entitled “Co-Developing Smart Villages – Towards Stronger Rural Communities” which will take place over two morning sessions on Thursday, September 30 and Friday, October 1.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration in the main church every Friday, beginning 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”

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 Joseph O’Flaherty, Lyreacompane and
Mountmahon.  No Saturday morning Mass 6.30pm Noreen Daly, Ballybehy. Connie & Eilish & Bridget Harnett, Kilconlea Upper. Veronica Doyle, Glenashrone 1st Anniversary.
Terry Morrissey and his grandparents David and Nora and Nan Peggy Horan. Sunday 10am  Mass broadcast on WL102fm. 12noon Daniel Hartigan, NCW 1st Anniversary and his
parents Richard & Hannah late of Colbert Terrace.  On Saturday 25th of September we will celebrate First Communion for the pupils of Scoil Mháthair Dé and of St Mary’s Boys’ school. The first Mass will be at 12noon followed by the second
celebration at 2.00p.m. A rehearsal for parents of the children receiving their First
Holy Communion next weekend will be take place on this Thursday
and Friday evenings at 7.00p.m. Rehearsal Times:St Mary’s Boy’s School in the church on Thursday evening at 7.00pm.  Scoil Mháthair Dé in the church on Friday evening at 7.00p.m.
Tickets for both Masses will be distributed at these meetings. Funeral Masses on Saturday – Mid Sept to Mid Oct. From Saturday 25th of September to Saturday 16th of October Funeral
Masses held on Saturday mornings will have to be at 10.00am in order to facilitate the Masses for First Communion and Confirmation planned for those Saturdays.
COMMUNITY ALERT:  Only answer the phone if you recognise the number, according to my service provider they are copying numbers that answer and using them to make calls and it will be you footing the bill.  Click on no links either.  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.

PILGRIMAGES ON THE LOUGH DERG PILGRIM PATH:

Sunday 26th September and Sunday 3rd October, with Mass outdoors, weather permitting.  The full route is a 12km loop, with a shorter 8km option.  Advance booking is essential.  For further information email [email protected] or telephone 0(0353) 71 9861518.  www.loughderg.org Lough Derg Pilgrim Path, Pettigo, Co Donegal.  F94 N289

JOB OPPORTUNITY:  CENSUS 2022:  A Census of Population will be held on April 3, 2022. The Central Statistics Office requires persons to fill various roles for the duration of the Census. censusrecruitment.cso.ie] https://censusrecruitment.cso.ie

.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]

PROLOGUE:  Empty pockets never held anyone back.  Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.  Norman Vincent Peale.

CONGRATULATIONS:  Wedding congratulations to Brid O’Rourke and Kieran McCarthy , Mark O’Brien and Shakira McCarthy, Collette Moloney and Shane Stack , Martina Copse and Eamonn Fitzgerald. Marion O’Keeffe and Daniel Angland.  They all celebrated the sacrament of Marriage here in Abbeyfeale over the summer. We wish them every happiness always.

WELL DONE: Leaving Cert student Katie Houlihan, The Hill, daughter of Kathleen and Pat has been chosen as No 8 for under 18’s Munster rugby.

TRIBUTE TO FR. JOE FOLEY:  I found this beautiful tribute to Fr. Joe Foley on the Bruff, Grange Meanus Parish Pastoral Council FB page.  As many readers of this page do not have access to FaceBook  I messaged the Pastoral Council and asked if I could copy it and use it in the column and thankfully they said yes. The piece is entitled; “God loves you and so does Fr Joe.  For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to pluck up what was planted. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3.

The weekend of August 22 was a bittersweet time for many with the news on Friday of the death of Fr Joe Foley at his home in Castletroy and subsequently the outstanding victory of Limerick in the All-Ireland Final on Sunday. Fr Joe’s last wish was that his passing would not interfere with people’s enjoyment of the Final and so his Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday evening with prayers said on Sunday morning before burial in Effin cemetery. This was typical of Fr Joe – always thinking ahead, always thinking of others.

Fr Joe was born in Effin on 7th July 1965 to Ann and Sonny Foley and, with his twin sister Kay, was the youngest of 5 children. He did his Leaving Certificate in Kilmallock in 1982 and completed a catering course which won him a scholarship to Galway to study a culinary degree. He worked as a chef in Ireland, London and the US. He had the privilege of cooking for George and Barbara Bush while in Manhattan before returning to Ireland in 1987 to work for the Kerry Group. He entered the Seminary in 1988 and spent a summer in Rome in 1990 where he met Pope John Paul 2. He studied Philosophy & Theology and was ordained in St John’s Cathedral in 1995.

Fr Joe was a mere 56 years of age when he was taken from us. His time came more quickly than expected. It came quietly and very peacefully in the end. In his homily, his great friend Canon Willie Fitzmaurice spoke movingly of the time when he knew that he was not going to be cured “He embraced this final lap of his life with a spirit of courage and determination that was inspiring”. Canon Willie also paid tribute to the graceful dignity & presence of Fr Joe’s mother, Ann and mentioned the special bond that he had with his twin, Kay. In a comparison with the calling of St Peter, “Fr Joe recognized his humility and limitations but placed his great trust in the power of God working through him to transmit his message of love”

In his priestly ministry, Fr Joe spent his first years in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish followed by nearly 17 years in Bruff, moving to Abbeyfeale in 2014. He had the difficult task of celebrating the funeral masses for a young child in each of the last two parishes. His compassionate and forthright nature was particularly evident on both occasions. He did not shy back from asking and answering the hard questions. Quoting from his homilies:

In Grange “This church has seen many sad and tragic funerals, but few can have been as profoundly sad and sorrowful as the funeral which sees us gathered here today. The death of a child in any circumstances is an occasion of great sorrow, but a death that is the result of a freak accident simply beggars our understanding. What kind of a God would allow a young healthy child to be snatched so cruelly from a loving and devoted family? Does he care? Is he there at all? To answer these questions all you have to do is look at the figure of crucified Christ and remember his words on the cross: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me’?”

In Abbeyfeale: “The death of a child, in any circumstances, is an occasion of great sorrow. We are gathered here this morning to remember Zoe, to say our goodbyes to one who lived a brief, but beautiful life, a life which if today’s attendance tells us anything, touched many. For many the death of a child in such circumstances is almost unspeakable, but I urge people to speak of their sorrow and grief. If we shy away from such things, and remain in silence, then we do a great disservice to Zoe, to her memory and the impact she had on so many people around her. So speak about death, about loss and about the person that Zoe was”

At a packed farewell function for Fr Joe in Bruff in December 2013, Denis Barrett, (now sadly RIP) Chairman of the Presentation Committee said “The speech we make tonight is the one we really don’t want to make, these are the words we wish we didn’t have to say and the presentation of gifts that we wish could have waited a little longer. In the years that he has been here he has shared the joys and sorrows of many families – the joy of baptisms and wedding days, the pain of the death of many elderly and indeed of young people. The extent of his contribution to life in Bruff during his time here can easily be measured by the strength of the many bonds he forged throughout the parish. These bonds will not be easily broken”

Continuing Denis said “There is a feeling of sadness throughout the parish but that grief is really a measure of the great esteem in which Fr. Joe was held by the people of this parish over the past 16 years. However in the midst of the sadness there is also a feeling of acceptance and a very sincere wish that the new appointment being taken up by him will bring him joy, fulfilment and happiness”

Concluding he said “Let us, if we can, think back to when Fr. Joe first started here in Bruff and think of the freshness and the excitement of a new voice and a new approach and say to ourselves that Abbeyfeale will soon be experiencing that same excitement. On behalf of the Bruff Garda District. Superintendent Cunningham described Fr. Foley as “a fantastic priest who had an extraordinary way of dealing with the sick, accident victims and their relatives. He had healing powers”

One of Fr Joe’s favourite places to visit was Howards Bar in Bruff. He went there to relax, watch sports, enjoy the craic but this was also part of his ministry, a place where he reached out to others of all denominations and none. People sought him out if they had a problem, spiritual or otherwise. He was a larger than life person who knew and was known to thousands of people. He was one of those people in life whose company you could enjoy, be parted from, return and take up from where you left off knowing that he was not judgmental but forgiving – a gift that was exemplified by a recent conversation with a member of the family of a parent who was approaching the latter stages of life. This person was an exemplary member of the Church congregation but with extraordinary humility, did not think that he was properly prepared for the next life. This was affecting him greatly but after a conversation with Fr Joe and receiving Absolution, he was mightily relieved which was also a consolation for his wife and family.

Fr Joe was a joyful, faith-filled and dedicated priest. He never experienced depression or despair or if he did he hid it well. As the old country song would say, he walked on the “sunny side” of life. Every year he would go to Lourdes with the Diocesan Pilgrimage. He would encourage/coerce friends and relations to make the trip. In doing so, they were never disappointed as he would look after and entertain them. In putting together these few words, we wish to honor a man who, in the words of Pope Francis, never failed to call us to be saints. We have lost a confessor, a spiritual director, a preacher and a friend. But we have gained an intercessor, an advocate for us at the throne of grace. And we can never lose the example of fervor, holiness and humility he left for us.

However, it was in his care for people that Fr Joe excelled. On one occasion he jumped into the bitterly cold waters at Lough Gur to raise funds for a local man who was left paralysed after falling from a tree. He was especially sought out by people for christenings, weddings and funerals. He dealt with a lot of tragedies during his 25 years as a priest and reached out to many especially the sick and suffering. He consoled people by showing them that the light is better than darkness and hope is better than despair. He would have an intimate knowledge of this as he himself was on the brink of death in 2006.

His management and leadership skills were evident in the way he set up the Parish Lotto which not alone provided funds to reduce the parish debt but also many parish organisations were the beneficiaries of subsidies from the lotto. If there was no winner of the lotto, Fr Joe would announce at the top of his voice “Only one winner …… FR JOE” He was very popular and related well to parents, teachers and pupils in the schools in the parish.

He was greatly respected and appreciated in every place where he served, but more than that, he was loved. He will be missed, not only by his family to whom he was so close and so committed. He will be missed by his brother priests and all his parishioners in the 3 places where he served with such dedication and love. His dedication and generosity, his outgoing personality, his capacity for friendship, his sense of humour and his deep spirituality enabled him to reach out to people old and young, educated or not, rich or poor. May he now hear the words of Jesus: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’

His family not only inspired his faith but they have also been a particular support to him in the lonely and difficult life of modern Catholic ministry. On behalf of all the people of Bruff, I offer deepest sympathy to his loving mother, Anne, twin sister, Kay, brothers Mike, Pat and John and their families, and to all Fr Joe’s relations and friends, parishioners past and present. May he rest in peace?

Where did our heading for this piece come from? People of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bruff and Abbeyfeale parishes will recognize it. Fr Joe used to sign off his homilies with “Remember, God loves you and so does Fr Joe” and we add “We love you too, Fr Joe” We give thanks to God for the wonderful gift that was Fr Joe.”

ABBEYFEALE CONGRATULATES NEW LEADER OF UK UNITE WORKERS UNION:  Sharon Graham, whose mother Joan emigrated to London from Purt,  has been appointed
General Secretary of the second largest Union in England.  Joan’s brother Michael lives in the home place in Port and her other brother Dan in Cahirhayes.  Sharon was a frequent visitor to Port as a child and Micheal’s wife Sheila was interviewed on BBC4 last Saturday evening telling about their young visitors exploits bringing home the turf. You can listen to the podcast of her story on; https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000zcky

GLÓRACH BINGO:  A great turn out once again for our drive-in Bingo at the Abbeyfeale GAA grounds, with almost perfect weather conditions in place.  Naturally enough, there were a good few enquiries as to when Bingo may be returning to the Glórach Theatre, but until the regulations permit us to operate at full capacity we will be remaining at present in the GAA grounds.  Look forward to seeing you all next Sunday, with the usual starting time of 2 pm.

BREAKING TRAD AT THE GLÓRACH:  One of the few silver linings for us at the Glórach Theatre during the Pandemic was the fact that we were able to get essential works done to the building when it was closed.  This Friday, September 10th, we begin to take tentative steps to reopening our wonderful community Theatre with a performance from the group Breaking Trad as part of Feale Fest.   Featuring our own Donal Murphy, multi-instrumentalist Mike Galvin and fiddle player Niall Murphy, the group make their Glórach Debut with a promise to banish the Covid blues that have beset the music world over the last eighteen months.  Tickets were limited for this event and are sold out but the video of the concert will be streamed free on the Glórach Youtube page on Saturday 11th.  A massive thanks to the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) for their support for this concert, and to acknowledge the imaginative and creative workshops run under their auspices that will be taking place in Abbeyfeale as part of Feale Fest,

LEADERS NEEDED:  Youth Clubs need Parents/ guardians to commit to set
up this year Youth clubs.  Training provided. Contact Noreen 087/2353306 if willing to help.

BACK TO SCHOOL:  We wish all our children, young people and all school staff members every blessing for the coming school year.

DATES FOR FIRST COMMUNION/CONFIRMATION: First Communion;
Saturday, September 25 at 12noon Scoil Mháthair Dé.
Saturday, September 25 at 2.00p.m St Mary’s Boy’s School.
Saturday, October 2 at 12noon Meenkilly and Knocknasna schools.
Saturday, October 2 at 2.00p.m. Dromtrasna School.

Confirmation; Saturday, October 9 at 12noon Scoil Mháthair Dé.
Saturday,October 9 at 2.00p.m. St Mary’s Boys School.
Saturday, October 16 at 12noon Meenkilly and Knocknasna schools.
Saturday, October 16 at 2.00p.m. Dromtrasna School

FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING CENTRE, MOUNTMAHON, ABBEYFEALE (THE OLD TECH):  The following free courses still have some spaces left: Sewing for Beginners, Beginners knitting, Payroll Manual & Computerised (Level 5), Bookkeeping manual and computerised (Level 5), Childcare Level 5, Healthcare Level 5, Sign Language, winter window box gardening, making a podcast, Upcycling Furniture, Local history.  Please call the office on 06831198 for more information, Email: [email protected] or register at www.learningandskills.ie.

BALLYHEIGUE PATTERN DAY: Wednesday, September 8, this year Bishop Ray Browne will celebrate Mass in Our Lady’s Well and Grotto, Ballyheigue at 12 noon.  Mass will be streamed live on www. dioceseofkerry.ie facebook page. In the interests of safety and fairness there will be no congregation present on the day. The Well and Grotto will remain closed for the duration of the Mass and will reopen at 1.30pm after which you are most welcome to come for private prayer.

STAGE SCHOOL:  If you’d like to put your daughter on the stage contact 087 1303325 for details of the school in Ballybunion.

AUTISM CONFERENCE:  C ork Autism Online Conference 2021 – Thriving with Autism. Sunday, October 17. This online conference offers interventions, skills and strategies to support people on the autism spectrum. Suitable for Parents, Families, Caregivers, Autistics, Employers, Educators, Professionals, Agencies, Advocates and anyone with an interest in autism. Visit: www.autismcork.ie

ACCORD FACILITATORS NEEDED:    Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. Those interested should have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church and the enthusiasm to be part a  team  supporting  couples  who  are  preparing  for  the  Sacrament  of Marriage. Contact Aisling on 01 5053112 or email [email protected]

YOUNG MUSICIAN AWARD:  The Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival applications for the inaugural ‘Patrick O’Keeffe Young Musician Award are open to all musicians in the 13 to 23 age bracket. Please note that any videos submitted by minors must be submitted by the child’s parent/guardian and the deadline is Sunday, September 12. Email applications to: [email protected]

DIP IN THE NIP:  The fundraiser in aid of Recovery Haven will be held on September 18, details from Recovery Haven Tralee 066 7192122.

STORYTELLING: Listowel International Storytelling Festival returns in-person to Listowel from September 17th to 19th.  Now in its 3rd year the festival will feature a packed programme of events including storytelling sessions & workshops, story & history walks, music sessions and children’s storytelling. We are especially thrilled to have acclaimed storyteller Maria Gillen as our Artistic Director for the festival. Our full programme will be available soon, but follow our Social Media pages or visit www.kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival/ for updates on special guests and events.

PADRE PIO:   September Devotions Castleisland (3rd Tuesday) Tuesday 21st September at 7.30pm.   Witness by John Greene (formerly of Radio Kerry and Kerry today) Theme –  ” Tackling depression and how God works in mysterious ways”.  Watch live on churchservices.tv/castleisland.

BLACKSMITHING Fair will be held at Ballylongford on the 25^th and 26^th of September, it will be a family friendly weekend.

LITTLE BLUE HEROS FUNDRAISER:  Cycle on the Limerick Greenway on Saturday, September 11 in aid of Little Blue Heroes Foundation.  The Garda fundraiser begins at 11am in Rathkeale and finishes in Abbeyfeale between 1 and 3pm.  There will be an Emergency Services Open Family Day at NCW Gaelscoil from 12-3pm (which will be sensory friendly from 11.30 -12).  Donations can be made online at:   www.idonate.ie/Greenwaygoes BlueForLittleBlue Heros.

NORTH KERRY, WEST LIMERICK: SMART VILLAGES, STRONGER COMMUNITIES:  This initiative is jointly led by NEWKD and West Limerick Resources in association with KPMG Future Analytics and University College Dublin and addresses the unique challenges facing Ireland’s rural regions by unlocking innovative new solutions for the sustainable growth and development of rural communities within the North Kerry – West Limerick region. The project will involve a combination of detailed data analysis, extensive public consultation and capacity-training workshops will be used to co-produce an integrated development plan for the North Kerry – West Limerick region.  Over the course of the project, the team will seek to engage with communities across Causeway, Ballyduff, Ballybunion, Ballylongford, Tarbert, Duagh , Moyvane, Brosna, Knocknagoshel, Listowel, Ballydonoghue, Lixnaw, Finuge, Abbeyfeale, Turnafulla, Mountcollins, Templeglantine, Athea/Carrigkerry, Glin, Loughill/Ballyhahill, Ardagh and Shanagolden. The project will officially launch with an online event entitled “Co-Developing Smart Villages – Towards Stronger Rural Communities” which will take place over two morning sessions on Thursday, September 30 and Friday, October 1. A conference programme and registration page will be launched shortly.

INVITATION:  You are invited to attend Abbeyfeale Community Council AGM on Thursday, September 16 at Fr. Casey’s G.A.A. Clubhouse @7.30 p.m.  ACC has secured the investment of over six hundred thousand euro for our community in the past five years. Projects include The new Business Hub, walkways in Abbeyfeale Town Park, heritage signage, provision of defibrillators and many more. Abbeyfeale is about to undergo momentous changes with the implementation of the new traffic management plan, the development of the Greenway and the proposed Abbeyfeale bypass.

Have your voice heard now. Join the ACC – at the heart of Abbeyfeale. Stronger together!

GLÓRACH DRIVE IN BINGO:  Every Sunday at 2pm in the grounds of Fr Casey’s.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration in the main church every Friday, beginning 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.

LIMERICK WOMEN’S MARATHON:  The Virtual Limerick Women’s Marathon will take place on September 25/26.

TRAINING: Cycle Against Suicide are working to train and deploy a network of ‘Community Buddies’ into communities in Kerry and all across Ireland.    The Community Buddy programme is peer to peer support and is centred around a structured but supportive conversation in a safe and non-judgemental space.  It allows an individual to discuss how they are coping or not coping and working with the Buddy to discuss (and co-produce) ways of moving forward to overcome the challenges.  The training to become a Community Buddy is 2 full days or four evenings currently being delivered via zoom.  Full details are available at: https://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/community-buddy-club/

COURSE: Recovery Haven Kerry are starting a six-week course titled ‘Building Better Caregivers’.  This course starts on Tuesday, September 14 and is an online programme for those supporting a loved one with cancer.  If you are interested in this course, please contact Reception on 066 7192122 for more details.

RADIO MARIA:  broadcasts Mass, Rosary, Divine Mercy Hour etc daily. It has many interesting programmes.. 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. For info  visit  www.radiomaria.ie.

ARTS FESTIVAL:  Ballybunion Arts Festival September 9 – 12 will host a diverse programme of Theatre, Poetry, Performance Art, Music, Visual Art & workshops for artists and audiences.  Kerry Writer in Residence Máire Holmes will host an Irish language poetry workshop on September11in Ballybunion Community Centre. More details (https://kerrycoco.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b3755ab5575cb711eac9566f8&id=30cb5eab5e&e=57e387efec)

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.

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:  Wednesday 10am Tom Fitzgerald, Knocknasna. Thursday 10am Michael O’Sullivan, Colbert Terrace. Friday 10am Fr. Joe Foley RIP.  No Saturday morning Mass,Saturday 6.30pm Jack & Norrie Kelly, Knoknasna and daughters Mary B & Teresa.  Sunday10am Frank Collins Banard. 12noon Maurice O’Flaherty, Rathorna 3rd Anniversary.

JOB OPPORTUNITY:  CENSUS 2022:  A Census of Population will be held on April 3, 2022. The Central Statistics Office requires persons to fill various roles for the duration of the Census. censusrecruitment.cso.ie] https://censusrecruitment.cso.ie

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.

ANAM CARA would like to invite you to join us for an online Bereavement Information and Support Evening taking place Thursday, September 16 at 7pm. This event will give you an opportunity to hear a Bereavement professional talk about the difficult challenges and many milestones grieving a child of any age has on you and your family. If you would like to join us please register here https://bit.ly/3Dzyphc or contact us on [email protected] or 085 288 8888.

COMMUNITY ALERT: Abbeyfeale Community Alert committee will be supporting the Little Blue Heros Fundraiser on the Greenway next Saturday with the Garda charity cycle leaving from Rathkeale at 11am and finishing in Abbeyfeale between 1 -3pm.   Last week tickets went on sale on line for the Listowel Races and my present husband  who has not missed attending the races since his father first took him in 1960  deputised me to buy a ticket for each day that they were available for.  We do not buy normally on line so this was the first time I was using the debit card to make a purchase online and within an hour of making a purchase I had got three phone calls from ‘mar ya’ the Bank to say that there had been fraudulent activity and that I should press button 1 for help.  Each time I dropped the phone and the following morning I started getting emails with the same message – we were going to be cleaned out of funds if I did not do something urgently – .   I am posting about scams on the Community Alert FB page and writing in these notes every week and yet I still got a fright so can fully understand how people do get caught out.  Anyway the moral of the story is do not engage with or reply to any unsolicited messages or calls and to quote the security advice from the banks :  “ We will never email you requesting your online details – call us on Freephone 1800946764 if you suspect someone has got access to your account.”

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.

PILGRIMAGES ON THE LOUGH DERG PILGRIM PATH:  Sunday

11th, Wednesday 15th, Saturday 18th & Sunday 26th September and Sunday 3rd October, with Mass outdoors, weather permitting.  The full route is a 12km loop, with a shorter 8km option.  Advance booking is essential.  For further information email [email protected] or telephone 0(0353) 71 9861518.  www.loughderg.org Lough Derg Pilgrim Path, Pettigo, Co Donegal.  F94 N289

.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]

PROLOGUE:  Addiction is giving up Everything for one thing, Recovery is giving up one thing for Everything.

UNVEILING OF PLAQUE:  Former Justice and Foreign Affairs Minister Gerard Collins was the keynote speaker on Sunday morning last at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the Joy’s Corner Ambush which took place during the Irish War of Independence on June 5, 1921.  The plaque which was sculpted by well known Abbeyfeale stonemason Ruairi Dennison was unveiled jointly by Cllr. Liam Galvin and Cllr. Francis Foley.  The event was attended by public representatives and descendents of the men who carried out the ambush.

BE SUN SMART:  The forecast is for a warm spell and it can’t be emphasised enough that no one should leave the house without adequate sun protection which includes a sun hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and lashings of factor 50 sun screen.

CLASSIC MOVIEPLEX REOPENS:  The Listowel cinema has reopened after 6 months closure and looking forward to welcoming back all their customers.  There are two shows daily – 4.30pm and 8.15pm.  Bookings can be made online on www.listowel-cinema.com and you can also just turn up but come early.  For further information call 068 22796.  It is an ideal venue to spend some time away from our rainy summer and supporting a local venture at the same time.  Use it or lose it.

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.

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.

UPDATE ON GLÓRACH BINGO AT FR. CASEY’S:  Next Sunday’s bingo will start at 1.30pm on account of the Limerick/Tipperary match.  The committee who manage the Glorach have said;  “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 food locally sourced in West Limerick – food  such as Rigney’s Farm granola.  You will also find two playgrounds, a shop stocking outdoor clothing andSpindoctors from Mountmahon  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 It’s a great facility for people walking the Greenway, parents with small children to entertain for a couple of hours and those who just want a short walk to the viewing point over several counties, the Barnagh Tunnel or the renovated Station House which can then be the excuse for coffee and cake!

GRAVEYARD CLEANING:  A clean up takes place every Tuesday evening weather permitting at Reilig Ide Naofa from 7-8pm. Families are encouraged to attend to their family graves it would help to keep the graveyards looking as well as they are. Thanks to all the volunteers who look after the three graveyards in the parish.

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 068ers -31133.   Mass Intentions:   Wednesday 10am Jim White, Killarney Road. Thursday 10am Special Intention (Operation). No Saturday morning Mass   6.30pm Nora & Patrick Quirke, Ballaugh.  Joe O’Connor Caherhayes and his daughter Michelle 2nd Anniversary.  Sunday 10am Daisy Fealey, Knockbrack 1st Anniversary.  Patrick O’Connor, Mountmahon . Hugh Collins, Dromtrasna Collins 2^nd Anniversary.   12noon Nell & Francie Healy and deceased family members. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will resume here in the parish on Friday, July 23. Adoration will begin after the 10.00am Mass until 6.00pm each Friday. “A Holy Hour of adoration helps bring everlasting peace to your soul and in your family. It brings us personal peace and strength. It brings us a greater love for Jesus, for each other, and for the poor. Every holy hour deepens our union with Him and bears much fruit. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY:   Throughout his papacy Pope Francis has reminded us to value the many gifts of our grandparents and elderly and, in recognition of their role, the Holy Father has now instituted an annual World Day into the Church calendar to be celebrated on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen for this inaugural year is ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20), highlighting that promise of closeness that generations share with each other. Not only are our young people called to be present in the lives of older people, but so too grandparents and elders have a mission to encourage young people on their faith journey. The First World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday, July 25.

CATHOLIC PRIMARY EDUCATION IN THE FUTURE: Following their Summer General Meeting, the Catholic Bishops affirmed their commitment to proactively engaging with the Department of Education in relation to the reconfiguration of patronage of primary schools.  The bishops are supportive of an educational landscape which reflects the reality of the increasingly diverse society in Ireland. A true plurality of patronage across the country should ensure parental choice whilst enabling patrons to be true to their own ethos and characteristic spirit. In a statement the bishops said, “Parents are the first and primary educators of their children. It follows that the State should be responsive to the rights of parents to have their philosophical and religious beliefs supported during their children’s education. One of the great strengths of faith-based primary schools has been their rootedness in local communities. ”The bishops said they would like to move as quickly as possible to a situation in which the State supports parents with the provision of schools whose ethos genuinely reflects what they want for their children. Going forward, the bishops wish to have a fruitful dialogue about the best way of ensuring that our school system reflects a diversity of provision, including provision for parents who want their children educated in a local school with a distinctive catholic ethos.

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.”

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).

YOUTH 2000 SUMMER RETREATS: This year the summer retreats for Youth2000 are back. For the Munster Area there are three retreats happening this summer all during the same weekend from 13th-15th August and they take place in Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Places need to be booked through the Youth2000 office [email protected] or 00353 (0) 1 6753690.

WEEVER FISH:  You are advised to wear footwear on the beach in Ballybunion due to an influx of weever fish which have been known to induce allergic reactions and even anaphylactic shock.

ST. SWITHIN’S DAY:  The feast of St Swithin falls on July 15, for once the forecast is for high pressure and high temperatures so we could be in for 40 days of a good summer please God.

POETRY: Éigse Michael Hartnett begins on Thursday, September 30 in Newcastle West. Website: www.eigsemichaelhartnett.ie.

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 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: An Garda Síochána are beginning a pilot scheme that will allow members of the public to view on-line photographs of property (lost and stolen) in Garda possession that has yet to be claimed by the owners of that property. Important details to note: Always report stolen property to An Garda Síochána.  Please make a note of your bike’s serial number, and keep it in a place where it can be easily retrieved if necessary. 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]