Parish News 17th April

Church News

Holy Week

On Holy Thursday Christians throughout the world gather in their local parish churches to celebrate the saving work God has accomplished in Christ. From the events remembered throughout Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we learn the deepest lessons. Through words and music, through light and darkness and through the celebration of the Eucharist the mystery of God's love for us is revealed. When we reflect on the events of these three great days, we realise as baptised Christians that we have something to truly celebrate. The times of all ceremonies for both Dromin and Athlacca Churches are listed here.

Holy Thursday:  Mass of the Last Supper, Athlacca Church 7.30p.m. 

Good Friday, Celebration of the Passion Liturgy, Dromin Church 3.00p.m., Stations of the Cross, Athlacca Church 7.30p.m., Dromin Church 8.15p.m. 

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil, Athlacca Church 9.00p.m. 

Easter Sunday, Dawn Mass of the Resurrection, Dromin Graveyard at 6.00a.m. Easter Sunday Morning Mass, Athlacca Church 10.00a.m. 

Easter Monday, Mass in Dromin Church at 11.00a.m.

Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.

Confessions will be heard after the Holy Thursday ceremonies in Athlacca church and after the Good Friday ceremonies in Dromin. This year Confessions will be heard in Kilmallock Church from 11.00a.m to 4.00p.m. The clergy of the surrounding parishes will be assisting the clergy of Kilmallock. 

Divine Mercy Novena: The Novena begins on Good Friday and concludes on the Sunday after Easter. Leaflets with the Novena prayers are available in both churches. The Novena will conclude on Sunday 27th April, with special prayers and Mass in Athlacca Church, beginning at 2.00p.m. 

Trocaire Boxes: This year the Trocaire Collection will be taken up on Sunday 27th April the Sunday after Easter. To facilitate people who have collected in their Trocaire boxes over the Lenten season, or who may wish to contribute to this year’s collection, a special envelope for the Trocaire collection will be available in both churches next weekend. We would ask you to take an envelope home with you and return it on Sunday 27th April to both churches. Supporting Trocaire is a sign of our solidarity with the poor around the world. It is our opportunity to make a difference and support developing communities who are in need of our help. 

Easter Dues Collection: The Easter Dues Collection will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. Your continued support is much appreciated. Thanks to all the parishioners who assist with the distribution of the envelopes and other parish literature during the year.

RTE Broadcast: RTE will televise the Holy Week Ceremonies from St John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on Good Friday and Holy Saturday night. Bishop Leahy has extended an invitation to all parishioners from around the diocese to join him in St John’s for the celebrations. If you intend attending either of the ceremonies please note that you should be seated in the Cathedral 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the liturgies.  The Good Friday Service begins at 3.00p.m. and the Easter Vigil begins at 11.00p.m.

Sacred Space 102fm: Sacred Space is a weekly programme on West Limerick 102fm which includes inspirational music, chat, interviews, what’s on locally and not so local including ratio and TV and reflection of the Gospel reading of the day presented by John Keily, regular panellists and invited guests.  It is broadcast every Sunday morning from 10am to 11am and repeated on Thursday nights between 10.30pm – 11.30pm on West Limerick 102fm.  Why not listen in.

Spring Clean: Annual Spring Clean:  The National Spring Clean organised by local authorities throughout Ireland is now in its 16^th year and will take place during the month of April.  It is Ireland’s biggest anti-litter campaign.  It encourages people to take pride in their environment and to take action against litter.  In recent years there has been great interest and enthusiasm  shown by parishioners who have organised a clean-up of the  litter both in Dromin and Athlacca.  Why not organise a group in your neighbourhood.  A free clean up kit is provided to all volunteers who complete application forms or register on line at www.nationalspringclean.org

Easter Display

We have to congratulate Kay Kelleher, Ann Houlihan and Karen Fox and her family for the beautiful display at the Church entrance and the altar floral display.  The water feature at the entrance is growing every week and each week you spot the beautiful additions that have been made.  Last week there was a beautiful twisted Hazel.  What made this so nice was the leaves were just starting to appear it was a living plant.  Well done to all.

London Marathon.

Congratulations to Ger Cronin Dromin and Germany on finishing the marathon in 2hours 49 minutes and 46 seconds. The London Marathon distance is 26.2 miles

Unfriendly Visit..

Last Tuesday night we got word that the home of the Collins Family Clonbrien had been visited by thieves. This burglary took place at 3pm in the middle of the day.  If anyone spotted anything please contact the Gardaí in Bruff  061 382940.

Ballyhoura Development Update: Monday nights showcase rally took place in Cappamore to a full hall. People from every area attended.  It began at 8pm with introductions to the panel and politicians who were in attendance.  On the panel were: John Walsh – Chairman, Carmel Fox Chief Executive, Ballyhoura Development, Kieran O'Donnell FG, Patrick, O’Donovan FG, Neil Collins FF, Dr. Bríd Quinn, B.Ed (NUI), MA & PhD  Lecturer in University of Limerick.

We were first told a little of the history of Ballyhoura Development and what it was there for.

Ballyhoura Development Ltd. was formed in 1989.  We are the local development company covering East County Limerick and North East County Cork.  Their aim is to support individuals, businesses and communities, in diversifying the economic base of the locality and assisting people living in the area to improve the quality of their lives through Community, Enterprise, Tourism and Employment supports. The Ballyhoura area is a dispersed rural area, with a total population of 78,191 spread across 54 communities. The nearest urban centres are Limerick and Cork. Historically the area has had a high dependence on agriculture and a corresponding underdevelopment of the industrial, commercial and professional services sectors.  The company manages EU and National programmes and projects including the Rural Development Programme (LEADER), The Local Community Development Programme (LCDP), The Rural Social Scheme (RSS), The Tús Scheme, Local Training Initiative’s (LTI’s), Job Club, and Equality For Women Measure and the Towards Occupation Programme - and brokers mainstream funding with the aim of revitalising the rural area.This funding is managed with efficiency, accountability and transparency.

The Meeting started with Tom Flynn of Lough Gur Development starting it off and letting people know what Ballyhoura has done for Lough Gur and the surrounding area. Such as getting help with developing Lough Gur and its historic buildings, also the information centre and the Honey Fitz. He thanked Ballyhoura and commented that “If it’s not broken why fix it”.   Tom Hayes Doon Community Centre, thanked Ballyhoura Development for their help with getting funding for the state of the art playground, the refurbishment of the Hall and remade it into a beautiful centre where it is being in constant use.  Noreen Maher spoke about closures of the Post Office, Garda Stations, Shops and closing down of small businesses. She praised Ballyhoura Development helped with the disabled with getting retrained and help in getting back education through FETAC and back into Colleges and  to the work force. She complemented them in the setting up of the Rural Bus scheme and how it gave people who are living in the most rural parts access to getting into our towns. Members of the general audience were asked if they would like to contribute and several did.  The overall impression was that the people of the West and East Limerick and North Cork were not happy that the Council Development Community were taking over Ballyhoura and maintained that what would happen was that whatever funding that could be got from LEADER would be used for different things and that it would make it harder for rural communities to get future funding.

Greenhouse Gas

At the moment on the radio we are hearing a lot about Greenhouse gasses and the environment.  What is Greenhouse Gas? Greenhouse gas is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming.

Sources of greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases come from all sorts of everyday activities, such as using electricity, heating our homes, and driving around town.  Some greenhouse gases, like methane, are produced through agricultural practices including livestock manure management. Others, like CO₂, largely result from natural processes like respiration and from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.  Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the early 1800s, humans have been burning fossils fuels at an ever-increasing rate.

Ireland and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: In global terms, Ireland is a small country with a relatively small population. However, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions per person are amongst the highest of any country in the world. The argument that we are too small a country to make a difference holds no ground - climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution involving all countries.

How can we help: The best way for us to cut our carbon footprint is by cutting back is to: Turning off the lights, turning off your TV and computers when they’re not in use and not leaving them on standby. Unplug your chargers when not in use. Only fill the kettle to the amount of water you need for your cup or pot of tea or whatever…Make sure you close your fridge doors and defrost your freezer regularly so it closes properly. Bring a reusable shopping bag to the shops with you and save yourself the 22c for the plastic bags. Walk where you can or cycle and take public transport where possible as it will reduce your CO2 emissions and save money on fuel, if you have to use the car, try to get two or more jobs done in the one run. Swap your light bulbs for energy efficient ones. Ireland has great drying weather (when it’s not raining) so avoid the tumble dryer when you can. Only use your dish washer/washing machines when you’ve got a full load.

Results of 45 Drive in Athlacca 11th April

Winners with 10 games - Ruth Fox and Chrissie O'Sullivan

Second with 9 games - Josie Lynch & Anne Potter, Mikie & Frank Minogue

Table Prizes - Jim Carey & Nora Mai Dunworth, Willie O'Brien & Partner, Ml O'Regan & Joe McDonald

Raffle - €50 Deirdre Brown, €30 Noel Crowley, €20 James O'Leary €10 each to Anne Murphy, Sean Madden, John O'Leary, Ann Murphy, Jimmy Carey

We will be holding our weekly card game as usual this Good Friday starting 8.30 p.m.

Boxercise/Fitness has come to a close for the summer.  We would like to thank all who have been turning up and keep up the good work over the summer, hope to see everyone again next winter.

GAA News:

Gaa Lotto Results

No Winner. Numbers were 3,9,8,13.

Lucky Dips: €40 Dave Mullins, €20 Derry O’Meara, €20 Linda Tracy.

Next week’s Jackpot €7900

Results of ACHL was Dromin/Athlacca 1-7 Murroe Bother 1-17

Saturday 19^th ACHC Intermediate Premier  Dromin Athlacca Vs Garryspillane in Bruff. Throw in at 6:30pm.  

Results

For anyone who intends to play this year all membership needs to be paid. Only paid up members and paid up lotto members are able to have their names put in for the Intercounty match tickets draw. €20 for Adults and €10 for students.

Dromin/Athlacca GAA Club Draw: Our lotto tickets are normally €2.00 a piece and last year we introduced the €100 for the year entry.  Considering the success we had with this last year we are re-introducing it again this year from April to December.  This will entitle you to two draws per week. If you would like to join please contact mark Moynihan on 0868554357

Scrap Metal Collection: Dromin/Athlacca are having a Scrap Metal Collection again. For more information contact Mike Geaney 0876494841

Presidental Visit.

During the week our President Mr. Michael D. Higgins went on a visit to the England and met with Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family and members of the British Government.  We have been reading in most of the papers where the Royal Family intend being here to commemorate the 1916 Rising.  So in honour of that momentous occasion I am including this little poem by John F. McCullagh.

 

The Easter Rising

The Proclamation had met with silence, he must have known the fight was lost,
But, Connolly, faithful to the cause, was accepting of its cost.

They took the Green, The inns of Court, the Post on Sackville Street
De Valera stood at Bolandʼs mill the place where five roads meet.

Their commander, Pearse, a scholar, apportioned his menʼs lives,
To garrison each strong point till the British would arrive.

Their tactics were pure suicide - they could not hope to stand,
But their strategy was brilliant meant to rouse a sleeping land.

Sure to die of a snipers bullet - or a British firing squad
These unabashed Republicans Held out against long odds..

Bloodied by the Rebel guns, the foe paid dear for ground
The general post office was in flames as their gunboats shelled our town.

The week crawled past and Dublin burned the post Office glowed White hot
Pearse watched his troop dwindle and fade  faint from shell and shock..

They gave up to be crucified in Imperial British fashion
And by dying saved their country, their deaths brought her resurrection.

The British with their firing squad could ready, aim and fire.
The Brotherhood by dying could persuade, convince, inspire

From the graves of these patriot men was an Irish nation grown.
Their struggle at the post office still captured in itsʼ stone