Patrickswell Thursday, 8th January 2009

CHURCH NOTICES
Listed readers for masses this coming weekend, December 20-21, the fourth Sunday of Advent, are as follows; Saturday at 7pm Rosemary Kelleher, Sunday at 10am Sam Milburn, Sunday at 12noon Simon Hayes. Eucharistic Ministers, Saturday at 7pm M.Houlihan, J.Collopy, M.Bucke. Sunday at 10am, K.Enright, R.Kelliher. Sunday at 12noon M.McDermott, E.O’Shea, R.Fitzgerald. Please arrange a replacement if you are unable to fulfill any duty allocated to you. Weekday masses are at 9.30am Monday to Friday. The weekly prayer meeting takes place every Monday evening from 8 to 9pm and all are welcome. Eucharistic Ministers for Christmas are as follows, Christmas Eve at 9pm K.Enright, J.Collopy, and M.Bucke. Christmas Day 10am, R.Kelliher, P.J.O’Grady and E.O’Shea. Christmas Day noon, N.Quinn, R.Fitzgerald, and R.Bennis. The memorial tree will again be a feature of the Christmas celabrations this year. Listed readers for the month of January are, Saturday at 7pm, Michael Wolfe, Sunday at 10am, Niall Sheehy, Sunday at noon, Julie D’arcy. Confessions will be heard this Saturday, and on Christmas Eve from noon till 1pm. The Parish Clerk wishes to thank you for your generosity to the collection last weekend.

NEW BUS SERVICE
A new bus service operated by Kelly Travel of Pallasgreen is now operating from Croom and Patrickswell into Limerick city centre via Raheen Church, Regional Hospital and Crescent Shopping Centre. Departing Croom every day Monday to Saturday at 09:30 the service will be picking up outside the Cu Chulainn bar at 9.40am and at the Grotto in Patrickswell at 9.45am. The service will drop off at the Augustinian Church on O’Connell Street, Limerick at 10.05am and will return at 1.15pm. The full timetable can be seen at www.kellytravel.ie

SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
County Limerick Local Sports Partnership invites applications from clubs/organisations who wish to be considered for funding under the COACH EDUCATION & EQUIPMENT GRANT SCHEME FOR SPORTING CLUBS 2009. Grants – up to €500 – are available in respect of the following: training and coaching courses, purchase of equipment, seed grant (Start Up grant). For an application form and/or more information, please contact Phelim Macken or Kathleen Kennedy at 061-496463 or 061-496428 or check out www.cllsp.ie.

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR IRELAND
The foundation makes grants to not-for-profit and voluntary groups working in communities throughout the Republic of Ireland. It accepts funding applications on an on-going basis which are then assessed three times a year. The next closing date is 27th February. The Community Foundation will favour projects leading to the social inclusion of people and communities who are excluded for various reasons. It is essential that applicants consult the full criteria, available on www.communityfoundation.ie/grants/. If you have an idea for what could be done in Patrickswell but are unsure about what to do next, please feel free to contact Mo Foley from West Limerick Resources on 087 9915873/069 66298

TIDY TOWNS
The switch on of the Christmas tree lights went ahead last Wednesday, with hundreds of festively clad school children seemingly laying siege to the Garda Station. The children eagerly sang their medley of carols and festive songs, followed by the countdown, and a rousing cheer as the tree was illuminated, much to everyone’s delight. A hearty chorus of Jingle Bells then followed, and proceedings were brought to an end with the much deserved distribution of festive treats. Our thanks to Mr. Crowe, his colleagues, the children and their parents for making such an enjoyable contribution to the festive spirit.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION
Patrickswell National School Parents Association held a 45 card drive in the Dark Horse on Friday December 5. Competition was keen with a number of pairs on 6 games at the end of the night. 2 pairs were joint winners, Brendan O'Connell / Jerry Mullane and Joe Shinnors / Mary O’Grady, who all very generosity donated their winnings back to the parents association. We would like to thank James and Liam Shinnors who did a great job organising the night, thanks to the staff of the Dark Horse and to Fergus and Josephine Kilcoyne who provided the food. A very special thanks to the people who turned up on the night to play cards.

CONCERT
The abundance of talent that exists in the community was available for all to see last Friday, with the staging of the Christmas Rock and Roll Concert, which was in aid of Limerick Animal Welfare and Patrickswell Senior Citizens. A cast and crew of over fifty performers, stage hands and helpers, produced another exhilarating and pulsating show from start to finish, ably supported by an enthusiastic and receptive audience, and a legion of adoring fans. Christopher Moore was the star of the show with his portrayal of Shane Ward and we are all very proud of you Christopher. To date the event has raised three thousand euro for the chosen beneficiaries, and there will be more to come from the sale of the DVD’s which it is hoped will be ready in time for Christmas.

GOLF SOCIETY
We held our Christmas outing on Saturday, December 6 in Newcastle West Golf Club. On a very bright but crisp cold winter’s day we had a very good turnout with everyone joining in the spirit of the season by contributing a festive prize on the day. We would like to thank everyone for their contribution. The format was a threeball scramble and the results were as follows. 1st. Gary Kirby, James Devine & Jerry Ryan 58.0 nett.
2nd. Kieran Darcy, Paul O’Grady and Jimmy Mc. Carthy 62.1 nett.
3rd. Mick Barry, Tony O,Neill & Mark Leahy 62. 5 nett. Would all our new members please forward their mobile numbers to the Secretary Gerry Molyneaux so that you can be included in our clickatel service for 2009. This is our source of communication to all members about the events in the society for 2009.
Finally I would like on behalf of the society to wish all members, their families and friends a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. Enjoy your golf over the festive season.