Patrickswell notes 19th March

CHURCH NOTICES
Listed readers for masses this coming weekend, March 21-22, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, are as follows; Saturday at 7pm Frances Lynch, Sunday at 10am Joe Tierney, Sunday at 12noon James McCarthy.Eucharistic Ministers, Saturday at 7pm M.Collins, M.Bennis, B.Carroll. Sunday at 10am, M.O’Mara, M.Punch, S.Milburn. Sunday at 12noon S.Enright, N.O’Grady, R.Bennis. Please arrange a replacement if you are unable to fulfill any duty allocated to you. Weekday masses are at 9-30 am Monday to Friday. The weekly prayer meeting takes place every Monday evening from 8 to 9pm. and all are welcome. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after 10 o’clock mass until the 12noon mass each Sunday during the season of Lent, with prayer intentions for vocations and religious life.

LENTEN PASTORAL
Copies of Bishop Donal Murray’s Lenten Pastoral , “United in Hope”, are now available in the church porch. If further copies are required, contact the Diocesan Office on 061-315856, or the Diocesan website, www.limerickdiocese.org

INFORMATION
An information leaflet has been issued containing ideas for reflection and coping skills, contact numbers and helplines of various support groups for those experiencing difficulties of any kind during these challenging times.

RACE DAY
Patrickswell Community Council is hosting a day out at Limerick Race Course on Monday April 6. Tickets are available from Community Council members and cost €10.The Community Council supports a number of projects in the village at different times of the year. They maintain the Resource house in the village which is used by a number of Community groups. They also pay for cost of lighting the Shrine. The day out at the Races along with their annual Church gate collection is their major fundraiser for the year and support would be greatly appreciated. The Council would like to thank the Racecourse for their support with this initiative and wish the new Manager every success in the coming years. They look forward to seeing the people of Patrickswell at the races in April.

SYMPATHY
The Community Council passed votes of sympathy to the following at their monthly meeting. Benny and Kay Nolan on the death of Kay's mother, Mairead Keely on the death of her mother, the Graham family on the death of Josie, the Ryan family on the death of Gerry, the Tuohy and O' Brien family on the death of Mary, Tom Guiltenane on the death of his mother, Michael Carmody on the death of PJ, and the Buston family on the death of their uncle. May they rest in peace.

ORGAN DONORS
Organ Donor Awareness Week which takes place from March 28 to April 4 is being organised by the Irish Kidney Association with support from the Irish Donor Network. The campaign aims to raise awareness and highlight the need for more people to carry an organ donor card, and the ongoing need for organs for transplantation.

BLOOD DONORS
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is holding a donor session at the Kilmurry Lodge, Castletroy, next Tuesday and Wednesday March 24 and 25, from 6 to 9pm. For more information contact the Donor Information on 1850 731137, or www.ibts.ie

EARTH HOUR
Homes and businesses are being encouraged to participate in the third annual Earth Hour which takes place on Saturday March 28 at 8-30 pm. It is a global event, supported by governments with an estimated billion people taking part, to highlight the need for climate change awareness. Many buildings and landmarks will be in darkness for an hour. Being energy efficient can also save hundreds of euro a year.

DAFFODIL DAY
Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, is being held this Friday March 20. Mary Bagnell and her group of volunteers will again be selling bunches of fresh daffodils and other items outside the Centra Supermarket, by kind permission of Dave and Caroline Hodkinson. Your support and generosity would be greatly appreciated.

TIDY TOWNS
Wonderful Spring weather at the weekend provided the ideal conditions for grass cutting. Paddy Kiely was first out of the traps to test drive the mowers, and all areas from Lucey’s Cross to Rosville were in receipt of his expert attention, in readiness for St. Patrick’s Day. We will be discussing our plans for the Spring Clean at our next meeting which will be on Tuesday March 31, in the Cu Chulainn commencing at 8pm.

GOLF SOCIETY
Our first outing of the year takes place this Saturday, March 21, at Kanturk. A time sheet is in operation from ten o’clock until eleven thirty, three balls only.