Patrickswell news for w/e December18th

CHURCH NOTICES

Listed readers for masses December 19-20, and December 26-27 are as follows; Saturday at 7pm Dan Riordan, Sunday at 10am Joe Tierney, Sunday at 12noon Lena Mary Houlihan. Eucharistic Ministers for this weekend the Fourth Sunday in Advent are as follows; Saturday at 7pm M.Collins, M.Bennis, B.Carroll. Sunday at 10am, M.O’Mara, M.Punch, 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. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this Saturday December 19 from 9am till 12noon, in the meeting room, and confessions from 11am till 12noon.The weekly prayer meeting takes place on Monday evening at 7-30pm. There will be no prayer meeting on December 28. Eucharistic Ministers for December 26-27, Saturday at 7pm E.O’Byrne, R. Madigan, J.Tierney. Sunday at 10am, N.Murray, P.J.O’Grady. Sunday at 12noon B.Enright, N.Quinn, P.Kirby. Confessions in Balllybrown Church this Saturday December19 from 10am to 10-45. January 1, 2010, is First Friday, and also the Feast of the Holy Family. Listed readers for January; Saturday at 7pm Frances Lynch, Sunday at 10am Sam Milburn, Sunday at 12noon James McCarthy.



CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve Mass will be at 9pm in Patrickswell, Eucharistic Ministers J.Collopy, M.Bucke, M.Bennis. Mass on Christmas Day will be at 10am, Eucharistic Ministers P.J.O’Grady, R.Kelliher, M.Punch, and12noon, Eucharistic Ministers S.Enright, P.Kirby, E.O’Shea. Mass at Ballybrown on Christmas Eve at 9pm and on Christmas Day at 11am.



PARISH NEWSLETTER

Items for inclusion in the weekly Parish Newsletter should be handed into the sacristy by 9-30am each Friday, or contact Fr. Muiris O’Connor on 353711 or 0866075628. Alternatively they can be emailed to muirisoc@eircom.net



COLLECTION

The church gate collection this weekend is in aid of the Redemptorist Christmas Food Appeal.



CREDIT UNION

Members are advised that the Dooradoyle office does not open until 10.30am on Tuesdays, in order to facilitate staff training. Christmas opening times for Patrickswell are as follows; Friday December 18, 2-7pm, Wednesday December 23 and 30, 2-5pm, Friday January 8, 2010, 2-7pm.



SCHOOL

Another busy term is coming to an end in Patrickswell N.S. The pupils have certainly enjoyed a wonderful variety of trips out of school in recent weeks. There were three trips to Dublin: the first to the Helix Theatre to collect a film award, followed a few weeks later by a visit to Croke Park Stadium and Museum and finally, in the past week, the school choir went to the R.D.S. to perform in the Hallelujah Concert. Sponsorship for these trips was kindly provided by the Parents' Association and Patrickswell GAA Club. There were also field trips to Ardnacrusha, Aughinish Nature Reserve and Newcastlewest Demesne. The younger classes travelled to U.L. to see a play about Santa, while there was entertainment for all ages when the West Midlands Children's Theatre Company performed 'Pinocchio' in the School Hall. Not to be outdone, the Junior Infants staged a beautiful musical show about the Nativity of Jesus which was enjoyed by parents and pupils alike. A week earlier, the annual Christmas Jumble Sale raised 1000 euro for the Bothar Charity. A great honour was bestowed on the school in Croke Park at the end of November when the school was named among the three best large schools promoting Gaelic games in Ireland. The two other schools were from Cork City and Co. Down. GAA President, Christy Cooney made the announcement at the Cumann na mBunscol National Awards. The plaque and cash prize was collected on behalf of the school by Shirley Balfry. Also the Green and White magazine won the Best Publication Award for the seventh time in ten years. Edited by Ciaran Crowe and Joe Lyons, the magazine has grown from its first black and white edition in 1996, to a thirty two page full colour production. The school will re-open after the Christmas Holidays on January 7th. Happy Christmas everybody!



BLOOD DONORS

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will require 3000 units of blood each week during the Christmas period, and donor clinics are being held at the following locations;

Castle Oaks Hotel, Castleconnell, Monday December 21 from 6-9pm, Kilmurry Lodge
Hotel, Castletroy, Tuesday December 22 from6-9pm, South Court Hotel, Raheen, Wednesday December 23 from 5-8pm, Community Centre, Foynes,Tuesday December 29 from 2-5pm, and Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, Wednesday December 30 from 2-5pm. For more information contact the Donor Information Line on 1850 731137, or www.ibts.ie



CHRISTMAS LEADER

Would all contributors please note that this week’s Community Notes will be the last until the issue dated January 9, for which all items will need to be submitted by Sunday January 3. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local contacts for their contribution to the notes during the year. Beannachtaí na Féile 's go n-éirí an Bhliain Nua libh!



TIDY TOWNS
As we were unable to source our Christmas tree from the usual supplier this year we had to look elsewhere for an alternative. John Leddin stepped in and very generously donated this year’s tree for us to illuminate in the grounds of the Garda station. Thanks to Mossie Carmody, Vince Doherty, Liam Foley, and Seamus Enright for siting and securing it, and making sure the lights were working. Again Jim O’Herlihy kindly consented to the use of his power supply. Vince was also instrumental in erecting the extra lights on the trees at the shrine. On behalf of the group grateful thanks to all concerned for their generosity of community and Christmas Spirit. Go raibh síochán na Nollag agus Bliain Nua faoi shéan 's faoi shonas ort 's ar do mhuintir



GOLF SOCIETY

Some members have enjoyed success in recent Christmas outings. Ger Considine finished first in a three ball scramble in the Cement Factory society outing on 5 under in Charleville. Alan Purcell finished first in the Neville’s Cross outing, also a three ball scramble with a score of 7 under in Adare Manor. We wish all our members and their families, and also our sponsors and supporters, a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Enjoy your golf over the festive season.



CONCERT

Julie, Louise and Noleen would like to thank everyone who gave so freely and generously of their time and energy to the Christmas Concert which was staged in the Cu Chulainn last Friday in aid of Patrickswell Community Playschool. The commitment and enthusiasm from all those who took part was again second to none. Grateful thanks to all who were generous in sponsoring the spot prizes, and for the support of all who attended. The organisers would particularly like to thank Christy Murphy and all at the Cu Chulainn for hosting the event.



DRAFT COUNTY PLAN

The Draft County Development Plan 2010 -2016 and associated documents are now available to be viewed in the Resource Centre during normal working hours until Friday January 29.



NEW YEAR, NEW START

Calling all those looking for new skills, new experiences or a new start! If you've been out of work for a long time, for whatever reason, West Limerick Resources is offering you a unique opportunity to sample a range of skills as part of the Towards Occupation Training Programme this January in Patrickswell. Featuring a combination of skills training, career guidance and personal support, the training programme will consists of a range of short term workshops including a brief introduction to computers, arts and crafts, health and relaxation, and work preparation skills. Participants will also get to work on their confidence through personal development workshops. Contact: 069 6316/087 7591951 or email ffitzgerald@wlr.ie





BT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

BT Community Connections is an award scheme which enables community and charitable organisations to apply for a laptop and a year's free broadband connection. Award packages will be given to groups who can demonstrate how an award will benefit their work and the local community. In the past voluntary projects, silver-surfers, conservation organisations, family support groups, sports teams and youth groups have been successful. To find out more visit: www.btcommunityconnections.com. Deadline for postal applications is 5 January 2010. Deadline for online applications is 7 January 2010.