Patrickswell news for w/e February 18th

CHURCH NOTICES

Listed readers for this weekend, February 19-20, The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time are as follows, Saturday at 7pm Michael Woulfe, Sunday at 10am Niall Sheehy, Sunday at 12noon Julie Darcy.Eucharistic Ministers, 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. Please arrange a replacement if you are unable to fulfill any duty allocated to you. Weekday masses are at  the usual time of 9-30 am Monday to Friday. The weekly prayer meeting takes place on Monday at 8pm and all are welcome.

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

PARISH ACCOUNTS

Apologies for the omission of this paragraph from last week’s notes.

Details of the Parish Accounts for the year ending 2010 are posted on the church notice boards in Patrickswell and Ballybrown. Sincere thanks to all those who contributed so generously to the various collections during the past year.

COMPUTER COURSE

A six week computer course begins on Wednesday March 2 at the Patrickswell Community Resource Centre. The class will take place from 10am - 12noon, and the cost will be €20 for the course. Places are limited, for more information call into the Resource Centre, or call Teresa on 061-320303.

BLOOD DONORS

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service requires three thousand donations of blood this week, and a donor clinic will be held at the South Court Hotel, Raheen Roundabout on Tuesday  February 22 from 5 to 8pm.You can visit any blood donor clinic as long as ninety days have elapsed since you last gave blood, and you are urged to please give regularly. For more information contact the Donor Information Line on 1850 731137, or www.ibts.ie

CREDIT UNION

MPCC Credit Union invited local primary schools within its catchment area to participate in the first stage of the nationwide 2011 Credit Union Schools Quiz competition. The local heat took place in Mungret - St. Paul’s GAA Club on Saturday February 5. Twentytwo teams took part involving almost ninety children. The schools  taking part were Patrickswell, St. Paul’s, St Nessan’s, Ballybrown, Educate Together School and Crecora. The questions compiled by primary school teachers, covered such general topics as geography, history, music, literature and sport. The inter-school rivalry was intense but at the end of the day it was all about taking part and the children enjoying the event.There were two different age categories. Competition A was for the under 11s and competition B was for children under 13. There was great competition in both categories and the standard was very high. However in the end there were clear winners in each category and the winning team in each category now progress to the regional chapter final, which will take place in early March. A team from St. Nessan’s National School won the younger age group and the team was Charlotte Fricker, Gina El-Rafie, Matthew Hayes and Eoin Ryan. Crecora won the older age category and the team included Eoin Moore, Thomas Keating and Cian Leahy. Unfortunately their team-mate Paul McAndrew could not make it on the day, so it was a great achievement for them to win with just three on the team. The standard was exceptionally high this year and we hope that both the teams from St. Nessan’s and Crecora can make it through to the National Final in their respective age groups. No doubt, they will do their very best in the regional finals and be great representatives of MPCC Credit Union and ambassadors for their schools. Thanks to the children for taking part and thanks to their teachers and parents for their valued co-operation in making this such a successful and enjoyable event. The Schools Quiz is not only about involving credit unions with their members and potential members, or just about winning, but it’s also about learning and teamwork for all entrants and most important of all, having fun. Photos of the event are now available on the MPCC Credit Union Facebook page.

CITIZEN’S INFORMATION

Consultations for the Citizen’s Information Service are held at the Community Resource Centre every Tuesday from 12noon until 1pm. The information in the January newsletter is incorrect as this was the previous arrangement. Apologies for any confusion or  inconvenience caused. The service, which is delivered by professional staff is free, confidential and impartial, and there is no need to make an appointment.

FASHION SHOW

The final total for the Christmas Fashion Show, which was held at the Cu Chulainn in December is 1510Euro which has been received and acknowledged by the Breast Care Unit at the Regional Hospital.

TIDY TOWNS

Would all members please note that the AGM will take place at the Cu Chulainn next Tuesday, February 22 commencing at 8pm, please make a special effort to attend. Reports for the year will be received and there will be the election of officers. This will be followed by the usual monthly meeting to discuss correspondence, any matters arising, and to finalise our plans for the summer planting schemes.

CURA SUPPORT SERVICES

If you are concerned about an unplanned pregnancy, and would like to talk to someone in confidence, contact Cura on 1850 622626. All services are free and confidential and available to men, women and all family members. Log on to www.cura.ie for local centre details.

LONE PARENTS

A coffee morning and information session is being held in the Pery Hotel, Glentworth St, Limerick on Tuesday March 8 from 9am until 1pm, for lone parents, or those working with or interested in the needs of lone parents. Information will include money advice, family law, welfare rights and child care. Contact Katherine Kirby on 087-9774826 for further information.

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering Ireland is the organisation which has been selected as the National Coordinating Body for the European Year of Volunteering  2011. This is the tenth anniversary of its formation. Volunteering Ireland was nominated for this role by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The European Commission recognizes the value which volunteering provides to communities, promoting social and economic development at a local, national and international level. Goals for the year include working towards an enabling and facilitating environment in Ireland and the EU, empowering volunteer organisations and improving the quality of volunteering, rewarding and recognising volunteering activities, and raising awareness on the value and importance of volunteering. Many activities are planned throughout the year. For more information about EYV 2011 please visit the European Commission website, the official EYV website or Volunteering Ireland’s website.