Patrickswell news for w/e August 26th

CHURCH NOTICES: Listed readers for this weekend August 27-28, The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, are as follows, Saturday at 7pm Dan Riordan, Sunday at 10am P.J.O’Grady, Sunday at 12noon Michael Punch. Eucharistic Ministers, Saturday at 7pm, Christy Murphy, Rita Madigan, Joe Tierney. Sunday at 10am, Noreen Murray, Eileen Nally, PJ O’Grady. Sunday at 12noon, Pat Kirby, Noreen Quinn, Birdie Enright. 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 at 8 pm on Monday and all are welcome. Listed readers for the month of September are as follows; Saturday at 7pm Joanne Tierney, Sunday at 10am Joe Tierney, Sunday at 12noon Angela O’Donnell.

 PARISH NEWSLETTER: Items for inclusion in the weekly Parish Newsletter for the first weekend in September should be handed into the sacristy by 9-30am on Friday September 2 or contact Fr. Muiris O’Connor on 353711 or 0866075628. Alternatively they can be emailed to muirisoc@eircom.net

CEMETERY MASS: There was a large attendance at the mass for the deceased of the parish, which took place in very pleasant weather conditions in Patrickswell cemetery last Tuesday, August 16. The graveyard committee would like to thank everyone for the generous response to the collection for the upkeep and maintenance.

The annual mass for the deceased of the parish will take place in Kilkeedy this Monday August 29, commencing at 7-30pm.

TRÓCAIRE: The collection, which took place on the weekend of August 13/14 for the famine emergency in Somalia, amounted to 3,400Euro, which has been forwarded to Trócaire. You are thanked most sincerely for your sincere and generous response to the appeal.

BLOOD DONORS: The Irish Blood Transfusion Service requires three thousand donations of blood every week, and a donor clinic is being held at the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare this Tuesday August 30 from 6 to 9pm.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. There will be a donor clinic in Raheen the following week. For more information contact the Donor Information Line on 1850 731137, or their website.

COLLECTION: There will be a church gate collection at all masses this weekend in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, for which you are asked to be as generous as possible.

LOUGH GUR: As part of Heritage Week celebrations, there will be free admission to the Heritage Centre at Lough Gur this Sunday August 28. It houses a number of display cases telling the story of the manufacture and use of flint and bronze material and their eventual deposition in the area as well as their recovery, whether as a result of scientific excavation or random finds. The tour includes an audio of the history and background to Lough Gur. There are replicas of Stone Age pottery as well as other artefacts depicting the lifestyles of the first inhabitants of Lough Gur. More details are available at www.loughgur.com

RAMBLING HOUSE: There will be a walk to Knockfierna Hill from the Rambling House, this Sunday August 28, commencing at 5pm, followed by a night of music, song and story at the Rambling House and all are welcome.

 MEASLES IMMUNISATION: The HSE National Immunisation Office is urging parents to make sure that their children are fully vaccinated against measles following a large pan national outbreak of the disease in Europe. Measles is a highly infectious and dangerous illness, which spreads very easily, particularly in homes, crèches, playgroups, camps, schools and universities. So far, 110 cases of measles have been reported in Ireland since January 2011.  Parents should speak with their GP and get the vaccine for their child if needed. The vaccine is free.

SPRINGBOARD INITIATIVE: The Springboard initiative is designed to provide 6,000 new places on higher education programmes for unemployed people. Targeted at those who were previously working but lost their jobs or were made redundant and who, with some up-skilling, could fill current or future job shortages, the initiative will allow those who undertake the courses to retain their benefits and if they find a job, they will still be permitted and encouraged to finish their course. A total of 34 institutions in both the public and private sector will offer programmes ranging from Certificate to Masters Level.   Potential students can online though Bluebrick.ie. Subject to eligibility for these courses, participants will not have to pay fees. Applications for most courses close on or around August 31^st.

LIMERICK SHOW: All roads lead to Limerick Racecourse, Greenmount, Patrickswell, this weekend, Saturday and Sunday for Munster’s largest agricultural show. Some new and interesting attractions including an ice skating rink, reptiles and a flea circus will be making their debut at the show, together with the usual domestic classes for animals, home produce and arts and crafts. Good luck to all local competitors.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: May Mullane of Killonahan, recently celebrated her eightieth birthday, and would like to thanks all friends and neighbours for the visits, cards and best wishes which she received on her special day.