Patrickswell news for w/e May 18th.

CHURCH NOTICES: Listed readers for this weekend, May 19-20, The Ascension of The Lord, are as follows, Saturday at 7pm Ellen Foley, Sunday at 10am Niall Sheehy, and Sunday at 12noon Julie D’arcy. Eucharistic Ministers, Saturday at 7pm Mary Collins, Mary Bennis and Breda Carroll, Sunday at 10am Michael O’Mara, Mary Enright and Michael Punch, Sunday at 12noon Seamus Enright, Patricia Barry and Rory Bennis. Please arrange a replacement if you are unable to fulfill any duty allocated to you. Weekday masses are at the usual time of 9-30am Monday to Friday. The weekly prayer meeting takes place at 8 pm on Monday and all are welcome. Items for inclusion in the weekly Parish Newsletter should be handed into the sacristy by 9-30am on Friday or contact Fr. Muiris O’Connor on 353711 or 0866075628. Alternatively they can be emailed to muirisoc@eircom.net.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Congratulations to the twenty pupils from Patrickswell National School who received their First Holy Communion in the Church of the Blessed Virgin last Saturday. Thanks to the teachers and staff for all their hardwork in preparing the children.

ROSARY: The sudden change in weather to cold, wet and windy conditions last Sunday evening, did not deter the large crowd that had gathered at the shrine to recite the rosary and join in prayer in honour of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. John O’Shea led the singing of Star of the Sea to open proceedings, and before prayers, Ann Reidy paid tribute to the late John O’Dea, Barnakyle, who was the driving force behind the erection of the shrine years ago, and which was consecrated in 1964. In memory of John’s life and contribution to the community, and on the occasion of his first anniversary, his family have generously provided a bench seat, suitably inscribed, for those who may wish to sit and rest, and bring their prayers to Our Lady. The solemnity was brought to a close with a hearty rendition of  that wonderful old hymn, Queen of the May.  

 BLOOD DONORS: The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be holding a donor clinic in Scoil Dean Cussen N.S. Bruff, next Wednesday, May 23 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 two donor clinics in Abbeyfeale the following week. For more information contact the Donor Information Line on 1850 731137, or their website.

ELECTRICITY INTERRUPTION: There will be an interruption of electricity supply in the Killonahan area this Monday, May 21, from 9am until 5pm, for work to be carried out to improve the quality of supply.

TIDY TOWNS: At our meeting on May 8, our application for entry into the National Tidy Towns Competition for the first time was discussed, and a  comprehensive list of our achievements to date, and future projects was drawn up for inclusion in our entry. We are under no illusion that it will certainly be a challenge, and we are appealing to all the businesses and those in the residential areas, to make a special effort and keep their own areas clean and tidy, so that we can concentrate on the main area from Collopy’s Cross down to just beyond the roundabout on the Limerick side. Although the Patricksell in Bloom competition was suspended a few years ago, we know that a lot of effort still goes into the gardens, hanging baskets and window boxes, which have always been a feature throughout the village, providing a colourful and cared for environment, and makes a vital contribution to the overall appearance of the community at judging time. Please continue with that. In sharp contrast to this, it came to our attention during the week, that the crew of the mechanical road sweeper, which is operated by the county council, was the subject of an attack by stone throwing youngsters during the course of carrying out cleaning operations in the area recently. This resulted in one of the crew being injured, and the cleaning was abandoned. This is certainly a worrying, and sickening occurrence, and we have been informed that the cleaning crew will not return to operations without a garda escort in the future. It is indeed a sad state of affairs. Moving on, the order for plants was also finalised at our meeting, as was a list of priorities for the jobs which need to be undertaken. We are still receiving donations from those who missed our recent church gate collection, for which we are very grateful.

GROW IT YOURSELF: After the huge success of its launch meeting, West Limerick GIY will hold its second meeting in Croagh, Co Limerick, this Thursday, May17. The meeting will again be on at 7pm in the restaurant of D&M Garden Centre, with new growers, new members and old hands all welcome. GIY’s vision is for a healthier, more connected and more sustainable world, where people grow their own food. The organisation brings people
together in community groups and online to inspire and empower them to grow vegetables. More information from www.giyireland.com.

DAWN CHORUS: The Limerick branch of Bird Watch Ireland is hosting a Dawn Chorus outing this Sunday, May 20 around the grounds of Glenstall Abbey.

Assembly will be at Coker’s Pub car park at 4-45am. Warm clothing and good footwear is advised, but no dogs please.

 BUSINESS COURSE: A free two day Start Your Own Business course will take place in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Saturday May 19and 26 from 9.30am-1.30pm.  To register contact Morgan on 069 66290 or email mboohan@wlr.ie

LOCAL HERITAGE AND RURAL RECREATION: West Limerick Resources will host a local heritage and countryside recreation seminar in the Courtenay Lodge Hotel, Newcastle starting at 9.30am on Saturday May 26^.  The seminar aims to raise awareness of the development potential of these sectors for both the private and community and voluntary sector and of the funding and supports available from West Limerick Resources.  Further details to be announced shortly.