Patrickswell news for w/e July 13th

CHURCH NOTICES: Listed readers for this weekend July 14-15, The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, are as follows, Saturday at 7pm Joanne Tierney , Sunday at 10am Joe Tierney, and Sunday at 12noon Angela O’Donnell. Eucharistic Ministers,

Saturday at 7pm, Michael Houlihan, John Collopy, Maria Bucke. Sunday at 10am, Kathleen Enright, Sam Milburn, Joanne Tierney. Sunday at 12noon, Michael McDermott, Eileen O’Shea, Louise Carey. 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 on Monday at 8pm and all are welcome.

VISITING PRIESTS: Those attending morning masses during the last few weeks, have been pleased to extend a warm welcome to Fr.Holmes, who is visiting family in the area, and who is from the diocese of Perth in Australia. On Friday last, a warm welcome was extended to Bishop Colin C. Davies, OBE, who is also visiting friends and associates in the area, on the occasion of his celebration of sixty years as a priest and a Mill Hill Missionary. Part of his celebrations included a special mass in Patrickswell church last Saturday morning. At the age of 88, Bishop Colin recalls a well travelled early family history, born in the Canary Islands, moving to Madrid then Argentina, then England, and has been a missionary in Kenya since 1959. During that time he also celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a priest, and Silver Jubilee as Bishop of Ngong. He reflects that the highlights of his life and career are attributed to “A God of surprises”, and that “With God, all things are possible”. In his experience he continues, “God is good all the time”.    

 BLOOD DONORS: The Irish Blood Transfusion Service requires three thousand donations again this week, and donor clinics are being held at the following locations,

Castle Oaks Hotel, Castleconnell, on Monday July 16 from 6 to 9pm, and Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Castletroy, on Tuesday July 17 also from 6 to 9pm, where there will also be recruitment for the bone marrow registry. 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 donor sessions in Corbally, Manister and Newcastlewest the following week. For more information contact the Donor Information Line on 1850 731137, or their website.

TIDY TOWNS: Residents of Sycamore Heights were justifiably shocked and horrified last Wednesday, to discover that all their hours of strimming, mowing and tidying of the approach to their estate, had been reduced to nothing, by the thoughtless action of contractors who had decided to cut across the grass with their machinery, after two days of heavy rain, to bring in building materials for a wall which was being constructed. It is a difficult area to maintain at the best of times, many hours had already been invested in readiness for the imminent competitions, and their effort was there for all to see. Although it is the contractor’s obligation to reinstate the damage done, residents are in no doubt that any remedial work will be too little, too late for their efforts to be recognised this year, and those involved are bitterly disappointed.

The relevant departments of the county council are aware of this, and assurance has been given that the situation will be monitored very closely. Meanwhile, our own preparations continue, with the judging of Limerick in Bloom imminent, and the national Tidy Towns ongoing until August.

CREDIT UNION: MPCC Credit Union Ltd. is delighted to announce their Third Level Education Bursary Award of € 2,000 per annum for up to 4 years. The credit union recognises that being in full time third level education can be a financial burden on both students and their families and with this in mind the Education Bursary will go a long way in reducing the financial strain. Full details and application forms are available from the credit union offices or on their website www.mpcccreditunion.ie or on Facebook. Applications are welcome from all eligible Members before the closing date of August 31.

FEILE: Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week, were indeed a hectic few days for all who had travelled to the capital for the Féile na nGael Átha Cliath 2012. Text messages were flying as early as Thursday morning, informing everyone back home of the team’s progress, as they won their first match 3-6 to 3-5 against St.Vincents, who were Patrickswell’s host Dublin team. Friday’s matches saw a draw, 2-1 to 1-4 against Kilmacud Crokes, and a 0-7 to1-3 victory over James Stephens of Kilkenny, which made Patrickswell comfortable winners of Division 1. On Saturday, St Brigids were their opponents in the semi-final, but unfortunately this was as far as the team progressed, as they lost on a scoreline of 1-3 to 1-7, to the eventual winners of their division, and the Christy Ring Trophy. It was a disappointing result obviously, but no mean achievement to have made it that far in what is essentially an All Ireland Competition for their age group. Mentors, management, and especially the players, are to be congratulated on such a fine performance, even if it fell short of hopes and expectations. Representing the club and county at such a high level can only stand these talented youngsters in good stead for the future, as Feile is recognised as a celebration of all that is best in team work, skill, hospitality, fairplay and friendship. Congratulations to you all, your parish is proud of you.

AUCTION: O’Donovan & Associates, Newcastlewest are holding a monster clearance auction in Newcastlewest, this Saturday July 14 at 11am, including the contents of the late John Daly, Ardagh, and the contents of a house in Limerick city.  Over 600 lots featuring a Honda 70, generators, chainsaws, high quality furniture, Waterford glass, 16 antique clocks, 1921 War of Independence medal, coins, bank notes, jewellery, musical instruments, 5 violins and 4 accordions. Viewing all day Friday and morning of sale.