Patrickswell news for w/e October 25th.

CHURCH NOTICES: Listed readers for this weekend, October 26-27, The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, are as follows, Saturday at 6-30pm Angela O’Donnell, Sunday at 11-30am Ann Higgins. Eucharistic Ministers, Saturday at 6-30pm Seamus Enright, Michael Houlihan and Maria Bucke, Sunday at 11-30am Patricia Barry, Rory Bennis and Rose Kelliher, please arrange a replacement if you are unable to fulfill any duty allocated to you. Would ministers be aware that only one duty may be undertaken at mass, and the readers’ list now operates on a two weekly cycle. Listed readers for Saturday November 2 and 9 at 6-30pm Dan Riordan, and Sunday November 3 and 10 at 11-30am Julie Darcy. The weekly prayer meeting takes place on Monday at 8pm and all are welcome. Weekday masses in Patrickswell will be at the usual time of 9-30am. Weekend masses in Ballybrown will be at 8pm on Saturday, and 10am on Sunday.

 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in Patrickswell Church on Saturdays from 8am until 12noon, and in Ballybrown on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm.

CHURCHGATE COLLECTION: There will be a church gate collection next weekend, Saturday and Sunday November 2-3, in aid of the Limerick branch of Headways, the support group for people with an acquired brain injury, for which you are asked to be as generous as possible.

SUMMERTIME IS OVER: All good things come to an end, and this weekend in the early hours of Sunday morning to be more precise, this year’s summer time, during which we experienced and enjoyed the best summer weather for a long time, officially expires. Timepieces of all descriptions, clocks, watches, chronometers and digital apparatus will therefore need to be put back one hour before you retire on Saturday night with the annual bonus of an extra hour in bed on Sunday morning.

TIDY TOWNS: There will be a meeting of Patrickswell Tidy Towns this coming Tuesday, October 29, in the Cứ Chulainn, commencing at 8pm. The main item on the agenda will be to finalise the arrangements for the annual table quiz, which is taking place on Friday November 1.

FRIDAY CLUB: During November, the month of Holy Souls, members of the Friday Club will be hosting a series of lunches, similar to those held during Lent. Again the lunches will be a simple affair of homemade soup and bread, and a cup of tea or coffee. There will be no set charge, but patrons can make a voluntary donation, which the club will donate to a charity of its choice. Your support will be appreciated, and everyone will be made very welcome.

ACTIVE RETIREMENT: On Saturday October 12, nineteen members boarded a bus at the early hour of eight o’clock, to commence their day trip to Dublin. With a brief stop at Portlaoise, the group arrived at Áras an Uachtaráin for a guided tour around the official presidential residence. As it was a Saturday, the president does not meet with visiting groups, but we were delighted to be acquainted with his two dogs. Members also saw the presidential Rolls Royce, which is currently off road, but we were informed that it is one of the president’s wishes to restore it to its former glory and use it as a form of transport. Members also visited Farmleigh House, which is the official Irish State guest house for foreign dignitaries. It was formerly one of the Dublin residences of the Guinness family. Lunch in Phoenix Park was followed by a visit to the Garden of Remembrance at Island Bridge. Those who were still standing then availed of some retail therapy at Kildare, where the group also enjoyed dinner together. After a long but very enjoyable day, the bus returned to Patrickswell at 10-30pm.

HATS OFF TO ANN: Local lady Ann Foley from Clounanna has always had a fascination for stylish head wear, and is now concentrating her energy in taking her hobby to the next stage. If any fashion conscious ladies out there would like a custom made hat or fascinator for any upcoming special occasion, Ann would love to hear from you and be given the chance to demonstrate her skills and passion. Ann can be contacted at 061-355490, 087-7593565 or annfoley1971@gmail.com

UNITED NATIONS DAY: Since 1948,Thursday October 24 has been celebrated as United Nations Day, aimed at highlighting the achievements of the United Nations.

This year’s UN Day focuses on the eight UN Millennium Development Goals, whilst also being involved in many other issues including armed conflict, human rights, and the environment.

CREDIT UNION: The Board of Directors of MPCC Credit Union wish to advise that with effect from Friday, November 1, its Mungret office will close at 5pm on Fridays and not re-open from 6.00 to 7.00pm. Previously, it was the directors who voluntarily provided this additional evening service for members. Unfortunately, under the Credit Union Act of 2012, voluntary assistants of the credit union are no longer eligible to be directors, and the credit union is no longer in a position to offer the extra evening service on Fridays to its members, and apologises for any inconvenience caused. Full details of all opening hours are available on www.mpcccreditunion.ie

SELF HELP AFRICA: A fund-raising coffee morning takes place on Friday, October 25 from 10am – 12 noon in the credit union’s Dooradoyle office. Dave Noble, an employee of MPCC Credit Union, will be taking part in the Tour De Ethiopia in mid-November in aid of Self Help Africa. This trip is to raise awareness and raise funds for the charity. Dave and nine others will cycle over 400 kilometres in very hilly terrain at a high altitude over four days and then run in the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa on November 24. All donations will be gratefully accepted and every cent collected will go directly to Self Help Africa. Details of the Tour De Ethiopia 2013 can be found on Facebook.