Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.
We are into the last week of the month of September, and looking around it has all the signs of it. The lawn no longer needs its weekly trim and the last roses of summer will be gone, but for the boost that they got from the few lovely warm days which we got during the week. It was lovely to see them waking up again, even though it was not very seasonal. But as some take their own annual break others are coming into their own. The lovely Virginian Creeper is already making it’s annual appearance. Having remained in the background while others flaunted their multi-coloured blossoms they are now coming into their own as they drape themselves around every hedge and wall and even along the ground, if they can’t find a platform to cling to. If we are wise we will take a little of our time to admire them before we have to call on the man with the mighty machine that will make short work of the months of growth on our hedges and walls.
Next Sunday September 29, is the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel and was known as Michaelmas Day. When we were young Michaelmas Day was always a very special and was celebrated by having goose for dinner. The geese which were hatched out in the Spring spent the summer months grazing in the fields like the cows, but come the harvest time when the corn was cut the geese were ushered into the fields, called the stubbles where they feasted on the grains that were dropped. By the time Michaelmas Day came around they were fine and fat and heavy to grace the table. The best one was chosen and the killing of the goose was indeed a ritual in itself, nothing was wasted. The strong or outer feathers were discarded but to soft downy ones were lovingly saved to pack pillows and go towards making one of the renowned, granny’s feathered beds. The wings came in for special attention. From the ‘shoulder to the elbow’ was left on to be cooked with the bird. But the outer parts were carefully put aside to live on and be used for months or even years to clean down the steps of the stairs or around the fireplace and so on. Their long tapering quills were ideal for those jobs. Sometimes it was given to someone who didn’t have geese and was always regarded as a very precious and welcome gift. To get the last of the downy bits off, the goose had to be singed. One of us would be sent off the barn for some straw (a bockel). It would be set alight on the ground and the bird twisted and turned over the flame till the last bit was gone. I can still see my step-mother with her eyes full of smoke as she tried the get it done to a T. The neck was cut off at full length and the entrails, the heart the gizzard and the liver were all put aside. The body was stuffed full with potatoes mashed with oceans of butter and onions, pepper and salt. On the day the smell of the roasting goose filled the house and indeed the yard outside. And when Auntie (Our stepmother) would take it out of the oven to check ,we’d be ready to grab the stuffing that had burst out on to the pan during the cooking ,while she warned us off in case we got burned. With seven or more mouths to feed, the goose didn’t last long. And the pick for the supper polished it off altogether. Next day the carcase was dismembered and put into a pot with the neck and other enthrals along with a fist of Macroom Oaten meal from our own newly threshed corn, an onion and some turnip and carrot from the garden, covered with water and boiled to get the very last iota of goodness out of our Michaelmas goose. Geese like ducks can be very fatty and the inside of the body is lined with a thick layer called Goose Grease. Goose grease was a very valued thing for many reasons and kept in a closed jar it lasted indefinitely. Today some of our best cooks use it to fry potatoes, but in our day it was used to grease leather boots, Harness for the horses and even for pains such as rheumatism and arthritis. Happy Michaelmas Day.
To celebrate Culture Day a lovely event was held at Tubrid Well on Friday evening from 8 to 9pm. People were invited to float little paper baskets filled with flowers and a small lighted candle on the peaceful waters of Tubrid Well. Everybody was welcome to place as many as they liked in honour of someone they loved either dead or alive. The small baskets were made by volunteers at the Library during the week. And along with the flowers and candles they were available at the Well. As the evening light faded it created a beautiful peaceful ambience as people met and greeted one another in low respectful tones. It was a lovely occasion and I’d like to thank those who organised or helped in any way to make it such a meaningful way for us to celebrate Culture Day.
Our Community School pupils know no bounds at the moment with their winnings at world level, from world class Power lifting to world Golf, Pitch ‘n Putt Football and so on. Many congratulations to them all and we wish them God’s Blessing and every success in the future.
Congrats also to the Dromtarrife Girls on winning the North Cork League.
Yoga with Nora every Friday from 3 to 4pm.
Yoga Classes at Cullen Community Hall resume on October 3. and on Friday 9.30 -10.30 am. Chair Yoga 11-12 . For details ring Denise 086 890 1234.
This Friday is chat for ages day at our Library from 11 to 1 snd at the Canon O’Donovan Centre there is Tea & Scone from 1.30 followed by Bingo.
Cards resume at Ballyday Hall on Sunday October 6.at 8.30 All welcome.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30pm.
Legion of Mary meeting every Tuesday night at 7.30 at the Parish Centre.
During Mass on next Sunday Five Candidates preparing for the permanent diaconate in the diocese will be commissioned as lectors of the World of God by Bishop Ray Browne. This short rite will take place after the homily.
Our first Taize Mass was held in the church last night (Monday) It was led by the Choir and as well as singing members also did some readings. There were times of complete silence which was beautiful in the dimly lit church and away from the noises of the day. Everyone was given a candle which they brought to the alter where they left it alight. At the end our choir leader Edel said that next Taize Mass will be in two weeks.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw. Numbers drawn were 7,10,13,26 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Mary B, c/o Patsy Corcoran. Patsy got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Davy Tarrant, c/o Lehane. €20 each to Eileen Murphy, c/o Centra, David Kelleher c/o The Bush. Mai Kelleher c/o Mary O’Connor, Capabu Girls c/o Capabu, Old Lad Young Lad c/o Corkery’s, Finbarr Murphy c/o Colemans, Denis Murphy c/o Colemans, Paul O’Connor c/o Mary O’Connor. Next Draw September 29 Jackpot €4,800 .
Slan abhaile agus beannacht libh go leir.
