Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my report.
The Month of February has dawned and Spring has sprung and the countryside is taking on the look of Spring itself. La le Breeda, Candlemas Day and the Feast of St. Blaise with the Blessing of the Throats are all annual reminders. We look forward to the lovely St. Bridget’s Crosses every time and make sure to secure a new one to replace the old rather tired looking model that has kept us safe from all harm during the past twelve months. At Masses on Sunday, which was Candlemas Day the Priest blessed the candles which will be used on the alter for the coming year and people were free to bring their own for the blessing if they wanted them in their own homes. In Blessing the candles Canon John extended a special blessing to the entire congregation. The Feast of St. Blaise synonymous with the Blessing of the throats always draws a big crowd with many people saying they never suffer any throat problems because of it and last night was no exception in our parish church. It’s sad to say that there isn’t much interest on holy things today, but in the past the Blessed Candle and the Holy Water were vital in every home. Especially in the Spring at calving time, the Holy Water was brought out to be sprinkled on any new born animal, on the crops in the fields and people were not ashamed to thank God for his blessings. Worried mothers shook the Holy Water on their boys and girls going out to dances or on himself taking a cow to the Fair so that she’d make a good price. There was very little guarantee with anything that time. No fixed price for eggs, livestock or any farm produce, so the Blessed Candle and the Holy Water seemed to have given people the confidence that all will be well. And if it didn’t it gave them the strength to fight on and to cope anyway. That inner ingredient is missing in a lot of things now and it’s a pity. ‘It’s not what matters to you but how you react to what matters that counts.’(A borrowed quote)
Our two lovely Community School students, Ria Buckley and Hannah Keane are proud to say that they have raised the funds necessary for them to go as helpers to Lourdes at Easter (Easter Sunday is April 12th). They held many fundraising events in the past number of months and their final one was a Table Quiz which was held at the GAA Hall at the Weekend. Well done to the girls and their supporters.
The Presentation Convent School held a Gala Grandparents Day on Wednesday. Starting with morning Mass at ten and followed by refreshments at the GAA Hall and a visit to the school to meet the children in their classrooms. The Children’s singing was divine, both at Mass, on the stage at the GAA Hall and again in the classrooms. Each child having a little gift of their own making for their beloved elders. The new principle the Lovely Siobhan Buckley welcomed the guests and left no stone unturned to make their visit a most enjoyable event.
We are delighted to announce that the Bowls Club which was started last year is about to resume at the Wallis Arms Hotel with a two-fold time program. Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. Starting today Tuesday, February 4 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm and tomorrow Wednesday Febraury 5th from 10.30 am to 12.30. New members both men and women welcome. This is a most enjoyable hobby and an ideal keep fit pastime. It’s very important to wear smooth soled footwear so as not to damage the mats. At half time a cup of tea and biscuits will there for your enjoyment . The Bowls Club is run by the Men’s Shed and the Active Retired Club. All welcome.
St Valentine’s Day won’t be long coming and further on February 28th is the Leap Year opportunity for the girls to pop the question to the lad of their dreams. So shop early and be on good time for these two affairs of the heart. We all love a bit of romance to lighten the air.
Our local library will host a talk entitled ‘An Anxious Child and Specific Learning Difficulty, tomorrow Wednesday February 5th at 7 pm. The talk is for parents of primary school children and will be given by Lorraine O’Donnell. Topics covered will include dyslexia, dyspraxia and other issues related to anxiety. Admission is free and all are welcome.
The Marian Players in Rathmore are continuing to pack them in for the hilarious Panto ‘The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe’ More of the same this Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, with a matinee on Sunday February 9th.
Their contact number is 0851351810. Please give them your best support, their proceeds always go to good causes.
The AGM of our Community Council will be held at the Wallis Arms Hotel on Tuesday, February 11th, starting at 8.30 pm.
New members welcome . Please continue to support your Community Council which has the interests of all that happens in Millstreet under it’s umbrella.
Our Twinning Group who are into their 35th year, are
planning a trip to our Twin Town Pommerit le Vicomte, later this year. They would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in going. So to enable them to calculate numbers please get in touch as soon as possible. Contact any of the following.
Liam, 087,6380053.
Pat. 087 9486253
Una. 0877949691
Eda. 087 793 6422
Eucharistic Adoration is on every Tuesday and Wednesday in Millstreet from 10.30am to 10.30pm and in Ballydaly on Saturdays from 10.30 to 12.30. There is no Eucharistic Adoration in Cullen at the moment as their church is being painted. Confession in Millstreet Church every Saturday from 12.30 to 1 pm
Cullen’s weekly Weigh In continues every Monday night. Last night ,50 people attended and 50 pounds weight was lost. Still with Cullen, Mass will be said there on Thursday evening for the late Pat O Keeffe at 7.30 pm and will be followed by the blessing of Throats.
Here are the results of this weeks Lotto Draw which was held at the Bridge Bar on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 3,10,12,19,and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to A,M,N,P,T c/o Tom Carroll, and Tom got the €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Breda Fitz, Minor Row. €20 each to Noreen Stanley, Kilmeedy, Jennifer Lawlor Liscahane, Noreen Gaydon, Beafort, Eileen TwoTrees c/o the Mal Paso, Shane Browne and Cathryn Jenks, C/O the Mal Paso , Aishling Jones, Wallis Arms. Tommy Burke, Murphys Tce, Chris Egan, Irish Rail. Jackpot for next week €7,400 the draw at the Bush Bar on Sunday night.
There is a big drive on to ask people not to OVER buy. Spring cleaning, Spring weddings, planning holidays are in vogue from now on and we are all asked to buy only what we need or less, recycle, re-use.
Refrain from filling the world with rubbish.
Agus sinn a bhfuil a chairde, slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
