Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
I’ll mention it first in case you forgot to get a gift for the one you love and you may be able to save yourself at the last minute by going off and grabbing a life-saver for yourself at the last minute. St. Valentines Day surely puts a stir on things in February when all around us is looking out for a little bit of escapism. There was very little talk about St. Val’s Day in our youth, a wink or a nod would go a long way to send the message . It’s a long way from the commercialiasion of today when online shopping can deliver the most exotic creations to your door at a price that anybody can afford. Or a quick phone call could get flowers delivered hey presto. So I wish you all the joys of the day that’s in it.
I have a story here that I saw in a book which was written by a young Asian man. It’s a book with lots inspirational stories,poems and quotes, to help the reader to feel good. Maybe you heard this before but a good story can never be repeated too many times. In the old days the same stories were told over and over and funny ones, ones with a punch line that really only deserved one telling , they were told many many times and even though the listeners had heard it over and over in the past, they’d laugh all over again as if for the very first time.
Farmer Fleming was a very poor man living in Scotland and one day while working in the bog he heard a cry for help, so he went to investigate, and there buried waist deep in the mire he found a young boy screaming for help. He saved his life and went back to his work. Next day a fancy carriage pulled up at his humble home and an elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out saying that he wanted to repay Mr. Fleming for saving his son from certain death. But he refused to take anything ,saying that he only did what any man would do in the circumstances. Just then a ragged little boy appeared beside his Dad and the rich man said ,is this your son. And he replied yes. Well said the rick man can I take him and pay for his education ,adding that if he was half as good as his father, he would be great. Farmer Fleming’s son was educated at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London and became known throughout the world as the man who discovered penicillin. Years after the nobleman’s son got pneumonia and what saved him, penicillin .The name of the Nobleman was Lord Randolf Churchill and his son’s name was Sir Winston Churchill.
I think that’s a nice story since I first came across it I wanted to share it. So now I have. It’s easy to tell a story when you’re copying it out of a book but to tell a story off the cuff is different and we can all remember to great storytellers of the past. They were indeed as far different as chalk and cheese. There was the lad who would clear his throat and open up about some event or subject of the distant past, rubbing the sheepdogs head on his knee, while all around hung on to his every word, knowing that whatever he said was gospel true, sometimes funny ,sometimes extremely poignant. Along the way he’d have to clear his throat again and cough and throw a frothy spit into the fire, disturbing the dog, before resuming. But the dog never failed to settle down again with his head resting on his masters lap. Other fellas were different , and especially if telling a humorous story because he would break out in gales of laughter long before the end leaving his audience in a quandary as to when they were supposed to laugh. It was the same when someone was asked to sing. Some would sing the same song year after year, every time, and were often known by it. If trying to explain to someone who a certain person was, ah sure you know him, he always sang the one about ‘Going to Jerico’ or whatever. All of this went on while the humble Bean a’ Tighe enjoyed it all as she got on with her knitting and the children learned the songs and lore of old from their beds upstairs when they were supposed to be asleep.
The AGM of our Active Retired Association will be held at the Day Centre tomorrow Wednesday night February 15th. Starting at 7pm. A guest speaker will attend. All are welcome including men. It’s very important that the men should feel welcome to join this group. Many social events are organised by our wonderful committee and for a small membership fee they can avail of all it’s activities.
Chair Yoga every Friday from 3-4pm at the Day Centre. All welcome.
45Drive at the same venue every Tues. at 8.30. Admission €10.
45Drives in Ballydaly on Sunday nights and Cullen Wednesday nights at 8.30.
Listen in tonight, and every Tuesday night to Sean Radley on Cork Music Station from 9.30.
Weekly Weigh In continues in Cullen every Monday night, exercise to music each night followed by the weigh in. This week 42 attended and 54lbs lost. Just four more weeks left to go, so go there if you want to lose those few extra lbs and at the same time support a very worthy cause.
The Thrift Shop in Minor Row is going very well. It is run on good business lines with all stock sized and hung on rails which makes it easy to see or buy. All the staff work on a voluntary basis and all proceeds go to the Day Centre fund. They continue to accept good quality used clothing and footwear ,also books, brick a brack and jewellery. Please support it well.
The members of Our St. V de Paul Society have a notice on the weekend Mass leaflet saying many thanks for the great support that they got at Christmas which enabled them to help a great number of people, during the Festive Season and they are vigilant at all times in their quest to help those in need. Poverty does not end with Christmas so please be on the look out for people who are in need right throughout the year.
Take note that IRD Duhallow will hold meetings during this month and the next to give people an opportunity to discuss their ideas and plans for their Communities. The people of Millstreet, Aubane, Ballydaly & Derrinagree are invited to a public meeting with reps of the Board of IRD Duhallow and staff who will give feedback on previous meetings etc. Meeting to be held at the Canon O’Donovan Centre on February 20th at 8pm.
For full information re a Pilgrimage to Medjugorje on May 23rd. Ex Cork Contact Tom Dennehy 087 646 8658.
Eucharistic Adoration in Millstreet Church every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30pm. Eucharistic Adoration is held all over the world and we are all asked to give it our full support and is said to be very important in our battle against the sins and troubles of the world. Please give an hour each week either in the Church or thanks to streaming in the comfort of your own home.
Legion of Mary every Tuesday night from 7.30. Confessions every Saturday From 12.to 1.
Pope Francis says the God’s love isn’t something we earn or deserve by our good works but that it is free and unconditional, no matter what.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were, 2,5,8,11 and the jackpot was not won. €100 went to Maria Kelleher, Pound Hill, the seller was Herlihy’s Centra and they got €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Cloghoula NS. c/o Paula Healy. €20 each to Neily Corkery, Adrivale, Pat Murphy,Killarney Rd. Pauline Sheehan, Kilcorney, Veronica O’Callaghan, c/o O’Leary’s, Eilish & Christy Dunne c/o Colemans, Julia Buckley /Riordan, Killowen. Danny Lane c/o Sheila Lane. Niamh OMahony c/o Jerry OMahony.
Next draw Feb. 19th. Jackpot €6,000.
Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.
