Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
Oh Thank God, the weekend for changing the clocks is over. I have no hesitation nor shame in admitting that I got it all wrong. To go forward or backward which should it be. You’d think that it was a simple thing to do, and do you know I’m still thinking, did I lose and hour or gain one. There is a big difference between the clock on the wall and the body clock and I’m not the only one to be confused by it. All over the country babies and little children will be waking at wrong times because of it, so why should I worry. The difference is most noticeable in the evenings when the darkness comes down so early. It takes a lot of planning to find a way to pass the long hours before bedtime, on your own. Thanks to the many pastimes which we are picking up again at classes and group meeting we have lots to choose from. Knitting and Crochet etc. are growing in popularity and can be done while watching TV. Others are learning card games such as 45 and bridge which will enable them to play in organised games in parish halls. It is very import that as many events for the elderly, be held in the daytime. With the night coming down at six o’clock, it isn’t easy to face out to something at 7.30.or 8. ‘at our age’.
Would you believe I’ve taken up Ulysses again. I must be out of my mind but I love a challenge and the long nights will give me all the time that I need. I haven’t seen that book since December 2019. That time I was very sick, it went on and on I couldn’t go anywhere, so the help quell my misery and boredom I reached for Ulysses (Six months later we were told that a world-wide a pandemic was here) I have my own copy so it was near at hand. I ploughed through it page by boring page, but because I heard many well educated saying that if failed them, to finish it I was determined to strike a blow for those of us who never conquered the books. God it was a struggle. And you may well ask, why again? Well a couple of weeks ago I got a copy of the life of Nora Barnacle, the life long companion of James Joyce at our library. I’m no good to pick a book so when Gillian offered it to me I took it right away. I was interested to find out what kind of woman stood behind the crazy man who wrote the crazy stuff like Ulysses , Finnigan’s Wake etc. I became fixated by it. Didn’t buy a newspaper or look at tv till I went out the other end. The story endeared me to Nora, who at the tender age of twenty had to borrow a coat and head off to Europe, an innocent girl from the West of Ireland heading off with a Dublin Jackeen who had nothing other than a crazy mind to write and an undying love for his Nora whom he always called his Gooseen. The borrowed coat had to see her through the many cities on the Continent where they had to flee to for one reason or another, but all the time he wrote. They had to beg and borrow, and scheme. She held her head while he traversed the high lights and low lights, names like Samuel Becket, Hemmingway, Fleishman appeared, which stirred me no end. Because those were everyday names that we heard of in school. Fleishman was the name that my sister Sr. Rupert studied under when she was going for her B-Mus Degree at UCC. But he continued to write and she supported him all the way and they loved each other to bits. So when I’m wading through his book now my mind goes back to the hovels and park benches where he struggled despite being almost blind to get his crazy words down on paper. Maybe I’m getting crazy to but it takes all kinds.
Our eyes are glued to the website this week as we try to name the members of the A.O.H members of old. I can name the fourth from the right, who was called Tony Dineen. Dineen was not his proper name, I think he was Anthony Smith, but he was brought up by a Dineen man in the Tanyard, affectionately called ‘Friday’. Other faces look familiar but can’t bring the name. Please help.
This week we miss the presence of Franjo Maric, the big man from Bosnia who came to live in Millstreet about ten years ago, first to Drishane and then to St. Joseph’s Gardens. It was there that he became familiar with our community. Because of his inability walk properly he was a familiar sight driving around on an electric vehicle which afforded his great freedom. He was a regular Mass goer, a member of the Legion of Mary and so on and the Legion members laid on refreshments at the Parish Centre after his burial at St. Mary’s. Many people of many races came to pay homage at his requiem Mass and funeral. His story was a sad one, he told that his wife and two sons were killed in Bosnia when their home was destroyed in a bombing raid in their town and how fitting it was that Franjo passed away at the Hospice almost on their anniversary. Franjo was happy in Millstreet and Millstreet was very good to him. T.G.
I love it when people correct me when I’m wrong. I must say sorry to Sean Riordan when I said that I was the last surviving founder member of the Community Council. Yes indeed Sean was one of the first and his diligent support in the early days laid a great foundation for those who followed. To say how ill-prepared we were back then for things in the community. Sean was a teacher and we were in awe of him but as time went on with the help of him and his equals we learnt a lot.
The First of November is lurking, with all the excitement of Halloween and trick ‘r treating but also it’s the week when we especially remember our dear departed and all through the month special Masses will be said and grave yards blessed by Fr. John. Please look up the Mass Leaflet or the website for details of all the ceremonies of this week. Friday November 1st.the Feast of All Saints a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass at 11.30.
A plenary indulgence can be gained for the Holy Souls from 12 noon on Friday, November 1st until midnight on November 2nd by all those who go to confession and receive Holy Communion visit a Graveyard or church and pray the Our Father and the Apostles Creed for the Popes intentions.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 7.30pm. All welcome. Please support it well. Confessions in Millstreet every Saturday at 12.30 to 1.
On behalf of us all I’d like to offer our prayers for those who are ill in Hospital, both young and not young. We ask for prayers for those who are sick or worried about their health and God’s Blessing on the wonderful people who care for them.
The weather forecast is good for the mid-term and we hope that the outdoor plans for our school goers will run as scheduled. We wish them all the joy that a mid-term can bring ,good for the young and good for the parents also. But of course safety is an important factor. Deaths and injuries on our roads have reached an all time high .So please act with care ask the Lord before going out to keep you and yours safe from harm.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Monday night. Numbers drawn were.3,7,11,29 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to King of the Concert c/o Michelle Whelan. Michelle got €50 sellers Prize. €60 went to Paudie Healy, c/o Tom Carroll. €20 each to Dan Collins, Drishane Rd, c/o Centra. Dermot Foley Centra (Cronins), Des & Marie O’Sullivan, c/o Guys & Dolls. M&N, c/o West End Cafe, Mary McCarthy c/o Colemans. Peter Horgan, Kilmeedy c/o The Clara Inn, Breda Sheehan c/o Tom Carroll, & Fr. Leo, c/o Malpaso, Next Draw November 3 Jackpot €5,800.
Sinn a bfuil a Cairde Slan is beannacht.
