40 Days of Lent:
ASH WEDNESDAY:
Wednesday 1st March, the beginning of Lent and of our Easter journey. Mass in Granagh at 10am and in Ballingarry at 7pm. The ashes which the priest will bless are made from the Palms which were blessed on Palm Sunday last year. Ashes are an ancient symbol of Repentance while also reminding us of our mortality. It is a Holy day of Obligation and still a day of fast and abstinence, meaning we eat only one full meal and two small meals. We are asked to abstain from eating meat and the rule applies to those aged between fourteen and sixty.
Trócaire: Linked to our fasting must be a concern for those who have no choice but to fast because of poverty and injustice. This concern can be expressed in giving what we can to charity. Trócaire was set up in 1973 and today is supporting communities in over twenty developing countries.
As it happens, Josiane from Rwanda whose photo appeared on the 2004 Trócaire box, will be coming to Ireland to promote their most recent campaign. She was 12yrs old at the time, ten years after this she was forced to flee her home due to the genocide. Her father and three of her brothers were among the 800,000 people who were killed. There is still a huge amount of work to be done !
FITNESS CLASSES:
Tonight, Wednesday 1st Mar, at 7.30 - 8.15pm, in the Community Centre.
All fitness levels welcomed by Darragh.
GRANAGH UTD F.C:
Lotto Results: Jackpot of €5,500. No Winner. Winning Numbers. 1. 6. 10. 12. .
Lucky dips: Clare Costello, Croom. James Meehan, Ballingarry. Ailish & Aoife O'Regan, Granagh.
Next week's Jackpot € 5,550. Thank you for your support.
Tickets can be purchased from O'Gorman's shop, The Rock Bar and Hickey's Bar Croom.
FREE CANCER ADVICE:
Thursday 2nd March, O'Riordan's Pharmacy, Ballingarry, 11am - 3pm. The Marie Keating Mobile Unit will be open to all for free advice and a cuppa. No appointment necessary.
WL102Fm:
The AGM for West Limerick Community Radio will be held on this Thursday 2nd March at 8pm in the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West. All are welcome.
DRAMA FEST, KNOCADERRY:
Commencing on this Friday March 3rd - "It Runs in the Family " by Feohanagh Castlemahon Players. Saturday, Mar 4th - " Sharon's Grave " by Scartaglen Players. Thursday Mar 9th - " The Field " by Kilkee Amphi Theatre Group. Saturday Mar 11th - " A Wake in the West " by the Glanworth Players.
COMEDY IN EMLY:
The Emly Players are on stage March 9th - 12th in the parish hall with their comedy " Love Knots " by Jimmy Keary.
AWARDS:
Limerick City and County Council presented awards to voluntary groups across the county at a gala night in the Woodlands House Hotel, last week. Limerick has 250 cemeteries which are maintained by committees, caretakers and volunteers. Gordon Daly, Director of Services, said that the Council greatly appreciates the hard work and commitment of all those who maintain their local burial grounds. Awards were presented by Deputy Mayor, Noel Gleeson and they are divided into two catagories - Ancient and Modern. The overall winners were Ardpatrick and Knocklong. In the Ancient section Shanabotha received third place and in the Modern, St. Mary's, Ballingarry received first place. Congratulations to our local group - Chair, Jim Chawke, Secretary, Thomas Hickey and Treasurer, John Chawke plus the volunteers and Tús workers who are involved in keeping Shanabotha in such great condition.
LOLLIPOP DAY:
The OCF - Oesophageal Cancer Fund - begins its awareness campaign this week as well as raising vital research funds. Ireland has one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in Europe with almost 400 cases diagnosed every year and this is predicted to rise to 800 by 2040. Early warning signs include: difficulty in swallowing; chronic acid reflux; heartburn; weight loss and back pain. Only €2 per lolly.
"GROW " in Newcastle West:
GROW is expanding its services into Newcastle West. The new group will meet every Tuesday, from Feb 28th, in the Desmond Complex from 11am to 1pm. It is free to attend, confidential and open to everyone over the age of eighteen. Anyone experiencing mental health difficulties should seek support to help them
on the
path to recovery. Area co-ordinator is Eimear Purcell, who can be contacted on 086-7780664 or EimearPurcell@grow.ie. You can also visit their website - www.grow.ie
TLC MONSTER:
Ahead of this years' TLC3 Clean-Up on Good Friday April 14th, a competition is running to name the 12' litter- eating monster who is being used as this year's Mascot. The Monster will be on display at the Hunt Museum over the coming weeks. The competition is open to everyone and the winner with the most unique name will win a prize of a weekend trip for four, to the Harry Potter Experience in London. Entry per website - www.teamlimerickcleanup.ie
