LENT BEGINS:

ASH WEDNESDAY: A traditional day of Fast & Abstinence. Mass in Granagh at 9.00am and in Ballingarry at 7.00pm.

A Day in the Life: Thur 27th Feb, 3.30pm. An exhibition of photographs by a group of girls from the Rathkeale Youth Space will take place in The Rathkeale Arts Centre, upstairs in the Rathkeale Library Building. The event will be officiated by Dr. Sindy Joyce.

PARISH MEETING: Tue 3rd March, 7.30pm, Community Centre. As a result of Fr. Dan's upcoming retirement, the parish will not have a resident priest after July. The Baptisms, Communions, Weddings and Funerals etc will in future be provided by a visiting priest from one of the parishes in our Pastoral Unit. But what will happen in relation to the upkeep of properties, finances, preparations for Lent, Easter, Christmas etc.?? The Ministry groups in the parish are coming together at this meeting to present an outline and explanation of the work they do. If you want to know more and are concerned about the future of the parish, then it is important that you attend. Light refreshments afterwards. Parish Office: Open to the public on Tuesdays & Thursdays ~ 1.30pm - 3.30pm. Telephone 069-68661 or email; balgranparish@gmail.com Trocaire Boxes: Available in the Church now. Lent isn't just about what you give up .... it's about what you give back as well. This year we are being asked to help brave women and their families, around the world, who are fighting to survive against Poverty, Hunger, Injustice and Exploitation. Every cent makes a difference.

WEST LIMK RESOURCES: WLR will run a six week English Conversation Club for Adults at the Newcastle West Community Centre on Wednesday evenings from 7pm - 8.30pm on March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th & April 1st & 8th. Registration night on this Wednesday February 26th. This Club is free of charge and all nationalities are welcome. Pre registration essential by contacting Adrienne O’Connell on 087 2773294 at West Limerick Resources. Thursday 5th March from 10.00am to 4.00pm: Book-keeping Basics for Small Business Starts Ups will be running on at the Longcourt House Hotel.Spaces are limited so book your spot today through our Facebook Events page or follow the link on www.eventbrite.ie Are you thinking about establishing a new business or maybe you recently have? Sign up to our Start Your Own Business four part evening programme! To register your place, please see our events page or follow the link on - www.eventbrite.ie - to book your spot.

HEALING TOGETHER: Thursday 5th Mar: 7.00 - 9.30pm: Colaiste Chiarain, Croom. A free event open to all members of the community. Have you or your child experienced Bereavement, Separation, Loss, Grief or Change ? Guest Speakers - Helen Culhane, Carmel Brosnan, Leeanne Casey & Maureen Browne, Rainbows Facilitator. For further information contact Laura at Croom F.R.C. on (061) 602878 or email familysupport@croomfrc.com

NATIONAL TREE WEEK: March 21st - 27th: Coillte will donate 30,000 native trees for planting during this years' National Tree Week, doubling numbers on previous years. Almost half a million trees have been planted during National Tree Week since 1989 !

GRANAGH UTD: Friday 27th Mar: The Club are organising a fundraising Race Night at the Rock Bar. Contact any member to get your horse & jockey. Please support if you can, it is vital to keeping the club in finances, as costs continue to rise. You can choose to buy a horse & own him for only €20 - the cheapest Horse ever !!

REMEMBERING OUR DECEASED: For the month of February we remember our family, friends and neighbours, whose mortuary cards are displayed on the Church noticeboard:- Rita Chawke, Ballyvologue. Kathleen Monckton, Ellen Hickey, Kilatal. Joe O'Brien, Paddy O'Regan, Graigacurra. Sean Carey, Granagh. Joan Scanlon, John Mulcahy, Kingsland. Jim Sheehan, Coolruss. Denis O'Riordan & Kay Horgan, Lisduane. Steven O'Keeffe, Ballyneale. Bill Chawke, Banogue. Catherine Keating, Carrickerry. Timothy Power, Pallasgreen. Margaret O'Connor & Johanna O'Connell, Kilmeedy. Seamus Madden, Buttevant. Sr. Raphael Power, London.

GET WELL: I'm sure we all send our very best wishes to Paddy Lynch, Ballyelan, in hospital at present, after the fire, which destroyed his home.

DIARY: Mon 2nd: Adult Choir at Musica Fusion School. 7pm. Tue 3rd: Parish Meeting in the C. Centre 7.30pm. Sat 14th: 'Jetty Stars' - Friars Gate.8pm. Tue 24th: First confessions, Granagh 7.30pm.