Could You Live on €2 a Day...????

TRÓCAIRE: Story of the Trocaire Garden in Granagh Church. On this year's Trocaire box, you will see two mothers and their families. Angela is from Honduras, she is thirty nine and a mother of five. Her home is on ancestral tribal land which is held in communal title. In 2010 a logging company & mining company entered their lands illegally. Angela saw that they were exploiting their land and selling the trees and minerals so she decided to intervene and protest. Mining sites require many square miles of trees & topsoil to be removed, explosives are used to dig out the area and dangerous poisons are leaked into the soil and water. The rivers become polluted & cause serious health problems for her people; eventually the rivers dry up. The logging company use corrupt means to get access to the forest; they take trees without permission; they cut down protected species; they take much more timber than their quota; they don't declare the full amount to Customs and they do not pay the correct tax. Unfortunately the Government is involved in the corruption and so turns a blind eye to the plight of the farmers. Angela has been beaten, tear-gassed and told that she will be killed.!! This is no idle threat - in 2017 her country-woman, Berta Caceres was murdered for trying to protect her community land. So how can we help ?? By contributing to Trocaire, it will enable them to continue providing legal support and training to communities like Angela's. Moving to Kenya in East Africa, we meet Madris a separated mother of five, who is trying to make a living on her small farm. When she was young, the rains always came and the harvests were always good. Now, due to climate change, Kenya has suffered a drought for the past two years. On a farm that used to produce 70kgs of Beans, it now only produces 5kg - only one month's supply of food.!! To make matters worse, massive swarms of locust entered Kenya and eat all the vegetation for the cattle herds. The numbers of cattle have decreased and they are not as productive as they used be. Madris struggles to feed her family, even going without food herself. So how can we help ?? By contributing to Trocaire, it will enable them provide emergency food aid, cash vouchers, water reservoirs and train farmers in new sustainable farming techniques. You can donate online, set up a monthly direct debit or fill the Trocaire Box to overflowing.... while remembering some of these people live on less than €2 per day....!!!! www.trocaire.org

COMHBHRON: Our sympathies to the family of Gerry Alymer, Knockfierna, who passed away, on Tue 3rd, after an accident. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, 7th, at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, Ballingarry, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery

BALLYHOURA BEO: Guided, Canon Sheehan Walk; Monday 16th March @10:30am; Instead of a parade, you can take the family for a nice long walk. This is a 7km experience in nature and takes approximately 2 - 2.5 hours. The walk meanders along the Ogeen river through a green dense forest crossing the border of Cork and Limerick. It is suitable for all levels of fitness. Cars can be parked in the car park at the start of the loop, please car pool to save space and the environment. There will be security on the day, supervising the car park. To book: 063-91300 or beo@ballyhoura.org

DONERAILE COURT: Doneraile Court & Pleasure Grounds - 2020 Season Opening. Guided tours scheduled for 27th March, 28th & 29th March with opening of the 18th/19th century gardens as part of the tour ticket. Open 10am to 5pm, last admission to house 4pm. From Monday 30th March it will be open seven days a week. Guided Tours 10am to 6pm. Average length of visit 45 minutes. Contact 022 24771 or 087 938 4907 or donerailecourt@opw.ie

'GAIA': March 15th - 22nd: 'Gaia', a touring artwork by Luke Jerram, is a stunning replica of our planet, created using NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The sculpture provides an incredible opportunity to view Earth as it might be seen from space, floating in three dimensions. A stunning piece of artwork to be see at St. Mary's Cathedral on its first visit to Ireland. Cost of entry is €1 for adults while children and school groups have free entry. Opening Times - Monday 16th to Saturday 21st March: 10am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm). Sunday 15th and Sunday 22nd March: 1.30pm to 5pm.

GIVE BLOOD: 18th & 19th Mar. 6pm - 9pm: Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock. Monday 23rd March, South Court Hotel, Raheen, 5pm - 8pm.

PARISH MINISTRIES NIGHT: At the meeting of Tue 3rd, all the different Ministry groups in the parish came together to explain the work they do. The various groups are under the umbrella of the Parish Pastoral Council and each of the eight groups gave a short presentation. These included - The Baptism Preparation Team led by Marian O'Connor & Claire English. The Liturgy Team led by Kay Chawke. The Bereavement Group led by Joan Broderick. Youth Ministry, led by Emma (Chawke)McMahon. Parish Property Committee, led by Kevin Kennedy. The Parish Finance Committee, led by Jim Chawke. The First Communion Preparation Programme, led by Sr. Margaret. The Pastoral Council led by Marie Bennett. Each group contribute greatly to the quality of life and worship in the parish. There was high praise for Fr. Dan and Sr. Margaret for their help, knowledge, guidance and forethought in setting up all these groups as the parish will now have to function on its own into the future. Each of the groups welcome new members, especially the Youth Ministry group. So if you would like to lend your time and talents please contact the parish office on 069-68661 or email - balgranparish@gmail.com

CUAN MHUIRE: The beautiful Garden Centre in Bruree has re-opened and has a massive 20% Sale on all Trees Scrubs and bedding Plants. Why not call in to support this great local cause and get your Garden ready for the Summer - when it does arrive.!! Opened hours 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday & 12pm to 6pm Sunday.

CURRAGHCHASE: Sun 22nd Mar. 11am - 1pm. At this FREE event you will learn about the diverse range of species in the arboretum. There are over 300 hectares of rolling parkland, trails, mixed woodland, lakes and an arboretum in Curraghchase park. This planned landscape was the former home of the DE Vere family, the most notable being Sir Aubrey de Vere who was a poet and an author. The De Vere’s put together an extensive and wonderful collection of trees and shrubs from all over the world.

DAFFODIL DAY: Fri 27th March: Take note of change of venue. Mary Morrissey's daffodill day will be held, this year, in the Community Centre, 1.30pm - 4.30pm.

CHARITY CÉILÍ: Friday 27th Mar, Longcourt Hse Hotel, 9.30pm: In aid of Down Syndrome Limerick. The Mountain Road Céilí band will supply the music. All support greatly appreciated.

GRANAGH UTD: Friday 27th Mar: Coming up this month - fundraising Race Night at the Rock Bar.

DIARY: Fri 13th: 'Entertaining Angels', Knockaderry. Sat 14th: 'Jetty Stars' - Friars Gate.8pm. Sun 15th: 'Entertaining Angels', Knockaderry. Tue 24th: Lev1 Yoga, 7.15pm. Beginners 8.30pm. Tue 24th: First confessions, Granagh 7.30pm. Thur 26- Sat 28th: MIDAS present 'Joseph & Amazing T. Dreamcoat'.