CHRISTMAS ON THE DOORSTEP:

CHRISTMAS MASSES:

Please note, for Christmas Eve Masses, in Granagh, on the 24th, tickets will be required - a maximum of 3 per person. Tickets will be given out on this coming Sunday 19th after 10.30am mass.

24th Dec - Granagh - 6pm & 7.30pm & Ballingarry 9pm. 25th Dec - Granagh 9.30am & Ballingarry 11am.

26th Dec - Granagh 9.30am & Ballingarry 11am. Confessions; Sat 18th - Ballingarry after 7pm Mass.

Sunday 19th - Granagh after 10.30am Mass.

Thanks to the Liturgy group for decorating the altar for Christmas, the Christmas wreath, the Crib and the Tree are in place, ready for celebration of Our Lord's birth.

TRÓCAIRE GIFTS:

For anyone interested, Mary O'Regan will be selling the Trócaire gift cards on Saturday 18th Dec in O'Grady's car park from 9am - 1pm, thanks to Donal for kindly facilitating this. Then onto O'Gormans' shop from 2pm - 5pm, thanks to Tom for being so helpful, as always. For a change, this Christmas, you might like to buy a living gift, which will help families survive through the many difficulties they face i.e. war, hunger, displacement, living in refugee camps, lack of clean water and little or no mental health help.

You will receive a card for the value of each gift and then the gifts are sourced in that particular country.

Just a reminder, you can buy - Soap(5e), Chicks(8e), Menstrual kit(10e), Seeds & Tools(15e), Solar Lamps(15e), School lunches(20e), Emergency Water (20e), School kits(30e), Water filter kits (40e), Goats(50e), Help for Grandparents (50e), Help for Mental health, Gaza, (50e), Mother & Baby kit (55e), Honey Bees(65e), Trees(85e), Water Irrigation(100e), Women's empowerment(100e) and a safe Home(150e). You can also purchase online at www.trocaire.org. Small actions can have a big impact.

REMEMBERING OUR DECEASED:

For the month of December, we remember our family, friends and neighbours, whose mortuary cards are displayed on the Church noticeboard:- Tom Herlihy, Joe Scanlon, Kingsland. Josephine Murphy and David Hartigan Coolruss. Maura and Kevin O'Donoghue, John O'Rourke, Doorluss. Bridget & Daniel Fitzgibbon, Noreen Ann Biggane, Kilmore. John Carey, Patricia Whetham, Mary Noonan, Ned Chawke, Granagh. Michael Pitman, Lisduane. Margaret Sheehan, Joseph Toomey, Kilatal. Tommy Broderick, Kilmacanearla. Jimmy O'Carroll, Liskennett. Kitty Noonan, Ballyguile. Eoin Daffy, Knockfierna. William Leane, Thurles. Ellen O'Connor, Croom. Laura Enright & Richard Collins, Banogue. Mary O'Leary, Cork. Mary Sheahan, Loughill. Bridie O'Brien, Ballyagran. MaggieMae McMahon, Tullylease. Anna Neville, Croagh. James O'Brien, Ruan. Mary McNamara, Ballybrown. Nancy Cregan, Derryclough.

SURVEY:

A disappointing return from the Parochial house survey. Thank you to those who took the trouble to answer the four questions. Granagh Development has done a lot of work behind the scenes already plus taking on a two year lease, to avoid the house being sold. We were hopeful that parishioners would consider this house a valuable asset and give us suggestions as to possible uses, which would benefit our community. The committee will meet this week to review the situation.

Thanks to Granagh Development Association for arranging the erection of a Christmas tree at the community centre.

USED STAMPS: If you think of saving the used stamps, from the Christmas cards, the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart, in Dublin would be delighted to receive them. They sort them into various categories and then sell by weight, that money goes to the missions. You can drop them to me also and I will forward.

BIRTHDAYS:

Congratulations and best wishes into the future to Anna Griffin, Liskennett, who celebrated her 21st birthday at the weekend.

Happy birthday to Bernie O'Connor, Ballyguile who reached that fabulous age of 60, wishing her many more great birthdays.

GREYBRIDGE LIGHTS RUN:

Thur 30th Dec, 6pm, leaving Limerick Racecourse. All tractors, trucks, cars, jeeps welcome for this special charity Run. The three deserving charities chosen are:- Red Hill House, a special school in Patrickswell, for pupils with autistic spectrum disorder & complex needs. Brothers of Charity who provide Day & Residential Services to all individuals with intellectual disability. Cliona's Foundation, provides financial assistance, directly to parents of children with life-limiting or complex care needs, to help with non-medical expenses.

The route will bring them by Croom, Chawkes Cross, Ballingarry, Nevilles, Murphys Cross, Adare and finish at the Woodlands, should be a fabulous sight. Come out and support. All donations will be greatly appreciated.

DID YOU KNOW:

The ten steps to Happiness:- Hate Less, Love More. Worry less, Dance More. Take Less, Give More. Consume Less, Create More. Frown Less, Smile More. Talk Less, Listen More. Fear Less, Try More. Judge Less, Accept More.