LENT is upon us:
CHURCH NEWS:
Last Sunday, we remembered the anniversaries of Dan & Kathleen Monckton. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a nAnamacha dilís.
Confirmation: This Thursday 22nd Feb in Granagh at 10am.
Thought for the Week: We pray for the people of Malawi, with whom we shall journey this Lent. May the Lord open our hearts and minds to learn more about the effects of climate change.
REMEMBERING OUR DECEASED:
For the month of February, we lovingly 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. Kay Horgan & Denis O'Riordan, 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. I gComhluadar Dé go raibh a nAnamacha
TRÓCAIRE - LENT:
Too Much Water/ Too Little Water: This year Trócaire’s Lenten campaign focuses on the country of Malawi, Africa. Malawi is one of the least developed countries in the world and has been badly affected by climate change, which means flooding & droughts are becoming more extreme. When violent storms bring too much water, their homes are damaged/destroyed and their crops are washed away, along with any nutrients in the soil and so people go hungry. When there is too little water, the crops die and people go hungry.
Malita, a mother of six is pictured on the Trócaire box this year, with her twins Patricia & Patrick. They live in the Machinga district, on a one acre homestead. Malita and her family must make a one-hour trip to collect 20L (5gal) of water, up to five times each day, between May and November (dry season). Over one third of the population do not have access to clean water.
Some mornings, the journey to collect water means that the children are late for school or they are too tired to go, as they have to walk a further 4km. Farming is an important part of how the family support themselves, but a lack of water makes farming very difficult. During the dry season, the nearby well dries up and they are forced to walk further. The water is not always safe to drink as animals use the same source. It has to be treated with chlorine tablets, but the children fall sick every couple of months. When they need a hospital, they have to walk 5km (3mls) to get treatment. Malita's hopes & prays for a safe water source, close to their home.
Trócaire and their partners in Malawi are working to create solutions, such as digging bore holes close to villages.
Please support Trócaire in helping communities develop sustainable access to clean, safe and reliable water supplies by taking home a Trócaire box today or going to: www.trocaire.org.
BEEKEEPING COURSE:
Beginners Beekeeping Course is open for applications. A two-part course to be held in Rathkeale House Hotel on Sat March 23rd and 30th. Send an e-mail to treasurer@limerickbees.com. if interested, only thirty places available. See also www.limerickbees.net
DANCE & FITNESS:
Tue 9th Apr, 7-8pm, Musica Fusion School, Charleville. No partner needed. New, adult eight week course, commencing after Easter, with Miriam Ball. She will be introducing you to different styles, Jive, Charleston, Salsa and Quickstep ( two weeks on each). Emphasis will be on fun and getting to grips with the finer points of each style. Booking is essential, contact Susie 087-9873379.
DID YOU KNOW:
97.00% of Water in the world is sea water and therefore not suitable for drinking. With approximately 2% of the water held in ice, we are left with only 1% of the world’s water available for human consumption.
A mature tree has about 50,000 leaves, which give off water vapour daily. This might go into a river, or might end up in your shower or cup of tea.
The amount of water in the human body ranges from 45-75%. The average male has about 60%, the average woman has about 55%, babies and children have the highest percentage 65-75%.
