CHURCH CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE.

Short video of Abbeyfeale Town Park June 2018

CHURCH CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE.

The newly built Church of the Assumption opened on Sunday, June 23, 1968 with a special Mass celebrated at 12 noon by the late Bishop Henry Murphy and the late Canon Enright P.P. 

The Golden Jubilee of this event was celebrated here in Abbeyfeale on June 16th, a week early because Bishop Brendan Leahy will be travelling to Lourdes next week with the Diocesan pilgrimage. 

Mass was celebrated by Bishop Brendan Leahy, retired Bishop Donal Murray and Canon Tony Mullins P.P. and co celebrated by Canon John O’Shea, our previous PP, Canon James Neville retired P.P., Monsignor Lane Patrickswell and native of Abbeyfeale, Fr. Bowen, Fr. Joe Kennedy, former curate in Abbeyfeale, Fr.John Moloney London and St. Ita’s Terrace, Fr. Duggan Athea, Fr. Tim Galvin South Sudan and Kilmanahan, Fr. Willie Fitzmaurice Kilmallock and Fr. Fitzgibbons, Patrickswell. 

The Senior Choir, youth choir and Scoil Mhathair Dé N.S. school choir along with students of the five national schools who read the prayers of intercession assisted at the Mass which was attended by over 1,000 people.

Family members of the late Bishop Murphy and Fr. Enright came from Ardpatrick and Shanagolden as did people who had grown up in the parish but were now living in neighbouring counties and countries.   

Fr. Tony Mullins PP in his message to parishioners said “On this weekend of celebration I would like to remember all the priests who have ministered in this  parish over the years, and the priests and religious who have left here to share the Christian message with other people at home and abroad.  I would also like to acknowledge the many parishioners who give of their time so generously each week in a variety of ministries in the celebration of the liturgy and in the many groups and parish committees who through their work and ministry help to sustain our faith community.  On this Jubilee celebration weekend, I welcome all who have travelled home to join in our celebrations. I thank all who are helping to make it a happy and positive occasion for everyone”. 

A marquee was erected on the grounds and following Mass the congregation were invited by Canon Mullins for light refreshments and musical entertainment.

FUNDRAISING WALK IN KNOCKNASNA

On Friday 14^th June the car park of Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Knocknasna and both sides of the roads approaching the school were lined with traffic to participate in a fundraising walk. The trek involved a distance of 5km of the local community to raise much needed funds for Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI). This service provides assistant dogs to children with autism. Every child and adult was dressed in blue to support the cause. The pupils of the school decided the cause for the annual fundraising walk.

A puppy from AADI was waiting patiently at the school for the boys and girls along with their parents and members of the local community to return from the walk. While the puppy was waiting, it was a welcomed visitor at Little Buddies preschool on the campus of the school. There was an abundance of sandwiches, buns, cakes, tarts, sweets along with tea and ice-cream for everyone at the school. These refreshment and food were provided by the very supportive and generous parents at Knocknasna.

Minister Patrick O Donovan along with Cllr. Liam Galvin was also in attendance on the day to make a very important presentation to one student. Eoin Broderick received a glass plaque in recognition for four years full attendance in the junior room in Knocknasna. Eoin’s parents, family and cousins were also there to support him on the day. Not forgetting his grandmother Margaret Broderick who has greatly supported the school over the years, also won best dressed grandparent on the day. Once again, a great day was had by one and all at Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Knocknasna.

L-R - PRINCIPAL BILLY QUIRKE, GRANMOTHER MARGARET BRODERICK, MINISTER PATRICK O'DONOVAN, CLLR. LIAM GALVIN, EOIN BRODERICK, MOTHER SIOBHAN, FATHER DENIS, SISTER REBECCA, TEACHER DOLORES KEANE

 

COMMUNITY ALERT FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PRINCE CHARLES AND HIS DUCHESS:  We are going to Killarney for our second annual summer outing via the Gap of Dunloe.  If Prince Charles can go to Killarney House then why not the people of Abbeyfeale, there won’t be a garden party laid on but there will be a street party to celebrate July 4 - Independence Day.  We’re booked for a four course Early Bird dinner in Mac’s on High Street at 5pm giving us time to be back on the street for the parade which will finish the Independence Day celebrations.  Finally we will travel by coach to the Racecourse for a night of Irish music, song and dance at Celtic Steps – the Show.  Tickets at €40 each which cover the bus, dinner and show are available from Kathleen’s Foodstore, Convent St.  It’s going to be a great, jam packed day so first come, first served, tickets are selling like hot cross buns!

GLÓRACH SUMMER SOLSTICE CONCERT:  We are actively preparing for the visit of Mike Hanrahan and Eleanor Shanley on Friday, June 22.  A wonderful night of music and song is guaranteed with doors open at 7.15, concert starts at at 8.30pm, to book tickets at a very competitive €15 please contact 0871383940.

HORSE AND PONY RACING:  The annual Abbeyfeale races take place this year on Sunday, July 1 at Relihan’s  Farm,  Kilcaragh,  Duagh with the first race at 12:30pm. 
This is the 12th running of the event which is run in aid of local charities and once again the committee would like to thank our generous sponsors. Money raised over the last 11 years has been donated to local charities in West Limerick and North Kerry.
These races are similar to what you will see on television with the difference being that our jockeys are aged from 8 to 16 and are the future flat and national hunt champions in Ireland and England. In recent years Leading jockeys Jack Kennedy, Oisin Murphy and Conor King have graced the turf of Abbeyfeale races and learned the trade prior to hitting the track proper.  Full bar and food facilities will be provided with live GAA games on the big screen. Live music in the marquee after racing.  The day is aimed as a real family day out so hopefully people will turn out in large numbers on the banks of the River Feale for what is guaranteed a most enjoyable family fun day with a difference.

DOG SHOW:  The Abbeyfeale Town Park Annual Dog Show took place on Sunday last. The Town Park Committee would like to thank the following: the park employees who prepared the park so beautifully for the show, all our voluntary committee members and other helpers who gave of their services on the day, our show judge Claire Sheehy, our chief organizer Norma Healy, John O’Connor who provided the sound system, and all those who donated prizes for our raffle  We would especially like to congratulate Claire on her recent engagement and wish herself and Miney a wonderful life together.   Finally, most important of all, we thank all of you for coming and supporting Abbeyfeale Town Park. The park is available to you free of charge 365 days per year and every euro profit from the dog show will go to the maintenance and development of this wonderful facility. We hope you enjoyed your day and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

 HELL ON THE HILL:  Abbeyfeale Cycling Club will be holding an event on St. Ita’s Road from 7pm on Tuesday, June 26.  Entry €10 per rider.  The Liam Flynn Perpetual Cup will be presented to the fastest rider on the night.  Further information from on FB. 

 MOLADH GO DEO LE DIA:  Much of the past fifty years is captured in a book especially complied to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the church. The book contains many wonderful coloured photographs that show off the splendour of the Church, its stained glass windows and general embellishment.   The title of the publication is Moladh go Deo Le Dia. (Praise be to God forever). Price €10. The book is available in O’Donoghue’s, Marguerite’s, Ann Lyons’ Moss Harnett’s and at the church after Mass.