Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
Last Monday when you looked out at the lovely bright sunny day you’d be forgiven for thinking that it warm too, but warm it is not. That lively wind is taking with it wafts of icy cold air and a drop of rain too which would send you searching for the last button or inch of zip in the your coat. But the Artic conditions didn’t deter the hardy ones from taking to our hills and tracks on Sunday. A large crowd climbed Clara while others who would normally go a mile or two, doubled their task on Sunday buoyed up by the beautiful conditions and scenery. The forecast is giving a yellow warning of a cold spell to continue for the next couple of days, so it would be a good idea to keep all your winter woollies close at hand. But we are hardly to be pitied when we see what is happening to our fellow man in Ukraine. A monster has been released and we can only pray that God will give the free world a way to stop him.
Over the weekend we have seen shows of support like never before, for our Brethren in the War Zone. Collection venues were soon full to capacity while those with large transporters loaded up and took the goods to where the need was the greatest. It all happened so fast, that it almost seems like a dream and not a good one. World War 2 ended in 1945, when I was about 12 and I can still remember how people followed it over the years. Needless to say the forms on communication have changed considerably since then. Everybody waited for the paper (Cork Examiner) to be brought from the creamery and those who had no milk for the creamery came to hear what was new. My Dad would sit and read aloud, while everybody gathered around and hung on to his every word, the findings would be thrashed out at every fireside that night, or wherever people met. In some cases an older person could have a son actually in the fray, which added greater interest in what the papers said. The wireless too of the day, though quaint by todays standards had it’s own uses. If someone missed the bulletin because of work or other, they would come back later and ask for it to be played again. Thinking that because a record could be played over and over on the gramophone, it was the same with the wireless. God love us, if only they were here now.
It gave all our hearts a lift around here last week when the voice of our friend and neighbour David McSweeney came loud and clear on 103fm as he spoke to the popular Patricia Messenger all the way from America. His story was wonderful as he told us all about his life. He owns a bar at Indian Lake, State of New York. The bar has a very successful diner and invited Irish Students to come and work for him. He said he serves good plain food, shepherd’s pie, Irish stew and so on. The world around him is beautiful with lakes and hills and venues for recreation. But he never listens to any other station, only 103fm where he gets all the news from home and loves the sound of the Irish accents. He gave his email address. The program can be got any time on the 103fm Facebook page.
David or Davy as we always affectionately called him, mentioned that many of his ancestors emigrated to the States before him and presently he has a number of siblings there. His Aunt Julia, his father’s sister, went there further back. But her father again, Neilus, a Ballyvourney man went there before the turn of the last century. He was in San Francisco for the great earthquake on 1906. When he came back to Ireland he married and lived and farmed for the rest of his life in Cloghoula beside Kilmeedy Bridge. Over the years he told many a gripping account of his experiences of the earthquake and his listeners remained in awe at hearing about it from a man who experienced it first hand. He said, many tried to go back for their money or valuables but Neilus (Snr) never forgot a girl called Mary. I heard her full name so many times, but can’t recall it now. I doubt if there is any one of my vintage who can tell. These are the stories that fascinated me when I married into lovely Kilmeedy.
When you read this Davy, please know how much we loved hearing you on 103 and we wish you and all your siblings every success and happiness in the future.
With the lowering of restrictions due to Covid, we find ourselves doing things for the first time in two years. Last week I gave a coat it’s first outing in two years. This week, I went to Confession for the first time in two years. Giving my regular visit into the Church on Saturday I noticed Fr. Paddy beside the confession box and after a few friendly words I found myself engaging in Confession, saying the same prayers that I have said in the confessional since my first. ‘Blessed me Father for I have sinned’, Fr. made his own reply. Then ‘it’s two years since my last confession’. Needless to say, he made no wonder of it, in the present situation, but if that was long ago, a big enquiry would follow,” and why not ?” as you’d dry your sweaty palms. (well it never happened any, because we were never that long away) Confession is a very friendly and calm Sacrament today. There is no deep explaining to do, just as long as you are truly sorry for hurting God, say a sincere act of contrition , ‘Oh my God I am heartily sorry for offending you, I detest my sins above every other evil, because they displease thee my God, who for thy infinite goodness are so deserving of all my love and I solemnly resolve with the help of your Heavenly Grace, never more to offend thee but to amend my life. Amen. You then get a few prayers to say as penance and the priest gives you a Blessing, adding the words, “Your Sins are Forgiven”.
Confessions every Saturday from 12.30 to 1.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday starting after 10 am Mass .
Legion of Mary Meeting every Tuesday night at 7.30
Stations of the Cross every Friday evening during Lent at 7pm, followed by Mass at 7.30. Please attend well
Community Council Meeting tonight ,to make plans for our St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Which will be held on March 17th at 4.45. Please give them your best support following a two year break.
Our very best wishes go to young Nicholas James Buckley, son of Nicholas and Michelle. He is a member of the Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club. He has qualified for the U14 Munster Academy Team to compete in two races in the UK over the St. Patrick’s weekend.
We have special greetings here from our beloved Sean Radley, who is doing well following his big operation last week. Needless to say Sean is missing his freedom around Millstreet and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 14,17,23,24 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Ester O’Keeffe, c/o Capabu. Capabu got the €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Aishling Browne, c/o Jerry O’Mahony, €20 each went to Brendan Bourke, 10 Murphy’s Terrace. Sheila Murphy, c/o Rita O’Reilly, Anna, Nana, Dan, Maggie and Tommy Fitz. Dan, Denny, Sham and Dad c/o D.T. Plillip Pomeroy, c/o The Clara Inn. Margaret Twohig, c/o Guys & Dolls, Craziest Linefeed c/o Michelle Whelan.
Next Draw March 13th, Jackpot €20.000.
Still with money matters, its not all bad news. The €200 off our Electricity bills will be very welcome following this long cold spell when every forms of heating our homes are turned to high. We rarely thank the government for anything but a little “Thank You” for this nice surprise, wouldn’t go amiss. We have no forms to fill or anything. T.G.
45Drives continue in Ballydaly every Sunday night, Millstreet Tuesday night and Cullen on Wednesday nights and other more distant venues all with an 8.30 start. A very enjoyable Yoga session was held at the Canon O’Donovan Centre last Friday. Organised by our Active Retired Association. It was followed by a talk on plans to start up walks etc for the elderly.
For Details ring Mary 087 0537172.
Please keep up the prayers for the people of Ukraine this Lent and help them in any way you can.
Slán agus beannacht.
