Eily’s Report – 22nd April

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

The old people used to say I’ll live as long as I can and I’ll die when I can’t help it. Well that was so true of our beloved Pope Francis. Having seen him the previous day blessing the crowd, I doubt if the news of his passing came of any shock on Easter Monday morning. He was a wonderful Pontiff, a man of the people and he proved it by leaving his deathbed to bless them one more time before God called him home. I’m confident that he is in Heaven and we can pray to him now that he is inside the Golden Gates.

Easter could not have been nicer. We got glorious weather throughout. It was a joy to sit out at even tide and take it all in. The green-ness  following the short showers of rain. It gave a welcome freshening up to everything following the cold winds which came with the  sun earlier on. Even the birds seemed to be impressed. Sitting out in the evening in a shady nook was just the place to catch the singing and view their antics. Each with it’s own sound the swallows letting all and sundry know that they were back and then the soft coo of the pigeon coming from afar as if riding on the gentle breeze which was there at just that moment. Many things are astir in the garden. My Gooseberry bush which took time out last year is covered in blossoms as is the Blackcurrant bush and other peoples plum trees etc. So we live in great hope.  And things of the wild are running wild. There is an upsurge of baby rabbits racing around and also lots of foxes keeping an eye evil eye on them in the hope of an easy meal. The law of the Jungle.

Our Easter ceremonies were carried out in wonderful detail and with great sincerity. In spite of the lack of numbers our Priests made every day seem special. The Holy Week ceremonies so meaningful, the details of which were at our disposal in every church in the Pastoral area so there was no fear of missing anything. Holy Thursday when the Sanctuary Lamps were put out while the Holy Host was in the Alter of repose and relit when it was brought back again on Easter Saturday night.  The Blessing of the Holy Water and the Canon moving about the church to bless the people. I find the lighting of the candles in the darkened church is very special, it’s a moment when everybody greets everybody else and a time to spread the light. The long readings were beautifully done by members of the congregation and the parish choir was superb, They came in  for a special round of applause when they heralded in  the mystery of the Risen Christ.  In closing Our Canon John thanked all those who helped to make our ceremonies so special and wished everybody a Happy Easter.

Following the Good Friday ceremonies, the Novena of the Divine Mercy began in the church and it will continue each day until Sunday next April 27. Leaflets were distributed and the daily prayer can be said at home but preferably in the Church each day at 3 pm. The closing of this Novena is very special.  From 3 pm  on Sunday the recitation of the Novena prayers plus confessions from 2.30 and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament also a sermon by a priest on the Mercy of God. Please support it well.

You must have noticed it, the way that parking places are being taken away in our town. It is a very regrettable development. Everybody is talking about it because they are concerned about the way it will affect  our town. We live in an aging society and we the older folk must drive as near as possible to where we want to go. We have designated age-friendly spaces but they are few and when one is occupied, where is an elderly driver to go? We have some new businesses starting up in Town and need all the parking spaces we have, not less. I doubt if my cupla focail will move any mountains but  I’ll have my say on my own behalf and of all those who are worried about the future parking  in our town.

Our Tidy Towns Assoc. want you to know that the next judging period is Monday April 28th to May 7^th at Tanyard Wood and the Town.   Following that it will be Murphy’s Terrace  and Town, May 12th  to 21st. Please be extra vigilant in these areas.

Funny the things you come across when you’re looking for something else. On a search for something, which by the way I didn’t find, I came across a copy of Francis Duggan’s Poetry. I have no idea of how long I have it or when I got it. Truth to tell I’ve done very little since I found it, because I’m glued to it’s pages.  What a wonderful scribe he is. The copy I have is marked Chapter six. And there are hundreds of poems in it. Reading through it’d pages can take you to dizzy heights or heart-rendering lows. His gift of pouring his heart on paper is amazing. He lives in New Zealand for many years now as far as I know but down the years when a person passes away ‘at home’ , he’d come’ up with verses about them as though they were on the spot.  His gift of the pen enables him to describe any casual  encounter that he’d have, be it a lame dog or a hard boss ,his repertoire  is endless. The mind boggles at his range. If I have Chapter six containing  hundreds of poems how many more are there, and where are they. Many of us have been honoured by his pen and over the years from the other side of the world, the humble  Francie Duggan has proved himself a true son of Millstreet by the power on his pen.

Well done to the Aubane social club who put on a wonderful  event for children of all ages on Easter Sunday. Easter eggs, fun and games and lots of goodies to eat. Very much appreciated.

Millstreet Gramophone Circle meeting this Friday night at the Canon O’Donovan centre from 8.15. Presenter Margaret Moynihan, Killarney Road. All welcome.

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje will take place on August 27. To September 3. Cost €300. Ex Cork.

 Contact 086 661 7549. Or 086 303 4370.

March for Life, May 5 in Dublin.  For details and book a  bus seat from Cork.

contact Rory  087 630 8168.or Mona 087 977 1176.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30pm. Legion of Mary Meeting at the Parish Centre every Tuesday night from 7.30.  All welcome.

Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Bank Holiday Monday night, Numbers drawn were 3,17,26,31 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Christy & Nora, Pound Hill, the seller was Colemans and they got €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Ita  Hickey, c/o Ita,  €20 each to Jerry Doody c/o Millstreet GAA, Anna & Tommy Fitz, c/o D.Twomey, Pa, c/o Jack. Dave Barrett Aubane c/o Colemans, Siobhan Tarrant, Liscreagh c/o Noreen Tarrant, Paddy O’Connor, Ballinkeen, c/o Mary O’Connor. Donal O’Mahony , c/o Colemans, Marie & Grandchildren c/o M. Twomey.   Next draw Apr. 27 . Jackpot €10.400.

Slan is beannacht.