Dia is Mhuire diobh go leir a Cáirde and welcome to my Report.
Aaaahh there is nothing as nice as the sweet smell of success. What a joy it was for our dedicated Tidy Towns Committee to be Awarded First place in their section at this years, (2025 ) County Council Anti Litter Challenge. They pushed and pushed and worked at it until they got there and they want to thank every single person who helped them to achieve their dream. We are all proud of this wonderful success. It only goes to show that constant dropping wears a stone. You will get there if you work hard enough. We need our Tidy Towns Committee to let us know what is needed and to convince us that the outcome is worth striving for. They would like to thank all those who helped them in any way on their road to success. They had a wonderful evening at the County Hall Their joy was further enhanced by celebrating the birthday of the popular Tommy Burke. God Bless their work.
Well done to Sean Radley on stepping into the void when our Church screening services were down, especially for the funeral of the popular Tom O’Neill, Sean was at the ready to capture it all for posterity and it is there now for all those who want to see. May the lovely Tom R.I.P.
Some members of our Knit & Natter club had a great time on Thursday when they visited no less than two Hospitals to deliver some of their work to patients. They were asked if the Club would make some knit handwarmers for elderly people in hospitals. Already they have made the trip to Bantry. This time nearer home. In Our own local Hospital we were welcomed by the nurses and staff and met the nine people who are resident there. Work on the refurbishment of the old building is in progress with huge machinery making short work of the history of the past. On the wall my attention was drawn to a lovely framed image of the complex which was taken in 1958. For me at any rate it was a fascinating record of times past. Times that I only heard about from the old people before me. While the front looks about the same. Further up at the back what used to be the TB hospital in the forties and fifties, but before that the Workhouse dating back to famine times. The Aerial view shows the outline of the ancient pathway or boreen that the elders told us so movingly about. Where the deceased were ferried by horse or donkey transport to the Keel, our paupers burial place at the side of the Clara road. Fado Fado.
We moved on and following a lovely lunch, the next call for the seven us was to Kanturk Hospital. Again where we got a warm welcome and chatted to the patients, the nurses and the staff and before leaving we presented the residents with our cosy colourful hand warmers. On the way out Michelle O’Keeffe asked me if I’d like to visit an elderly man who gets my piece read to him every week and he looks forward to it every time. I wasn’t told his name but she said it was in Rathcoole. On arrival, at first glance I thought he was somebody else. But funnily enough he was that man’s neighbour. As it transpired I was shaking the hand of the sprightly Vincent Collins, who was 97 years of age the previous day. The mention of my name brought back memories to him of me driving the yellow bus up and down the town. He told me that his Dad bought the first lorry and recalled trips to Maama and other bogs drawing home the turf for people while they as young lads went to fill the loads. A humble start to the mega World Class Collins Transport Business that it is today. It was my first time ever talking to that man and I hope it’s not my last. Before I leave it I must say A very Happy Birthday to the lovely Vincent Collins, I loved meeting you. God Bless.
It’s funny how people can live just a few miles apart you see them at things over the years but never get to talk to them. If they go to a different chapel on Sundays as we all did in the past or socialise in their own area then you never get to meet them or socialise with them but still you feel that you know them. That was how I felt that day on meeting and talking to Vincent. Such is life.
Just now as I’m looking out my window, writing this on this beautiful sun filled Monday afternoon, I spotted a hare bounding at leisure across the field across the road. Seemingly totally oblivious of the crazy passing traffic on the other side of the wall from him.
The sprawling Virginian creeper is putting on it’s coat of many colours at the moment. It knows no bounds, ignores all the limits. The Blackberries and the other soft fruits have had their day. Also the many summer flowers and while they were showing off their wares this silent creeper lived up to it’s name and kept on creeping incognito until the time was right for it to play it’s part in the scheme of things. Take time to enjoy their grand colourful display. Mind you the roses are being called back for a second run and the buds are full of promise at the moment for more colour, long may they flourish.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm Confessions on Saturdays from 12.30 to 1.
Legion of Mary Meeting every Tuesday night at the Parish Centre from 7.30. All Welcome.
Our Pipe band want to thank all those who supported their recent Church Gate collection which amounted to €2,678.90 Adding that new band members are invited to join. Young people from 5/6Class upwards and adults. Those interested please contact 086 896 6163.
The recent Coffee morning at Reen’s Pharmacy in aid of Jack & Jill realised €4,365,00. Many thanks to all who supported it.
The National Dairy Show will be held at the Green Glens on October 10 & 11. A great annual event to look forward to.
Sundays night’s program with Brendan Courtney on Key to your Life featured our friend Niamh Cavanagh and they gave great mention of her winning the Eurovision Song Contest here in Millstreet in 1993.
Set Dancing at Ballydaly Hall every Wednesday night from 8.30 to 10.
From this week’s Mass leaflet.
Invitation to Reflect on Sunday Mass. As we journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Irish Bishops are asking All Catholics to reflect privately on the significance of Sunday Mass. So, during the coming week I invite you to consider this question. “How does your participation in Sunday Mass inspire you to live out your mission as a follower of Christ. As you contemplate your answer consider the words of the late Pope Francis “We do not go to Mass in order to give something to God, but to receive what we truly need from Him.
Daily Masses are preceded by the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 9,20,22,32 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to “Initiative ” The seller was Michelle Whelan and she got €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Chris & Veron Twomey, Station Rd. €20 each to James O’Leary, c/o O’Learys, Eimear & Sarah, Dooneen c/o Colemans. Eoin O’Callaghan c/o Tom Carroll, “Father Ted” c/o The Mal Paso, Pa Dineen c/o Jack O’Riordan, Tommy Carrol & A Burke c/o Irish Rail, Geraldine Dennehy c/o Joan Casey, Mary O’Connor Keale, c/o Colemans.
Jackpot for next week €15,000 Draw Sunday September 28th .
Sinn a bfuil a cáirde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir .
