Dia is mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my Report.
It was a lovely way to start a week. The reception which the Transition Students of the Community School put on for members of our Active Retired Club was wonderful. Following the 10am Mass we were all invited to the Parish Centre where tables were laid out in colourful array. One young member read out a short note of welcome and went on to say what the gathering was all about. It was that the young people wanted to get to know us better and in an friendly and enjoyable way. Young people, boys or girls are the life’s blood of us people who are past our sell by date. They look at things differently. Of course they do. And to get us all together in one place over a cups of tea and lovely sweet buns, it’s amazing the things that come up in the talk. They had printed laminated questions scattered around the tables, I suppose it was their way of getting the ball rolling. But I doubt if one of them was used. The chatter flowed as the T Y’s poured out the tea and talked to every one as they went along. It was enlightening to talk to them about their hopes and plans for the future and the oldies were amazed as to how many of the youngsters that we recognised out of their parents. They moved around the room meeting new people as if they wanted to meet as many as they could in their given time. Their able Chaplin, John Magee was there to see that all went well and also photographers John Tarrant and Sean Radley to see that the happy occasion was captured for history books. Again a member read our a lovely cupla focail the bring the happy occasion to an end at 12 noon. Margaret. Bourke on behalf of the seniors thanked John Magee and the boys and girls of TY for the wonderful memorable occasion.
Still with items of high spirits. Millstreet Active Retired Alzheimers Society held a Musical Memories session on Friday last from 11.00 to 12.00. By all accounts it was a most enjoyable event. One that will be repeated in the Future. So watch this spot.
The Community Singers with Marie Twomey resumes on Thursday March 19. It’s held every Thursday Nights from 7.30 at the Adult Learning Centre, Main Street. All Welcome.
The popular Chair Yoga has also resumed. It’s held on Fridays from 3 to 4 at The Day Centre. All Welcome.
A.R.A. WEEKLY morning coffee and fresh home made scones at the Kall & Dynne Cafe every Thursday at 11. A.M.
St Patrick’s Day Parades are on everybody’s lips at the moment. We’re spoilt for choice with Rathmore at 12.30 and Carriginma hosting theirs on Sunday next March 15th. Carriginma from 3 pm and will continue into music and dancing in that wonderful pub. Our Pipe Band will be there. Carriganima will have a two tier Parade. One for adults and a very Special one for little Children which is very special every time. A joy to behold.
In Millstreet as always at five p.m. on March 17. With the Pipe Band leading the Parade. Assembling at Duggan’s Car pack Station Rd, by kind permission. The shops and places of business in the town are already decorating their places in order to work up an atmostphere fitting for the Feast of our Patron Saint, St. Patrick. Live music on the review stand from 4 pm. Please get ready to come out and take part in the Parade and make it a beautiful colourful extravanza for that one special day. Our Millstreet Pastoral Council & Comhaltas Cealtoiri Millstreet, invite you to Trad for Trocaire on St. Patrick’s Day. Details are in the Church.
Thursday March 19th is the Feast Day of St. Joseph, the worker.
Sunday next, March 15th is Mothers Day. The one day in the year when all the Matriarchs can put her feet up and be spoiled (hopefully). Mothers come in all shapes and sizes these days. In my young days, Mothers were old women usually dressed in black or dull attire. They were never addressed by their Christian name. They were Mrs. Something. Saying the name of the husband. Mrs Jack Smith. Very often we didn’t even know their Christian name because they were never mentioned and we’d be killed if we didn’t address them as Mrs. or Maam. Usualy when replying to a question, you’d say “yes Maam” or “no Maam”. But Mrs. if we met one on the road. Further to that there was no such thing as a Mother’d Day. If there was something to be celebrated, it always went to the men, nobody complained because they didn’t know any better. Nowadays every lady is addressed by her own Christian Name and it is a lot more friendly and familiar.
I wish all Mothers a very Happy and Spoiled Mothers Day on Sunday.
Oh the birds are working overtime. The great thing about being old is that you have time. A luxury that those going through their working lives do not have. During the week I spent ages looking a Heron up in the sky down towards the river. Hovering. It entrusted its whole self to the wind, threw itself on it and glided ,feet stretched back neck forward wings to the limit to both sides. And floated like a feather out of sight. So, so relaxing to watch. Meanwhile the little wagtails and robbins and finches are teaming up in two to prepare for the new season. One hopeful thought he had found the love of his life and spent two or three days plying his trade but alas eventually he discovered that it was only his own reflection on the wing mirror of my car. Now I must clean up the mess. It’s great to see so much growth in everything in the garden. Buaichas Le Dia.
Once again the Cullen Special Needs Association has come to the end of one of their finest fundraisers. The annual Weigh In. It starts just after Christmas every time giving people the chance to lose those extra pounds following the over indulgence of the Festive Season. Monday night was closing night. 44 lbs were lost and €7.000.00 taken in to date. There’s more to follow when all the cards are in. The man who lost the most weight was Jerry Kelleher, Aubane, 30 lbs. and the Lady who lost the most was Siobhan Kelleher, Millstreet, 25lbs. The person who brought in the most money was Anthony Barry a wonderful €1,200. There were sincere thanks for Mairead Reen and Hannelie O’Connor whose help much was appreciated throughout.
No words of mine can do justice to this group of people who have just reached the end of another Weigh In after almost 40 years. In all those years many changes have taken place and many of the organisers have lost a life’s partners but in spite of reduced manpower they forged ahead. And I think that we should all join forces to let them know that we appreciate the great work that they continue on behalf of us all, in helping those who cannot help themselves. God Bless them.
The first three weeks of Lent have already gone by and we are asked to do some good in the best way we can. Needless to say our prayers and thoughts are with our people who are in the war zones of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and their families at the moment. Their beautiful lives turned into nightmares in a matter of a few days. Please continue to pray for their safety and for peace to reign once more in that land.
Thought for the week. When we are following in the footsteps of Jesus, we can boldly put one foot in front of the other, Not because we know where we are going ,but because we know the One that is leading us.
Sinn a bfuil a cáirde , slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
