Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
It may still be Spring but the signs of summer are all around. In spite of the chilly breeze the leaves are budding out in every tree and shrub and the forty shades of green are outdoing one another in every hill and hollow. It’s a joy to drive along (better still if you have a driver) and admire the gifts which Mother Nature has for us as the months of Spring slowly move on. Never have we seen such a cover of blossoms on our apple, blackcurrant, gooseberry, plum trees. The humble blackthorn still holding out longer than them all. The mad drive by Mother Nature seems to be catching. Our wild life creatures are behaving like never before. Heated situations arise when the hunt for a place to build a nest comes along. While taking a moment’s glance out the window of a city dwelling last week, I was just in the right place at the right time to witness and high-pitched battle going on between a pair of Blackbirds and a magpie. The latter took up a vantage point at the edge of the evergreen where the two were busy trying to put their home comforts together , but the mean magpie was taking it all in, then out of the blue the returning blackbird flew into him, giving him a mighty sidewinder which sent him on his way with more than a flea in his ear.
Rabbits , I’m almost afraid to say the name, different people have different feelings about them. Since time began rabbits have been regarded as things of fun, a stuffed bunny rabbit never failed to give joy to a small child. Or the sight of one popping along in the long grass with little to show except the tell tale white scott appearing at every hop. But alas it’s not so funny when they wipe out most of your seedlings, while you were asleep in your bed. Some years ago because of the large numbers ,the terrible scourge of myxomatosis was introduced in an effort to reduce the count. It was pathetic at the time to see the victims hovering aimlessly on fields and roads alike. The idea did what it was made to do and the life of the bunny took on a new dimension after that. Regarded as vermin and sick at that status of the rabbit fell by the wayside. But in time it worked itself out of the doldrums and made a slow humble return. And now the bunny rabbit is back with a bang. They can be seen and enjoyed as they play in the open fields, totally oblivious of any danger. I’m sorry to say that I have no wild creatures in my place because the Finow River surrounds us where we live and the creatures of the wild have plenty other places to go besides wading across its cold water. Having said that I was in a family dwelling in Kilmeedy, on Sunday at midday and the field show at the edge of the drive was enough to lift your heart. To see the families of furries, chasing one another with gay abandon in the warm midday sun. Not far away a fox was seen chasing a rabbit in the hope of a hot dinner and talking of hot dinners. Very few people today value rabbit as a tasty food. When I was young we relished the day we had some roasted for dinner. A little like chicken to cook or eat it has a beautiful flavour all of it’s own and because it is reared on the best of what our fields have to offer, rabbit meat must be very healthy to eat. During the 39/45 war lots of people made big money on rabbits. There was a brisk market for them, their skins to line the Aeroplane pilot’s jackets and the flesh to eat. When I look out at the abundance of them out there today, can you blame me for wishing to see a return of the use of this delicious, fat-free gift from Mother Nature.
Aaah, I’ve crossed the line, another step up and when you come to the age of 92, you’re forgiven for thinking you’ve seen and got it all. But not so, and I got something this time which I never got before. It was big and red and shiney and a lot more sounds great but as all that glitters is not gold. I hasten to add that not everything new is desirable. The fact of the matter was that for my 92nd during the week I got a severe attack of gout. My Big toe was on fire so I hobbled my way to the good doc and he gave me a pill to ease the pain and wait for normal life to come back. As they used to say long ago, it’s a long way from my heart, nothing major but for my 92th a no no.
A million congratulations to our brilliant Quiz team on bringing home the bacon from Castlebar. Another All Ireland win for the boys, Jerry Doody, Connie Healy, Pat Sheehan and John Tarrant. By all accounts this is a fourth, it’s almost becoming a habit. Well Done gentlemen.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 1, 7, 17.31 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Margaret Rea, the seller was Mary O’Connor and she got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Jamie & Michelle c/o Healy’s Bar. €20 each to Martin McSweeney c/o Colemans, Aoibhe & Izzy, O’Callaghan. c/o M. Cronin. Joan Moynihan. Killarney Rd. c/o Centra, Mike O’Mahony. c/o Malpaso. Margaret & Tia c/o Centra. Twomey Family. The Bridge, c/o D. Tubridy, Shane Browne, c/o Centra. Darren Kiely ,The Grotto c/o P. Healy. Next Draw May 6th Jackpot €10.600.
The Divine Mercy Novena which began on Easter Sunday came to a close on Sunday with Devotions from 3 pm. It was again a wonderful expression of the faith and trust that is placed on it. There was a very large attendance. Confessions were held from 2.30 the Novena Chaplet was read and a meaningful sermon was given by Fr. Jack, many other priests also attended and when our choir sang many of the old time hymns which they love, the whole congregation joined in. This is always a very well supported Novena with many reports of favours received through it’s powers. The late, popular Lay Missionary Diarmuid Roche was forever grateful to it. While working on the Missions in Africa he got a brain haemorrhage which left him unconscious and he remained in that state until medical assistance came from Ireland to bring him home for treatment. He never regained consciousness until he reached home. Where he was given the treatment which enabled him to return to his Mission. He was a great believer in the Novena of the Divine Mercy and was grateful to for the rest of his life for his great recovery. Many thanks to all those who organise this wonderful form of prayer which was given by Our Lord to St. Fostina back in time, for us here in our own church every year at this time. Needless to say this novena can be started any time anywhere and not confined to the Easter Season.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm. Please support it well. Sign up for a set time each week or drop in at a time which suits you.
Legion of Mary Meeting every Tuesday night from 7.30 at the Parish Centre All Welcome.
The merry month of May is on our Doorstep. Thursday will see it in and from there be on the lookout for all the lovely events which be held in the coming weeks. At the Grotto in Aubane the Holy Rosary will be recited every Thursday night from 8pm.
The Millstreet Twinning Group invite you all to the unveiling of a Garden Bench at Drishane Rd. (near the entrance to the cemetery), in memory of the late lovely Ann Keane, on Saturday May 3 at 3 pm. All welcome.
Millstreet Vintage Club Tractor Run on Bank holiday Monday May 5th in aid of The Irish Heart Foundation. Registration at The Day Centre from 10.30.
Cullen Pipe Band will host a fundraising Cake Sale on Sunday May 4, after 9.30 Mass. Please support it well.
This is Bank Holiday weekend, the weather forecast is good so please get into the great out of doors and smell and take in the wonders of the wide open spaces, but please do so with the utmost care and safety.
Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
