A RAINY MONTH ALREADY:

CHURCH MATTERS:

Last Sunday, Anniversary Mass was celebrated for the late Dan & Julia Brosnan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a nAnamacha dilís.

Sat 5th Oct: Invite to the Golden Jubilee of Canon Tom in Ballingarry at 7pm. A celebration Mass on the 50th Anniversary of Canon Tom's priesthood. It would be lovely to see as many as possible attending, bring along the Communion children too. Mass will be followed by refreshments in the Hall.

Communion Class: Last Sunday we had a welcome ceremony for the ten children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, next May. Led by Roisín, this group were in great voice, looking forward to their monthly visit.

Thought for the Week: "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant". Robert Louis Stevenson.

The 5th and last Sunday, celebrating the 'Season of Creation': The miracle of Butterflies: 400 million years ago - flying Insects evolved with weightless bodies that permitted them to take to the air. Take the Monarch Butterfly, the lord of the insect world. The milkweed plant juices it assimilates makes it poisonous to birds, and its beautiful orange colour warns predators that they are toxic. The female Monarch lays about 400 eggs on milkweed plants. These take two weeks to develop, after which the caterpillar’s head becomes visible. It is only 2mm long, but eats voraciously. First it eats its own eggshell, then feeds on milkweed. It eats day and night, only stopping to rest between meals. Next it leaves the milkweed plant and looks for a safe place to undergo its transformation, using a special gland in its mouth to weave a small silk button, underneath a twig or leaf. It hangs upside down in the shape of a “J”. In time, it begins to move, forcing the skin to split open and it slowly changes shape and colour. The outer layer hardens into an elegant emerald case, decorated with golden dots. This case is known as a chrysalis, the Greek for “golden.” Inside, three different hormones get to work to break down the pupa, only to recreate it in a new form. The change in lifestyle is immense, enabling it to have a different diet, habitat and movement, than it had before. When the wings are dry the Monarch takes to the air. Energy for flying comes from the flowers it visits. Each autumn, huge clouds of Monarch Butterflies gather in southern Canada and fly south some 3000km for a winter holiday in Mexico.

TASTER CLASS:

Still looking for a few more names. Granagh Development are enquiring into running a six weeks, children's taster class, in the Hall, with the Empire Acrobatic Rock-n-Roll School. This club, which is based in Mallow, is a professional acrobatic rock-n-roll sport club and dance school. Children learn the basics of Gymnastics, as well as different dance styles, stretching & flexibility. Classes would be held in the Hall, Wednesdays, 6.15 - 7.15 for ages 6 - 15yrs, open to boys & girls at seventy five euro per child, reductions for siblings.

At least ten to twelve children are required if the class is to go ahead. I have some names already - 5 girls & 4 boys (6-8s) - so if you know of anyone else who might be interested, text Mary at 087-9139902. For further info see www.rocknrollireland.com/#rnr

GIVE BLOOD:

These are appointment based clinics. Please call 1800 222 111 to book an appointment. Every donor & every donation counts. Thur 3rd Oct. Rathkeale House Hotel, 16:50 - 20:10:

Sun 6th Oct. Crescent Shopping Centre Unit 1A, City Mall, 12:50 - 16:10:

Éigse Michael Hartnett:

Thur 3rd-Sun 6th: This year’s festival marks the 25th anniversary of Michael’s death in Oct '99. Lots of poetry, book readings, music and chat. Some of the events in the festival are as follows but there's lots more.

Drum Dance Ireland will open events in the square at 7.15pm & will give people a chance to partake in the parade. On Friday, 1.00-5.00pm, Red Door Gallery; I see John Upton has curated an exhibition, bringing Newcastle West’s past to life, in photographs and film clips.

At 3.00pm - Showing of a film, 'The Trades of Maiden St'. Later at 8.30pm, in the Desmond Complex, the Film Club, present “That They May Face the Rising Sun”.

Saturday, Desmond Complex, 1.30pm: - Jon Kenny’s newest show ‘’Words, Lies and Craic’’ is a hilarious and poignant mixture of Storytelling, Song and Poetry. Later at 8.30, the famous Kíla are in concert in the Longcourt Hotel.

Sunday - 12pm, Desmond Complex: Former State Pathologist Marie Cassidy in conversation with Mary Dundon about her life’s work, as described in her memoir.

2.00pm, Gaelscoil O’Doghair, Station Rd. - A special interactive concert for children, with Kíla, where they are invited to take part. Check out the website for a full list of events, advance booking is advised.

Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary & Arts Festival 2024 - Éigse (eigsemichaelhartnett.ie)

WALKING FEST:

Fri 4th - Sun 6th Oct: The countdown is on to the Ballyhoura Walking Festival 2024! Get your walking boots on for a weekend of outdoor adventure and discover the beauty of Ballyhoura's landscapes followed by music, history, yoga, dawn/dusk & moonlight walks and workshops from the Joyce Brothers Music Festival! check out their web page for all the details. https://visitballyhoura.com/events/ballyhoura-walking-festival-joyce-brothers-music-festival

DID YOU KNOW:

30th Sept,1960 - "The Flintstones," the first animated sitcom, premiered on Tv, in the US.

1st Oct,1930 - Actor Richard Harris is born in Limerick.

2nd Oct,1879 - Kate Coll arrives in New York from Ireland on board the SS Nevada. She later marries Juan Vivion de Valera, and gives birth to Éamon on Oct 14th,1882.

3rd Oct,1691- Treaty of Limerick is signed, ending the Williamite War in Ireland.

4th Oct,1959 - Direct dialling is launched in Ireland.

5th Oct, 2000 - The World Windsurfing Grand Prix is held in Ireland for the first time, Brandon Bay, Kerry.