Fr. Tom's 50th Celebration: Open Invite.

CHURCH MATTERS:

Last Sunday, Anniversary Mass was celebrated for the late Nora Herlihy, Kingsland. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hAnam dilís.

Sat 5th Oct: Ballingarry 7pm Mass: Golden Jubilee of Canon Tom. A celebration Mass on the 50th Anniversary of Canon Tom's priesthood. I'm sure he would love it if as many as possible could attend, followed by refreshments in the Hall.

Thought for the Week: “Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another.” Laudato Si.

4th Sunday, celebrating the 'Season of Creation': Trees are good neighbours to all forms of wildlife who live and depend on them. They find food in their leaves, flowers and fruits and find shelter in crevices, bark and roots. In other words trees are essential for biodiversity. As well as providing us with colourful Autumn leaves, they are good neighbours to us too. They provide the only way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is trapping more & more of the sun's heat and causing climate change.

CHOMHBHRÓN:

We offer our sympathies to Julie Ann Kelly, Doorlus and family on the passing of her father, Cyril J. Walsh Woodview Park, Limerick. Late of the Meteorological Office Shannon.

Sadly missed by his wife Imelda, sons Alan, Jim and Karl, daughters Gill, Julie, Renee and Nadine, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law and beloved grandchildren, Also dearly missed by his sisters Mary, Sr. Josephine, Betty, Ann and Frances. Predeceased by his brother Jim and sister Evelyn.

He was reposed at Thompson’s Funeral Home, Requiem Mass was celebrated at Christ the King Church, Caherdavin followed by cremation service in Shannon Crematorium.

TASTER CLASS:

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 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 & 3 boys - so if anyone else is interested please 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.

Thur 26th Sept; St. Munchin's College, V94 HXW5. 16:50 - 20:10.

Mon 30th Sept; Greenhills Hotel Ennis Road, V94 X2RV. 16:50 - 19:40.

BIKE RUN:

Sun 29th Sept. Charity Motorbike run in aid of the Holy Family School, Charleville. Meet up at 11am and departing from the school at 1pm, (P56AH39). Donations are welcome on the day or online.

WHAT's ON:

Social Badminton for adults in Athlacca hall, Monday evenings from Sep 30th, 7.30pm - 9.00pm,€3 pp. All levels welcome.

Friars Gate Theatre has a variety of events happening this month and next.

Fri 27th Sept 8pm - Pakie O'Callaghan Celebrates the Storytelling of Eamon Kelly.

1st & 8th Oct 3.30 - 4.30pm - FREE Dance Classes with Dance Limerick in association with Limerick Mental Health - Final performance at 6pm on the 9th of October

Thur 3rd Oct 8pm - A Night on The Town by Denis Ivers - Music, Stories & Laughter with local Guests

Fri 4th Oct 8pm - Waterloo - Ireland's No.1 Abba Tribute Band

DANCING 50+

Oct 4th, 3 - 4pm, Croom Sports Hall. Would you like to attend dance classes for four weeks, costing only ten euro in total. Bookings can be made through the civic centre 061-602742.

5-IN-A-ROW:

Congratulations to Munster Wheelchair Hurling Camogie Club who are the M. Donnelly All-Ireland Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie Champions again after an impressive victory over Leinster at SETU Carlow, with a score of 5-1. The All-Ireland Trophy will be making its way to West Limerick GAA in the safe hands of Captain Darren Dineen. Locally, Maurice Noonan is a member of this team.

FRAUDSMART:

Nearly half of 18–24-year-olds reported that they, or someone they know, have been approached to use their bank account to transfer money.

One in three 18–24-year-olds admitted they would consider using their bank accounts to lodge or transfer money on behalf of someone else, in exchange for keeping some of the money.

Awareness of the consequences of money muling is low and people are unaware that it could help fund other criminal activity. Many do not understand they could face jail time, and are unaware it could affect their ability to obtain international travel or work visas.

61% of parents of teenagers surveyed said they have not discussed the risks of money mules with their children. Young people are being recruited through social media adverts promising 'easy' money

It’s crucial that young people understand that this is not a ‘victimless’ crime and the consequences are severe for those who get involved. Most of the money transferred by money mules is the proceeds of crime, often stolen from innocent victims of scams and other types of fraud that our own friends and family can fall victim to. Worse still, this laundered money is often used by criminals to fund serious criminal activities such as terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking. This is why the penalties for money muling are so serious and can result in a criminal record.

DID YOU KNOW:

It takes some 500 years to make a mature forest. Over generations, the early forests loaded themselves with carbon which they extracted from the atmosphere: this later became fossilized as coal and oil. Trees have been described as God’s first temples. They are also a bit like monks who stay put, don’t talk much but get on with inner growth. Trees work hard for us and for the environment, and also form a ‘wood-wide web’ of mutual communication and support. Mother trees recognize and talk with their kin, injured ones pass on their legacy to their neighbours; the healthy support the weak and give out warning signals to their friends when under threat. For instance, when a giraffe starts nibbling an acacia tree, the tree gives off an unpleasant gas: acacias close by pick up the message and pump unpalatable toxins into their leaves, so the hungry giraffe has to lunch elsewhere. A lesson here is that trees can smell !

When a caterpillar nibbles a leaf, electrical signals are emitted by the tree to ward off further damage. If the root is under attack, helpful fungi spread the word: their thin filaments are densely woven through the soil–one teaspoon of soil contains many miles of ‘underground internet cable’. In this way, nutrients can be shared out to best advantage.

Trees grow at a leisurely pace which promotes long life, Redwoods can live over 2000 years. But imagine the amount of energy, know-how and organization a large tree needs. Food and water supplies must be secure; enemies such as wood beetles must be warded off, family must be attended to. A big tree is a community housing project: some 250 species may lodge in it– bats, woodpeckers, parasites. These do some damage to their host-trees but currently their worst enemy is the human species.