Castleisland Parish News 2013

Transcription

1 Castleisland Parish News 2013

2 2 Castleisland Parish News 2013 Editorial Welcome to the first edition of Castleisland Parish News. Sincere thanks to all our contributors, our editor, parish staff and all who helped to put it together. Castleisland is a busy place with lots of valuable community activities. What we have included is just a sample of the work done by individuals and groups in our Parish. As we approach Christmas, we wish you and yours every joy, happiness and the Blessing of God. We invite you and your Christmas visitors to join us in any of our three Churches in celebrating the Birth of Christ. We look forward to our Parish Mission at the end of February. It should be an enjoyable and memorable event for all the Community. Fr Dan O Riordan Working on my own By Fr Dan O Riordan P.P. I am often asked what it is like working on my own since Father Michael Moynihan went to Glengarriff as Parish Priest in It is a difficult question to answer as there are so many different aspects to it. It is the first time in forty five years of priesthood that I am working without the presence of other priests with me in a full-time capacity. Firstly it is a huge change for me and for the people of Castleisland. Almost all of the parishes in the diocese, apart from Tralee and Killarney, are in this situation of having just one full time priest. So we are not unique in facing this challenge. We can learn from one another in how to cope with the change. The secret has to be greater teamwork within the parish and cooperation with surrounding parishes. It does not mean Working on your own The Parish Office is now the nerve centre of the Parish where most of the parish activities are planned and carried out. The Parish staff here has undergone training and provide a wonderful service to the Parish. The Parish and Finance Councils are a great support in the administration of the Parish and all the other ministries also are a powerful example of lay people and priests working together. That is what the Church is meant to be, so the shortage of priests has given it a great impetus. There is no other way of functioning as a parish. We are blessed to have the help of two Retired priests Father Sean Horgan and Canon Denis O Mahony, who are happy to help out. The four priests from the neighbouring parishes in the Pastoral Area help with weekday Masses and funerals and they have taken on chaplaincy and Board of Management roles in our schools. This means that they are less available in their own parishes and the number of Masses have had to be reduced in all those parishes. I am extremely grateful for their help, flexibility, and friendship. Our Area Pastoral Council continues to develop ways whereby the five parishes can help and support each other more in the years ahead. There have been some other changes too that must be acknowledged. The monthly visits on the First Fridays are now replaced by Ministers of the Eucharist or family members. It is my hope to be able to visit the elderly and the housebound in our Parish a couple of times a year, if requested to do so. On those occasions I would aim to spend more time with people than previously, when all visits had to be done in one or two days Don t forget the five priests in the pastoral area provide cover for emergencies on 24/7 basis There are also signs of hope for the future. We now have three students studying for the priesthood in Kerry Diocese and five candidates are preparing to become deacons. With the grace of God and by greater cooperation we can face whatever challenges the future brings. Change is difficult but it can sometimes bring out the best in everybody. Gúim Beannachtaí na Nollag agus na h-athbhliana oraibh go leír.

3 Castleisland Parish News What it means to me to be a Eucharistic Minister By James Brosnan I became a Eucharistic Minister in late May I am glad that I became a Minister as I find it very fulfilling despite a few nerves the first few times. I used to bring home Holy Communion to my late father Francie and to see how much it meant to him in his latter days to receive the Holy Eucharist and what peace it gave him is something that I will always remember. I once read a passage called Footprints and it had a huge influence on me and my life. That little story explained a lot of things in life that can happen and also how you would deal with things good and bad. One thing I ve learned is indeed God does work in mysterious way and gives us all our trials and crosses to bear but by putting a little faith in him he will guide you out of some dark alleys in life. As the story goes in Footprints when the man asks why Lord did you desert me when there was only one set of footprints in the sand in hard times the Lord answers those were the times I carried you. I enjoy being a minister and thank Father Dan for asking me to become a Minister and I plan to give out Holy Communion for many years to come. Useful Numbers Castleisland Parish Office (Open Monday to Friday 10.00am to 2.00pm) Msgr Dan O Riordan (Castleisland) Canon Eoin Mangan (Knocknagoshel) Fr Anthony O Sullivan (Brosna) Fr Pat Crean-Lynch (Ballymacelligott) Fr Nicholas Flynn (Killeentierna) Accord Tralee / Accord Killarney Office of civil registration or St Vincent de Paul Bernard Tangney Funeral Director Michael Daly Funeral Director James Brosnan Programme of Masses for Christmas 2013 Castleisland Parish Church Christmas Eve: 7.00pm Mass and 9.00pm Mass The 7.00pm Mass will be broadcast on Radio Kerry. To listen live on line use click on live Christmas Day: 11.30am Mass Cordal Church Christmas Eve: 12 Midnight Mass Christmas Day: 9.30am Mass Scartaglen Church Christmas Eve: 8.30pm Mass Christmas Day: 10.30am Mass Fr Dan and staff would like to wish each one of you a very happy and holy Christmas and New Year

4 4 Castleisland Parish News years in Sudan South Sudan Journey into the unknown By Fr Niall Geaney Fr Niall Geaney, Castleisland describes working as a Missionary in South Sudan. He has also worked in Uganda and Nigeria and is now based in Kenya. His colleague Fr Tim Galvin (Brosna) is still based in South Sudan. Just over thirty years ago, the Bishop of Torit Diocese in south-eastern Sudan invited our Society to help in the reconstruction of his diocese. All of south Sudan was still recovering from the destruction of the First Civil War, which had lasted from 1955 to So six of us, St Patrick s missionaries, arrived at the Kenya-Sudan border in mid-august With two Land Cruisers we had departed from Nairobi on the first leg of a one thousand kilometre journey some days before. Someone had decided that it would be a good idea that we should celebrate the feast of the Assumption in our new mission in Sudan. Unfortunately, nobody had realised that it was the middle of the rainy season. Flooded rivers disappearing bridges and the dreaded black cotton soil, which is so sticky and slippery, took their toll on our vehicles and ourselves. We did indeed celebrate the feast, knee deep in mud. After two nights sleeping on the open road, we eventually arrived at the Catholic Mission in Kapoeta. Tired, hungry and dishevelled, we felt more than slightly the worse for wear. However, the warmth of our welcome from the pastor, Sylvestro soon raised our drooping spirits. As one of our locals remarked, our people may have empty hands but they have warm hearts. Another thing we did not realise was that Sudan s second civil war had already started a few months earlier. This war was to last nearly twenty-three years, and resulted in the deaths of almost two million people. Up to four million more were displaced from their homes, and forced to flee into internal exile or across the border into neighbouring countries. For the first couple of years the war seemed far away as we set about our task of helping to rebuild our diocese. This was a period of stability and hope, when great things seemed possible. However, the war gradually edged closer until eventually our town of Torit was overrun. Bishop Taban (missionary of Africa), was carried off into captivity for some months. The rebels told the bishop: you have helped our enemy. You have given them food. It was useless for the bishop to explain that the task of a Christian is to feed the hungry, especially the starving women and children. It brought out the reality of the Africa proverb, when elephants fight, it is the grass which suffers. I spent thirteen adventurous years in Sudan, mainly as Rector of St Mary s Junior Seminary. It was a mobile ministry as the shifting from line often forced us to relocate. Initially based in Torit, we first moved to Juba, before finally ending up in northern Uganda in a refugee camp. It was a time of both great blessings and sadness truly the best of times and the worst of times. While I witnessed many acts of cruelty, I also witnessed wonderful acts of bravery and kindness, when ordinary people helped each other, often at great risk to themselves. Indeed, one of the many great blessings of Africa is the generous way that refugees are welcomed in neighbouring countries. This is shown in the welcome that refugees from Somalia and elsewhere receive today in gigantic camps in northern Kenya, the country where I now live. Perhaps the affluent Western world has something to learn here in the way it welcomes or fails to welcome the helpless stranger. The Republic of South Sudan: Eventually, Sudan s Second Civil War came to an end in In this weary land the people were weary of war. A long series of negotiations between the two sides, held in Kenya, culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The peace has been fragile at times, but it has continued to the present. In January 2011 people were given their chance to decide their future, a privilege which they greatly appreciated. 98% voted in favour of separation from the north. Subsequently, the world s newest state, the Republic of South Sudan came into being on July 9th No longer does power come from the barrel of a gun. Two generations of young people have totally missed out on education, and still struggle at a personal level to deal with the trauma of lives scarred by war and brutality. And yet on these shoulders falls the responsibility of building the nation. The discovery of vast quantities of oil in South Sudan is perhaps a mixed blessing. It has the potential to bring great wealth to people who have been amongst the worlds poorest. But experience elsewhere in Africa shows that this often fails to materialise. This oil could also be the fuel of renewed discord between South Sudan and Sudan, as it must travel, for the present, by pipeline through the north to reach the coast for export. The future is far from certain, and yet there is hope in the faces of the people. The memory of war strengthens the will for peace. The work of reconciliations continues. St Patrick s Missionaries, who have shared the pain of war with this people, join them now in peace building. A hunger for education now replaces a hunger for food. Let us all pray for a future of peace where people can reach their full potential and work in harmony.

5 Castleisland Parish News Years of Soccer and Friendship By Fr David Lupton The year was 1973 when I first took two soccer teams Georgie was presented with Papal Blessing to mark 40 years of work. Fr David Lupton from St. Roberts in Manchester to Castleisland Parish. Since then the yearly exchange has somehow continued. Many lasting friendships have been formed and much pleasure has been shared. Canon David Lupton wrote in the September edition of the St. James the Less Parish Magazine. Over the forty years, boys from the Castleisland Soccer Club under the leadership of Georgie O Callaghan, his assistants and some of the parents have enjoyed the generous hospitably of Fr. Lupton, his family and parishioners of Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancashire. A New Stained Glass window in Castleisland Parish Church the work of Palmer Brothers Glynn Palmer of Palmers stained glass has worked as a stained glass artist for over twenty five years. Working for a glass company in England he quickly established them as a reputable company which offered a wide range of glass design, modern and traditional. In 2007 having strong family connections in Kerry, Glynn and his family relocated to the area. Since his arrival Glynn and his brother Richard have been very fortunate in being involved in several major restoration projects. One of the largest was being the restoration of Brosna Parish Church. Smaller projects then in numerous churches including, The Holy Cross Church in Kenmare, St Mary s in Camp, Sacred Heart Church Milltown, and also Lixnaw and Mount-Collins to name just a few. Currently Glynn is working on restoration and a new piece for Sneem Church. He also has a talent for teaching and has taken classes for West Limerick Resources in Mount Collins and Abbeyfeale. Glass painting being his passion, he really appreciates the expertise of the old master artists. The work of many great artists are still in countless churches around Ireland today. Glynn s philosophy is that these pieces of art should be conserved where possible at all times as they are such a big part of any church s history. It is a great honour to be able to repaint broken or missing pieces of an original stained glass panel. It s like stepping back in time and you can learn so much from these seasoned artists says Glynn you can also get a real feel for the different styles that can date back eleven centuries. Glynn has carried out numerous works at the churches in Castleisland parish. There was a full restoration job undertaken at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Scartaglen. All leaded windows were removed and restored in the workshop, then secured back in with new storm glazing. This has made a great difference to the church. Cordal church also had all storm glazing replaced. And the angel windows to the rear of the church were restored to their former glory, assuring that they will last for the next generations. Glynn was asked to commission, design and manufacture something with a touch of colour, which would go into the windows at the front of St Stephens & St Johns in Castleisland, which would still blend in with the existing lower panels. The Pelican-in-her-Piety and the ascending dove were at the forefront of Glynn s first drawing for the project. The depiction of the pelican picking her breast to nurture her young is an allegorical one. In earlier times when literacy was limited this image would have been interpreted as Jesus sacrificial love and resurrection, and also a symbol of the Eucharist. As the congregation file back down the church after receiving Holy Communion, it would be that image they would see. Glynn felt it was perfect and started the painting process. The end result is fabulous. The Bell Tower had a makeover and is also back to its former glory, having the boarded up windows replaced by leaded ones to match the rest of the church, as were a few more small windows. All of this adds to the overall beauty of the church It has been a real pleasure working for the parish says Glynn Great people make a great parish and I can t give enough thanks to Fr. Dan and Noreen. And I hope you all enjoy the windows for generations to come. www. palmer-conservation.com

6 6 Castleisland Parish News 2013 Archbishop Redmond Prendiville: A famous Cordal man Archbishop at 35 By Monica Prendiville Archbishop Redmond Prendiville was born in 1900 at the Wood, Glenlarhan and he was the youngest child of Johanna and Garret Prendiville. He was the baby of a very large family of fourteen children. Kilmurry National School was his introduction to education. He studied at St. Brendan s College, Killarney and went to All Hallows in 1918 to begin his priestly studies. He was ordained in Wexford and travelled to Perth, Australia in 1925.His sister, Mother Laurence O.P. and five brothers had settled in Perth at that time. He was appointed Bishop of Perth in 1933 and ArchBishopin1935. Over the years many of his parishioners visited his birthplace and all agreed that the Archbishop was dedicated to building up the church in Perth, establishing parishes, building schools and churches and setting a structure for his priests and people,at a time when the church was in its infancy in West Australia. He was always striving to have a forward looking team to help him in this challenging work. He loved his family and they were very proud of him, and he himself had the reputation of being a very humble man. He had a great sense of humor and was very proud of the fact that he was man of the Match when he played with Kerry in the All Ireland final in1924. He listened to as many GAA matches as possible. He got so excited when his home teams Kerry were playing. It has been said during one of these matches he kicked the table and one day he split the table that he sat at with his old friend, Eugene Cantillon, who was a shoemaker in Castleisland. Bishop Mundy died in 1968 and his passing left a void in the lives of nieces and nephews and all relations. His life reflected the lives of so many of our Clergy, and all of those who have dedicated their lives to their flocks. Early this year, the Prendiville Family donated the Arch Bishop s Chalice to the Immaculate Conception Church in Cordal. The link with him will now be forever. Fr Dan O Riordan PP, Castleisland, said that receiving his personal chalice was a great joy not only for his family but for the whole parish. Archbishop Prendiville was a famous Cordal man and when we have Mass here from now on we will have a personal link with him through his own chalice. Thanks to those who decided that Cordal would be the most appropriate place to have his chalice. It was a journey that took 45 years and we are delighted to have it.

7 Castleisland Parish News Corpus Christi Procession 2013 By Maryanne Breen Reading through the mass leaflet earlier this year I noticed where Fr. Dan asked for some area to host the procession. I discussed it with a few neighbours and all thought it would be a lovely idea. I approached the sacristan and made our application. A short while later we found out we were accepted!!! Once the news came through to the Killarney Rd., Cahernard and Link Road residents, they were out with paint brushes, putting shape to the gardens, hedges etc. On the night the place looked amazing, with altars set up outside every home and business. Men women and children were helping out in setting up the main altar at the venue which was kindly provided by Denis Divane.I am glad to say there was a great community spirit felt on the night with so many neighbours taking an active part. One of the highlights of the procession was the Communion children singing along with the choir.fr. Dan expressed his delight to bring the Blessed Sacrament out among the community.the whole event was spiritually uplifting and a public profession of faith. I will look forward to taking part next year D.V. and would encourage all areas to experience the delight. Mile buiochas do gach duine a chabraigh agus a ghlach pairt. Maryanne Breen Glebe Lodge, Castleisland A 24-hour service, it can support 10 people with learning disabilities on a full-time basis and has a further bed for respite needs. The service doesn t stop there. Over the last couple of years we have also provided end of life support through home care teams and that is what distinguishes us from other services, Manager Gillian Kenny states. Glebe Lodge was opened in 2002 after the specific needs of the aging population was identified and Gillian says it has the overwhelming support of the entire community. The site was donated by the Geaney family and we have received donations from a variety of sources including, The Castleisland Races, Castleisland Triathlon and Annual Sales of Work organized by the branch. We have also benefited from plays in Scartaglin and Castleisland, as well as from the Christmas Mile Walk, and individual donations from members of the community. Gillian says it is the unique Kerry Parent and Friends ethos that makes working for the organization such a joy. It is the fact that we are very connected with the families that s so important. I feel we are very open to change in a compassionate way and not like a business, and we don t stop when a person gets sick or goes to hospital - that s when we up our game and increase our specialized services. I would like to thank the dedicated staff of the Glebe Lodge team, for their continued support and understanding of the people we support in Glebe Lodge. Cross at the top of St. Stephen & St. John Church.

8 8 Castleisland Parish News 2013 Castleisland Day Care Centre Castleisland Day Care Centre has been serving the Castleisland area since 2002 by offering a wide range of activities and services including social, hot lunches, physiotherapy, nursing, chiropody, occupational therapy, mental health awareness, hairdressing and laundry. However the day centre is not only about providing services. It is more about mental and physical well-being through good company, with the opportunity to chat and catch up with your neighbours. Castleisland Day Care Centre usually starts after 10.00a.m. with home time around 4.00p.m. The day is filled with activities such as music, cards, bingo, exercises, quizzes as well as medical services. Anyone over the age of 65 can attend the day centre and approved transport can be arranged from your home provided you are in a designated bus route. Castleisland Day Care Centre welcomes referrals from the areas of Castleisland, Scartaglen, Knocknagoshel, Brosna, Currow, Currans and Ballymacelligott. Enquiries may be made to For more information on Castleisland Day Care Centre why not visit our website CD Launch at Castleisland Day Care Centre. Helen Pembroke, Dan Collins Michael McAuliffe, Pauline Cronin, Hugh Brosnan, Vincent Cronin and Joan Walsh. The Parish Mission 22nd to 28th February 2014 From left- Monica Prendiville, Mary Daly, Agnes Twomey, Sr Maureen Kane, John Pender, Joan Fitzgerald, Dan Lucey, Mary O Connell, Timmy O Mahony, Marie Hartnett, Pat O Mahony, Peg Hogan, John Breen, Steve Keyes, James Lyons and Michael Daly. By Fr Brian Nolan CSsR Redemptorists in Ireland have been preaching Parish Missions for over 150 years. We do this work following the tradition of the founder of the Redemptorists St. Alphonsus Liguori and following Jesus command go into all the world and proclaim the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15). The Year of Faith has seen an increase in Parishes requesting Missions in their parish. Our way of conducting Parish Missions has evolved over the last 150 years. Today the approach to preparing for a Parish Mission is very much in collaboration with local clergy, the Parish Pastoral Council and other interested people. The first step is to put in place a Mission Planning Group who will work to prepare and present the Mission. Parish Missions today give a community the opportunity to reflect and renew their commitment as followers of Christ. It provides a chance for anyone interested to become involved in the Mission. No one is excluded from the preparation process. Fr. Brian Nolan, a Redemptorist from Limerick will lead us in our preparations for our Mission in Castleisland. Fr. Nolan has a background in Electronic Engineering, an area he studied and worked in before joining the Redemptorists in the year Ordained four years next December, preaching Parish Missions is his full time ministry as a Redemptorist. Fr Brian Nolan

9 Castleisland Parish News The Big Break: The move to third level By Aoife Breen I had made it through the dreaded leaving cert and got my points for my course. All of a sudden the focus shifted from the world of school and exams to college orientation days, finding accommodation and stressed about moving away from home. There was no more mention about the leaving cert, homework, points or CAO offers and the feeling was sensational. College life here I come!! I did my best to stay calm and kept telling myself that many people had made this transition before me so it couldn t be that hard. There were mixed emotions on the first day; excitement about starting a new life, fear of being lonely and anxiety about surviving without mammy s home cooked meals. College is not what I had expected or imagined it to be. I was thrown in the deep end. Last year when teachers kept telling us that we were being Aoife Breen spoon fed, we would protest because of all the work we had to do, but believe me, college is a whole different ball game. There is no one to wake you up in the morning, no one to tell you to go and study or make you go to lectures and no one to tell you exactly what to learn. It was all up to me. We all expect to love college from the very beginning, but the reality is that I did feel lonely for the first few weeks; I missed home, my family and my friends. You really need to make an effort if you want to make new friends and be happy in your new venture. The best way to do this, I found was by joining clubs and societies in the college. For example I joined the Irish society, not alone to improve my Irish but to make new friends and we have great craic on a Monday evening in the seomra Caidrimh, in Mary I. There will always be something that you are interested in, so just go for it. The transition to college from secondary school is one of the hardest, yet rewarding transitions that I have made so far. The whole point of doing the leaving cert and working hard was to get me to where I am now. I thought that as I was going to become a teacher then my course was going to be much like school, but oh no! On the first day I was introduced to this concept of critical thinking. There was no more learning off and reproducing information when necessary. I began to question the validity of the leaving cert and all the hype surrounding it. Does this life-defining exam really prepare us for life in the big bad world? As I am only beginning my college life, I can t really offer advice but I do know that the transition can be hard and it is really vital that you choose a college and a course that you really want and will be interested in. I am well settled in by now; I have made many new friends and am enjoying the college atmosphere and the nightlife in Limerick city. That s not to say that I don t relish a home cooked meal on a Friday evening. There were tears at the start of the year because I wanted to go home, but by the end of this year I m certain that there will be tears because I won t want to leave. The very best of luck to the leaving cert class of 2014 and remember there IS life after the leaving cert. Help and Support for those who are bereaved Jean Horgan By Jean Horgan The Méala Bereavement group was founded by Denis Robinson in It meets regularly in the N.E.K.D. building at Crageens, Castleisland. The group has grown from strength to strength and they wish to let the Community know that no one needs to be alone. We are there for each other and we assure the public that all our meetings are held in total confidence. It was funded by North and East Kerry Development, the family support agency. They meet in comfortable surroundings and they have built up an impressive library of books to borrow or browse through. Pictures donated by their own members adorn the walls and the setting is calm and welcoming with the kettle always on the boil. We share or don t, depending on how we feel. We cry or laugh. We remember our loved ones. It can be raw at times but can be part of healing. We are all human and going through an emotion which we all thought at some stage not me not us, but now it is. Jean Horgan Secretary of the group says I find people shy away from the very word Bereavement, I did once! Don t be put off, come in your own time we all know when we are ready, often we laugh or smile as we remember the person we loved so much. Change and healing comes with time and support. It does happen, our slogan is No man or woman is an island even in Castleisland!!

10 10 Castleisland Parish News 2013 First Holy Communion My Experience By Nora Fealey On Saturday 12th October 2013 at the 6.15pm Mass, Fr. Dan welcomed the children and their families for the Do this in Memory programme for As I sat with my family in the Church that evening, my thoughts wandered back to time last year and the beautiful memories we have from that special occasion of enrolling a child for First Holy Communion. Receiving the Sacrament in the Church has changed dramatically over the last number of years. Where once it was a case of turning up on the morning of the Holy Communion and hoping the children knew what they were doing. Nowadays it s an eight months programme which has incorporated all the families as well as the schools into the Church. It involves the children as well as their siblings at special Masses taking place once a month in all three Churches. Family members are welcome to take part, from reading the Word of the God, to Prayers of the Faithful, to bringing up the gifts. This gives the child and the Kilmurry National School First Holy Communion Class family a sense of confidence and ease within their Church and helps them to relax and enjoy this special day in their lives. This also gives an opportunity for members in the Community to come forward and become Ministers of the Eucharist and Ministers of the Word in our Churches. The month of May for many brings to mind the month of Our Lady, for others it s the start of the long hot summer days ahead, but for myself and sixty five families this year in the Castleisland Parish area it only meant one thing... The First Holy Communion. Of course for many it a day for style and celebration, once we remember the cause of the celebration. To see my child receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion was a very special day for my family. I believe it a very special gift to receive and it s was not only a gift for one day, but a gift for the rest for my child s and his friends lives. In this Parish, we are lucky to have the First Holy Communion ceremonies taking place in all three Churches, as many of these children would have received the Sacrament of Baptism in their local Church. We can only hope and pray it will continue in the years ahead. The work the teachers do in preparing these children for First Holy Communion is invaluable and should always be appreciated, but there is only so much the teachers can do. It is a work of cooperation involving parents, families, schools and parish. The development of faith of our children depends very much on the family itself and it should always be nurtured, encouraged and supported. Best wishes to those preparing for the First Holy Communion in What parents can do to hand on the faith By Mary O Connell What can we do as parents do to develop the Faith? It s not just about having them bless themselves as they pass a church or graveyard, saying their prayers morning and night and going to Mass every week. Faith is not just to be called on to help one pass an exam or to help one make a correct decision; it is for Life- it should come through in how we live our lives. Society has changed in many ways. I feel the biggest responsibility that falls on us as parents is to instil excellent morals and character in our children. I think it s what we do for our children on an on-going basis that helps to nurture them. We bring our faith to our lives in all the things we do for our children and in the way in which we do them. It is simple things like calling them in the morning, preparing lunch, wishing them well as they leave for school. It s being there for them to help them with their homework, reassure them when things don t go their way, humouring them, dealing with their bad moods, dropping them to their games, having their friends around. It s putting our children first at all times and making sacrifices for them. From a young age it is our role to introduce them to God via daily prayers and to reinforce the role of faith as they grow up. Hoping they know that we are always concerned for them even though the decisions we make may not always be what they want. The commitment we consistently give to our role as parents, dealing with sickness whether it is shortterm or long term all help give them the values needed to lead a good life. These are all things which we as parents do every day without even thinking about it. There are many lessons we teach our children along the way. Instilling a sense of appreciation for what they have and not always looking for something else. To make them aware that there are people in the world some even closer to home who are having a more difficult time. In passing on the faith one of the most important lessons is the importance of treating others as you would like to be treated. By always treating everyone- family children and friends with honesty fairness and respect we are laying out a template for how our children should conduct themselves. If we succeed in passing on these simple lessons we have gone a long way towards preparing our children for their lives ahead.

11 Castleisland Parish News Poems Reflection on Pastoral Ministry Course By Peter Howarth My Lord You are my Lord, you are my Saviour, You came to Earth to set us free So here I am, your humble servant, I will always follow Thee. You are my guide in every footstep, I have no fear when I m with you, Your love has burst the chains of evil, Perfect love so kind and true. I sing my praise to God the Father, I sing my praise to God the Son, I sing my praises to the Spirit, Holy Trinity in One. The Warmth of His Love I live in the warmth of His love, A love that will grow every day, He holds out His palm, And I find peace and calm, His love for me will never fade away; And I sing my song to the memory That Jesus left his throne for you and me, He gave us the bread and poured out wine To share eternity. Lord, speak to my heart, lead the way, Say words I must add to my prayer To help spread your truth And the joy of your love, A love that s free for everyone to share; And He leads me on Through my pilgrimage Winding through a faith to be explored; I ll sing out my praise through all my days To Jesus Christ the Lord. Lyrics Peter Howarth, Castleisland, Co. Kerry. All rights reserved. peterandmaryhowarth@gmail.com / L to R Marie O Callaghan, Noreen O Sullivan, Nora Fealey, Sheila McSweeney and Carmel Ward. By Sheila McSweeney I did the Pastoral Ministry course in 2011/ 2012 with two other parishioners. When I did it I was hoping to learn something that I would be able to bring back to our Parish. It was quiet different to what I expected but I really enjoyed it. We had a brilliant team giving the course and every guest speaker was better than the one before. I thought we should have been more time to discuss some subjects especially Baptism as I felt it is such an important Sacrament and I don t think it gets the attention it deserves. By this I mean preparation. It seems anyone can have a child Baptised without any preparation, just book it and turn up on the day. I wonder is it a decision some parents make for their children, but is it always right? Here is an opportunity being missed out, and it would be good if there was a group set up to help first time parents, get their views and hopefully help them prepare. We discussed images of God and this was quiet interesting, but I suppose as in human nature I would wonder why some people who are very good suffer so much and go through so much pain even dying. Self-awareness is very important and I have learned from this course how important it is to be more open with my faith and it is great to have something to believe in. We must respond to people the way we find them in our lives and in this way God is in us. I learned in our meeting we should use the Ten Commandments as our basic recipe to find God in us and others. We are the community called by God. We were part of his plan and must look at what unites us with others. God is everywhere in troubles and joys. This links us back through the Church in past times. The most important thing I ve learned is that we are still learning. I feel at times we should all be like children, loving, forgiving and not reading too much into what people do and say, and maybe there would be less anger and threats in the world.

12 12 Castleisland Parish News 2013 Memories of being an altar boy By Timothy Murphy I served as an altar server in the Parish Church in Castleisland during the mid and late 1950 s. At that time altar servers, as well as being trained in their duties, had to learn how to say the responses for the Mass in the Latin language. At the time, when the priest was celebrating the Mass, he stood on the altar with his back to the congregation, and all the prayers were said in Latin. The people had no idea as to what was being said There were altar rails, with gates in the centre, across the front of the altar and the communicants would go up and kneel to receive the Eucharist from the priest, each one individually there were no Eucharistic ministers. It took a long time to distribute it to everyone. There was no Vigil Mass, but we had three Masses on each Sunday morning, 8.00am, 9.30am and 11.30am. The rule of the Church at the time was that to receive the Eucharistic one had to be fasting from midnight from the night before. That was not too difficult for the first two Masses, but for the last Mass, nearly every week, someone fainted or got sick during the Mass. The fasting was too long, particularly for people who travelled in from the country side. Altar servers were always on the lookout for funerals and weddings. During school time we were always left out from class to go down to the church to serve at the Mass. As well as getting off school there was always a thank-you payment given to the server There was no electronic ringing of the church bell so it had to rung manually, and the Angelus Bell was rung every day at 8.0am, 12 noon, and 6.0pm. If there was a death in the parish, the bell would be rung right after the angelus - two rings of the bell for a man and one ring of the bell for a woman. That was the social media communications method of the day. Then there was daily Mass Timothy Murphy every week-day morning at 7.30am. Just before I started my term as a server the Mass was at 7.0am. We also had church devotions every week. Every Thursday evening we had the Holy Hour. Every Friday evening we had the Novena to the Sacred Heart, and every Sunday evening we had the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Once a month we had the confraternity prayers, on Tuesday nights for the men, and Thursday nights for the women. On the first Friday of each month special prayers were recited, and people in the parish would make a special effort to do the First Fridays. On one occasion there was a funeral Mass for a man from the parish and I remember it being said at the time, even though he lived a considerable distance outside the town and had to travel to the church by pony and trap and the Mass was at 7.00am, he never missed the First Friday in about 40 years During the period of Lent every Friday evening we had the Stations of the Cross. The priest would start at the first station, and travel around to every picture and say a prayer at each one. On Holy Thursday evening, same as now, the Eucharist was removed from the tabernacle on the high altar and placed in the tabernacle on the altar of repose on one of the side altars. At one time there was a procession from the high altar, all around the outside of the interior of the church, to the side altar, and the priest carrying the ciborium was accompanied by four men from the parish that covered him with a canopy. It was my privilege for a number of years to be one of the men who carried the canopy. While this procession was taking place, great reverence was shown by everyone in the church and there was always dead silence, until one year a young child, who was a family relation, said to his mother in a rather loud voice, Mammy, is that Timothy Murphy carrying the flag. That is the way things were done in those days.

13 Castleisland Parish News Serving the Church By Saoirse Murphy and Mark O Donoghue My name is Saoirse Murphy and I started altar serving in the parish of Castleisland in It was a great privilege to serve Mon. Dan O Riordan, Fr. Moynihan and Canon O Mahony. I felt it was a great way to keep me interested in the Mass. It made me a lot more confident as a person serving the priest in front of a large congregation. I think it would be of great benefit to any young student. I served both Bishop Bill Murphy for confirmation and Bishop Ray Browne when he visited the Parish earlier this year which I felt was a great honour. I would like to thank Mon. O Riordan, Canon O Mahony, Fr. Moynihan and I would like to say a special thank you to Joan in the sacristy who always provided us with guidance and encouragement. My name is Mark O Donoghue and I m currently a reader in Castleisland Parish Church. Before I became a reader I was an altar server. I started altar serving when I was about nine years old. At first, I was very nervous when I saw all people in the church. As time went on I became more confident. I served at three confirmations with Bishop Bill Murphy who also confirmed me last year. By then I decided to try my hand at reading. Again I was nervous as I was afraid I might read the wrong sentence or mispronounce the words. When our new bishop, Bishop Ray Browne came to say Mass one Saturday night at the end of August, I read and all of the nerves vanished. I grew in confidence and now it is like reading a story for the English teacher at school. I feel really confident now and I m proud to represent myself and my family in the parish. Niall Mellon Project John Flaherty By John Flaherty In 2008 I saw Niall Mellon on the Late Late show explaining about his work in South Africa. I got interested and decided to volunteer. Over 2000 people participated in that Blitz we worked in Kyleshia in Capetown where over one million people in the area live in shacks. It is a life changing experience to witness the joy in people when at the end of a week s work they receive the key to their new home. The conditions that people live in make you appreciate what we have at home. It will take years to house all the people that live in shacks but every little helps. They are very proud people and are making a great effort to educate their children and help them to overcome the dire poverty they find themselves in. To work out there for that week is hard but rewarding. People from all walks of life including students agree that it is a worthwhile project. Nairobi, Kenya was on for this fall but had to be cancelled due to a terrorist attack to shopping centre nearby. However local volunteers out there went ahead and completed the school. Hopefully we will be going to South Africa in March to build a school in a poor suburb of Capetown. To participate in this kind of work would not be possible for me without the most generous support from the community of Cordal, Scartaglen and Castleisland which I have received over the years. This is my sixth time travelling to Africa.

14 14 Castleisland Parish News 2013 Parish Finance Council by Brid Wrenn, Secretary Bríd Wrenn Q. What is the function of the Parish Finance Committee? A. The Parish Finance Committee advises and assists the Parish Priest in all areas pertaining to the financial management of parochial assets and finances. Q. How many members does the committee consist of? A. The committee consists of 8 members as follows: John Pender (Chairman) Bríd Wrenn (Secretary) Noreen O Sullivan (Parish Secretary in attendance) Fr. Dan O Riordan Siobhan Kearney Jackie Reidy Marie McCarthy Liz Galwey Q. How often do the Committee meet? A. The Committee meets 4 times a year to review the parish financial statements for each quarter. Q. What happens at a typical Finance Committee Meeting? A. At each meeting the financial statements for each quarter are compared with the same period for the previous year, any substantial differences are discussed in detail. All upcoming parish capital projects are presented to the committee for approval. Q. Are the Parish financial statements made available to parishioners? A. Yes, The Finance Committee produce a summary statement on the finances of the parish each year, this statement is made available to all parishioners. Q. Is there a change in tax relief on donations to charities from 01st January 2013? A. Yes, from the 1st January 2013 tax relief on all donations made to the parish through the weekly envelope collection will change as follows: The tax refund for contributions over from all parishioners regardless of their tax status i.e. (PAYE or Self-employed) will now go to the parish in all cases at a blended rate of 31%. Self-employed parishioners who contribute through the weekly envelope collection will no longer be able to claim tax relief on their contributions personally as the tax relief will now be refunded to the parish. Parishioners can now sign the approved form to cover qualifying donations over a 5 year period using the new CHY3 enduring form, giving the parish permission to claim a tax refund on donations of or more during the period covered by the form. To sum up all tax relief on contributions from parishioners over for the year ended 31st December2013 whether they are self-employed or PAYE workers will now go to the parish. Q. What were the Parish Accounts like for 2012? A. The Finances of the Parish are in a healthy state. In 2012 the income was 286, euro and the expenditure was 236, euro. The 2013 figures will be published in March Reader at Mass Moira Hughes By Moira Hughes, Scartaglen Just like other lay people in the Parish who hold different roles within the Parish community, as a Mass reader I was entrusted with sharing the word of God. Personally I was lucky to have wonderful people at home and in school during my youth who guided me to become part of the Church community. Reading was the medium through which I felt was most beneficial for me. Being a Minister of the Word has helped me to focus on the Old and New Testament and to reflect on its message for me as a member of the Church Community in today s world. I can self reflect on Jesus message and reassess my outlook on life. Rather than being a passive member of my community, I feel that I have now an active role in my Parish which helps me to spread the message of God in a real and meaningful way. Teen Spirit By Ailish Walsh The youth of Castleisland welcomed and embraced the sensation that is Teen Spirit to our Parish this year. They enjoyed three introductory sessions with Noel O Sullivan to the phenonemon that is Teen Spirit. Teen Spirit offers the youth of the parish who are interested in music an opportuinity to come together and sing and express their faith through music. While the project did not go further that these three intoductory sessions last year it is hoped that this year the project will continue and blossom. Volunteers from the community are needed to help support the project. For further information please contact the Parish Office.

15 Castleisland Parish News Parish Office at your service! By Noreen O Sullivan 1. How long have you been Secretary of Castleisland Parish Office? The first Castleisland parish office opened in November 2008 and I was delighted and honoured to have got the new job (role) as Parish Secretary. 2. What does your job entail? My job varies from day to day. No two days are the same I have contact with people in times of joy like Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Weddings. I also have contact with people with deep loss and sorrow in their lives in times of a funeral and other human loss. I do all the administration including the weekly newsletter for the Parish. Booking of Masses and especially this time of year when our Mass diary opens for the coming year. I am the face and telephone voice of the Parish. Noreen O Sullivan, Fr. Dan O Riordan and Francis Brennan. Providing Church Certificates. Preparing annual box of envelopes for the Parish. Preparation of all accounts for Finance Council meeting every quarter, annual accounts for accountant and annual returns to the Diocese of Kerry. Reclaiming from Revenue tax relief for donations from parishioners 3. Since the Parish Office opened what is the greatest change you have seen in the Parish? The parish office is the centre of communication with the community, the amount of people coming into the office has increased immensely over the years, to book a Mass, Baptism or Wedding. To buy a Mass card, Christmas Mass bouquets or our new Christmas Cards. The parish office is there to be used-it is the parishioners office. 4. What is the best thing about your job? Working with Fr Dan, my work colleagues and the priests of the deanery, meeting and greeting of all parishioners. I love my Job and am very happy in it. 5. Have you any message for all our parishioners? I would like to wish all parishioner peace, joy and happiness now and always and to thank them for their kindness. Parish office open Monday to Friday 10am - 2pm. Tel: Transition year students from Castleisland community college and Ceiliúradh na Nóg 2013 By Justin Bennett Ceiliúradh na Nóg which takes place within the Kerry Diocese is an annual Post Primary Schools, daylong celebration of faith. This year Ceiliúradh took place during the month of March in the Brandon hotel in Tralee under the auspices of Bishop Bill Murphy, the former Bishop of Kerry and Mrs. Edwina Gottstein the Post Primary Diocesan Advisor. Ceiliúradh invites secondary schools within the Diocese to demonstrate through presentation and discussion each individual schools links with their parish. This year s theme centred on The Year of Faith and the participating schools demonstrated their faith links with their parishes. Transition year students from Castleisland Community College made a huge contribution to the success of Ceiliúradh 2013 by demonstrating their faith connections between the community of the school and the wider community of Castleisland Parish. The T.Y students were actively involved in: Peer Ministry, Mentoring, preparing in-school Masses, the school choir and participating in the liturgies of the word in their local parish church during the Lenten period. Ceiliúradh mixes Faith, Fun and Information over the course of the day. The students give and listen to presentations from a mix of schools, they attend seminars and workshops. Furthermore the day included interviews and discussions with Radio Kerry Presenter Wesshie Fogarty and a keynote seminar on suicide given by Joan Freeman the founder of Pieta House. Overall the day was energetic, vibrant and enjoyable and a true celebration of Adolescent Faith in the County.

16 16 Castleisland Parish News 2013 By Sr. Lelia Boyle, Presentation Convent, Castleisland Sr Lelia has been in Presentation Convent, Castleisland since 1945 On February 11th 1966 the new Castleisland Presentation Primary School was officially opened. A concert took place for a week and Sr. Vianney s 1st Class boys did a sketch called When I m a man, I ll be a.if I can and it fascinated everyone there. The next day while Sr. Leila was at Private Prayer in the Nun s Chapel, which is situated at the top right hand side of Castleisland Parish Church, the thought struck her Wouldn t it be nice if there was something similar for girls? The lines from When I m a woman came to her there and she wrote them down. It is based on a Thank You Prayer to God. Sr Lelia Boyle deep in reflection. Photo: John Reidy When I m a Woman I ll be a Saint if I can, I ll rise each morning bright and happy And with courage and conviction face each day. I ll let my heart expand with love And thank my Creator from above, I ll open my soul to God s healing grace And draw down upon me His loving gaze. I ll let my eyes rest on all wonders bright And thank my God for the gift of sight, I ll keep my ears attuned to every sound And give thanks for the song of birds all around. For His glory I ll use my feet and hands And take His message to foreign lands. My tongue I ll use for the gift of speech And in prayer many blessings I ll beseech. And when in Church I m in the crowd, I ll join with them in prayer aloud. And when outside I m in the group I ll see in each person the Holy Spirit And whether in kitchen, office or store, I ll raise my heart to God and love Him more. The clock on the shelf shall be my guide, To unite with Masses the worldwide. And when each day I ve time to spare I ll read the Bible and meditate on His share. Mother help me to be thrifty, pure and wise, Before I take on the obligation of marriage ties And when in the Sanctuary that day I kneel For my partner the truest love I ll feel. In love and compassion and unity I ll try to keep my sense of dignity I ll keep my motto each day unfurled And try to make this place a better world. Pride in my person Pride in my home Pride in my school Pride in my town Pride in my country. Welcome to Castleisland Parish Mission 22nd - 28th February 2014 Parish Office

17 Castleisland Parish News Responding to the Lord s Call: From Castleisland to Maynooth Sean Jones (25) Moyvane is a seminarian for the Diocese of Kerry. He is currently in formation for Priestly Ministry in St. Patrick s College, Maynooth. It is true to say that powerful emotions are often felt and experienced when one returns to the places their families originated from. For me, Tullig and Cordal create within me a sense of belonging and identity, as it is here that the roots of my family took place, grew, developed and flourished to be the great people they were, and are today. My grandparents lived in these picturesque and beautiful places, Sean and Mary O Sullivan in Tullig, and Bertie and Mary B Jones in Cordal. At the beginning of August I had the privilege of serving at the anniversary mass of my grandparents, Sean and Mary, in the prayerful surrounds of St. Stephen and St. John s Church, alongside Mons. Dan O Riordan. It was truly a blessed experience to meet the people of the parish, and to make connections with those who knew my grandparents, and shared many life experiences with them. My parents (Eileen and Jimmy) moved from Castleisland in the late 1980 s to the rural parish of Moyvane. Life in Moyvane gives each one who experiences it a taste of how a village can give so much in the building up of a person, in education and culture and Faith. Faith has always taken a central place in my life. Moyvane has Sean Jones been blessed with so many holy priests over the years, and for me had placed the seeds of vocation in my heart by the way they lived the Gospel message. Presently I am a seminarian for the Diocese of Kerry in Maynooth, and with God s help and presence in my life, I will be ordained in a few short years, and with God s grace, and the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit, help pass on the faith, in the way I had experienced it back in Kerry Diocese. To the Faithful in Castleisland Parish and beyond, send up your prayers that the good Lord will continue to call men of faith and prayer to the Priesthood. To those who feel the call of the Lord in their hearts, Do Not Be Afraid I pray that the Jesus, your brother, will give you a generous heart and a courageous spirit to answer Here I am Lord I have come to do your Will. Scala retreat Scala s Background In 1988 Redemptorist and lay people first came together to serve the needs of young people in Cork. The project is shaped by two pastoral commitments: the need to bring young people to the heart of the church; and the promotion of a greater role for lay people in ministry. In 2011 Scala found its permanent home in Blackrock, Cork. Scala team members: Natalia Hyde (Retreats Co-ordinator), Veronika Huckova and Christian Hennes with TY and 5th Year students from Castleisland Community School Castle Island Retreat days with Scala 2012/2013 Last year members of the Scala Youth Ministry team had the great pleasure of coming to Castleisland to facilitate retreats for the Transition Year and 5th Year students of Castleisland Community College and students from 1st to 6th Year in St. Joseph s Presentation School. Later in the year the Scala team travelled once again to Castleisland to deliver a retreat for 5th year students at St. Patrick s School. The days included games, activities, meditation, prayer and group work, exploring questions of values and image of God. Through retreat work, Scala encourages young people to reflect, step back and realise a spiritual understanding of the modern world. It is a day of fun and relaxation allowing young people to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their peers and their God. Scala is delighted to be invited back to Castleisland for the upcoming Redemptorist mission in February 2014 to facilitate a retreat with the young people of the parish.

18 18 Castleisland Parish News 2013 Sixty years of Singing in Tom Horan Church By Tom Horan My earliest recollection of the church choir goes back when I was a young boy going to Mass with my Parents. I was taken by the beautiful singing and music. Many years later I discovered that the Presentation Sisters had a very big input into the choir and a lot of credit must go to them for getting people trained to sing the hymns. Many of them were gifted musicians and one of them would play the Organ. We had the late Sr Baptist and Sr Loyola whom I did not know very well, were very much involved. In the early years the organ gallery was positioned over the upper entrance door. The sisters had access to it from their prayer room. Inside the Church door was a circular steel staircase which lead upto the gallery. Space was limited there as the organ took up a lot of room. Air had to be pumped into the pipes for sound and as a result it required one person always to work the bellows. I joined the choir in the mid fiftys when the late Sr Columbiere was in charge. She was no stranger to me as I had known her through the Pioneer association of which she was the director. In the early sixties during renovation to the church they built a new organ gallery over the entrance door. The organ was moved down from its old position and the bellows were changed to electricity (or worked by). I have a vivid memory of one Christmas before it was completed all choir members along with Sr Columbiere occupied two seats in the centre of the church and sang the season hymns including the Adeste. We lost Sr Columbiere to an untimely death in 1967 but taking over from her was Sr Marceliena and later by Sr Rupert and the late Sr Olivia. I retired from the choir in 1972 but never lost interest in it. I re-joined in 1988 at that time Sr Rita had taken charge. She like those that came before her put a lot of work into ensuring the success of the choir. In the year 2000 she felt it was time to hand over the responsibility of being in charge and at the time I thought we had lost the link with the Presentation Sisters but thankfully Sr Maureen remained and sings with us to this present day. For the next eleven years the management was taken over by Helen Tangney Lyons who worked diligently and patiently for all the members to ensure that all the high standards set by those before her were maintained. In 2011 she retired and the task then fell to Ailish Walsh who succeeded in the increasing the membership to over thirty but alas the number of men is disappointing with only five members. We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who take on the responsibility of being in charge of a choir. Over the years much praise has been showered on the beautiful singing and music. My wish would be to come down amongst the congregation and get all of them to sing with us especially during those wonderful seasons of Christmas, Easter and the months of May and June. That would be something special if it could be achieved. There is a social side to the choir also. The Parish Priest would treat us to a meal in a hotel or an outing. The Presentation Sisters would have a party for us in their Convent and each of us would have to do our party piece. It might be of interest to know the personnel of the choir over the years. Amongst the ladies were, Teachers, Shop owners, Office workers, Nurses, School pupils and many housewives, amongst the men we had a Doctor, a Veterinary Surgeon, many teachers from all schools, building contractors, two Garda Sargent s, two Farmers and many office workers. I hope I have given some insight into what the choir was like in my day.

19 Castleisland Parish News The Bishop s Ordination a special day By Paddy Flynn On the 21st of July of 2013, I was given the great privilege of attending the new Bishop s ordination as a representative of the youth of our parish. July 21st was a glorious summer s day so hot in fact that the congregation had to be looked after for fear of anyone fainting by helpers and the Red Cross who provided water and so on. The church and surrounding area was a hive of activity. There were people talking, moving and readying themselves for the all-important Mass to begin. The Mass began with the Cathedral Choir and Kerry School of Music Choir singing beautiful music. The Mass unfolded with an almost never-ending procession of members of the Catholic hierarchy as they formally came in. The Mass had something of great spirituality for both D.J Fealey another young parishioner of Castleisland, and me. Of course this was the same feeling for everyone else attending as I believe it would be impossible for someone not to be moved by the whole occasion. D.J and I were probably some of the youngest members there. The Mass also showed me something very special. It showed me how the Kerry people and people of Ireland still, despite everything, have a large devoted group of Catholic followers. It may not be as strong as once before but those at the Mass there to support a new part of Kerry s religious future and for their new Bishop painted an amiable picture and a great future for Catholicism in Ireland. The Bishop of Kerry has a vital part to play in Kerry like everyone else. After the ceremony Fr Dan introduced us to the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Browne. That will also be a memory for life. Here s to a great future for our religious shepherd, our new Bishop Ray Browne and the People of the Diocese of Kerry. By D.J. Fealey When I was asked would I like to attend Fr. Ray Browne s Ordination, I thought why not. I had never being to an Ordination before and I didn t know quite what to expect. What greeted us that July day at St. Mary s Cathedral in Killarney was interesting. For starters people had formed an orderly queue outside the door of the Cathedral, and this was something I had never seen before. It was a bit like going to a concert, you had to have a ticket to get in. As the procession of Priests and Bishops got under way in the full Cathedral, I quickly realised that a large number of them seemed old and there was only a few young priests among them. The ceremony itself was very interesting and I didn t think it was either long or boring. At the end of the ordination Bishop Ray s family was invited forward to congratulate him and one of his sisters gave him a hug. This to me shows that he may be the Bishop of Kerry, and leader of our Catholic faith in the county, but behind it all his is also somebody s brother. I would like to wish Bishop Ray all the best in his new job and a Happy Christmas. Paddy Flynn & D.J. Fealey Bishop Ray Browne s first visit to Castleisland L to R front row: Carmel O Connell, Noreen O Sullivan, Fr Dan O Riordan, Bishop Ray Browne and Mary Walsh. Back row L to R Eileen Flynn, Aoife O Leary, Ailish Walsh, James O Leary, Marie O Leary, Siobhan O Donoghue, Marie Nelligan, Mark O Donoghue, Jack Shanahan, Martina O Donoghue, Mary McGaley and Tim McCarthy. L to R Joan Walsh, Fr Dan O Riordan, Bishop Ray Browne and Siobhan Kearney.

20 20 Castleisland Parish News 2013 A Helping Hand for those who need it By Liz Galwey Liz Galwey St. Vincent de Paul. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was established in the Castleisland area in the 1950 s. The organization itself is worldwide. Throughout the year hundreds of people are helped through difficult times, some may only need once off assistance, others need assistance on an ongoing basis. All cases are dealt with in total confidence. Recent times have been particularly difficult for many people and the local branch reminds people that they can be contacted in confidence at The Castleisland branch is extremely concerned about people who are experiencing difficulty for the first time and realise that for most people the thought of contacting St. Vincent de Paul is not one they want to consider but the society is encouraging people not to leave it go until it is too late and not to be embarrassed. The society is committed to protecting the privacy and dignity of those who seek assistance. The Castleisland Branch of the society of St. Vincent de Paul appeals to all parishioners to remember the less well off and be generous in their contributions and also to remind parishioners that by donating unwanted good quality clothing/footwear etc to our shop you are also helping the society. The society also provides a meals on wheels service from Tuesday through Thursday. More information on this service may be had by phoning Castleisland Family Resource Centre. In 2009 the local branch of St. Vincent de Paul opened a Family Resource Centre. The Centre is located behind the Church St. building and comprises of a preschool and computer/meeting room. To date, many have benefited from courses which have been run. MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) is available on Thursday mornings in the centre. Appointments may be made by phoning MABS in Tralee Bright Beginnings pre-school is now well established, children from two years and nine months and up to five years may attend. The Pre-school can be contacted on or for any enquiries in relation to the Resource Centre courses please phone Will you volunteer to be a Volunteer? By Jack Shanahan Chairperson of Castleisland Pastoral Council How many times do you hear the phrase, I d love to do that but I haven t got the time. Yet, in today s pressurised world I believe it is ever more important that you share some of that precious commodity. The country is fully of voluntary organisations. Sports clubs, charities, tidy towns, selfhelp groups all depend on volunteers. They do not run themselves. In all cases, the commitment is as little or large as you can make. Pick something that you care about. For instance, in my case, raising money for Kerry Hospice was an easy choice. The change that it has made, and continues to improve on, is genuinely inspirational for all that come in contact with it. Another important voluntary organisation is the Church. In an era of rapid change, it is ever more important that the parishioners help run their own parish. Volunteering is not always easy, but it is definitely rewarding. Jack Shanahan The Holy Trinity Prayer Group The Holy Trinity Prayer Group in Castleisland was started in the Presentation Convent by Sister Basil over 30 years ago. She started the group with a number of local people and they met every week to pray for their own needs and those of the community. Nowadays the group has approximately 30 members (both men and women) who come from all around the county and West Limerick. The prayer meeting is held every Wednesday night in St Brigid s Room at 8 o clock (opposite St John s school hall). At the meeting we pray for each other and we also pray for the many requests we receive each week. We read the bible and try to apply the message to our everyday lives. Occasionally we invite guest speakers to the meeting and we organise seminars on healing depression, addiction, suicide and relationships. We have all made very good and loyal friends through the prayer group and we support each other any way we can. The meeting is open to everyone and new members are always welcome. For further information ring Tom at or

21 Castleisland Parish News The Year of Faith By Fr. Jim O Connell Fr Jim O Connell Fr. Jim O Connell from Scartaglen is a Millhill Missionary Priest. Here he reflects on the year for Faith. The Celebration of the Year of Faith came to a close on Sunday 24th November 2013.One of the images used during the year was the Door of Faith. That phrase takes us back to the Acts of the Apostles: God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts ). We find some deep insights here. First of all, it is God who opens the door of Faith. The disciples knew that faith is God s gift and they were merely instruments in God s hands when they preached in the name of Jesus. Secondly, God takes the initiative in reaching out to the Gentiles. Nobody is excluded or beyond God s reach. The Gentiles became believers in Jesus. They were able to cross the threshold into a new world and a new way of life. They came to see Jesus as the Way to the Father, as the gate of the sheepfold- so that anyone who enters by him is saved (Jn.10:9). Their faith in Jesus drew them into the Father s Love that on the cross opened wide its arms to embrace everyone-a love that now clothes us, enfolds us, and embraces us, never leaves us. Opening the door of the heart is another image that comes in here. When God opens the door of faith, he opens the door of the heart of Jesus, who stands at the door of the heart and knocks: Look, I am at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you and you with me (Rev.3.20). You may have seen Homan Hunt s painting of Jesus standing at a door knocking and the door has no door-handle on the outside. When this was pointed out to the artist, he said the door is the door of the heart and its opens from the inside. This is a very interesting painting, but it does not tell the whole story. While we can try to be ready to open when Jesus knocks, we need God s grace-the gift of faith-to be able to open the door. Left to ourselves, we cannot manage it. But we can do something, especially through prayer, to prepare our hearts to receive him and welcome him. Pope Francis points to our need of God s grace and encourages us: to open the door s of our hearts to Jesus as the disciples on the road to Emmaus did, asking him to stay with us so that we may pass through the door of faith... and then go out to announce it. Faith presumes that we decide to be with the Lord, to live with him and share this with our brothers and sisters... We need to keep our gaze fixed upon Jesus; in him all the anguish and all the longing of the human heart finds fulfilment... Faith makes us fruitful because it expands our hearts in hope and enables us to give life-giving witness. This is our call to mission and missionary activity-to be life giving witnesses that will help open the Door of Faith for others. CHILDREN S COLOURING CORNER

22 22 Castleisland Parish News 2013 The New Line Digging up Church Street By Muírís Breathnach Going down Church Street today, one is struck by the variety of small individual businesses, veterinary surgeons, doctors, solicitor, architect, chiropodist sports injury therapist auctioneer, taxi driver, baby shop hairdresser and motor factors, fast food outlet, charity shop and iron fabrication works. Turn the clock back 60 years to the 1950s and walk down Church Street- or as it was known by many in town then, the New Line and its residents New Liners. This was a reference to the new road to Cork built by the famous engineer Richard Griffith in the mid-19th century. But even in the 50 s Church Street was a centre of small industry and Mick Brosnan and his family had a chip shop and sold ice cream cones, Mick also drove a hackney car and this was the seed that grew into Brosnan s Bus Company today Next to them Jo Kerins a Tipperary woman- married to Church St. native Vincent Kerins, had a knitting machine and produced jumpers and cardigans to order. Bill O Keefe had a jewellery shop next to Kerins. Guard Shea, whose wife only died only some months ago, and family came next. The local butcher Bill Harrington lived and worked where Island Flowers is today. Beside Bill Harrington was Danny Sheehy s grocery shop, where many a penny ice cream was bought. But Danny Sheehy was a hugely important in recording events live in Castleisland in that era. He was a photographer and through his photographs, which can be found in many a house in the locality, has left a record of families, carnivals, every important occasion for decades. Phil O Connor was next and again had a small grocery shop, where his daughter now has her Sports Injury clinic. Next was Miss Moriarty, who kept lodgers and played a mean game of 31 in her next door neighbours- Barrys. Hughes lived next to the Barry family. Billy Hughes, affectionately known as Billy the barber, was an Armagh man, who fascinated many a small boy as they watched him use a cut-throat razor so deftly and so precisely! Maurice Kerin was next. He was an excellent gardener and also had a hackney car. One of his more interesting fares was the Department of Education inspector who wished to go to Glountane to confront Patrick O Keeffe about his non-attendance in school! Tom Heffernan and his family were next until they moved to Mallow when Tom joined the Irish Sugar Company. He was succeeded by Tim and Abbie Prendiville- both of whom were parish clerks for close on 50 years. The last occupant of the eastern side of Church Street was Miss O Mahoney, who was succeeded by Dr. Noel Collins and family until they moved to Adare. Next, where part of Presentation Secondary School now stands was a field owned and cultivated by its owners the nuns. The cows grazed there, and potatoes and oats were grown there as part of the convent s self-sufficiency. Cross to the western side of Church Street and start at what many of the senior residents of the street called Bob Finn s corner, and there stood Murphy s Public House. Next at number 3 was Dolly O Neill s house, which later became the second chip shop in the street run by Theresa Mac- Gillicuddy and her brother Michael- affectionately known to all in later years as Ard Rí an Oileáin. Tommy Casey- a tailor- and his sister Cissie were next. Tommy for many years collected at all Masses on Sunday at the church gate, irrespective of weather and no holidays! Then we come to two of the most famous residents of the street. Where Ann Maire s Hair Salon is now, dwelt Thady Donovan, his wife and Catherine his sister. Thady wrote one of the first historic accounts of Castleisland and its environs- A History of East Kerry, now sadly out of print. He was a mild mannered, quiet spoken man, who was respected by Continued on next page

23 Castleisland Parish News Continued from previous page all. But Mrs Donovan was a different kettle of fish. To everybody on the street, Mrs Donovan was a source of fear. The Cronin family was next to Donovans. Mick Cronin was a shoemaker and the Cronins lived in Church Street until they moved to the Latin Quarter in the 1960s. Their house was bought by Miss Mai Collins from Scartaglen, who opened another small grocery shop and also kept lodgers. Nolans were next- Denny and his wife Kitty née Barry and their family. Kitty Nolan trained as a confectioner in Thompsons of Cork- a firm noted for the quality of their products. For many years Kitty baked and sold confectionery in her little shop. Denny Nolan s father, or Da, as he was called by all, lived next door, where his grandson Jeremiah and family live today. He had a bicycle shop- selling and repairing bikes. He also had a garage and 2 petrol pumps graced the footpath in front of the shop. Another son of Da s- Sonny lived in the house at the other side of the garage. Sonny had a lorry and carried on a haulage business as his son John does today The Parish Hall was next, with its billiard room downstairs and meeting room upstairs. Eamon De Valera climbed the narrow stairs one night to visit Canon David O Connor, who was chairing a meeting of the Parish Hall committee and couldn t be disturbed to be told that the President of Ireland would like a chat with him. At the back of St Mary s was the mecca for basketball and was the original home of St Mary s Basketball Club Next to St. Mary s Hall was the home of the McElligott family for some years. Originally it was the Imperial Hotel locally known as Johnny Fitz s Hotel. 29 Church Street was Herlihy s shop, where you buy your groceries and where teachers and children bought all their schoolbooks copies and pencils. At no. 33, Eily and Julia Sheehy sold groceries, but more importantly to every child, who attended the Presentation school across the street and attended Mass on Sundays, it was the sweet shop, where the window was filled with tempting delights that one could purchase if one had an old penny or even a halfpenny! The Kerins and McGaleys lived in 33 Church Street. Nell Kerins and her sister Daisy McGaley were midwives, who delivered many a child in town and country in their time before maternity hospitals became the norm. Daisy s husband Jack McGaley a member of the Volunteers, and like Billy Hughes had northern roots and worked in the Court service in Tralee for many years. He won 2 All Ireland Junior medals with Kerry in 1913 and1915 The Corr family were in no.35. Dick Corr was another member of an Garda Siochana and lived in Church Street, until his retirement in the late 50 s, when the family moved to County Mayo. Dr. Donal Geaney then bought the property and opened his practice there and lived over the shop till he moved to Powell s Road. Across from the church was the Nuns Field where children played, when not playing ball and marbles and other games on the street almost devoid of traffic in those long ago days. Though much has changed in Church Street, little has changed. It is still a thriving centre of business today as it was 60 years ago. The family names may be different, but the people remain similar, hardworking friendly and above all the best of neighbours. Long may it continue! MB Copyright Repairs & Renewals Official opening of Parish Office November The work of Dan O Donoghue. Some of the works to the Churches in Castleisland Parish made possible by the contributions of Parishioners in recent years. Castleisland Church New Parish Office opened Insulation of Ceiling New fire Alarm and emergency lighting system New stained glass window at the rear of the Church Spire and outside of the Church,cleaning and repairs Upgrading the security and amplification for the Choir gallery New Organ Substantial repair work and cleaning of the floor New Prayer room at the Entrance to the Church Repair to railing and gates Cordal Church New boiler Extensive work to Stained glass windows New sign New location for Pieta in the Church grounds Landscaping Church Rewiring with new light fittings New Baptistery Repairs to roof of Sacristy Tiling of Entrances and Toilets. Repainting of Church Scartaglen Church External Cleaning of roof and repair of flat roof Landscaping and upgrading of Car park Painting exterior walls Health and Safety work Internal Repainting walls, ceiling and seating Provision of new Prayer room at the rear of the Church New carpeting throughout New heating system Provision of new toilet Stained glass windows repaired and restored

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