Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Christmas Mass at St. Mary’s
Arrangements are finalised for Masses over the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in St. Mary’s Lanesboro. There will be 4 Masses on Christmas Eve and 2 Masses on Christmas Day.
Masses on Christmas Eve will commence with the first Mass at 3.30pm, the second Mass at 5pm, the third Mass at 6.30pm, the fourth and final Mass at 9pm. Masses on Christmas Day will be at 9.30am and 11.30am.
50 people can be in the main body of the church and a further 20 between the gallery and the Prayer Room. Mass tickets for those who want to attend Christmas Mass will be available for collection following 7pm Mass on Friday next 18th and following 7.30pm Mass on Saturday 19th and following 9.30am Mass on Sunday 20th from the Prayer Room.
You will have to state what time Mass you want to attend, and you will receive your ticket for that Mass. Your allocation will have a strict limitation. Tickets will be colour coded and you will have to attend the Mass of your coloured ticket.
Community College Enrolment
Enrolment to First year in Lanesboro Community College for 2021/2022 is now open. Application forms are available by emailing the school at Admin.lcc@lwetb.ie or by phone on 0906500140
Death
After a very short illness we lost one of our most popular ladies in our community when we learned on Wednesday 9th December at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar of Margaret Brennan, Lismacmanus. Peg as she was most commonly known was from one of our oldest and most respected families in the parish. She was a lady to her fingertips and was a hugely popular woman with everyone that came to know her. She was predeceased by her husband Michael some years ago. Peg had a warming and caring personality and that was clearly evident from the moment you were greeted with her trademark smile. Peg was the most progressive of ladies, she had a huge interest in farming and there was very little about the farm she did not take undertake – always a woman not to ask some one that she would not do herself. Peg loved nothing better than to travel and made many trips to New Zealand to visit her daughters Marie and Catherine. Her family was almost foremost and her pride and joy in recent times was her great granddaughter Clodagh while she basked in the glory of the successes of her grandchildren. Peg will be hugely and very sadly missed by everyone that knew her. We were all the better for knowing Peg.
Pegs remains reposed at her residence until the removal of her remains to St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro for her Requiem Mass. Interment took place to Cashel cemetery where she was laid alongside her husband Michael. To her son Pat and Michael, daughters Marie, Mairead, Catherine and Ann, relatives and many many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
All completed
Phase 1 of the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park Greenway was completed on Friday last and the new greenway is ready for those wanting to walk or cycle along the edge of the bog. The new route has already seen great traffic along it and there is no doubt, now that it is finished, there will be much greater footfall. This will add great value to all our walkers and cyclists, and we look forward to the time that the railway lines are raised and the route to Clondra will be finished where we will then have access to the Royal canal. We also look forward to access over the Bord na Mona bridge at Kilnacarrow when it is pedestrianised and we will gain access to the Salmon’s Lanes walkway, Cloontuskert and a route to Sliabh Bán. There are great prospects for walking and cycling and there is every reason to be excited that we will become renowned for an area of many activities.
Lanesborough Primary School Enrolment
Lanesborough Primary School is now accepting applications for enrolments for September 2021. Please email the Principal at smgslb2020@gmail.com for an application form.
Biosphere
Over the past two weeks the word Biosphere has become a word that is being used in many conversations. There has been a Biosphere centred in Dublin Bay for the past numbers of years and it has been expanded greatly in the past couple of years
There is strong word that a Biosphere centre is about to be proposed for Lanesboro which in itself is a major boost not only for our local community but also the wider region leading to great developments.
You may ask what Biosphere is and I quote from the Dublin Bay website where it says “Biospheres are places where nature and culture connect. They are internationally recognised for their biological diversity yet also actively managed to promote a balanced relationship between people and nature”.
It has been quoted that the Biosphere project would be of greater impact on the local community than Centre Parcs in Ballymahon and both of the projects would sit well together being just 15 miles apart.
As we are just beginning to hear about and discover what this proposal entails it is great to think that along with the local proposals been developed that we could have an added project for hundreds of years to come. The opportunities it brings for our children and grandchild are enormous and the opportunity to continue to have visitor visiting our community for many years is really exciting for our community as we prepare to lose our Power Station.
Minor Club AGM
For the first time in a long time the Shannon Gaels/Rathcline Minor club will be seeking new people to come aboard and continue the great work that has been done by the outgoing group. The committee had been very active during their time in office having young people competing in all grades from U10 to U18 and a growing nursery for the younger players. They were very active in Scór na nÓg, had a musical group that played regularly in the church at Masses. They also for a number of years had the ‘Stars in their Eyes’ fundraisers that brought great activity and entertainment to young and old.
This is now time for new people to come into the club executive and take the club on to a new level with new inventive and creative ideas.
The AGM will take place in the clubhouse in Clonbonny on this Friday night at 7.30pm where social distancing will take place in line with Government restrictions.
There are many young families in our community, and it will be great to see a representative from each attending along with everyone that is interested in the development of our progressive club.
Christmas Swim
This year due to Corona Virus it has been a year of total disruptions. I have just been told that the Virus has claimed another event with the cancellation of the Annual Christmas Swim.
The swim has long been a tradition on Christmas morning and a great meeting place for young and old as they annually renew acquaintances while watching the hardy souls entering the icy cold Shannon waters all to support the club and their collections for local charities.
It is an event that will be sadly missed, and we look forward to it returning on Christmas Day 2021.
The Lough Ree Sub Aqua/ Search and Rescue club would like to thank everyone for their continued great support and wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Gemma Douglas, Main Street on the death of her sister Olive Hevehan, formerly Clonmee, Newtowncashel who passed away in Eaton, Olive Hevehan, Pennsylvania on Tuesday 8th December.
Christmas Lighting.
As there can be no church gate collections to raise money to help defray the costs of the lighting of both sides of the bridge the committees appeal to your generosity. There has been a tremendous response by the community to the Lighting committee’s appeal for support and if you have not already done so you can make your donation to Mark Casey, Brigid Mullooly, Margaret Gillen or you can leave your donation into O’Brien’s shop for collection for Lanesboro or Noel Moran, Gerry Trimble or on the GoFundMe page ‘Ballyleague Christmas Lights Fundraiser 2020’ for your Ballyleague contribution.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Bridie and Pat Connelly, Gurteengar on the death on Thursday 3rd December of Bridie’s brother Jim McElgunn, Belturbet, Co. Cavan. Jim was also uncle to Fergal McElgunn, Curraghroe and we also extend our sympathy to Fergal, Alva and family.
St. Vincent de Paul
Due to Covid 19 restrictions we currently cannot hold collections in person. Those who wish to donate may do so by using the St Vincent de Paul envelopes which can be obtained in O’Brien’s shop or from the local church. They can be returned to O’Brien’s or dropped into the letterbox in the presbytery in Lanesboro or the Cathedral in Longford. The funds raised will be spent in this community helping those who are in need of it for education, food, and fuel during this winter and beyond.
In the past your generosity knew no bounds and in the trying times of the Corona Virus Pandemic there never has been such a greater need for your support and we hope you reciprocate in a generous manner.
Birdwatch Ireland
Between December and February every year Birdwatch Ireland asks members of the public to watch and keep an eye on all the birds and to record the number of each bird that arrive in their garden each week. The Irish Garden Bird survey provides important information on bird populations and also gives an indication as to the state of the environment.
All details can be found on the Birdwatch Ireland website www.birdwatchireland.ie .
Old Photographs
In the past I have been searching for old photographs of the Green and those that lived there. I received some at the time and in recent time some have dropped me in some more.
People during Corona virus pandemic have had time to do deep cleans of their homes and have discovered many items previously thought lost and of sentimental value. If you have discovered any old photographs of the Green or photographs of the people living there at any time or any of the events that occurred there over the years I would appreciate if you could coy/scan or drop them in to me in the shop for immediate scanning. You can email the scanned photographs to me at joeaobrien@outlook.com Thank you in advance
Reading for Christmas
Some local books that are essential reading over the Christmas and New Year period are now on the bookshelves. The reappearance of what was the hugely popular Sliabh Bán is again proving very popular as is the current best seller Roscommon Biography. The annual Journal of County Longford Historical Society’s ‘Teathbha’ is a wonderful read and it includes a poem by Sr. Rose Moran and a piece by Roger Timlin on the Turlough Races. The final publication after 18 issues of Fireside Tales by Jude Flynn has also been published and as usual Jude has made sure that it is once again a wonderful read. There is also a piece included on the Lanesboro Drowning Tragedy 300 years ago.
Friends of Asthma Shop
I have been informed that the Friends of Asthma Charity Shop on Main Street will remain closed and will reopen for business in the New Year. People are asked not to leave items for the shop in the vicinity as there will not be a collection. Please bring your items in when the shop reopens in January.
Talk to the Samaritans
Are you struggling to cope with life? Do you think it would be a help to talk about your problems in confidence? It does not matter who you are, how you feel or what has happened to you the Samaritans are always there and ready to talk with you. Don’t let things get you down just contact, and someone will talk with you. The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year just phone 116123.
Towns Lotto Winner
The numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lotto on Tuesday 8th December were 11, 12, 19 and 23. There was nobody with the four numbers and the jackpot for the draw on Tuesday 15th December stood at €3,000. The main consolation prize of €50 went to Sean Connaughton c/o Mags, and the three other €20 prizes went to Jean Fallon, Cappagh, Pam Farrell c/o XLNTEE and JAMP c/o Mike Greene
Support line for Older People
ALONE manage a national support line for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID 19.
Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm for helpful information. Please ring 0818 222024.
St. Mary’s Church
Christmas Masses.
Please see the ‘Christmas at St. Mary’s’ item included in these notes.
Offertory Boxes
A number of the new offertory boxes have yet to be collected from the church. It would be appreciated if the boxes could be collected as soon as possible.
Reconciliation Service
Due to the Government restrictions and social distancing requirements, it is not possible to have the usual Christmas reconciliation service as usual. Confessions for Christmas is time-tabled after each Mass from Monday to Thursday from 10.30am to 11am, Friday from 6pm to 6.45pm and again from 7.30pm to 8pm and on Saturday from 6pm to 7pm.
Masses Return
The return of Mass has meant a return to the townsland schedule and it will recommence on this coming weekend. Saturday evening at 7.30pm is Mass for Aughamore, Aughaloughan, Augharanna, Barnacor and Blenavoher. Sunday morning at 9.30am is for the townslands of Carraroe, Carrowstrawley, Cashelbeg, Church Road, Church View and Clonbonny. Sunday at 11.30a, Mass is for Clonfower, Corrigeen, Cullentra, Cnóc na Gaoithe and Derrygeel.
All the daily masses are being streamed lived on Facebook ‘St. Mary’s Parish Lanesboro’ you can log onto the Masses at 10am Monday to Thursday, 7pm on Friday evening, 7.30pm Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday.
Jesse Tree
The young people from Lanesboro primary School and Fermoyle national School prepared beautiful symbols of the ancestors of Jesus for the Advent Jesse Tree in the church.
Mass intentions will continue to be booked for weekdays for the present. People wishing to book masses can do so by contacting Fr Sergiy before or after mass during the week in the Sacristy. All that have booked masses are asked to rebook them for weekdays for the foreseeable future.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession will take place on Friday evenings from 6pm until private mass time of 7pm.
Fr. Sergiy Ruchenko can be contacted at the presbytery or by phoning 3321166 or 0833892362. Alternatively, you can contact Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who are assisting Fr. Sergiy during his ministery in the parish.
Church activities
Eucharistic Adoration will take place on Tuesday’s from 10.30am until 8pm and it is hoped that there will be two people in attendance for each hour.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions will take place on Friday evenings from 6pm until private mass time of 7pm.
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Library has reopened for Browse & Borrow service on the following days – Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and on Saturday 10am to 1pm
Only 4 Customer or 1 family allowed at any one time. All children under 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Photocopying/Printing & Scanning services are available.
Living Well
Living Well – the next online programme dates for January 2021 are Thursday 7th January, Tuesday 12th January & Monday 18th January.
If you are living with a long-term health condition you may be interested in doing the Living Well Programme. This is a six-week online programme delivered in 2.5-hour weekly sessions where you will learn new skills to manage your health condition on a day to day basis. More now than ever it is important we look after are mental and physical health.
Please note you do not have to disclose your health condition on the programme. Please contact Olga on 086 6078950 or by email olga.maguire@mayocil.ie
You can find out more information on the programme on the website: www.hse.ie/livingwell
What is covered on the programmes is: Week 1 • Using your mind to manage symptoms • Fatigue and getting a good night’s sleep • Introduction to action plans Week 2 • Dealing with difficult emotions • Physical activity, exercise, preventing falls Week 3 • Decision making • Pain management • Healthy eating Week 4 • Better breathing • Reading food labels • Communication skills Week 5 • Medication management • Positive thinking, dealing with low mood and feelings of depression Week 6 • Making informed treatment decisions • Planning for the future