CHURCH GROUNDS IN BLOOM
As is the norm, the grounds surrounding our church is brightly blooming at this time of year. A kaliedoscope of colour meets the eye as one passes by or who might visit our beautiful church. Recently, our dutiful priest, Fr. Richard Davern, paid trubute to Noel from the altar after Mass one Sunday.Such floral artistry offers a visual delight, infusing all who are open to absorb it with a wonderful feeling of goodness, as well as an appreciation for nature and particularly for the hard work put in by its creator, Noel.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
The ceremony of First Holy Communion was such a perfect occasion on Saturday last in our parish church. I always experience a sense of wonder and even nostalgia at attending a First Holy Communion Mass. What a wonderful day it turned out to be, weatherwise! And yes, stepping outside to the glorious array of greenery and flowers of various colours definitely did so much to augment this august religious event, proving the ideal ambient to snap a few family pictures with the Communicant.
BARD'S DEATH APRIL 1899
Our famous Bard of Thomond, Michael Hogan, passed away at his residence, a room on Rutland Street, in the parish of St. Michael's. towards the end of April, 1899, 127 years ago. His life spanned a few parishes, being born and baptised in St. Munchin's, residing for a time opposite the Old Exchange on Nicholas Street following his marriage at St. Mary's Church in 1858, he even spent a brief period of time out in the environs of St. Patrick's Parish (known as Park), where he found the dampness of his residence inclement and quite unbearable, returning to St. Munchin's once again where he purchased a public house on New Road, Thomondgate, before perforce having to return to the city yet again to reside in rooms with his wife, Annie, on Rutland Street. His funeral from St. Michael's church, was attended by the then Mayor, John Daly and a few Councillors, receiving a notoriety that seemed to elude him during his lifetime. A very fine sculpture of our brilliant poet stands within view of our Castle as a constant reminder of his major literary input in a dim dark time of existence in Limerick. He deserved to be remembered and this honour finally arrived over 100 years following his death.
BARD'S MEMORIAL STATUE
He erection of this life-size statue was brought about by a four people, known as 'Friends of the Bard' comprising of the then Cllr. John Gilligan, Billy Hogan, a descendant of the Bard, Micheael Toomey, and myself. Funding for the statue came from a descendant of the Bard, the late Peter Hogan, born on Mary Street, and domiciled in Atlanta, Georgia. The plinth came compliments of Limerick Corporation. That excellent statue was the work of the highly-acclaimed artist, Jim Connolly, a proud Limerick-man, based in Kilbaha, Co. Clare for many decades now. The statue to the outstanding actor, Richard Harris, on Bedford Row, was also executed by Jim, as was the statue of Richard Harris as a young man that was erected in a spot overlooking the famous Pollock Holes in Kilkee, Co. Clare. That particular statue may have been the work if his son, Séamus.
HOLY BAPTISM
Baptisms are held in St. Nicholas Church on the 4th Saturday of the month. Baptisms are held in St. Mary's Church on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at at 4pm and on 1st and 3rd Sundays at 12.30pm Contact the Parish Office for more information and a Baptismal enrolment form. 061 416300.
PARISH OFFICE TIMES.
St. Nicholas Parish Office is open every Monday between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Contact 061 341300: email stnicholasparishoffice@gmail.
DINNER DELIVERY
St. Mary's Community Centre are ready to deliver dinners, making a definite effort that no local senior goes hungry. Situated at the beginning of the Island Bank on the Verdant Place end. All dinners €6, Take Aways €6.50. They are simply delicious! Contact 061 318106.
WORK WITHOUT HOPE
'Work without Hope draws nectar in a sieve,
And Hope without an object cannot live.'
S. T. Coleridge
