Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes
Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Canon Patrick Comerford,
Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/
Vandalism in Askeaton:
Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, was attacked in the early hours of Easter Day, causing extensive damage to the panels of the window at the south-east end of the church. It was shocking to open the church on Easter morning and to find the church has been attacked, yet again.
A protective, perspex panel was removed from the window, a large rock was thrown through the window, and glass was strewn everywhere. This is the second time this has happened in Askeaton.
The Gardai arrived immediately, and the attack has been condemned by members of the local community and local politicians, there have been messages of support from by Father Sean O Longaigh, Parish Priest of Askeaton, and from people across these islands, and the attack was reported extensively in the Limerick Leader.
The Minister for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, condemned the actions of the ‘mindless thugs’ involved. He said it is ‘scandalous that any church would be attacked and desecrated in such a fashion at any time of the year but, particularly around Easter it is mindless thuggery.’ He added, ‘It must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It bears no reflection on the wider community of Askeaton.’
Local councillors Adam Teskey and Kevin Sheahan visited Saint Mary’s Church together and condemned ‘the disgraceful act of vandalism.’ They added, ‘This sort of behaviour should not be occurring or be tolerated’ and appealed ‘to anyone with information to contact the Gardai.’
Many thanks are due to the dedicated parishioners who spent time over the holiday weekend cleaning up the church, securing the windows and clearing away the shattered glass strewn around the church.
Easter Joy:
Our Easter joy is undiminished, and the Parish Eucharist continues to be celebrated on Sundays, albeit behind closed doors due to the pandemic lockdown and restrictions.
In the meantime, Sunday sermons and intercessions continue to be available through the Parish Facebook page, and through Canon Patrick Comerford’s blog and YouTube channel. If you would like to receive these by email, please contact Patrick.
Planning ahead … just in case:
The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions make it difficult to know when Church services with congregations are going to resume. Should restrictions ease for May, these are the times of planned services:
2 May (Easter V): 9.30, Parish Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer (MP2), Tarbert.
9 May (Easter VI): 9.30, Morning Prayer (MP2), Castletown; 11.30, Parish Eucharist (HC 2), Rathkeale.
13 May (Ascension Day): 11 a.m., Ascension Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton.
16 May (Easter VII): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Askeaton; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Tarbert.
23 May (Pentecost): 9.30, Pentecost Eucharist, Castletown; 11.30, Pentecost Eucharist, Rathkeale.
30 May (Trinity Sunday): 11 a.m., United Group Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton.
Saints’ Days in May: Saint Philip and Saint James (1 May), Saint Matthias (14 May), The Visitation (31 May).
This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes parish notes in the May 2021 edition of Newslink, the Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Magazine (pp 18-19)
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