By Grace Tierney
It’s Springtime in Stamullen now and in a season all about hope and new beginnings it’s good to see a few glimmers of joy about. The back road fields are filled with loud baa-ing from the new lambs and their mothers. If you keep eyes peeled you’ll spot wild primroses and wood anemones on the banks, and some of the children are moving from online learning back into their classrooms this month, with more to follow. It will be good to hear the playground voices on the wind at break-time again.
Well done to local business, Storm in a Tea Cup (https://www.thestorminateacupstory.com/), who brought their ice-cream packs to a pop-up shop in the village during midterm. Great way to use the vacant shop and wonderful to bring a little chilly fun to families here.
Thanks also to the staff of Mammy Day Care who’ve been providing resource packs and weekly zoom calls with the children throughout all the lockdowns, to the grateful thanks of the parents and the little ones.
40 Days & Nights for Slav Gerry Kelly, LMFM radio presenter, is walking and abstaining during Lent for sixteen year old Slav, the Gormanston College student who has been battling cancer for three years. His mum Nadia talked to Gerry recently (listen back at https://media.acast.com/…/fortydaysandnightsf…/media.mp3) and if you can assist in any way the GoFundMe page is https://ie.gofundme.com/f/oxygen-for-slav.
Don’t forget it’s Mother’s Day this month (Sunday 14th March). While visits may be off the table, phone calls and cards are always appreciated, flower deliveries are possible, City North Hotel (https://www.facebook.com/citynorthhotel/) are doing afternoon tea at home and the Seamus Ennis Centre (https://www.facebook.com/thecafeseamusennisartscentre) provide afternoon tea, grazing, breakfast, and slider boxes for collection now at the weekends and hope to expand service as March continues. We tried the Seamus afternoon tea and it went down a storm. I see the centre is also providing Make It Monday prompts for crafters on their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TSEAC) – fun for any rainy days.
The 17th of March will be our second peculiar St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick has made his mark on the village with the church, national school, and GAA club all named in his honour. Hopefully Stamullen will be creative and celebrate the day safely.
New lights have been installed on Station Road, Gormanston.
Important Reminder – Stamullen CA Volunteer Group is still available to do deliveries for those who are restricting their movements (due to medical issues, waiting on test results, or because they have tested positive, etc). You can contact them on facebook, via the chemist and butchers, or ring 0876355519.
The parish office is currently closed but you can contact Fr. Declan via secretary@sjparish.ie or 01-8412647 and Sunday Mass is via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMaC1cpFBS-qQ8JGKYPvkOw. For Lent this year the parish is running a programme called “Begin Again” – each day there’s a suggestion of something to do (cook for your family, give to charity, reach out via phone or text to somebody who may need support). If you miss a day they invite you to Begin Again. The prompts are in the weekly parish newsletter which is available online at http://sjparish.ie/newsletter/first-sunday-of-lent-sunday-21st-february-2021/ and some printed copies in the churches themselves.
** Please note that changes to public health Covid 19 restrictions may affect events. Check with organisers if you have concerns.
Got Stamullen news? Send it to Grace (087-9074145) or grace@meathcoaster.com