Ennis Quiz Masters among Clare Community Games winners

St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games has been very busy over the past week with Hurling, Talent, Choir, U12 Girls Gaelic Football and U14 Girls Gaelic Football all completed.

HURLING

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Hurling competition for U11 boys was held on Saturday morning in O’Garney Park. Nine teams participated with the final culminating in a hard-fought win for Crusheen/Ballinruan/Tubber over Inch/ Kilmaley/Connolly by 5-6 to 3-1. Crusheen/Ballinruan/Tubber now go forward to represent Clare in the Munster competition in UL in June.

TALENT

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Talent competitions for U12 and U16 were held in Quin Community Hall on Saturday morning last. It was coordinated by Carol O’Neill with assistance from several volunteers.

GAELIC FOOTBALL

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Gaelic Football for U14 Girls was held on Sunday morning in St Flannan’s College with Ballynacally/Lissycasey Blue emerging victorious in the final over Clarecastle/Ballyea 4-13 to 0-1.

The winners now go forward to repre-

Macalla an Chláir

Preab-Ghaeltacht amárach! Pop-Up Gaeltacht tomorrow!

COMHRÁ, Ceol agus Craic!

Dé hAoine / Friday, 26ú Bealtaine / May, 7.30pm, Tigh Knox’s, Sráid na Mainistreach, Inis, Co. an Chláir Fear a’ Tí: MacDara Ó Conaola sent Clare in Munster in June.

GAELIC FOOTBALL U12

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Gaelic Football for U12 Girls took place on Sunday morning in Wolfe Tones, Shannon, and the overall winners were Ballynacally/ Lissycasey.

QUIZ

Ennis St Johns won the Clare Community Games Quiz competition which took place in Newmarket on Fergus, coming in ahead of Newmarket-on-Fergus and Inch/Kilmaley Connolly.

Thought for the week: Inhale courage

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

IN MANY books, plays and films, characters look to dark skies and warn that a storm is coming.

Sometimes this meaning is not just a weather forecast! In our own lives when we face painful situations we talk about ‘weathering the storm’ or ‘being all at sea.’ These last few years we have all weathered, battled and hopefully survived the storm that was the Coronavirus and also all the conflicts in our world and so many crises such as the cost of living crisis. Being afraid and lacking courage is an uncomfortable feeling, especially during times in our life when things are uncertain. While many things remain outside our control, our mindset is key to coping and confidently facing the unknown. Much of what lies ahead in life remains uncertain. Yet as human beings, we crave security. We want to feel safe and have a sense of control over our lives.

LEAN ar na meáin-shóisialta muid / Follow us on social media, @ ClárAsGaeilge, Twitter, Facebook agus Instagram. R-phost / email: lionranahinse@gmail.com

Imeachtaí/Events:

• LIOS CEANNÚIR – Siúlóidí an Chláir. Dé Sathairn, 27ú Bealtaine, Siúlóid álainn 10km go hAilltreacha an Mhothair agus ar ais, ag tosaigh ag Páirc CLG Lios Ceannúir ag 11am.

• SRÁID NA CATHRACH - Scéalta agus Rannta le Chéile le Ceri, chuile

Dé Céadaoin sa Leabharlann ó 10.30 – 11am, Saor in aisce / Free of charge

• RAIDIÓ CLARE FM - ‘’Cúl-chaint’’ le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile mhaidin Dé Sathairn, 9am. Seol nuacht chuig: Donal@clare.fm

• INIS - Rith le Ruairí, chuile Dé Máirt ag 7.30pm, ag Local Motion, Sráid Uí Chonaill

• CILL INÍNE BAOITH - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

• INIS - Caint agus Comhrá, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in Insomnia (Tesco), oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm

• CILL CHISÍN – Preab-Ghaeltacht, Tigh Ghallachóir, Dé hAoine, 26ú

Fear and uncertainty can leave us feeling stressed, anxious, and powerless. It can drain us emotionally and trap us in a downward spiral of endless “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios about what tomorrow may bring.

If you feel overwhelmed by uncertainty, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. For me I put my faith and trust in God and strive to “be not afraid.”

As Mark Twain wrote, “I have been through some terrible things in life, some of which actually happened.” It is up to us to try to choose faith over fear. When life seems to be out of control, let us try to choose to be calm, cool and collected.

Trust In God

God knows how fear can paralyze us so he continually exhorts us to have courage, to have faith, to have confidence. “Do not be afraid; just have faith”, Jesus said in Mark 5:36. Those four words, “Do not be afraid,” are spoken and referenced countless times throughout scripture. We should pay attention to them. Fear can paralyze us and lead us into many forms of foolish thinking and acting, or not acting rationally. Fear does not allow us to stay calm, remain focused, and think clearly. Fear must give way to faith and trust in God. Place all worry and fear into God’s hands and trust. Trust that God is all-powerful and capable of handling every situation. He may not change things the way you think they should be changed, but He will lift your burden and enable you to move forward without the fear that can easily paralyze and confuse you.

Have The Courage

“Do not be afraid” offers us hope, strength and courage when we are in doubt or struggling in any way. Mother Teresa said “Inhale courage, Exhale fear.” We are all capable of following the belief that God is always with us, trusting that we will receive love and always more love. Fr. Richard Rohr phrased fear in an acronym: False, Evidence, Appearing, Real. Maybe we should think about these words and realize that we can face up to what we think is fear. By living an authentic faith life we can face hardship, can be empowered to live more generously, more trustfully and yet, more courageously. Let’s have the courage to try. Have the courage to do it.

Have the courage to be you. Have the courage to be who you really are.

Have the courage to follow your heart. Have the courage to love. Have the courage to hope.

Have the courage to care and protect. Have the courage to believe in forever. Have the courage to leave masks behind. Have the courage to believe in God.

Have the courage to pray. Have the courage to look beyond appearances to souls. Have the courage to conquer fears and addictions.

Have the courage to live a life of love and compassion. Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to say yes.

Have the courage to forgive. Have the courage to seek forgiveness.

Have the courage to say sorry. Have the courage to stand up for the truth.

Have the courage to call out fake news. Have the courage to ask for what you need. Have the courage to ask for help. Have the courage to challenge wrongs.

Have the courage to walk away. Have the courage to believe in true love. Have the courage to have confidence in yourself. Have the courage to go after your dreams and beliefs.

Have courage to live the life you want to live.

Have the courage to act mercifully. Have the courage to live humbly.

Have the courage to live a life full of faith. Have the courage to truly live a life worth living.

Thought For The Week

As your thought for the week, look at your life’s experiences and see what you are doing about them and as the saying goes, go after your dreams and do not be afraid, for Life can be and is short! These last few years for all of us at a personal, local, national and global level have been filled with worry, anxiety and fear as we have witnessed things at times in our world out of control. It is only natural that we are afraid. Perhaps, now more than ever, we need the encouraging and affirming words of Jesus, ‘Do not be afraid.’ So may everyday be a thoughtful courageous day for you. May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work. May your work never weary you. May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration, courage and excitement. May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, courage, faith, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected. May God always control the boat of your life and grant you the grace to continue trusting in Him and to be able to resist life’s strong winds and storms. May you always go with Him and let Him guide you always. Amen.