I was glad to meet Father Ronnie Madden and his mother who stopped by this morning.

Ronnie was a schoolmate in Garbally College and worked for the US navy as a chaplain in San Diego for many years. Since his retirement from the navy he has returned to his original home diocese in Georgia. Ronnie told that Catholics are less than 5% of the population where he lives. For a number of years his parish have advertised with the heading “Would you like to know more about the Catholic Religion?” Those interested are given a series of talks and instruction twice a week and the result is about 30 people are converted each year. Nice one Ron.

The corncrake man called in this evening and told that two more male corncrakes have been located bringing the total to 19 male birds. The new birds were found in Clonburren and Bishop’s Island. They have not heard the local bird that was calling on Moran’s Island at the mouth of the River Suck for some time.

Note that the local Active Retirement Group day outing to Galway has been changed to 16^th August and the bus will depart at 9.30. The event will be announced in the weekly church bulletin in advance.

Despite all the good weather Ballinrobe race meeting on Tuesday evening had to be abandoned due to heavy rain which made it unsafe for riding.

Talks of Mick and Mary Killeen celebrating forty years of marriage later today. Also hear that Charlie and Bridie Carry will be celebrating forty five years of marriage also today.

And of course Vincent and Mary Fahey will be celebrating fifty years of marriage this month.

Congratulations to them all.