GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 4, 8, 17 and 27 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Ronan Hogan, Sweep Gang 2 and David Power. The next draw will take place on Sunday December 2nd and will have a jackpot of €12,500. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are available from all committee members and will be on sale at Centra on Saturday December 1st. Choose those four lucky numbers carefully and you could be enjoying a fantastic Christmas shopping spree.
Bridge News.
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club meet every Monday night in Ballyduff N.S and the results of their latest game were:
1st: Kathleen Collins and Ptsy Roche
2nd: Mary O Brien and Ann Cox
3rd: Anne and William Tobin.
4th: Peggy and Breda Murphy.
Beloved Pet Missing
The beloved pet dog of a local family has gone missing and the owners are really anxious to see him returned home. He is missing from the Knockaderry/Raheen area and is a wirehaired brown and rust terrier. The family really miss him and have offered a reward for his return. If you have any information please contact 087 6788684.
Candle Mass
It is hard to believe that we are already at the final of our special November masses for our dead. It has been lovely to see so many attend the masses and I know Fr. Mick has been delighted with such great numbers. The final of our masses takes place this Wednesday 28th at 7.30pm and this mass is a special candle mass offered especially for all those who died in the past 12 months. It is a beautiful simple ceremony where a family member of each of the deceased is presented with a candle in memory of their loved one. The candle remains lighting on the altar for the duration of the mass and then given to the family to bring home.
Those who were buried in our own local graveyard are automatically included but we also know that many of you have had family members and friends who have died in the past year in other areas and we would like to remember them also during this mass. If you would like their name included please write their name on the list in the main porch of the church or contact myself Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.
GAA AGM
Ballyduff Lower GAA club will hold their AGM on Sunday December 2nd at 2.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. All are welcome to come along to the meeting.
Weekly Envelopes
The new packets of the weekly church collection envelopes are now available in the church so if you use the weekly envelopes you can pick up your addressed pack in the church. The weekly collection taken up at the weekend masses is used for the upkeep of our parish church and so is very important to the running of our beautiful church.
Presentation Night
The curtain came down on the girls gaelic football year as they held their medal presentation night. Players and coaches gathered with their families and friends in Ballyduff Community Centre to celebrate a great year of football and a fun and memorable night was had by all.
On hand on the night to present the girls with their medals was Waterford lady footballer Louise Ryan. A big thank you to the businesses who sponsored spot prizes, Kilmeaden Pharmacy, Kilmeaden Takeaway, Countrylife ,Morris’s Builder Providers, Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Dermot O Neill Pharmacy Portlaw and O Donnachas. Huge thanks also to Centra in Kilmeaden who provided the water and crisps on the night and to the great John Hearne who took some fabulous photos during the night.
A big well done and congratulations to all the players and coaches who gave such committment and dedication all year and provided some brilliant entertaining games of ball for their supporters.
Birthday Boy.
We send very warm birthday wishes to well known local man Mossie Power, Ballyduff West who reaches the 90 milestone this week. Mossie has given great service to our parish life over the years and we hope he enjoys a wonderful birthday with Breda and the family.
Home To Rome
Friday November 16th was a very exciting and emotional day for Arthur and Jordan Curry and their family as they presented a cheque to Waterford Hospice following their hugely successful fundraiser. Their brave and adventurous cycle from Ballyduff to Rome was first and foremost a journey taken in memory of a mother and grandmother whose life inspired many, a lady who showed time and time again selflessness and kindness to all around her. Raising money for Waterford Hospice was something the Curry family felt strongly about as a thank you for the help and support they received. I know that Arthur and Jordan were completely overwhelmed by the support they received and by the generosity of everyone and so it was with great pride that they presented a cheque for €20,000 to Mr. Neil O Sullivan from the Waterford Hospice Movement Board of Directors. What a fantastic achievement and Arthur thanked all those who had helped and supported them on their journey and I would urge you all to take a look on the Home to Rome 2018 facebook page and a read of the beautiful words written by Arthur. A big well done again to Arthur and Jordan on a journey taken and conquered. A very special lady beams with pride from her heavenly home.
Community Alert
Our local community alert group held another successful and informative meeting last week. Before the meeting began Noel O Sullivan spoke on behalf of the crowd gathered and asked for a vote of sympathy to be recorded for Albert Kearns on the recent death of his brother Pat and to Garda Alan Kissane on the death of his father.
Guest speaker at the meeting was Chief Fire Officer Niall Curtin who gave a very informative talk about fire safety in the home and community.
A presentation was made to our own local hero Kelvin Kearns who was recently awarded a bravery award for his heroic deed saving a mans life following a car accident. Guest speaker Niall Curtin presented Kelvin with his presentation on behalf of the community alert group.
The next meeting of the group was fixed for Tuesday December 18th at 8pm and all attending were encouraged to spread the word and bring a friend or neighbour along.
“We Had A Ball”
A good friend of mine in our neighbouring parish of Kill has put pen to paper and written a wonderful book about the many different aspects and interests of his life. The well known Martin Kennedy has released his book of tales of days gone by with interesting tales of sporting adventures, drama performances and many other interests. Many interesting photos also appear throughout the book and at just €10 it is a real bargain. I am reading it myself at the moment and enjoying it immensely and hoping I will get the authors autograph in the coming weeks. Here in Kilmeaden you can purchase your copy in the Countrylife store.