Beautiful Baby Boy, Church News and Help Available

Beautiful Baby Boy

We send our warm congratulations to Clare and Henry Power who recently welcomed their new baby son Dylan into the world. Dylan is very lucky to have big brother David ready to show him the ropes and having recently starting playschool himself he will have lots to teach his little baby brother. We wish this lovely little family the very best for the future.


Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to Gabrielle Power of Countrylife, Kilmeaden on the recent death of her father. Martin Power was a resident of Ballingarry, Kill and was a hardworking, family man. We offer our thoughts and prayers to Gabrielle, her mother Joan and all the family and we pray that Martin now rests in peace.


Church News

With masses cancelled and everything feeling strange our parish now has a new parish Facebook page “parish of Portlaw/Ballyduff” . I must say that is a really wonderful idea. Inspirational thoughts etc are posted but Fr. Richard also live streams daily mass at 10am from Portlaw and alternates between Ballyduff and Portlaw at the weekend. This is a very comforting and reassuring service to have and I congratulate all who were involved in setting it up. Join up and get involved on the page and keep our community connected.


Help Available

As we all cope as best we can with these times that we find ourselves in we once again see the absolute goodness and kindness in people shines forth. I have been contacted by many people to know if I knew of anyone who may need help getting groceries, prescriptions,coal etc. If there is anyone out there who does need some help please give me a ring on 087-9838392 and we will get things sorted for you.

First Penance, Lenten Masses and Awards Galore

Bridge Corner.

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club continues on Monday nights and the results of the latest game were as follows:

1st: Kate Hayes and Mary Prendergast.

2nd: Kathleen Collins and Joan Hartrey.

3rd: Breda Murphy and John Fitzpatrick.

4th: Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney.

 


Lotto Results

The numbers drawn in the latest GAA lotto draw were 18, 20, 23 and 24 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Fergus Dunne, Siobhan Power and Sean O Brien. The next draw will take place on March 22nd and will have a wonderful jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs. Choose those four lucky numbers carefully and that jackpot could be yours.


First Penance.

A big congratulations to all the boys and girls from 2nd class in Ballyduff NS who recently celebrated the Sacrament of First Penance. It took place during one of our special Wednesday night masses for Lent so it was lovely for us as parishioners to be able to be part of their special night.

The children sang some beautiful meaningful songs. They also took part in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory procession. Their parents and teachers should be very proud of them all for the wonderful job they did.


Lenten Masses

Our special Wednesday night masses for Lent continue on and are a perfect way for us to give a little extra time to God. Sometimes for Lent we can focus too much on what we might give up but we can also make a promise to try do some little thing better. Mass is offered each Wednesday night at 7.30pm.

 


Awards Galore

Huge congratulations and best wishes to all the management and staff at Milestone Coffee House who have been nominated for no less than 7 Irish Restaurant Awards. This is a fabulous achievement for a new business. If you haven’t paid a visit to Milestone yet then you are denying yourself a lovely treat. The menu is excellent and service is relaxing and friendly. We wish Martina and all her staff the very best in the awards and continued success here in Kilmeaden.


Booking of Masses
If you would like to book an anniversary mass for your loved one during the months of April, May and June then bookings will be taken after both masses this weekend. If you have a First Anniversary or Months Mind during these months please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 and you can choose your prefered date.

Coffee Morning, Charity Event and Eurovision

Coffee Morning

National Down Syndrome Day takes place on Saturday March 21st and in honour of this there will be a special coffee morning from 10am to 12 noon in The Sweep. This is always a very popular event and draws a large crowd. There are some wonderful prizes up for grabs in the raffle. Come along and enjoy a relaxing friendly morning while suppporting this worthy cause.


Church News

A big thank you to all who attended the recent station masses in our community centre. It was lovely to see such a nice mix of station areas. After both masses there was an ideal opportunity for people to share a cuppa and a chat. Fr. Mick would like to thank anyone who helped in any way to arrange these masses.

As we continue along our Lenten journey we can do a little extra every week by maybe attending the special Wednesday night mass at 7.30pm. This is just one little way we can do a little extra for Lent.

A reminder that if you haven’t brought home your Trocaire box yet there are still some available in the church so please bring one home and perhaps put any little savings you might be making into the Trocaire box.


Bridge News
The Ballyduff/ Portlaw bridge club played their latest bridge game on Monday March 2nd and the results were as follows:

1st: Anna Harney and Anna Ryan

2nd: Anne Marie Brown and Mary Prendergast

3rd: Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche

4th: Elizabeth Mooney and Peggy Murphy


GAA News

Two of our club members Jack and Sean are embarking on an enterprise project as part of their Transition Year. The guys will be selling club gear in conjunction with DS sports. To place an order you can contact the lads through their parents John 087 2886781 and Nicola( nicolafitzgerald23@yahoo.ie). The lads will also be at the field on Saturday between 10am and 12 noon so that you can check sizes and place an order.

What a wonderful sight to see over 70 children arrive to take part in our academy section of the club. The academy caters for boys and girls 5 to 9 years of age and teaches them the skill and enjoyment of playing hurling, camogie and football and takes place at 10am every Saturday morning. A big thank you to Jack, Declan and Calum who came along to help on Saturday, the children really loved it.

Huge congratulations to club man Keith Millea who has been selected for the Waterford Minor Football panel. The club wishes Keith the very best of luck for the future.


Charity Event

You are invited along to a charity open day on Sunday March 29th from 12.30 to 6pm at Orchardstown Garden Centre. An optional light lunch( soup, sandwiches,tea, coffee, tray bakes)at 12.30 will also be available and provided by parishioners at the centre for a donation of €8 per person. Pre booking is essential especially for catering purposes and can be booked by credit card through the Garden Centre. All funds raised will go to the RNLI and Fiddown Union. Drop in and join in the fun .


Eurovision

We send many congratulations to Ballyduff NS 6th class student Spencer Bowman who recently travelled to Dublin to audition as Irelands entrant for the Junior Eurovision. Spencer was shortlisted to attend the audition and tells me that he had a wonderful day. We wish Spencer the very best of luck. I know his mam and dad Jason and Claire and brother AJ are all extremely proud

Lenten Masses, Coffee Morning and GAA News

GAA Lotto

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 3, 6, 24 and 28 and there was no jackpot winner. There were three lucky dip winners of €50 each and they were Christine Harte, Carol Kiely and Hannah Duffy. The next draw will take place on March 15th and they will have a fantastic jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs.

Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale from all committee members and will also be on sale outside Centra on Saturday March 14th. Choose those 4 lucky numbers carefully and you could be celebrating St. Patricks weekend in great style.

 


Lourdes Trip
Each year our parish fundraise to send two people from the parish on the Waterford/Lismore Pilgrimage to Lourdes as part of the invalid section. If you would like to nominate someone to go to Lourdes then please contact one of the following before March 6th, Noel O Sullivan, John O Leary or Donal Daly. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to visit Lourdes and find some comfort and peace.


Lenten Masses

We are now in the season of Lent and this is a time to make little sacrifices for the good of ourselves and others. We will have a special Lenten mass each Wednesday night during Lent and this is a real opportunity for us to give a little extra for Lent. Mass will be on Wednesday 4th, 11th,18th and 25th at 7.30pm each night.

During Lent we are also encouraged to support Trocaire for their Lenten campaign by donating what we can to the Trocaire box which are available in the church. Please bring one home and place in your home.


Station Masses

Our Spring station masses will take place over two nights this year. On Tuesday March 3rd and Thursday March 5th at 7.30pm mass will be said in Ballyduff Community Centre and both masses will be offered for everyone in the parish. You are invited to go along to any of the masses or indeed both of them. Following both masses there will be a lovely opportunity to enjoy a nice cuppa and a chat with your neighbours and fellow parishioners. Please keep in mind people living around you who may like to attend one of these masses but might not have transport and maybe don’t like driving at night. If you can help in any way I am sure they would appreciate it.

 


Coffee Morning

Saturday March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day and it is a wonderful opportunity for us to support this charity. The Sweep Bar will host its annual coffee morning for the charity on the day from 10am to 12 noon. This is always a very well attended event every year and people look forward to it. Get yourself along if you can or if not you can hand in a donation any day beforehand. There will be a brilliant raffle also on the day and they have secure many great prizes from businesses near and far.

 


GAA News

A reminder to all members that membership money is now due which can be paid on registration days or otherwise please speak to your coaches. Players are not covered by insurance if heir membership is not paid and will not be eligible to play or train. To those who were kind enough to contribute to our fundraiser please ensure your contribution of €250 is paid immediately to avail of membership discounts

Congratulations to Abbie Burrows, Emma Walsh, Erica Larkin Power and Gillian Mullins who have been selected to represent Ballyduff Lower LGFA on the U14B County panel. Huge congratulations to the girls , ladies gaelic football is looking very bright in Waterford with 7 of our local club girls being chosen for county level over the last two years.

A superb night was had by all who attended the recent club dinner dance. A beautiful meal was followed by dancing to the sounds of The Bottle Brothers. The club would like to thank all who attended and made it such a memorable night especially for the victorious team .

Congratulations to club and county man Calum Lyons on his inclusion in the League team of the week. It is well deserved following a superb performance. The club are delighted to have such a great person in the club and know that Calum will keep his feet on the ground and continue to develop his game. Calum has also offered his assistance to the Juvenile section of the club which is unbelievable given his hectic schedule. He is a great role model to the youth of the club.

The academy section of the club is now back training on Saturday mornings in the field at 10am. This is open to boys and girls born between 01/01/2011 and 31/12/2015. They will enjoy fun and games while learning the skills of both football and hurling. The coaches have all been Garda vetted and coached. As always children in this group will play matches at their age and one year up in line with club policy and to promote fairness and development. Come along and enjoy some fun in a safe environment.


Community Alert

Our local community alert group recently held their AGM and were delighted to see such a crowd attend. Guest speaker on the night Mary Power from Kilmacthomas PO gave some great advice about saving money in the PO and not keeping cash in your home. She also gave the senior members of the group invaluable information about entitlements. We were also joined by Sgt.’s Mick Barry and Brendan Roche who spoke to the group about security in your home and while out and about. The sitting officers were returned to their positions so our Chairman is Albert Kearns, Secretary Linda Spillane and Treasurer MJ Healy. Our group is now recognized as the top group in the Waterford area. A reminder to anyone who is a member of our text alert scheme your €5 annual fee is now due and can be paid at our March meeting or if you see any of the committee they will also look after you. If you know of anyone else who may like to join we just need their mobile number and their €5.