Our Own Angel, Love is in the Air and Staying Safe

Our Own Angel

Our community is most certainly the poorer this week and we said goodbye to one of Gods walking angels. Sheila McGrath, Ballygarron was beautiful inside and out. She had a heart full of kindness, compassion and love. She also had a sparkle and a glint in her eye and loved a joke and a laugh. She always made me feel so good about myself whenever I met her and I always walked away thinking I was quite special

Sheila’s greatest love in life was her family. She adored her husband Frankie and they were as much in love as the day they first met. She was immensely proud and honoured to be the mother of Trevor and Majella who in turn idolised their mam and this lovely family loved spending time together.

There are people you meet on the pathway of life who make a hugh influence on you or the very mention of their name brings a smile to your face, Sheila was one of those people to me. We were all blessed to have known her and she most definetly made our lives richer.

To Frankie, Trevor and Majella we extend our deepest sympathy and we remember them and Sheila in our thoughts and prayers. May her sweet, gentle soul rest in peace.

 


Love Is In The Air.

Watch out if you are living in the High Road area as Cupid is working overtime up there. Two young couples recently announced their engagements and so love is most certainly alive and well up there.

Emmett Power and Dawn Roberts announced their engagement while on holiday in Lanzarote before all the maddness of Covid 19 began. I’m sure that when everything settles down the couple will celebrate in style with their family and friends.

Most people find sweets or treats inside their Easter egg but when Jesie Scannell opened her egg from boyfriend Kelvin Kearns she was shocked to find an engagement ring inside. What a romantic proposal and a clever one. I mean chocolate and diamonds, a winning combination!

We wish both couples every good wish for the future and look forward to congratulating them in person at some stage in the future.

 


Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to Shay Searson, Gortaclode on the recent death of his beloved father. Jimmy Searson was a resident of Marymount, Ferrybank where he was some what of a celebrity. As founding member of Ferrybank AFC, President of the club, Junior league chairman Jimmy was held in very high esteem. His great love for the game and for his club was evident to all as he endeavoured to attend every match and event. His dedication to the sport earned him a lifetime of football achievement award.

I had the honour of meeting Jimmy on a few occasions in the home of his son Shay and he was most definetly a real gentleman who absolutely adored his family. He would sit and listen intently to every word his grandchildren were saying and delight in hearing about their lives and interests.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Kathleen, daughter Elaine, sons Pat, Shay and Barry, grandchildren and his many many friends. We pray that he now rests in peace and I have no doubt that there will be a club founded in heaven before too long, watch out for Heavenly AFC.


Staying Safe

As the weeks go on I am sure many of you are wishing things would just go back to normal but unfortunately we must keep up our hard work for another while. I know there are many people and things to miss but turn it around and instead of missing, look forward to when you see everyone again and think of the joy of going where you want to go. It is important that we keep up the hard work as it is saving lives. I congratulate you all for obeying the guidelines and know that by working together we can beat this. Please remember that if you are struggling, need someone to talk to,need some groceries, medicines, fuel, need Post Office or Bank business done I have a list of groups and individuals who have sent me on their details and are willing to help so please dont feel alone. You can contact me on 087-9838392 and I will put you in touch with someone.

New Service, Help is at Hand and Beauty of Nature

New Service

“Call to Chat” is a new service by the OPC(Old persons council) and Waterford libraries. This is aimed at the older people in our communities who prehaps feel lonely and fancy a chat about gardening, activities for the cocooned, keeping fit, discuss a tv programme or a book you have read or whatever topic interests you. All you have to do is call the freephone number 1800 250 185 and ask for a call to chat and they will arrange for someone to give you a call.


Help is at Hand
Please remember that there is plenty of help out there for anyone who may need help getting groceries, prescriptions etc. There are many people in our community who are more than willing to help. If you would like some help you can give me a call on 087-9838392 and I will sort it out for you.

As I also told you last week also our local gardai are doing a wonderful job helping people out and co-ordinating things in our aea is Garda Tammy Hehir and she can be contacted on 086-8581044.

 


Beauty of Nature

I don’t know if I am imagining things but looking around my own and my parents gardens all the plants and shrubs seem to have more colour and bloom than other years. It is heartwarming to see such a burst of colour in these dismal times and I like to think that this planned by Mother Nature knowing that we need a particular lift this year. People are now getting time to spend in their gardens and enjoy the beauty around them and we need all that beauty to lift our spirits while we are obeying the restrictions. Take the time to enjoy all the beautiful sights, smells and sounds of nature. Too many times you hear people say ” I haven’t time” or I’m in a rush”, well there is no excuse now and we have been shown that there is always time.

Recent Death, Church News and Call for Help

Recent Death.

We were all very saddened to hear of the death of Maura Sullivan (nee O Leary), Kilmagemogue. Maura was a real lady full of love and compassion. She was 100% dedicated to her family and they were never left in any doubt of her care and affection. This gentle natured lady loved her family, her music and was a woman of great faith. She was always remembering other peoples intententions and having masses offered for them. Maura will be sadly missed by her husband Mick, her sons Ollie, Paul, Dermot, Gary and Jim, her daughters Ursula and Eileen, sons in law, daughter in law, grandchildren and by her loving brothers and sisters.

Mauras private funeral mass was held in St. Patricks church with burial in the adjoining graveyard. In a lovely fitting tribute Mauras neighbours on the High Road stood at their entrances as a mark of respect. This was deeply appreciated by the family. A memorial service for Maura will be held at a later stage. We remember Maura in our prayers and pray that she now rests in peace with the Lord.

 


Church News

Due to the most recent Covid 19 restrictions and diocesan instructions, our church is no longer open during the day. This is a great pity but cannot be helped. Luckily prayer can be recited anywhere so please wherever and whenever you are saying yours please include me and I will remember you all in mine.

Of course daily continue to be celebrated and can be viewed on the parish facebook page, parish of Portlaw/Ballyduff. A big thank you to Fr. Richard for this it really is most comforting. I am also in regular contact with Fr. Mick and he is keeping well and offering daily mass where he remembers all his parishioners and friends.


Call For Help

As I mentioned in last weeks notes it has been amazing to see the care and help which is being offered throughout our community. One of our local Garda has been in touch with me and asked me to pass on her number to you. Garda Tammy Hehir can be reached on 086 8581044 and is available if any elderly or vunerable people needs groceries, prescriptions or simply just want someone to check in with them.

Recent Death, Thank you and Church News

Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to all the Connolly family on the recent death of Pauline Slattery (nee Connolly). Pauline was a resident of Raheen but was a native of Knockaderry. Due to present circumstances Paulines funeral mass and burial was held in private at St. Nicholas church,Ballyduff. We pray that Pauline now rests in peace and we remember her in our prayers.

 


Thank You

As we continue to cope as best we can with the effects of Covid 19 we express a huge thank you to all who are helping on the frontline of all this. We have many garda, paramedics doctors, nurses, carers, care assistants, pharmasists and assistants, hospital catering staff and all hospital staff living in our area and we really want them to know how grateful we are. We pray that they will stay safe and feel the hand of friendship and gratitude.

We also say a huge thanks to those working in the retail sector and our farmers, truck drivers, oil and fuel suppliers, postal workers, repair garages etc who are ensuring that we are stocked up and supplied. We give a special mention to our own local Centra and Gala stores and all at Kilmeaden Pharmacy and Countrylife who are providing a wonderful service while adhereing to all the proper guilelines set out.

A final thank you to all who are helping each other out and making sure everyone has the essentials that they need. It is at times like this that we see people at their best. We are blessed to live in a wonderful area where there is always someone to call on. Keep up the good work because working together will get us through this and we look forward to better, brighter times.

 


Church News.

As you aware all masses are cancelled for the foreseeable future however our church is open daily from 11am to 4pm so you are welcome to visit and pop in for your own private prayer. Also we are very lucky to have our new Facebook page parish of Portlaw and Ballyduff where Fr. Richard offers daily mass live at 10am each day. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to take some time out and join with others in our community. We thank Fr. Richard and all involved with setting this up and keeping it going with lots of beautiful reflections and words of encouragement.


Your Notes
I apologise that these notes are so short but as you can imagine with everything being cancelled there is not as much for me to tell you about. If you have any news especially good news or suggestions please contact me on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com