Birthday Boy
We send warm birthday wishes to birthday boy Derek Laffan, Ballyduff who recently celebrated his 50th birthday . I know that during these strange times we do not get to celebrate these milestone occasions the way we might like to but I have no doubt that Derek have was treated very well indeed by his lovely wife Fiona, daughter Ciara and sons Danny and Shane. He might even get out on a couple of extra 5km cycles. We wish Derek the very best and wish him many more happy birthdays.

Charity Calendar
You May remember that in last weeks notes I was telling you about the beautiful calendar which has been produced by the Waterford/Kilkenny Branch of Down Syndrome . At just €10 each they are a wonderful gift for yourself or for family and friends. The calendars are on sale in many outlets around the city and county and I am delighted to let you know that our friends in Centra Kilmeaden have generously offered to sell them also. Please support this very worthy charity.

Your Notes

I know that many clubs and groups are unable to have their activities at the moment but remember if you have anything that you like me to include in these notes then give me a call or text on 087 9838392 or an email on spillanelinda2017@gmail.com

Ballyduff GAA
The Juvenile section of the club will host an online quiz on Saturday November 21st at 7.30pm. What a fun way to pass some time in these strange times and enjoy some family fun and remember it’s not all about the winning !! To join the fun just enter on Eventbrite.ie-Ballyduff lower gaa club quiz
It is wonderful to see the U10 girls still training on Tuesday nights. It is very positive to see them and great thanks goes to their coaches and all at the LGFA for their dedication. The future loðoks very bright for Ballyduff.HD.

New Letterbox
Although we have no masses to attend in these strange times please log on to the parish Facebook page where you will find some recordings of masses as well as prayers and reflections.
A reminder that there is now a letter box on the sacristy door in Ballyduff if you would like to drop in any envelopes or correspondence for the priest. Fr. Richard and Fr. Mick 44continue to remember you in their prayers and urge you to stay safe

COVID 19 CC
Please remember that if you need help in these times to get groceries, fuel or prescriptions then help us available. Also please remember to keep in touch with neighbours by phone or a shout over the gate or hedge. A simple gesture can mean everything.

Charity Calendar
If you are on the lookout for a nice calendar for yourself or as a gift then please consider purchasing the beautiful calendar produced by the Waterford/ Kilkenny branch of the Down Syndome Association. For just €10 you can enjoy this beautiful colourful and bright photo collection. Fill your months with lots of happy faces. The calendar is available in many outlets around the city and county or if you can’t find it just let me know and I will get it to you.

Our Sympathy
WE extend our deepest sympathy to Christy O Brien, Blacknock and Biddy O Hanloaw on the recent death of their beloved sister. ,Maureen Mulvihill was a resident of McCarthyVille and formerly of Kilmovee Portlaw. We send our sympathies to all her family and friends and pray that she now rests in peace and that her family will draw some comfort from their lovely memories.

GAA News
The Juvenile Winter programme goes from strength to strength and it was great to see 50 boys and girls in the field recently and a big thank you to all the coaches for arranging. The U10/11 were out the night before and it is great to see them all keeping up the exercise and skills while doing so in a safe manner.
The academy section of the club was a scary and frightening place to be last Saturday when the pitch was invaded by ghosts and goblins and many strange looking creatures. The club is hopeful that the young people will return and these strange individuals will return to their own particular planets. While the children were unable to head out trick or treating this year the club encouraged all the groups to dress up and send their pictures on for the Facebook page. This was very popular and great fun was had. Many of the coaches dressed up and handed out some treats after training which went down very well.
What a proud day for all at the club as they watched club man Calum Lyons help Waterford to overcome Cork in the Munster Semi Final. Calum had a brilliant game and his performance and the victory has really given everyone a much needed lift and spirits are high looking forward.
The club are delighted to announce that they had a €2000 winner in the recent Deise draw which is great for both the individual involved and the club. John Stephenson takes care of the Deise draw each year for the club and they are very grateful to him for all his work.

Last Man Standing
Ballyduff AFC are now taking entries for their Last Man Standing competition which has a prize fund of €700 up for grabs you can register your name with Paddy or you can join on klubfunder. Entries need to be in by November 16th and all proceeds will go towards the dressing rooms renovation fund.

November Masses
A reminder that there will be some special masses held during the month of November for the Holy Souls and these can be viewed on the parish Facebook page. If you would like to drop the November Dead List envelope or indeed any other church envelope you can do so by placing them in the letterbox which is now at the sacristy in Ballyduff.

Silver Days
Congratulations and best wishes to our local silver couple Eamonn and Marie Reade, Cullinagh who recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. This very popular couple haven’t aged a bit since their wedding day and of course they are still madly in love. I know the couple will have had plenty of help in celebrating from their children Dylan, Shauna,Shane, Alex, Liam and Jack. We wish this happy couple many more years of good health and happiness.

Our Sympathy
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Power and Corcoran families in Portlaw on the recent death of Maura Power(nee Corcoran) . Many of you will have had the pleasure of hearing Maura play the church organ for many years. I myself had the delight of singing at many funerals and weddings with Maura as my accompanist and she was always so obliging and professional. We send our condolences to her husband Tom, daughters Daphne and Fidelma, her sons Paul, Lawrence and Elton, her grandchildren Adam, Luke, Zoe, Caoimhe, Cian and Oghran and her many friends. We pray now that Maura rests in peace and that choir of angels will most certainly sing in perfect harmony with Maura there to keep them in check.
We also send our sympathies to Alice Walsh, Ballyduff on the recent death of her brother. Paddy Mellay was a resident of Kilrush, Co. Clare but formerly of Dunganstown, New Ross. His funeral mass took place in Kilrush with burial after in New Ross. We pray that Paddy now rests in peace and we send our sympathy to his family and friends.

November Masses
Normally at this time of year we are preparing for our special November masses for the dead.We are very fortunate that these masses will still go ahead and that the tradition of remembering our Holy Souls in a special way during November can continue. Masses will be shown through our parish Facebook page which can be found by searching for the Parish of Portlaw/Ballyduff page. Masses will be said from Ballyduff will be said each Tuesday and will be offered for the Holy Souls. If you have any Holy Souls lists and envelopes or indeed any other envelopes you can drop them in the letterbox near the sacristy door in Ballyduff or you can drop them into Fr.Richard.
Beginning on Monday November 2nd on Facebook Livestream at 7pm there will be a sharing of prayers, scripture and poetry in remembrance of our loved ones in heaven. This will continue each evening for nine days. The annual service of light for those who died during the year will also take place on line towards the end of November.