RAFFLE TIME
The Ballyduff Community Hall Redevelopment committee would like to thank all who supported their Christmas raffle. They would like to thank Centra in Kilmeaden who allowed them to sell the tickets outside the shop. They were delighted with the support they received and were very grateful to all who supported them. A fantastic amount of €646.59 was raised and the committee would like to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets. The lucky winner on the day was my own mother Nancy O Sullivan, Matthews Cross and she was thrilled to receive a fantastic hamper full of lots of Christmas treats.
CHRISTMAS ENGAGEMENT
We send our congratulations and warm wishes to David Kenny from Newtown who recently announced his engagement to Christine O Halloran. This lovely couple are building their beautiful home at the moment in Newtown and I’m sure they are looking forward to getting into their new home and mixing with their lovely neighbours.We wish David and Christine every good wish for their future lives together.
RECENT DEATHS.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Margaret Carlin, Ballyduff on the recent death of her sister Dolores Walsh, Portlaw. Dolores was a lady of great strength of character, a lady of great faith and a lady who adored her family and loved having them around her. Dolores wasn’t dealt the easiest of lives healthwise but never complained or moaned. She just carried out her life with great dignity, grateful for every opportunity she had and always had a welcome chat for everyone. She loved spending time with the family, young and old and loved hearing about their lives. She will be greatly missed by her brothers Philip, Michael and Pat and her sisters Cait, Margaret, Bernie and Martina and the extended family and her many friends but she will also be missed by the people of Portlaw. Dolores’s funeral mass took place in St. Patrick’s Church in Portlaw followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard. We pray that her gentle soul now rests in peace and that her family will find comfort in the memories of their happy times together.
We also extend our sympathies to Noel Reid, his wife Lorraine(nee Whelan) and their children Bobby, Ben and Neasa on the recent death of Noel’s mother. Mary Reid of Garrygaug, Piltown was predeceased by her husband Jim. She is survived by her daughter Miriam, her sons Thomas, Stephen, Michael, Shay, P.J, Noel and David, son in law, daughters in law, her brothers Liam, Dave and Jim and her 20 adoring grandchildren. Her funeral mass took place in The Church of the Assumption, Templeorum with burial in the adjoining cemetery. We pray that she is now at rest and that her family will find comfort in their memories.
BIRTHDAY TIME
It wasn’t only Christmas that John Kearns from Fan Glas had to look forward to this year but also his 50th birthday celebrations. I have no doubt at all that his wife Leanne and his sons Conor, Ciaran and Finn made sure that he celebrated in style.
Well known Kilmeaden lady Anna Whelan from Gortaclode also celebrated her 80th birthday during the festive season. Anna celebrated her day with a lovely meal with some family and I know that I can speak on behalf of the people of our parish and wish her many more wonderful birthdays to come and thank her for all the great work she does in our parish.
We also celebrated two milestone birthdays in my own family during the Christmas season so I run the risk of being thrown out of the family by mentioning them here but I always liked a challenge so here goes!! My lovely niece Jessica O’Leary from Kilmagemogue celebrated her 30th birthday on New Years Eve. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to celebrate in the style she would have liked but her friends and family made sure that she was spoiled and I have no doubt that the celebrations will continue for a few months to come. On New Years Day my dad Noel O Sullivan, Matthews Cross celebrated his 80th birthday. I know it’s hard to believe that he could possibly be 80 when he flies around the place like a young fella. Dad enjoyed his day with the family and receiving calls from his sisters and family.
CARING BETWEEN THE AGES.
The children and staff at Jelly Tots were very busy before Christmas making their cards and decorations but they still managed to take time out to think of others and give a little bit of time to cheer up those who may not get to see their family for Christmas. The children put together some lovely care packages for residents of various nursing homes around the country. These were accepted by An Post and sent off for free. Each package contained some treats and gifts for the residents to show them that they were being thought of. What a wonderful thing for the children to do and for their teachers and parents to encourage. They will carry this kindness and thoughtfulness throughout their lives and will also show a fantastic example to all that they meet along the way. Kindness is a wonderful gift to receive but also to give.
CHURCH NEWS
It was lovely to see so many attend our Christmas masses and to see some familiar faces back home to be with their families. Fr. Mick explained to everyone the new method of paying our local priests. In previous years the Christmas and Easter collection, money from station masses, christenings, weddings etc all went into a central diocesan fund and from this each priest in the diocese was paid his annual wage, however due to decline in numbers and the Covid pandemic etc this central fund will now finish. From this Christmas on, each parish will now have their own parish fund and from this they will pay their own priests in their own parish. Fr Richard and Fr. Mick know how lucky they are and are very grateful for the kindness and support they have always received here in Ballyduff and Portlaw. They understand that there are a lot of financial demands on you all but they ask that you will be as generous as possible.
If you would like to book an anniversary mass for a loved one for the months of January or February then please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or drop me an email on spillanelinda2017@gmail.com If you have a months mind or first anniversary during these times please get in touch asap so that I can get you your prefered date.
Once again a huge congratulations and thank you to all who helped to decorate our church for Christmas. Beautiful floral and candle arrangements adorned the altar and the windows, fairy lights twinkled on the Christmas tree as the candles flickered on the Advent wreath. Central of course to the whole altar was our beautiful crib. It always lifts my heart when I see little children looking into the crib and pointing out all that they see. I have always kept up the tradition given to me by my mother which she received many years ago. I take a small piece of straw from the crib and put it in my purse for the year and the Lord will see that I will not be in want. I am not a millionaire but thank god I have all that I need.
As we enter into the New Year we have exciting times ahead, our church will celebrate its 200th birthday and we want to mark the occasion and give thanks for such a beautiful place. Fr. Mick has asked me to start gathering some ideas on how to celebrate so get your thinking caps on and let me know any ideas you may have.
YOUR NOTES
We start into another year and I look forward to writing your local notes once again. I have really enjoyed working with all the clubs, individuals and organizations over the past few years and I hope that they will continue to trust me with their notes and of course new people are always welcome. If you would like to include anything in the notes please send them on to me at spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or at 087 9838392. If you could send them on by a Thursday night please it would be great. As you know these local notes are a fantastic way to get your message across and let the community know about your club, organization, charity event, tell people about special birthdays, anniversaries, births, engagements, weddings and all family celebrations.So get in touch.
NEW YEAR WISHES
Once again we find ourselves heading into a new year with Covid following us but however this year we have vaccinations and boosters and we are hopeful that there is a light appearing at the end of the tunnel . We must try to enter the New Year with positivity and keep in mind all that is good in our lives. As we pack up last year there are many things we have learned during 2021 that we must now bring with us into 2022, kindness, patience, gratefulness, importance of family, faith and mindfulness. I wish each and every one of you the very best that life has to offer I hope that you always know love
and kindness in your lives, the hand of friendship, the courage to face what is placed before you, the joy and company of friends and family and may you always remember that there is always someone to listen.
I thank all the people in my life who make every year special. I am very grateful for all the wonderful people who surround me every day. I thank all who contribute to these notes and I look forward to continuing to work with you in 2022. If you have any nice local photos please send them on also and share the beauty of our community with everyone. Ag tabhairt gach slainte agus sonas maith duit don bhliain nua.