Community Alert.
Our local community alert group will hold their next meeting on Wednesday April 1st at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. There will be an interesting presentation from Martin Halley from ALONE. Following several burglaries in surrounding areas, local Gardaí will give an update on happenings and some advice on how to keep our homes and businesses safe. It is very important to support this local group and work together to combat crime.
Easter Celebrations.
On Easter Sunday morning after 10am mass, an Easter commemoration will take place at our beautiful commemoration monument outside the church. Hosted by the Waterford Fianna Fail Chomhairle Dail Cheantair, the ceremony will include the reading of the proclamation, laying of a wreath, the raising of the tricolour and talented piper Tommy Kiely will play our National Anthem. Refreshments will be served after in the community centre. This is always a lovely occasion with a great sense of community and tradition. All are welcome to attend.
Bridge News
The results from the last game played by Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge club on Monday March 16th
1st: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald.
2nd: Joan Hartery and Sean Hennessy.
3rd: Peggy Murphy and Helen Kavanagh.
New members are always welcome, please contact Anne Marie Brown on 087 6722482.
Smart Phone and Device Classes.
Kilmeaden Community Network Group will join with WWETB to offer some free Smart Phone and other devices classes. These classes will look at online activity, email, WhatsApp, messaging, using apps and much more. The classes will take place in Ballyduff Community Centre and dates will be decided once interest is gauged. To express your interest please contact Tricia Shannon on 087 2979332, email kilmeadencommunitynetwork@outlook.ie or contact any of the community network committee.
Ballyduff AFC
The Ballyduff branch of the Man Utd supporters club are planning a trip to the Red Devils last home game on Sunday May 17th. If you are interested, please contact the club.
The club have released dates and details about their Easter and Summer Camps so check out details on their Facebook page.
Check out the club’s Facebook page for details of how to join the club’s monthly development draw. Kathleen Harris was the lucky winner in February. All money raised goes towards the fantastic development plans.
Church News
Some important dates coming up in our church are Saturday May 2nd when the young boys and girl of our parish will make their First Holy Communion and on Tuesday June 2nd our young men and women will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Trocaire boxes are still available in the church and you are asked to take one home and be as generous as possible. Holy Week will begin on Monday March 30th with Easter Sunday falling on April 5th. Holy Thursday celebrations will take place at 7.30pm, Holy Saturday at 6.30pm and on Easter Sunday morning at 10am.
Choir practice takes place every Wednesday evening at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome.
The St. Nicholas Church Renovation committee have launched phase 2 of their renovation plans .The committee are to be congratulated on all the wonderful work they have already completed with a special mention to Maurice Doyle who has given many hours of labour and materials voluntarily. It is now time to begin the task of painting inside and outside. All areas will need to be thoroughly washed down, repairs to plaster work, hire of height equipment and of course paint and labour.
The need to raise more funds is great and the committee are eager to get the word out there that they are very grateful to all who have already donated and sincerely ask those we may wish to donate to please do so. All donations are very welcome and can be paid through Bank Transfer, given to a committee or simply placed in the weekly offertory basket in an envelope marked Church Renovation Fund. We all understand that there are huge demands on everyone these days but would be delighted if you had something spare to see our beautiful church restored to its full glory. Our church has stood proudly watching over us all for over 200 years and has paid a huge role in our lives, the lives of our ancestors and will continue for the future generations. It is a place of worship, reflection, celebrations, quiet thought, a place of comfort and most importantly a place where community comes together in prayer and support of each other.
A huge thank you to local artist Lupita De Bháil who has donated a beautiful painting for auction, with all funds going directly to the Church Renovation Fund. If you would like to place a bid for this beautiful painting, please text your bid to 0872154519.
New Signing
Congratulations to local lady Kate Foley who has been signed by Bohemian FC as their new goalkeeper. Kate’s great talent and work ethic makes her a super addition to any club. She has always shown great commitment and dedication to her sport. She has gained valuable experience in her Wexford and Treaty clubs and of course was a shining light in her native Ballyduff FC. Kate will be a true asset to the Bohemians club, and we watch on with great interest for the coming season.
GAA News
Ballyduff Lower GAA, LGFA and Camogie is a club for all players and non-players, young and old. Club membership details and rates are now available with plans to suit all needs. Register now on www.foireann.ie Registration deadline is March 31st.
If anyone has any spare hurleys or helmets at home and would like to donate them to the club, please contact Jack Kennedy 087 9206373. These items will be put to great use by the club.
Camogie training has now returned on Monday nights and the times for each age group are available on the club Facebook page. The club are looking for coaches to help with the U6/8’s group. If you are interested, please contact the secretary on 0868944780.
The club held their latest lotto draw on Sunday March 15th and the numbers drawn were 9, 20, 21 and 27. There was no jackpot winner and the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Peggy O Shea, Marian Beecher and Gerry Walsh. The next draw will take place on Sunday March 29th, and tickets can be purchased from all committee members, online or will be available from the volunteer sellers at Centra on Saturday March 28th. This is the club’s major fundraiser, and they are very grateful for all the support they receive.
Quote for the Week.
Today will never come again.
Be a blessing. Be a friend.
Encourage someone. Take time to care.
Let your words heal and not wound.
Your Notes
If you would like to include any news in these notes please get in contact by Thursday at lunchtime. The email to contact is spillanelinda2017@gmail.com