Bridge Notes.

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club played their latest bridge game on Monday November14th and the results are as follows:

1st: Patsy Roche and Kathleen Collins.
2nd: Nano Fitzgerald and Geraldine McMahon.
3rd: John Fitzpatrick and Breda Kirwan.
4th: Anne Kennedy and Bridget Ahearne.

November Dead List.
The special masses for the Holy Souls are continuing each Wednesday night in November and it is great to see such a large crowd attending. The last of these masses on Wednesday November 29th at 7.30pm will be offered especially for those who have died in the past 12 months. All those who were buried here or prayed for at mass will automatically be included but if you have a relative or friend who has died elsewhere and you would like to have their name included for this mass please contact myself Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or write their name on the list in the porch in the church. This candle mass is a beautiful way to remember your loved one and the candle which you will take home with you will be a constant reminder of their presence in your life.
Coffee Morning Success.

I attended a really lovely coffee morning recently with some friends and was delighted to see such a huge crowd attending. It was in aid of The Touching Hearts charity and was run in conjunction with the organisers of the Michael Power Memorial swim which is held every Christmas morning at Kilmurrin cove. The venue for the coffee morning was The Sweep Bar and Restaurant where we were spoiled for choice with cakes and treats galore. The morning was organised by Kathy Raher, Ann Murray and friends and was a huge success raising €1,710. Touching Hearts would like to thank everyone who supported this event and gave a donation and would also like to thank Michelle Dunphy and all at The Sweep Bar for all their help. This really was a most enjoyable morning with a lovely atmosphere and I congratulate all the organisers.
Bouncing Baby Boy.
We send our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Paul Stephenson and his wife Edwina on the recent birth of a beautiful baby boy. Baby Ollie arrived safe and healthy and joins his big sister Elsie to bring more joy to the Stephenson family. We congratulate John and Joan in Newtown on becoming grandparents again and of course great gran Aileen. I’m sure Elsie and Ollie will make lots of happy memories when they come to play on the family farm. We wish them all a wonderful happy and healthy life.
Proud Occasions.
I met a very proud mother the other day while I was out and about and she has every right to be. Eleanor Butler from Gortaclode told me how her son Darren had recently graduated as a mechanic and her daughter Rachael would be graduating as a beautician in the coming days. We send them both sincere congratulations and wish them both every success in their futures and well done Eleanor on doing such a wonderful job and I have no doubt that a very proud dad beams down at them and delights in their achievements.
Church News.
A reminder that your new pack of weekly offertory envelopes are now available in the church so please take home your addressed pack at your convieniance. These weekly contributions are vital for the upkeep of the church and Fr. Mick and Fr. Richard thank you for your continued support. Some people prefer to give a yearly donation but if you like to do it weekly please pick up your addressed pack. These envelopes are simply opened, emptied and counted and no record is kept of peoples contributions, the numbers printed on the envelopes are not allocated to particular names, so your contribution is your own private business.
Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist continues every Tuesday from 12 noon to 7pm and you are welcome to drop in at any stage during the day for whatever time you can spare. Simply sit in the quietness with your own thoughts and needs.
School News.
The pupils from Ballyduff N.S are not just concentrating on their own needs and happiness but are very aware of the needs of others and are doing everything in their power to help those who need it. The children recently took part in The Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal and filled many Christmas shoeboxes with items to wash with, to wear, to write with and a small toy or treat. I know the children enjoy doing this each year and take great pride in doing so.
Pupils from 3rd class up to 6th class have also been taking part in the MS Readathon where they read as many books as possible over a 4 week period and ask their family and friends to sponsor them with all money raised going to the MS charity. Well done to all the pupils for taking a stand and making a difference this is one of the bests things they will ever learn.
Strictly Dance
What a night in the WIT Arena as the Waterford GAA hosted their fundraising event Strictly Dance. This was extremely well organised and a real pleasure to attend. A huge well done to local men Ger Harris and Marc O Neill who represented our club and put in great performances. The lads gave their time and committment to this event and along with their fellow competitors they treated everyone to a fabulous night of entertainment.
Good Deeds
Any who knows me will know that I am always telling anyone willing to listen to me about what a wonderful place we live in and I have seen many times the kindness and generosity of the people around us. In the past few weeks I have witnessed some lovely good deeds being done by people who would never want to be acknowledged and so I would always respect their views. I genuinely hope that the good deeds you have done come back to you twice over and we should all remember that we were put on this earth to help each other so if there is something you feel you could do just go ahead and go with your heart.