Bridge News.
The results of the latest bridge game are as follows:
1st: Sean Hennessy and Nano Fitzgerald.
2nd: Breda Cowman and Mary Kennedy.
3rd: Margaret White and Ann Marie Brown.
4th: Breda Murphy and Mary Flahavan.
GAA News.
Congratulations to the Ballyduff/Portlaw U 21 hurlers who captured the Eastern title recently when they defeated Clan Na Gael with a score line of 2-17 to 2-10. A big well done to all involved and we all look forward to the County Final.
Following on from winning Club of the Year in 2016 the partnership of Ballyduff and Portlaw have now captured the Juvenile Club of the Year title. This is a fantastic achievement and proves what a great future lies ahead for the club.
The club are thrilled to have been awarded a substantial grant which will go towards a hurling wall and associated works. This will enhance the club facilities greatly and a big well done to all who assisted in the application for this grant.
GAA Lotto
The last lotto draw of 2017 took place recently and the numbers drawn were 2, 6, 9, and 25. There was no lucky winner of the jackpot but there were 6 lucky dip winners of €50 each, Maire Burns, Bridget Power, David Power, Alice O Brien, Tony Larkin and Paul McAllister. The next draw will take place on January 14th 2018 and will have a jackpot of €9,200.
Mass Bookings
We have now taken bookings for weekend anniversary masses during the months of January, February and March so if you happened to miss the bookings please contact Linda Spillane 087-9838392 and she will look after you.
Welcoming Christmas.
If you are looking for the perfect way to ease yourself into the Christmas season then please come along to Ballyduff church on Wednesday December 13th at 7.30pm where St. Nicholas choir will hold a candle lit concert of seasonal carols and music. The choir are delighted to be joined by soprano Lupita de Bhaill. Damien O Brien will be the accompanist on piano for the evening and will be joined by musicians Rebecca McCarthy Kent on violin, Ger Dower on flute and Liam Daly on horn.
Admission is free but during the interval there will be a collection taken up which will be donated to The Touching Hearts charity. Refreshments will be served in the community centre after the concert.
This is an evening I look forward to each year and I recommend it to you all. It is a beautiful relaxing way to welcome the beauty of Christmas.
Church News.
All the preparations for the Christmas season are now well under way but we must now prepare ourselves spiritually to welcome the Lord into our hearts. A service of reconciliation will take place during both of the masses on the weekend of December 16th and 17th. Both Fr. Mick and Fr. Richard will both be in attendance at both masses.
For many years it has been the tradition for people to bring the baby Jesus figurine from their cribs to St. Peters Square to have them blessed by the pope. This year we will honour that tradition on Sunday December 17th at 10am. You are all invited to bring the baby Jesus from your crib and have it blessed and all people attending will also be blessed.