New Group
Are you a keen knitter or perhaps you enjoy a bit of crochet or have you always said that this is something you would like to try? A new knitting and crochet group now meet in Ballyduff Community Centre each Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am. All levels are welcome to come along and enjoy a cuppa and a chat while those needles are going. If you are interested just pop along to the hall or if you would like some more information call Jeni on 086-8163101.
Recent Death
We extend our deepest sympathy to Bridget Whelan of Matthews Cross on the recent death of her beloved sister Eileen Bolger. Eileen was living in Coventry in Birmingham but her chosen final resting place was back to her home place of Kilmacow. We pray that Eileen now enjoys the peace and comfort of Gods heavenly kingdom and we offer our prayers of comfort to all her family. May she rest in peace.
Coffee Morning.
A date for you to pencil into your diary is National Down Syndrome Day which falls on March 21st. To celebrate this day The Sweep Bar will host a coffee/tea morning on Wednesday March 21st and all money raised on the day will go to the local branch of Down Syndrome Waterford. This is a lovely opportunity to enjoy a cuppa and a chat and maybe a nice treat or two while supporting a very deserving charity who provide such great support to all its members.
Station Masses
We are already down to our last mass of the Spring stations. The mass for the areas of Matthews Cross, Ballyduff East and Adamstown will take place on Tuesday March 6th at 8pm in the home of Eddie and Helena Power.
Community Celebration
Congratulations to all those within Ballyduff GAA Club who helped organise their recent Community Celebration night which took place in The Sweep. Music on the night was provided by Deadly Medleys. During the night medals were presented to the Junior and U21 teams and a Pot Luck Monster Raffle proved very popular. The club would like to thank all those who attended and supported the event and have also asked me to thank Michelle and Seamus Dunphy for their unending support to the club and the use of their premises for the event. They would also like to thank the sponsors of their raffle, The Sweep Bar, Michael Dunphy Butchers, The Sweep Garage, Penn Products, Kilmeaden Pharmacy, Hennessys Gala Klmeaden, Countrylife Kilmeaden, Morris’s DIY, Centra Kilmeaden, Ryanmotorpower and John O Leary.
Church News
Some dates for your diary for the coming month are that the vigil mass for St.Patricks Day will be on Friday March 16th at 7.30pm and mass on St.Patricks morning will be at 10am. Both of these masses will be in Irish.
The Penitential service with individual absolution will take place during the weekend masses on Saturday March 17th at 7.30pm and Sunday March 18th at 10am. This is a great opportunity to begin preparations for the holy season of Easter.
Community Alert
I recently attended the meeting of our local community alert group and it is very encouraging to see such large numbers attending. The meeting was opened by offering sympathies to the Harris family on the recent death of Ollie, a proud community man. Sympathy was also extended to committee member Jay Dowdall on the death of his father and to Garda Tom Daly on the death of his mother.
Addressing the meeting on the night was guest David Wade from the health, fitness and well being centre in Fiddown. He spoke about the many services available at the premises and the importance of a healthy mind as well as a healthy body.
Margaret Quinn from Muintir na Tire also addressed the group and was genuinely impressed by the large numbers who are attending our local meetings. She praised the group and urged them to keep up the good work and pledged her support to the group in any way she can help.
Superintendant John Mulligan was also in attendance and informed the group that in 2017 our area was the 2nd safest place in the county and that our text alert scheme and cooperation from the public has led to many arrests and prosecutions and so he urged people to remain vigilant and to report anything that they feel is suspicious. Garda Tom Daly also echoed those sentiments and also spoke about the importance of internet safety. He also showed the group the contents of a bag which is now carried around with the on duty guards at Kilmacthomas station, the bag contains a difibilater and trauma kit which can be used at a scene while emergency services make their way to the site. 6 of the guards at the station are fully trained to use these pieces of equipment and the other guards will also be trained.
This was a very interesting meeting and I urge you to come along to these meetings and get involved. You are asked for nothing in return just your help in keeping our area safe for all. Keep an eye out through these notes and I will let you know about the upcoming meetings.