Booking of Masses
If would like to book a weekend anniversary mass for a loved one for the months of April, May or June then bookings will take place after the weekend masses on Saturday March 24th and Sunday March 25th. If you have a months mind or First anniversary mass during these months please contact Linda Spillane on 087-9838392 before the bookings so that you can get your prefered date.
Coffee Morning.
On Wednesday March 21st The Sweep will host a coffee morning in aid of Down Syndrome Waterford with all proceeds going to the local branch. Come along between 9.30am and 12 noon and enjoy a nice cuppa and a treat while enjoying a friendly chat with old friends and new. There will be a raffle also with some lovely prizes so your luck might be in.
GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the last lotto draw were 6, 20, 22 and 28. There was no jackpot winner but the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Paula Gahan, Connie and Gillian and Kathleen Power. The next draw will take place on March 25th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €9,800. Tickets cost just €2 or 3 for €5 and are available from committee members and will be on sale outside Centra on Saturday March 24th.
Reconciliation.
Congratulations to all the boys and girls who celebrated their Sacrament of Penance last week. Miss Sprice, Mr.Hutchinson and Miss Clancy were very proud of their students as I’m sure their parents were. They are concentrating now on their preparations for their First Holy Communion Day on May 12th so we wish them well.
GAA News
Well done to all the U9 hurlers who recently travelled to an indoor blitz in Ballygunner. They played some great games and showed great character in experiencing all the emotions that come with winning, loosing and drawing. There were some great performances and it is wonderful to see these guys enjoying the thrill of hurling so much. With plenty more games to come there is lots to look forward to and a big thank you to all the parents who give such support to the team.
The club are organising a fund raising night to raise funds to construct a ball wall at the hurling field. The club present The 2 Johnnies followed by a disco on April 13th in The Woodlands Hotel. This is an Over 16’s event but U18’s must be accompanied by an adult. This promises to be a great night out. Tickets are available from any committee member or from The Woodlands or by phoning 087-2486423.
1916 Commemoration.
On Easter Sunday after 10am mass there will be a special commemoration at our 1916 plaque outside the church. This will include the reading of the proclamation, the singing of our National Anthem and the raising of the flag. All are invited to come along and take part in this event.
Choral Concert
On Friday March 23rd at 8pm in Ballyduff church we shall welcome the Lions Township high school choir from Western Springs, Illnois, America who will be on a tour of Ireland and will be stopping off in Waterford for a few days. This splendid mixed youth choir will perform at a concert in our church and have invited our own local choir to join them. There will be no admission fee on the night but during the interval a collection will be taken up for the restoration fund for our community centre. This promises to be a great night of song followed by some refreshments in the community centre. Please come along and relax and enjoy the sounds of his choral concert.
Coffee Morning.
We are being spoiled this week with coffee mornings and lovely treats. Local lady Sharon Flynn will host a coffee morning on Friday March 23rd in Ballyduff Community Centre from 9.30am to 12 noon. All money raised on the day will go to Temple Street Hospital so come along to support this worthy charity while enjoying a nice morning of relaxation and friendly chat.
First Friday Visits.
Fr. Mick has asked me to let his First Friday clients know that he will visit them on Holy Thursday between 2pm and 3pm. If this is not convienient for you or you will not be home at that time could you please let me Linda Spillane know on 087-9838392 and I will pass on the message to him.
Church News.
Fr. Mick would like parents to know that if your child has not yet made their communion but comes forward at communion time at mass for a blessing they can indeed receive this blessing from the lay Minister of the Eucharist on that day also. There has been some confusion about this so he would like to make known his view on the issue.
This weekend sees the celebration of Palm Sunday with the reading of the Passion of the Lord and the blessings of Palm. There will be plenty pieces of palm available in the three church porches and this will be blessed during the mass.
We are of course approaching the most important time in the church’s calendar with the celebrations and ceremonies of Holy Week leading up to the joyous celebration of Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. I will carry a full timetable of ceremonies next week in this column so make sure you tune in.
Just a quick little reminder that Holy Thursday will be the day for handing back your Trocaire box so perhaps we will all put in an extra effort for the coming weeks.
Your Notes.
If you would like me to include an item in these notes for you please contact me Linda Spillane on 087-9838392 or drop me an email on spillanelinda2017@gmail.com