Bridge News.
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club played their latest game on Monday September 24th and the results were as follows:
1st: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald.
2nd: Breda Murphy and John Fitzpatrick.
3rd: Bridget Ahearne and Deirdre Phelan.
4th: Kate Hayes and Sean Hennessy.
GAA Lotto.
The numbers draw in the latest lotto draw were 6, 8, 9 and 26 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were James Cuddihy, Margaret Prangnell and Martin Murray. The next draw will take place on Sunday October 7th and will have a jackpot of €11,900. Tickets cost just €2 or 3 for €5 and are available from all committee members and will also be on sale at Centra on Saturday October 6th. Choose those four numbers carefully and you could be winning that fantastic jackpot.
Family Tree Research.
Fr. O Byrne often receives emails from people looking to research into their family history from many years back. More recent baptism and marriage records are available through the parish but for older records you need to contact Waterford Heritage Services at Jenkins Lane, Waterford. The staff there will research your family tree for a small fee. The contact number for the office is 051 876123.
Autumn Stations.
It is that time of year already when the annual Autumn stations begin. On Thursday October 11th the mass for Carrickphilip, Knockaderry, Carriganure, Ballygarron, Lisahane, Ardeenlone and Shanbally will take place in the church at 7.30pm.
The mass for Amberhill, Raheen, Powersknock, Blacknock, Carrigadustra and Fan Glas will be in the church on Friday October 12th at 7.30pm.
On Tuesday October 16th at 7.30pm the mass for Ballyduff Hill, Ballyduff Village, Ballyduff West, Ross Kildermody, Kilmagemogue, Newtown, Cullinagh and Gotaclode will be held in the church.
Friday October 19th it is the turn of Matthews Cross, Ballyduff East and Adamstown in the home of Brian and Linda Spillane at 8pm.
On Tuesday October 23rd at 8pm the mass for Stonehouse, Whelansbridge and Lacka Road will take place in the home of Margaret and Seamus Nolan.
This is a full list of the station masses so you can check the date of your mass but don’t worry I will be reminding you each week so keep an eye out.
Autumn Wedding
I was honoured to have been invited along to the recent wedding of local lady Stephaine Power and her Westmeath fiance Ronan Hogan. Following a couple of miserable days the sun shone on a beautiful Autumnal Friday as this lovely couple got ready to recite their vows before friends and family. Many years ago Stephaine joined the church choir that I was running at the time as a shy, soft spoken little girl with the voice of an angel and after some time she treated me and many of you to some beautiful performances in masses and many talent competitions. This is why I felt such great pride as I watched this shy little girl walk up the aisle on the arm of her very proud father as the confident, beautiful young lady she has become.
The guests at the wedding are still talking about the wedding ceremony which is one I will not forget for a long time. It was full of joy, happiness and hope with music from the Ballyduff Church choir and the St.Pauls Gospel choir and solos from Eamonn O Leary, Sandra O Keeffe and there were some teary eyes(especially mine) when chief bridesmaid Caroline delivered a beautiful rendition of “Broken Road” especially for her sister and new brother in law. The happy couple captured the memories of their special day with some fantastic photos at the Waterford Suir Valley Railway. It was then on to The Woodlands for a gorgeous meal and then dancing to the sounds of Broadstreet followed by our very own DJ supreme the great John O Shea.
It was an absolutely brilliant day from start to finish and one I won’t forget for a long time. I genuinely wish Stephaine and Ronan the very best that life has to offer and hope that they enjoy sunshine and happiness throughout their married life.
Church News.
A reminder that adoration of the blessed sacrament continues in the church every Tuesday from 12 noon to 5pm and you are welcome to call in for a few minutes during any part of the day.
A date to mark in your diary is May 11th 2019 which will be First Holy Communion Day here in our parish.
We do not have Confirmation in this side of the parish this year but Confirmation Day in Portlaw will be on Thursday May 30th