Back To School.
I know all the boys and girls in our area are delighted that it is almost time to return to school after the Summer holidays. Many of the Secondary school students are returning this week and we wish them all the very best of luck especially those starting secondary school for the first time.
The children from Ballyduff NS will return on Monday September 2nd and we wish them all a wonderful happy year. We welcome all the new families to our school and hope that their experience is a pleasant one.
We were all told as we grew up that our schooldays were the best days of our lives and of course it sounded ridiculous at that young age but as we became adults we knew the real truth in it.
Our Sympathy.
We send our deepest sympathy to the Doyle family on the death of Don Doyle during the week. Don lived a quiet and private life in the family home at Blacknock. He and his beloved wife Bridget reared their children there and welcomed grandchildren in later years. Blacknock is of course a place of friendliness and good neighbours and a lovely place to live and I am sure Don and Bridget knew they had chosen the perfect family home. We hope that Don now rests in gentle peace and that his family will find comfort in their memories of him.
GAA News.
A big well done to the U11 footballers who recorded a great defeat over John Mitchells in a 3-7 to 3-5 in a rip roaring close encounter. While missing a good few regulars the team dug deep and came out on top. This group are admired for their never say die attitude.
A huge well done and congratulations to clubman Jack O Donnell who was part of the Waterford U15 football team who defeated Westmeath 2-10 to 2-8 to win the Dermot Early shield. This is a wonderful achievement for Jack and I have no doubt that his family are immensely proud of him as are his club and parish.
Congratulations to the Ballyduff GAA and LGFA players who represented their club and county so well in the All Ireland Community Games in UL. This talented bunch of ladies reached the All Ireland semi final and returned home with bronze medals in camogie. Their determination is an inspiration to us all.
Visiting The Sick
As you are well aware we have a custom here in our parish of visiting the sick people of the parish with Holy Communion after mass each Sunday. Volunteer Ministers bring the Eucharist to the person in their home and I know they are extremely grateful for this. If you or someone you know are sick at home and unable to attend mass but would like to receive the Eucharist then please contact Fr. Mick or Ann in the sacristy and they will make sure you are on the list.
The sick of our parish are very dear to both priests and they like to make sure that they visit them whether they are sick at home or in hospital. While they regularly call to the sick and elderly there are times when people from the parish are ill and the priest would not know. Due to all the new data protection laws etc it is not as easy for them to find out who is in hospital from their parish and so are reliant on family or friends of the person letting them know. If at any stage someone from the parish is sick in hospital or at home and would like a visit from the priest, Fr. Mick asks that you might let myself Linda Spillane 087-9838392 know and I can pass on the details to him.
New Beginings
Although we think of the start of a New Year as a time for new beginnings, I think that the month of September can bring great changes to peoples lives. Parents watch as children head back to school or begin primary or secondary school for the first time. Children head off to school hoping that they will fit in and find their place. Young adults head off in all directions to colleges and universities, leaving behind the security of home. Many begin new jobs, apprenticeships, courses hoping that they have chosen wisely. Your next step should always be the one you choose yourself not because its what you think others want or expect from you.Our lives on this earth are short enough so we must spend them doing what we are passionate about, what interests us most. Everyday we get up is a new beginning, a chance to learn something new, make a new friend, explore something new. September is a month of “firsts”, first day of playschool, first day of primary school, first day of secondary school, first day of college, first day of new adventures or just simply a first day!
Every Day is a new beginning. Treat it that way
Stay away from what might have been and look at what can be.
Notes Contact
Many activities and organiasations start up their activities and meetings again in the next few weeks. If you would like to let people about your group or meetings or events you are holding then please drop me a line at spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or call or text on 087-9838392 or if you see me out and about come over for a chat. A big thank you to all my regular contributors and I look forward to meeting many new ones in the coming months