Christmas Masses.

Our church always looks very beautiful but it is most certainly breathtaking decorated for the Christmas season, the glistening of the lights on the Christmas tree, the poster depicting the Nativity scene, the serenity of the crib, glorious flower and candle arrangements and counting us down into the season A A. E our beautiful Advent wreath. All these things do not just appear by chance so a huge word of thanks to all the volunteers who give their time and creativity to making sure our church looks so wonderful. A big word of thanks must go however go to our sacristan Ann Nolan who week after week tends to our church as if it was her own home. She takes care of all the daily and weekly needs and has everything in place for every ceremony. We are all very grateful to her for her devotion and dedication to the church.
Please God many of you will be able to welcome family home for Christmas and so masses have been spread out over Christmas week, to ensure that everyone is kept safe and all restrictions are followed. Any of these masses will suffice as your Christmas mass and all will have h same identical readings, prayers, music etc. The following is a list of the masses and we thank Fr. Richard and Fr. Mick for keeping everyone’s safety so important.
Monday December 20th at 10am
Tuesday December 21st at 7.30pm
Wednesday December 22nd at 7.30pm
Thursday December 23rd at 7.30pm
Friday Christmas Eve at 7.30pm
Saturday Christmas Day at 9.30 am and 10.30am
Sunday St. Stephens Day at 10am
Week day masses for the week after Christmas will be at 11am.
Fr. Richard and Fr. Mick have asked me to wish each and every one of you the peace and happiness of Christmas. They thank you for your cooperation throughout the year and ask you to continue to keep yourself and those around you safe. They will be keeping you all in their prayers and ask for you to remember them in yours.

Christmas Wedding.

The Majestic Hotel in Tramore was the venue chosen for the beautiful wedding of Sally O Brien and Michael Power. This happy couple were determined to have their special day and so despite all the obstacles put in front of them because of Covid and having to cancel their plans several times, they finally got to gather their family and friends together to watch them exchange their wedding vows. Sally is a native Ballyduff girl and is the daughter of the famous Tommy and Mary O Brien while Michael hails from the Fantastic Fenor. This lovely couple have been sweethearts since their teen years and so their wedding day was very special to them and also to their daughter Ruby who celebrated her 12th birthday the day before. I got to have a sneaky look at a few photos from the day and everyone looked so beautiful and handsome with Sally’s parents Tommy and Mary looking like Hollywood stars. We wish this happy couple all the love and happiness that life has to offer and may they and daughter Ruby have a wonderful happy life together.

Recent Engagement

Another young couple have taken that all important step towards marriage by announcing their engagement. Local man Gary Flynn from Adamstown asked that all important question to his girlfriend Yvonne Power from Tramore . This happy couple have also been sweethearts for a number of years and I know that their families are delighted to hear their great news and are looking forward to their plans for the future. We wish them all the very best and wish them a long and happy future together.

Tom Power Ardeenlone

You may remember me telling you about the death of Tom Power from Ardeenlone last week and how he and his family were a very important part of our community and parish life. I was delighted to receive some more information about Tom and I wanted to share it with you. Tom was born on December 1st 1930 to his parents Michael Joe Power and Agnes Queally. He was baptised in Ballyduff Church on the same day he was born and this began his lifelong devotion to his church and parish. He lived a happy life in Ardeenlone with his siblings Mary Jo, Cathy, Philly, Michael, William and Peter . He had a great love of the land and farmed all his life with Philly and his brothers, always loving to have good cattle. As I have mentioned before the Power family were wonderful people to attend mass and never missed a funeral. Tom and his brothers loved Gaelic games and would often speak of the great Waterford teams of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Tom also liked a pint or two in Haughtons and in Louis Dunne’s in later times. Tom was also a lovely singer and when he got his copy of the Irelands Own he would give a song or two. Tom is the last of the Power family of Ardeenlone but they will never be forgotten.
As I arrived at mass last week Fr. Mick called me into the sacristy to show me the wonderful photo, The Power family had gifted to the church. This is a photo of Fr. Tom Hearne who was a granduncle of the Powers and was priest here for many years. He was also the man who had the bell tower built in our church. This is a fantastic photo to have especially since our church will next year celebrate its 200th birthday. It will be proudly displayed for all to see.

Christmas Wishes

As this will be the final publication before Christmas I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas. I know it has been a very strange and hard year but we should bring to the forefront of our minds all the good things in our lives. We have much to be grateful for and this year has shown us all that tomorrow is not promised to any of us and that being kind and receiving kindness in return is wonderful. I count myself very lucky always to be surrounded by a fantastic family, wonderful friends and I have never made any secret of the fact that I love my community and where I live. I am always aware that I am one of the fortunate ones and that there are many who dread the arrival of Christmas because it brings back painful memories of loss,worry, stress and much more. I ask you all to do your best to be that glimmer of light in people’s lives, pick up the phone and make that call or send that text that you keep meaning to do, bake that cake and drop it around, open your heart and listen. See the beauty and wonder of the season in your children’s and grandchildren’s eyes, smile and receive smiles, love and receive love and above all give yourself a break, don’t be hard on yourself, you are allowed to smile and be happy and you are allowed to let those tears flow if you want, you won’t be the only one.
I thank all the contributors to these notes and look forward to working with you all again in 2022. Thank you all for all the lovely comments I receive and if you wish to have something put in the notes or want to pass on any ideas or if you just fancy contacting me then you can on 087-9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com
May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve

Death of Tom Power

It really was the end of an era this week when the last of the Power family of Ardeenlone passed away. Tom Power was most certainly a true gentleman who lived his life quietly and peacefully in the company of his siblings. They farmed the family farm and enjoyed keeping up with local happenings by reading the local newspapers and listening to the radio. Tom was predeceased by his siblings. I had the pleasure of visiting the Power home on occasion and I must say it was a wonderful experience. You were made so welcome and before you knew it hours would have passed. They had very interesting stories to tell and were genuinely eager to hear about what was going on in the parish. They had a fantastic faith and were great supporters of our parish church. Tom has left this world but he will never be forgotten. He is now reunited with his family and that should bring great comfort to his family and friends. We hope that he now enjoys the peace and love of Christ. Tom’s funeral mass and burial took place in St. Nicholas Church in Ballyduff. May he rest in gentle peace. We extend our deepest sympathy to all his cousins, relatives and friends.

Death of Joan Hallissey

We extend our deepest sympathy to Eithne Brennan, Adamstown and Carmel Nugent, Matthews Cross on the recent death of their mother. Joan Hallisey (nee Kiely) was born and reared in Stradbally but spent her married life in William Street, Portlaw. She is predeceased by her husband Watt. Joan spent the past few years in the care of the staff at the Mooncoin Residential Care Centre where she passed away in her 103rd year. Joan is survived by her daughters Eithne, Mary and Carmel, son David, sons-in-law Danny, Pat and Paul, daughter-in-law Eleanor, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sisters Ita, Kitty and Susan, her nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. .Joan’s funeral mass and burial took place in St. Patrick’s Church Portlaw. May she rest in peace.

Recent Wedding

St. Nicholas’s Church in Ballyduff was the setting recently for a most beautiful wedding. Local lady Danielle Keogh said I do to her Prince Charming Raymond Ryan. This lovely couple have been sweethearts for a number of years and have made a beautiful home for themselves and their family. The two most important guests on the day were of course their beautiful children Erica and Freddie. We wish this happy little family every good wish and hope that their future is full of happiness and love. We know that their families are very proud of them both and that they will always have the support of two fantastic families.

Shop Local

There has been a lot of emphasis lately about shopping local and anyone who knows me will know that I have been a huge advocate of this for many years. Our local shops and businesses have really pulled out the stops for Christmas and have a wonderful selection of gift ideas or gift vouchers. Remember these are the businesses we turn to when we need sponsorship or spot prizes. These businesses also did their very best to keep us supplied and cared for during bad weather and Covid. If you can at all visit these businesses and see what great offers they have. Shopping locally means local jobs and a vibrant thriving community.

Gala Decade

A big congratulations to Damien and Majella Hennessy and all at Gala Kilmeaden who recently celebrated ten years in Kilmeaden. Ten years ago they spotted the great potential here in Kilmeaden and set up their portacabin in the grounds of Glanbia selling petrol and diesel and now operate from their fantastic forecourt on their site. They have expanded the business greatly over the years and are now a very busy spot. Damien and Majella have always been great supporters of the community from sponsoring jerseys to helping out local charity events. They also employ many local people in their premises and also for any building or maintenance work they have. We wish them continued success and thank them for choosing Kilmeaden.

Dr. Martin Centre

The staff and management at The Dr. Martin Centre in Portlaw would like to let you know that the centre is now open from Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 2pm. Our daily activities include chair yoga, bingo, use of tablets, chair exercises, meditation, use of treadmill, quizzes, our life story books and more. You can view their weekly dinner menu from our Facebook page.

Ballyduff Camogie Club

Our recently formed camogie club held their AGM and all there agreed that it has been a very successful year. It is wonderful to see 50 girls registered with the club and the next few years look very bright. The outgoing officers did a brilliant job and were returned for the coming year. The chairperson is Tim Counihan, Vice Chairperson is Dermot Dooley, Secretary is Michelle O Donoghue and Treasurer is Mary Griffin. We wish the committee and the club the very best of luck for the coming year.

Church News

The 3rd Sunday of Advent has always been known as Gaudate Sunday. This means Rejoice and has for many years been the day when the children of Rome bring the figurines of Baby Jesus from their family cribs to St. Peter’s Square to be blessed by the Pope during the Angelus. In celebrating the tradition of Bambinelli Sunday as it is affectionately known as, we are invited to bring our figures of Jesus to our weekend masses on the weekend of December 12th where they will be blessed.
If you are making family plans for the festive season and would like to know the mass times around the season I have been given the list and can let you have a sneaky preview. Some extra masses have been added to protect everyone and cater for all.
Monday December 20th @10am
Tuesday December 21st @7.30pm
Wednesday December 22nd @7.30pm
Thursday December 23rd@ 7.30pm
Friday Christmas Eve @7.30pm
Saturday Christmas Day @ 9.30am and 10.30am
St. Stephens Day @10am
The weekday masses for the week after Christmas will be at 11am each morning.

First sign of Christmas

As a child I knew that the Sunday I entered my church and saw the Advent wreath sitting beautifully beside the altar then we were on the countdown. We only had a short time to make sure we got ourselves on to that good list. I have a little bit more of an adult view of the wreath now but it is always a reminder of how fast the days go by. The Advent wreath is a wonderful tradition and I really think it is a beautiful reminder of the season of Christmas

Soccer Success

Congratulations and a big well done to AJ Bowman from Carriganure who has been invited to the Ireland U17 assessments in FAI HQ  in Abbotstown. This is so well deserved as AJ always gives 100% not just to every game but also every training session. He has a great passion for the game and is well aware of the hard work and commitment needed to succeed. We wish AJ every success.

Recent Death

We were all shocked to hear of the very sudden death of Francis Mooney, Dunabrattin, Annestown. Francis was well known and liked by many people not only in his own community but from all the surrounding areas. He was always so pleasant and jolly and would make sure to give you that big smile and wave if he saw you when out and about. His wiîfe Marie is a much loved employee of Gala in Kilmeaden and is extremely popular with all the customers. Together with their four sons they enjoyed family life in their beautiful home.
Francis is survived yby his loving wife Marie, his adoring sons Michael, Robert, Jack and Adam, his sisters Margaret-Anne and Kate, his brother Thomas, extended family and many many friends. His funeral mass and burial took place in Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Kill. We pray that he now rests in gentle peace and that his family will soon find comfort in the wonderful memories the have.l
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AGM Time

Ballyduff Lower GAA club will hold their AGM in Ballyduff Community Centre on Friday December 3rd at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend this meeting as the club always like to welcome new members into the club. Please note that only fully paid up members are entitled to participate in any vote.

Beauty of nature

The beautiful Knockaderry Lake is very close to our hearts and definitely is somewhere to clear your mind and see the beauty of nature at it’s best. Local lady Elizabeth Barry likes to take her morning walk down to the lake but she can’t go empty handed. Mammy and Daddy Swan are waiting for her arrival with their 7 signets and a family of 22 ducks so she now needs a delivery of bread every morning. What a beautiful sight watching these magnificent creatures glide across the lake and I thank Elizabeth for allowing me to use one of her photos