GAA LOTTO
At the last GAA lotto draw, the numbers drawn were 1, 6, 9 and 12. There was no winner of the jackpot but the three lucky winners of €50 each were Kathleen Cheasty, Paddy Flynn and Maurice Harris. The draw will take a little break and so the next draw will be after Easter on April 24th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €5,750 on offer. While you are enjoying your Easter eggs you have extra time to think of those four lucky numbers or perhaps the Easter Bunny will have some tips for you.
EASTER COMMEMERATION
On Easter Sunday morning after 10am mass you are invited to gather with your fellow parishioners outside the church at our beautiful 1916 memorial. It will only take a short while as the proclamation is read, the tri colour is raised, and our National Anthem is played by gifted piper Tommy Kiely. This is always a lovely moment to stop and reflect and remember our ancestors and the sacrifices they made. Come along and stand in solidarity with your community and friends.
CHURCH NEWS
As I reminded you last week anniversary mass bookings are now being taken for the weekend masses during May and June. If you would like to book a mass, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or if you see me at mass give me a shout.
We are approaching Holy Week which is a busy time in the church. The following is a list of times for the various ceremonies during the week in Ballyduff. On Holy Thursday at 7.30pm we will celebrate the anniversary of the first ever mass. On Good Friday at 3pm we celebrate the ceremony of the Passion and veneration of the cross and at 7.30pm we follow the journey of Christ in the Stations of the Cross . The Easter Vigil mass at 7.30pm on Holy Saturday is a beautiful ceremony reminding us of the new light and hope of the Easter season. The Easter Sunday morning mass is at 10am.
Holy Week is also a perfect opportunity for you to hand back your Trocaire boxes. There will be a box left out on the altar for you to place your Trocaire box in.
The collection for the support of the priests of the parish is also taken up over the Easter weekend. This is a very important part of the priest’s salary and Fr. Francis and Fr. Mick appreciate your kindness and support.
UKRAINE COLLECTION
I held another collection for the Ukraine last Sunday and was overwhelmed by the reaction of people once again. The previous collection a few weeks earlier was so well supported that I certainly didn’t expect the same reaction. I can not express just how grateful I am to everyone who came along with their items and filled another trailer with food items, clothes toys etc. Your generosity is so heart-warming, and I know that the people who are receiving your generous contributions are so very grateful. As we delivered the items the people running the unit many of them Ukrainians themselves who had to leave their country and many family members and friends behind had tears in their eyes as they spoke of the love they feel from the Irish people. I thank you all sincerely for supporting the collection and I thank you for your kindness and compassion.
MUNSTER TITLE
On Saturday April 2nd in Mallow GAA Sports Complex Waterford’s
U14 ladies took on Clare and in a wonderful display came out victorious. We here in Ballyduff have been keeping a very interested eye on this team of course as our very own Fiona Crotty Laffan manages the team and what an inspiration she must be to the girls. Of course, playing on the team is Fiona’s very talented daughter Makayla who is most definitely a player who is shining bright and has been one to watch throughout the years coming up. A young lady who can kick that ball on its way with either foot, each foot delivering the same degree of strength and determination. She has always given great commitment to any team she played on and has no problem giving 100% to her training. We congratulate Makayla on her Munster title and look forward to watching her climb to the top of her game.
BALLYDUFF GAA
Our U13’s footballers were unlucky against Roanmore and the final score line of Ballyduff 0-3 to Roanmore’s 3-3 did not reflect the work rate and skill shown by the lads. Faced with much bigger opponents they held very well and really dug into the game. They were unlucky not to have scores, but every game is an opportunity to learn, and they are being very competitive in a high division. Well done to their coaches for their commitment and encouragement.
The club sends warm congratulations to Makayla Laffan who was part of the winning U14 Waterford football team in the Munster championships. This is a super achievement and the club congratulate Makayla.
Waterford’s fourth National league title has brought great excitement to the Deise and all at Ballyduff GAA congratulate all involved in the Waterford set up especially club man Calum Lyons on this well-deserved victory.
What a superb morning the intermediates had in the field at their intermediates training morning. They put in a hard training session, enjoyed a healthy breakfast followed by a tactical talk. A big thank you to all the players who bought into this and all those who contributed. A special mention of thanks must go to Tracy O Reilly who provided the healthy breakfast. What a woman!
Our U11 hurlers gave an unreal display in Ferrybank getting the league off to a great start. A big thank to all the players for their great efforts and of course to the fan club who cheered us on the whole way.
A big well done to all the boys and girls of Ballyduff NS who took part in the schools’ competition. They came away with two great wins against Scoil Barun , Tramore. There were some superb skills on show and both teams now head on into their next games. A big thank you to Mr. Stapleton and Ms. Sinnott for their hard work with these groups. Thank you and well done also to the opposition for sticking with it under serious pressure and for their wonderful sportsmanship.
FOOTBALL SUCCESS
Congratulations to Sean O Rourke who is named on the Waterford U20 Football Panel for 2022. What a great achievement for Sean who since a young age has always shown great promise on the field of play. His hard work and dedication to training is now reaping rewards and we all wish him the very best. I’m sure that his parents Gavin and Nicola and sisters Lexi, Ciara and Emma are so proud of him. This family are probably some of Waterford’s best supporters, so Sean won’t be short of a cheering squad.
RECENT DEATH
We send our deepest sympathy to Siobhan Kavanagh, Ardeenlone on the recent death of her beloved father. Mr. Sean Barry was a resident of Lismore Park and a very proud Waterford man. He enjoyed a quiet simple life. He didn’t need any bells or whistles, he just liked to watch the hurling, have a little flutter on the horses, read a good book, working in his garden or enjoyed a pint and a chat with friends. He was a fantastic family man who was at his happiest with his family around him. He loved to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit and enjoyed hearing all about their schoolwork and their different hobbies. I had the pleasure of knowing Sean and can only describe him as a gentleman. You were always welcomed when you called, and he really enjoyed chatting to you. He was blessed with a wonderful wife Kathleen and they enjoyed a lovely life together. Sean is survived by his devoted wife Kathleen, his beloved daughter Siobhan and loyal and supportive sons Tony, Eamonn and Colm, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, his sister Breda and all the extended family and many friends. Sean’s funeral mass took place in St. Pauls Church, and he was laid to rest in Ballygunner cemetery. We pray that his sweet gentle soul now rests in peace and that the Lord rewards him for his goodness here on earth.
EASTER GREETING
I would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy and peaceful Easter. I hope the Easter bunny comes hoping along with some tasty treats for you and that you enjoy some precious family time with those who are dearest to you.
Easter is a promise
God renews to us in each Spring
May the promise of Easter
Fill your heart with peace and joy
Happy Easter.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
One day you are going to hug your last hug
Kiss your last kiss and hear someone’s voice
for the last time.
But you never know when the last time will be.
Live every day as if it were the last time you will
be with the person you love.