November Masses
It was lovely to see such a large crowd attend the first of our special Wednesday night masses for the dead. During the month of November, we remember our deceased relatives and friends in a special way. Mass will be offered each Wednesday night at 7.30pm in November so will continue on Wednesday 16th and 23rd. The last mass on Wednesday 30th is offered especially for all those who died during the past year. A list of names is compiled from the parish book, but we also like to include your family and friends from outside the parish who died during the past year. If you would like to add a name to this list, please contact Linda Spillane or drop the details into Ann in the sacristy.
Engagement News
Congratulations to local Ballyduff man Stephen O Leary who recently popped the question to his beautiful girlfriend Donna Flynn. We wish the happy couple every best wish for their future lives together and we hope that they enjoy the excitement of all the preparations.
Birthday Girls
Three very popular young ladies in our communities celebrated their birthdays recently. Stephanie Hogan (nee Power) from Fan Glas and formerly of Ballyduff Village celebrated her 40th birthday surrounded by her lovely family and friends. We hope that Stephanie enjoyed the wonderful day she truly deserved.
Another young lady Kay Whelan from Knockaderry celebrated her 95th birthday recently. We are very proud to have Kay as the eldest parishioner in our parish of Ballyduff. We hope that Kay enjoyed her special day with family, and we wish her many more happy birthdays to come.
Tina Simpson in Ballyduff West was also celebrating her birthday this week. Turning the tender age of 60, I have no doubt that her husband Philip, daughters Lisa and Kelley and grandsons Bradley and Callum ensured that Tina had a wonderful day with lots of nice treats. We wish Tina many more happy birthdays
Ballyduff LGFA
The Ballyduff Lower LGFA Group will host their AGM on Tuesday November 15th from 8pm to 9pm in the dressing room at Tom Cheasty Park. All members are welcome to come along.
Community Alert
Our local Community Alert group will hold their next meeting on Wednesday November 16th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. If you have forgotten your €5 for the text alert scheme, then you can pay on the night. All are welcome to attend the meeting as it is important that we all stand united together to help keep our community safe. Please spread the word in your part of the community
Recent Deaths
We extend our deepest sympathies to the Walsh family on their recent loss. The whole community was very saddened to hear of the untimely death of Dick Walsh of Adamstown. Fondly known as “Horse”, Dick was a kindhearted, good humoured, hardworking character. The huge crowd who attended his removal and burial was a testament to the high esteem in which he was held. It was wonderful to hear so many colourful stories about Dick as people chatted in the graveyard after the funeral. Dick loved nothing more than telling a good yarn and listening to some of his favourite songs on John O Shea’s show on WLR. John played regular requests for Dick and his son Tom knowing that they would be listening in waiting to tap and sing along.
Dick will be sadly missed by his wife Siobhan, daughter Sarah, son Tom, granddaughter Riona, son-in-law Brian, sisters Mary and Mairead, extended family and his many friends. We pray that he is now at peace and that his gentle soul is at rest. Following many years of travelling all over the world in his lorry may his journey back to the Lord be filled with a few good yarns and many a good tune. Travel safe Dick we will never forget you.
We also extend our sympathy to the Whelan family on the recent death of Mary Whelan. Mary lived most of her life in the heart of Ballyduff Village and loved chatting and meeting with neighbours. She was a woman whose faith was of upmost importance and attended daily mass when in her full health. Family was very important to her, and she loved family gatherings. Mary’s funeral mass and burial took place in her beloved St. Nicholas Church, and we pray that she is now reunited with her husband Richard and will now enjoy the fullness of God’s love and peace.
Mary will be sadly missed by her sons Dick, Tom, Anthony and Dod, daughters-in-law Bridget, Maggie and Anne, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, her sisters Theresa and Lena. May she rest in the peace of the Lord and we hope her family will draw comfort from their memories.
Bridge News
The Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game on Monday November 7th and the results were as follows:
(1st) Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche
(2nd) Mary Kennedy and Ann Kennedy
(3rd) Mary Prendergast and John Fitzpatrick
The bridge club meet every Monday evening in Ballyduff N.S and if you would like to join in, please contact Liz Mooney on 087 2067920.
New Business
We send our warmest congratulations and good wishes to local lady Niamh Kennedy of Stonehouse who has branched out and will soon open her own hair salon in Waterford City. Niamh has been excelling in the world of hairdressing for many years, winning many awards. The salon is located in Ozanam Street and I’m sure Niamh will welcome former clients as well as new ones. It’s a very exciting time for Niamh who is also recently engaged to Eamonn Murphy and so life is certainly very exciting and busy at the moment. We wish Niamh the very best of luck in her new venture and hope that she and Eamonn enjoy all the wedding preparations.