THANK YOU MESSAGE
On one of my most recent visits to Fr. Mick, he asked me if I would write a message for him so that he could thank people through the notes. He has been in hospital for the past three months and while life has changed a lot for him, he is very grateful for all the good wishes and prayers he has received. He enjoys people visiting and keeping in touch with all the news from the parish. Fr. Mick has been serving our parish for 29 and a half years and we miss him desperately. He asks that we continue our prayers for him, and he ensures me that he will be praying for all of us.
RECENT DEATH
We were all saddened to hear of the recent death of Michael Connolly of Cullinagh. Michael was of course one of the founder members of our local soccer club. Michael had a vast knowledge of the club and the previous clubs that were in the area like Kilmeaden Utd and Dawn Rovers. When the new club was being formed in 1970, Michael and his brother Maurice were great players but also provided the first playing field which was called Connolly Park. I have heard some great stories of games played on that pitch. Michael always kept a keen interest in the club and his vision all those years ago has made it the great success it is today.
Michael will be sadly missed by his wife Ann, daughters Eve and Mary Sue, his son John, grandchildren, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. Michael’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas’ Church, Ballyduff followed by private cremation.
BRIDGE NEWS
The Ballyduff/ Portlaw bridge club played their latest game on Monday March 27th and the results were as follows:
1st: Anne Kennedy and Elizabeth Mooney.
2nd: Ann and William Tobin
3rd Ann-Marie Brown and John Fitzpatrick
The game on Monday April 3rd will be the Open Draw Easter Fare so I look forward to receiving the details of that.
The club would like to take this opportunity to send warm Easter wishes to all their members, past and present.
During their game on Monday March 20th, the club held a special bridge night in aid of Daffodil Day. The group presented a very generous cheque to Elma Walsh who was representing the Waterford Cancer Society and the club would like to thank all the visitors who came and supported this very worthy cause.
DAFFODIL DAY
For many years now Aileen Stephenson has organised a local group of volunteers to collect at Centra in Kilmeaden on Daffodil Day and what a wonderful job she did. She has now passed the reigns onto Elizabeth Mooney, and we know that she will continue this wonderful work. Speaking to Elizabeth she told me that she had been overwhelmed at peoples kindness and generosity. She asked me to print a thank you from her and I do so with great pleasure: ” I would like to thank Donal and Ailish Hickson, Fiona, Anne and all the staff at Centra in Kilmeaden for facilitating our volunteers on Daffodil Day. We are not alone made to feel welcome, but Fiona and her staff went above and beyond to help us with this worthy cause.
I would like to thank the wonderful team of volunteers who were so generous with their time and support. I would like to thank Deirdre, Ali and all at Jelly Tots in Ballyduff, Marie Reade and all at Whistlestop Café and Damien and all at Gala. I wish to thank Linda Spillane for all her guidance and publicity, Elma Walsh for her continued support and advice and Des Daunt for his outstanding, tireless work with the Waterford Cancer Society.
A very special thank you to all who supported so generously on the day and made the day such a success”
On your behalf I would like to say a big thank you to Elizabeth Mooney for being the kind hearted, community spirited lady that she is and for having everything organised so well.
EASTER COMMEMORATION
Following the 10am mass in Ballyduff on Easter morning , you are all invited to gather with your community outside the church at the commemoration plaque. The proclamation will be read, our tricolour will be raised and the National Anthem will be sung. All are invited to join together and celebrate our heritage.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
To be kind, is more important than to be right.
Many times what people need is not a brilliant mind
that speaks, but a special heart that listens.