“A Huge Thank You”

 A huge thank you is extended to one and all on behalf of the Hall Fund-Raising Committee for your help in reducing the Hall debt in just 9 months from €57,000 to the €6,900 it now stands at. Little did we think back in March when the finance committee got together that in these recessionary times that the whole community and beyond would get behind the fund-raising. You brought us pots, pans, old machinery, galvanised along with so much more for our SCRAP FUNDRAISER which raised €20,000. Then ‘90’ of you climbed up Mangerton Mountain with us and that raised €5,000. John Joe’s Céilí gave us €880. Mary Kelly, Helen O’Connor and their helpers added another €860 during the bike race selling teas, coffees etc along with the bucket collection during the Races making €1,275. And to “top it all “Jessica and Damien Ahern along with Teresa O’Halloran and Hannah Mai Collins and their crew held “Walking on Sunshine” for 5 nights to packed audiences in the hall and on Saturday night last the cheque of €9,114.50 was presented by them to the Hall Committee and at the showing of the DVD of the concert in the hall.  What can one say about the Athea Community after all that- only that everyone who supported the fund-raising both inside and outside the parish we thank you sincerely. We also thank those who gave great spot-prizes for the raffle at the concert and Connie at The Gables for the use of his chairs.  

And to thank everyone who supported our Fund-raising this year a FREE CHRISTMAS DRAW is being held for you all.  There are cards in Griffin’s, Collins’ and Rose’s, so sign a line and who knows you could be the lucky winner of a weekend break for 2 people, including 2 nights B and B in any Bewley’s Hotel in Dublin, Leeds or Manchester Airport kindly donated by Tommy Moran . There are also 2 Hampers for 2^nd and 3^rd prize and tins of Chocolates and Biscuits for the 4^th – 10^th Prizes.

For anyone wishing to buy the DVD of the Concert it will be on sale locally very soon or you can book a copy with John on 087-7620855.

Another very ‘Special Day’ in our parish is this Sunday December 11^th when Fr Gerry Roche’s 2^nd Anniversary Mass takes place at 2pm in the Church, with the unveiling of the Memorial afterwards in the Church Grounds and all are welcome to the Hall afterwards for refreshments and music. It will be both a sad day remembering his untimely death, but a joyous day that he was so lovingly remembered by you all through your generous donations to his memorial. 

We congratulate Sandra and Richard Fitzgerald of Upper Athea who were blessed with their first baby recently who they are naming Cathal James. Congratulations also to the proud grandparents.

Well done to Mary and Denny Mulvihill and the counsellors from Aislinn who gave us an insight into the great work.