‘It’s that time of year’

Can you believe it – winter time is with us this weekend and the clocks go back an hour on Saturday night/Sunday morning. With the mild weather we’ve been experiencing it’s crept up on us all so very quickly. We won’t dwell too much on thinking about the darker evenings etc – but think to the future and the few weeks we will only have until spring is with us yet again.

New babies are welcomed into the world and parish this week. Julie-Marie and Gerry Finucane of Village Living, on the Lower Road, were blessed with their new baby girl Kayleigh last week. Brandon and Dylan are very excited with their first sister. Good wishes to Mary and Denis Barrett in Templeathea – the proud grandparents.

Congrats also to Michelle and Eoin Nash, who now live in Listowel, who were blessed with their first new baby, a little boy they are naming Noah. Bridget and Bill Mulvihill in Upper Athea are the proud grandparents.

Don’t forget the Tidy Towns Church Gate Collection this weekend. We all realise the tremendous work they’ve done over the past couple of years, all voluntary. They’ve made Athea a lovely place to live in and pass through, so please give what you can – it will be put to good use in 2014.

Fergus Scanlon, on behalf of The Friends of St. Ita’s, once again wishes to thank everyone in Athea, who again gave willingly last weekend to the Church Gate Collection. A grand total of €757.44 was collected. He extends thanks to all who stood at the collection points.

Sincere Sympathy is extended to the family of Tom O’Sullivan of Carrigkerry who died so suddenly this past week. Huge numbers offered sympathy at his home on Sunday evening; his brothers Donie and Noel reside here in Athea.

Sympathy also to the family and relatives of Joan White of Coole, who was laid to rest on Tuesday in Holy Cross after Requiem Mass. May they rest in peace.

Sympathy also to Joe and Betty Aherne of Glenagore, on the death of Joe’s sister Eileen Kirke suddenly in Dublin recently. They express their thanks to all who sympathised with them and those who travelled to Dublin for the funeral (The Holy sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for all your intentions).

Athea Community First Responders (CFR’S) hold their AGM on the 4th November in the hall at 8pm. All are welcome, new members and present.

Don’t forget the AGM of Athea GAA this Friday night at 9.15 in the Clubhouse – Air your views and give your suggestions.

Congrats to the U15’s who won their County Final on Sunday last in Patrickswell against St. Mary’s/Sean Finns – Rathkeale.