By Kathleen Mullane

‘Best of Luck’

Well what a lovely Mass and ceremony took place here in our church on Saturday evening last where the present 6th class in Athea N.S. took part in a thanksgiving Mass for the time they had spent with their friends and teachers over the past 8-9 years and now they are ready to take the next step “up the ladder of life” and move on to secondary school. All were dressed in their uniforms and all had a part to play in the Mass, from readings to reflections to bringing up the various gifts. The younger children from the school sang in the choir and they were brilliant, helped along by Margaret Carroll on guitar and teachers. Mrs. Watters, principle, thanked everyone for their participation and wished all the best to the 6th class pupils. Graduation Certs were presented to all of them by Canon Kelly and Fr. Bowen. The very best of luck to all the girls and boys as they set out on another stage in their lives and well done to all the teachers who have brought them this far.

Well the Athea Tidy Towns committee have been very busy this past week in and around the village. The hanging baskets have been put up on all the houses and shops and over the bridge. Flowers have been planted on the bridge and in various locations throughout the village. I’m sure if as many as possible lent a hand with the ongoing weeding and watering of the flowers it would be a great help. An amount of work goes into keeping the village in “pristine condition” – it would be great also if mindless people would refrain from throwing out cans and bottles and rubbish on the roads! Hopefully the marks will go up again this year during adjudication time.

Well its been a very busy week on the roads with, at last, a nice dry spell. Silage outfits can be heard in operation from “dawn to dusk” and the turf is being able to be looked after following many weeks of very wet weather. Hopefully it will continue for many more weeks to come.

I don’t know if any one of you were watching the Christina Noble story last week – she has done untold work over the years with the poor in many countries. It was heart-wrenching so see her hugging and singing to the kids in the orphanages and in Mongo

lia, giving warm jackets to small children who were living underground in sewers in minus 40°. We don’t realize how well off we are!