By Kathleen Mullane

‘A Great Day’ 

Well Saturday last started out dull and misty for the “Fair of Athea” with some showers early in the morning. However, as the day went on the rain stayed away and it turned out to be quite a favourable day. The approaching roads to the village were busy from early morning, from cars, jeeps, horseboxes, trailers and of course animals!

The car boot sale at the hall had lots of bits and pieces and it was great that the girls and ladies had a nice dry venue to display their goods.

Going up through the street there were stalls of all descriptions, and the various smells “wafted through the air”- from curry-chips to coffee and of course the various animal smells! But it was a wonderful atmosphere and attracted many outsiders as well as locals. The ladies football club had their usual fundraising draw on the day and they thank all who bought tickets as well as the sponsors of the prizes. The lucky winners were:

1st. McAuliffe brothers, The Pound, Templeglantine (load of timber sponsored by  Top of the Town. 2nd.Sean Mullane – 30 bags of turf sponsored by Tom Grady. 3rd. Micheál Brosnan won the coal sponsored by Paul Collins. 4th. Billy Vaughan won the kindling sponsored by Seán Batt. 5th. Ned Gould won the box of wine sponsored by Liz Nash.

Again a great day for Athea – with everything clean and tidy at day’s end.

Thanks is extended by the Going Strong group to all who contributed to their Church gate collection at the weekend. The money raised will go towards the forthcoming Christmas Party on December 9th and other events which will be much looked forward to.

Don’t forget tickets are on sale locally for the fundraising dance for little Ella Aherne of Garrygloss. The dance takes place on Saturday 21st at Top of the Town with Joe O’Keeffe providing the music. It was heart-warming to see Ella join those on Saturday night last who are preparing for their 1st Communion in 2016. No doubt she is wished well on her road to recovery. Your support on the night would be welcome and even if you can’t go – buy a ticket, Ella Therese and Mike deserve all the help they get.

Next Sunday at 12 mid-day it will be the turn of Holy Cross with the prayers for the Holy Souls being recited there after 11am Mass. All welcome.

There is an open invitation to three nights at the Devon Inn, which will help all to prepare for next April’s Synod – which will be a “huge event”. The times are from 7.30-9.30pm each night November 16th, 23rd & 30th respectively. The speakers will be Brenda O’Keeffe, Donal & Eamon Fitzgibbon & Lorraine Buckley. It is hoped that our parish will be well represented.

Topics of conversation are–

• Nov. 16th – People of Limerick.
• Nov. 23rd. – People of God – meaning of Baptism
• Nov. 30th.-The Church as People of God.