By Peg Prendeville
Christmas has come and gone. The Church attendance in the parish of Loughill/Ballyhahill was up on previous years and it was nice to see whole families including many who were home on holidays from foreign places. Fr Austin wishes to thank you all for your generosity in the Christmas Dues collection. He is very grateful and appreciates your constant support. We are lucky to have him.
The decorations are down (hard work) and a whole new year is opening up ahead of us and please God it will be a good one for us all and even if it isn’t we must believe that we can cope with whatever life brings.
The weather at Christmas was very pleasant and made everything so easy. The wrenboys were out in force on St Stephen’s day in the Ballyhahill and Carrigkerry areas. It is a great tradition which, thankfully, lives on each year. I feel that it is not a real Christmas unless I hear the sound of the wren. It has to be said that the pub scene during this time is not what it used to be with the new drinking laws resulting in more people staying at home. It is one of those changes to which we have to get accustomed.
Following the successful shows in Ballyhahill the Abha Bhan Drama group will be staging Sive in St. John’s Theatre in Listowel on Thursday and Friday February 7/8 at 8pm. Ring 068-22566 to book your ticket. The cast of Jayne, Laura and Helen is on the Thursday night while the cast of Peg, Orlaith and Norma are on the Friday night.
The Senior Citizen’s party will be held on next Sunday the 13th January at 1.30 pm in the Parish Hall. Great credit and thanks is due to those dedicated people who organise this event every January.
Jim was doing up his rainfall figures for 2018. A total of 1369 mm fell during the year in comparison to 2017 when 1527 mm fell. Last year was the driest year since 2007 when it was 1359 mm. While we thought we had a great year, and we had, the total for the year 2018 was not that different to 2017. While October and November were drier than 2017 the month of December was wetter than 2017, so it balanced out.
NEW YEAR
At the sound of the tolling midnight bell
a brand new year will begin.
Let’s raise our hopes in a confident toast,
to the promise it ushers in.
May your battles be few, your pleasures many,
your wishes and dreams fulfilled.
May your confidence stand in the face of loss
and give you the strength to rebuild.
May peace of heart fill all your days
may serenity grace your soul.
May tranquil moments bless your life
and keep your spirit whole.
~ Author Unknown ~