By Kathleen Mullane

Thanks is extended to everyone who gave so generously to the church-gate collection last weekend for “The Friends of St. Ita’s”. The total collected was the great sum of €842.51. Thanks to all those who stood at the collection points

Congrats to Pa Sullivan of Gortnagross, Athea who celebrated his 40th birthday with a surprise party at the Top of the Town on Saturday night. A great night was enjoyed by all.

The “Fair of Athea” takes place on November 9th. This is a much looked forward to day for both young and old. The elderly “reminiscing” on days gone by and the young “bewildered” by all the animals, from hens, ducks, dogs, goats, ponies and much more and of course all the stalls selling their various bits and pieces. All that’s needed now is a nice dry day – we live in hope

Envelopes are available at the church doors for everyone to write in their list of dead relatives and friends, to be placed on the altar for November “The Month of the Holy Souls”.

Next weekend before all masses the church-gate collection will be in aid of Athea Tidy Towns. We are all well aware of the tremendous work they have done over the past few years and everyone agrees that Athea is looking so well at the moment. The collection will enable the hard-working volunteers to further enhance our village, so please give generously.

Tadhg Hanrahan (son of Timmy and Nance, Coole West, Athea) will be taking part in the Dublin Marathon on this coming weekend October 27th. Tadhg is trying to raise awareness about dwarfism, which affects his 4 year old son Michael. Tadhg wants to raise money for the Little People of Ireland. Fundraising cards should be around locally or you can donate on www.idonate.ie/Tadhg-Dublin 2019 or you can contact Tadhg at – [email protected]. Wishing Tadhg all the very best in his efforts.

Confirmation this coming year is on May 8th and 1st Communion on May 9th – a busy 2 days if you have children for both sacraments

Anyone in the parish who was in the 1972 Junior cert class or in in the 1974 Leaving Cert class in Abbeyfeale Convent is invited to their class re-union on this Saturday night at ‘The Winners Circle’ in Abbeyfeale at 9pm. Further information from Shelagh O’Connor on 083-3661779. A small fee on admission is to cover light food.

Thought for the week:-

“If we go on treating the earth like there’s no tomorrow – there will be No Tomorrow”.