By Kathleen Mullane

Well, we are into December yet again and it only seems like yesterday that the trees and decorations were put away. How time flies especially as one gets on in years! However “age is only a number” and no need to dwell on it too long.

Athea & District Credit Union will hold their A.G.M. in their office on Sunday, December 15th after mass at 11.30am. All members are invited to come along and air their views, ask any questions etc and we all must be so grateful to have such a dedicated team who are so helpful.

Sincere congrats and good wishes are extended to Raymond Barrett and Siobhán Hanafin of Templeathea, on the birth of their first baby, a little girl they are calling Aoibheann. Best wishes also to Mary and Denis Barrett of Templeathea, the proud grandparents.

Athea St. Vincent de Paul conference wish to thank sincerely all of you who so generously gave to our church-gate collection last weekend. It was very much appreciated and the money donated by all of you will help those in need over Christmas and throughout the year.

The death took place week, after being ill for some time, of Kit Flynn of Templeathea. A large crowd came to pay their final respects at her home in Templeathea on Friday evening last. Requiem Mass on Saturday was followed by burial to Holy Cross cemetery. Kit travelled on the Limerick Lourdes pilgrimage last June and was very glad to have been well enough to make the trip along with her husband Jack – to whom sincere sympathy is offered along with her sons Mike and  Jimmy and  daughters Catherine, Nora and Liz. ‘May the light of heaven be hers’

Next weekend, before all masses, a collection will be taken up for retired priests of the Limerick area. Bishop Brendan Leahy asks for your support.

The annual Going Strong Christmas Party on this Wednesday, no doubt will be a huge success as always with great food, great music, spot prizes galore, song, dance, meeting up with parishioners and friends and a whole lot more. Here’s to a great day!

Mike Hayes and Pat Higgins, at the masses over the weekend, gave an “insight” into the forthcoming programme of formation for ‘Lay Pastoral Ministry and Leadership’. With the huge shortage of priests – lay people are going to have to come on board to help with funerals, weddings and baptisms and Church matters in general. The training is on a Friday evening and Saturday once a month for 8 months, with study to follow a cert from Mary I. to all qualifiers. Contact Fr. Brendan if you are interested.