By Peg Prendeville

The play Sive went off well in the Glorach last weekend with full houses and standing ovations. If anyone has never been on stage it is hard to explain the combination of excitement and terror that is experienced at the same time. In spite of all rehearsals one is always afraid of messing up the lines. Well, it happened to me in the Glorach. I – Mena- was in the middle of a long speech to Sive and I knew all my lines but all of a sudden the mind went completely blank and I was left speechless, literally. It took some seconds to make sense out of the prompts but I did and carried on but it was a frightening moment. Probably was for the audience too! Anyhow the whole cast enjoyed the weekend and is already wondering what the next challenge will be. Watch this space. I look forward to the Athea play and wish them luck.

On a different topic altogether I, and all the country, was very upset to hear of the three little children who died last weekend. Understandably we pray for the little souls to rest in peace and we feel sorry for the grieving father. But, I have yet to hear of anyone suggesting a prayer for the mother. In my opinion she is in most need of our prayers as she cannot be at peace with herself. If she was thinking rightly and feeling happy there is no way she would do what she did. So I assume she was and is suffering from a severe depression. She may have thought she was doing the children a favour by taking them out of this troubled world, where all kinds of dangers are lurking.  I don’t know. I have no inside information but I feel for her and pray she will be able to bear the burden of knowing that what she did was very wrong. Mental illness is horrible as it cannot be seen and can be difficult to treat but it does not make the woman a monster or bad person – just a person with a horrible disease. I pray she will find peace and, of course, her husband also. I feel sure that the children are happy in God’s presence as are all our departed ones.

Blessing of the Candles will take place next weekend in Loughill/Ballyhahill along with Blessing of the Throats after each Mass.

Aqua-aerobics recommences in Askeaton on Monday 27th at 2.15 pm. All welcome.

Gerald Griffins Ladies Football Club will hold their AGM on Friday 31st in the GAA club house, Ballyhahill @8pm.

The Ballyhahill NS Parents Association would like to thank all those who bought lines in our Christmas Raffle in December. Congratulations to the Winners:
Pat Messey, Martin Mcsweeney , Noelle Leahy , Brigid Hayes, Sarah Walsh, Katie Taylor and Rita O Connell.

Also there are still some Parish Calenders for sale if anyone is looking for one. They are €10.