By Kathleen Mullane

Sincere sympathy is extended to Sean Fitzgerald, Clash Athea and his sisters and brothers on the death in New York of their sister Norah, formerly of Keale, Athea who was predeceased by her parents Jack and Nellie. Norah  will be cremated this week in NY and her ashes will be brought home to Athea at a later date to Holy Cross graveyard. May she rest in peace.

An Post has given an invitation to everyone to write to someone they may know in a nursing home, to cheer them up in these difficult times  of no visitors. Postage is free just write FREEPOST on top of your letter. I’m sure there would be many smiling  happy faces when the envelope  is opened  a lovely gesture by An Post.

We are all urged to Buy Irish this Christmas and to help the many Irish businesses  that are struggling during the Covid. With many using the walking track at the GAA pitch these dark nights and during the day for safety etc and with lights on at evening time, you are asked to support the club by going on to the O’Neills website if you are buying sports gear. Athea section and the GAA will get a small donation for merchandise purchased for which they would be very grateful.

Well Halloween is gone for another year and was a very different occasion this time around. However many families decorated  their homes and many enjoyed their own family fun games with clues for hidden treats which brought a new dimension of family  fun to Halloween.

The weather over the past few days has been so wet and windy, however frost and cold weather is on the way, so at least everyone will be able to get out walking.

On Saturday night the special mass for all those who have died in the parish over the past year will be  celebrated at 7.30 here in Athea. The names are beautifully  written on a scroll in the church at present  the church being open daily from around 9.30 to 1 pm for private prayer. We are all urged to pay a visit to the graveyards during the  month of  November and to pray for our loved ones and equally important to  maybe  visit a grave that maybe has no family to visit or think of them. Envelopes for the mission collection, the Holy souls and the weekly church offering can be given in to the box a the church doors daily.