By Kathleen Mullane

First of all  on behalf of Athea Vincent De Paul conference can we thank most sincerely all those who gave so very generously to our annual pre Christmas collection on Saturday last. It was a collection with a difference in that this year, due to Covid, it could not be held at the church door. Instead we held it outside Paul Collins’ shop with his kind permission for which he is thanked sincerely. Everyone was so willing to give from the youth with their little bits of change to the adults whose generosity knew no bounds. The money raised will be put to extremely good use this Christmas and beyond. Donations are still coming in to the members and we want you to remember the conference is always there to help families and individuals in need, with all help being given in confidence and discreetly. Again well done to ATHEA.

Sincere sympathy to Birdie Collins of Knocknagorna on the recent death of her brother Cyril Collins in Ballina, a recipient of no less than 3 Scott Medals for his great work with An Garda Síochána. May he rest in peace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with fellow correspondent Peg Prendiville and her family and her husband Jim who is ill in hospital at the moment.

We welcome back Fr. Duggan to Athea and it’s great to have our church open again with our usual masses with Covid restrictions.

Hopefully Limerick  hurlers will do us proud this weekend in the All Ireland Final, so get out your flags and all things GREEN and get into the atmosphere and excitement despite not being able to go. It’s great to have these matches at this time of the year it helps us all to forget about the long winter days and Covid for a while anyway. COME ON LIMERICK.

Well done also to MAYO who are also on the way to another ALL IRELAND  and the Athea Mayo supporters are delighted. all both teams need now is THE CUP.

Don’t forget when writing your Christmas cards to maybe include someone living alone or someone in a nursing home  I’m sure they would really appreciate it.