by Kathleen Mullane

WHAT AN AMAZING COMMUNITY.

Well Easter is over for yet another year and we will be getting used to the longer brighter night now. The only thing is the night passes so quickly and its 10 0 clock before one realises it.

Anyway, to touch on the Easter weekend which began on Thursday with the ceremony of The Washing Of The Feet here in our church , well done to all those who took part. Good Friday firstly saw the Annual Clean Up in and around our parish with men women and children out with their gloves and pickers filling their bags with rubbish which of course had been thrown out by uncaring individuals. Hopefully people will think before they toss their rubbish out of their cars etc please do.

At 3.00 on Good Friday people gathered at the church for the Outdoor Stations which thankfully went ahead as it was a lovely day. The scene was set for the Carrying of the Cross with the soldiers dressed in their Roman gear which really added to the atmosphere. A large crowd took their turns at each station to carry the cross at different locations throughout the village up to the final destination at Holy Cross, It really was a lovely occasion which attracted people from different parishes .Yet again Bridie Murphy photographer extraordinaire has some fabulous photos up on Facebook of the enactment and Athea Tidy Towns also.

Vigil Mass on Easter Saturday was well attended as was the 6am Dawn Mass at Holy Cross on Easter Sunday along with the 11 am Mass. Just to say so well done to each and every person who helped out in any way with the whole Easter Celebrations. Athea can be SUPER PROUD of all the good people we have organising each and every aspect of different occasions in our village .

Sincere Congrats to Ita and Tommy Greaney Templeathea on becoming grandparents again, their daughter Andrea and husband Jeremiah Healy having been blessed with their new baby boy they are naming Daithi,a little brother for excited Finn and Odhran.

Sympathy is extended to the Shanahan family of Lower Athea on the passing of Richie, their beloved Dad and husband of Mary for many years. Many paid their last respects at Finucane’s Funeral Home on Sunday evening. Burial followed Requiem Mass on Monday concelebrated by Fr Frank Duohig, Canon Tony Mullins and Fr Mulvihill. May the light of Heaven be his.

Reflection Readings continue in Athea Library each Wednesday night from 7.30-8.30 with this week April 3rd focusing on The Book Of Prophets and Wisdom led by Pat Higgins and Sean O Mochain with a cuppa and chat after. More info if you need from Pat—087-2034626 or

Sean-085-2321375.All Welcome.

A huge crowd attended the yearly Open AA Good Friday Meeting at the hall also over the Easter with speakers from the Ardfert group chairing the meeting which gave all present an insight into the trials and tribulations of those dealing with addiction and coming out at the right side of it thankfully.

Thanks was extended to the ladies who treated everyone to tea, sandwiches and all sorts of cakes after and to Patie O Sullivan who for 40 years has supplied the bread for the sandwiches for the meeting ,well done to all involved.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Every Day do something that will inch you closer to a better TOMMORROW.