BallymoreMayglass
SCOUTS
Beavers and Cubs have been very busy in the leadup to Easter by making Cards which were delivered to Knockeen, Kerlogue and Wygram Nursing Homes for the Residents. Following HSE guidelines the Homemade Easter cards were delivered to designated drop off points outside gates, then quarantined prior to delivery to the Nursing Homes. It was Beaver and Cub Scouts way of contributing to boosting the morale and putting a smile on the faces of older people who cannot receive family and friends visitors during the Coronavirus crisis.
Scout Leaders in different parts of the parish and surrounding areas have volunteered to be part of Community Support Scheme organised by Wexford Co Co. If anyone needs medicines, fuel or groceries collectedfelivered you can call the Helpline at 053 9196000 or 087 6858480 for assistance. Wishing all youth members, leaders and parents a very happy Easter.
TOMHAGGARD SOCIAL CENTRE
The Social Centre remains closed at the moment. We hope everyone is keeping busy, looking out for family, neighbours and friends. Please continue to follow HSE guidelines by social distancing, staying at home, and keeping within 2km for exercising. We are making a difference and Bending the Curve. Together we will prevail. Happy Easter and Stay Safe.
ALONE SUPPORT LINE
The charity Alone in collaboration with the Dept of health and HSE have launched a covid 19 support line for older people that may feel vulnerable at this time. Please contact Alone at 081 8222024 if you have concerns. Further information can be found on alone.ie.
SUPPORT RESPONSE
As a support response St Fintan’s GAA Club have established a mechanism for community assistance for anyone who is self isolating or confined to their homes due to the covid 19 crisis.
We can assist in collecting fuel, food shopping, collecting of orders and collecting of prescriptions. In line with the NPHE team guidelines our volunteers will maintain the recommended social distance in all communications.
Our initial point of contacts should you require any assistance are: Robert O’Callaghan 086 0556257, Shane Sinnott 086 8139925, Eoin Cummins 087 3118847, Nicky Sinnott 087 2918020, Edward Goggin 087 2297337 and Shane Sinnott 085 7287257.
We have a list of volunteers who will assist our coordinators in helping out where requested. Our offer of assistance is open to everyone in the wider community and we ask anyone in need to please engage with us.
LOCAL NOTES
If you require coverage of any important event within the parish of Ballymore-Mayglass ie: church services, club or families important occasions and events within the national school please contact Paddy McGuire by phone or text 087 9680419 or email conzarcat@hotmail.com on or before 7 p.m. on Thursday prior to the publication. There is no charge to include your item in the local notes and good news is more than welcome in these challenging times.
PARISH CHURCH NOTICE
Due to the Covid virus restrictions, there will be no weekend or weekday Masses in the parish till further notice. However, the churches will be open during the day for anyone who wishes to spend some time in prayer. RTÉ News Now broadcasts Mass each day at 10.30 a.m. We encourage people of the parish to check on their neighbour and friends and together we will come through this crisis. We hope that everyone keeps well and does their part to ensure we all come safely through this.
LOTTO
The club lotto draw has been postponed till further notice. Many thanks for your continued support and pleas mind yourselves and all your family over this worrying time and follow all government directives.
ST FINTAN’S
Under instruction received from Croke park all GAA grounds are now closed for member and public use. We encourage all members, supporters and the wider community to follow all the advice that is been communicated by government.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
The Wexford County Council community response forum helpline 053 9196000 is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seven days a week. If you are in need of assistance in any way contact the helpline number and you will be put in touch with someone in your area that has signed up to help out during the pandemic. clonardparishoffice@gmail.com.
We realise that times are very difficult for everyone, but the Mission of the parish continues and your material support in making that happen is greatly appreciated. Prayers that can be said at home when unable to attend Mass.
Lockdown: Yes, there is fear. Yes, there is isolation. Yes, there is panic buying. Yes, there is sickness. Yes, there is even death. But they say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise you can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes but blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood so that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary. All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting. All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way. All over the world people are waking up to a new reality to how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love.
So, we pray, and we remember that Yes there is fear but there does not have to be hate. Yes, there is isolation but there does not have to be loneliness. Yes, there is panic buying but there does not have to be meanness. Yes, there is sickness but there does not have to be disease of the soul. Yes, there is even death but there can always be a rebirth of love. Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic. The birds are singing again. The sky is clearing, spring is coming, and we are always encompassed by Love. Open the windows of your soul and though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing. Fr Richard Hendrick OFM. and Bending the Curve. Together we will prevail. Happy Easter and Stay Safe.
BABY BOY
Belated congratulations to Mark Stafford and Joanne Doyle on the birth of a baby boy in recent weeks. A spot of good news at least!