BLACKROCK BULLETIN
News from around Blackrock and Haggardstown
Her attendance at the World Youth Day was a ‘faith forming and once in a lifetime experience’ according to Anna Brosna.
The young Blackrock lady was one of a group of 30 from the Archdiocese of Dublin who was in Panama for the event last month attended by Pope Francis and present at which was 600,000 other young people from across the world.
Anna said ‘I really cannot imagine anything rivalling World Youth Day,’ in an account in the parish newsletter
She attended the event with the ‘much appreciated support’ of the local parish and stated ‘it will stay with me forever.’
She recounted that the group flew into Tocumen airport on January 18 at the end of 24 hours of travel. Exhausted having also to contend with 28 degree of heat and humidity, they were taken by mini bus to the parish of Santiago Apostal where they stayed for two weeks.
‘The welcome we received was unrivalled in my experience with an incredible array of colours, music and dance.’
The parish’s community life is centred on their church. The visitors were welcomed with open arms and smiles into homes by local families.
The people couldn’t do enough for the group, with the language barrier presenting no problem. They waved at the group members in the streets, introduced them to their culture and shared what they had, which was little in instances, told Anna.
Anna said the messages the group received from Pope Francis and the different members of the clergy were a central part of the experience.
She described the opening ceremony as a ‘joyous celebration of our shared faith and the inspiring message from Archbishop Ulloa of Panama, reminded us all that we are the protagonists and the future of the Church.’
His words ‘ we believe in you. We hope in you. The change and transformation that humanity and the Church requires are in your hands’ ‘were incredible to hear, strengthening our drive and hope to spread the Word of God and giving us the power to do so,’ she said.
The Pope at the opening Mass encouraged the pilgrims to follow Mary’s Yes to God and say Yes to letting God into their lives.
Anna said Panama city on World Youth Day ‘was alive with young people of different cultures from across the world. It was uplifting to meet so many young people of faith from all over the world who were there to share the same experience.’
In the parish the group was staying they had catechesis with Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Filipinos each morning, sharing their experiences of their faith.
‘We were all shocked at how similar some of our experiences were but it was these connections and bonds which made World Youth Day such an incredible experience for me.’
‘World Youth Day finished with the Vigil on the night of Saturday January 26 and it was, without doubt, the highlight of our entire pilgrimage. We walked for three hours from where we were staying to the vigil site and along this road the Panamanian people were out in their droves to see us off, some welcoming us into their homes to give us water.’
‘That night we slept alongside 600,000 other young pilgrims. We spent the evening in song and joy, meeting new friends and celebrating our Faith.’ Anna concluded, saying she would recommend the event to any young Catholic.
Group seeking volunteers
The Community Alert Group are looking for more volunteers to join and help out with their programme of activities for the elderly and vulnerable in the Haggardstown and Dublin Road area, and make the area safer and secure for all living there.
One of the initiatives the Group undertook was to implement a Text Alert scheme to prevent and combat crime in conjunction with the Gardai.
They also have played their part in other ways to protect the vulnerable in their homes and help them to obtain aid swiftly if they become ill or suffer a mishap by assisting them to obtain personal alarms .
The Group also runs regular social events and entertainment for those living in the area, especially the elderly and vulnerable.
A spokeswoman said ‘ we would welcome more people to join and help out. Anybody who is interested in becoming involved would they please contact Noel (0862567218.).’
Churchgate collection
The group are holding their annual church gate collection on Saturday and Sunday next. It is one of their main sources of funds to cover the expense of the programme of events that they run during the year.
The collection will take place outside both local churches at the Vigil and Sunday Masses in Saint Oliver Plunkett and Saint Fursey’s.
They are grateful for any support that they receive.
Paddy’s got talent
Local magician Paddy Ward didn’t as expected disappoint his local fans, and he also won favour with the judges on ‘Ireland’s Got Talent’ television show
Paddy’s stage name is ‘ The Great Padini’ and has been a favourite with audiences all over the country for many years.
He once again worked his magic and won the all important Red Light from all the judges to advance on Virgin Media show last Saturday week.
That was not a surprise to his local followers and admirers who have had the great pleasure of being enthralled and entertained by his tricks on his visits to his native Dundalk over the years.
Paddy has lived in Limerick, where he worked, and when he retired he had more time for performing and showing off his talent.
He has been recognised as one of the foremost practitioners of magic and also a conjuror of the highest calibre in the country and within the profession has received the highest accolades
Brian and band back on tour
La Bonne Heure featuring Blackrock man Brian Holmes, are to undertake their third Irish tour which they are to begin by recording their second album at Conor Hughes music studio in the village.
The folk band comprises the talent of veritable one man orchestra Brian, Romanian baroque violinist Madalina Drouvin and French ukulelist Hugo Cordonier and have wowed local audiences on previous short tours.
They will again get a number of opportunities to see them to perform, with the band taking in a number of local venues, including Brian’s ‘local’ The Neptune as well as Toal’s, Crowe Street, Dundalk over the Paddy’s weekend and later on in April ‘The Four Season’s’ Carlingford and ‘ The Spirit Store’ Dundalk Harbour.
The latter will be the band’s last appearance of the tour which takes in 14 dates right across the country from Dublin, Cootlehill, Donegal, Galway to Clare and Carlow
They begin recording this week, and hope to record 23 songs.
The French based trio came together by chance three years ago in a small little village in the Baie De Somme, Picardie. Their name means ‘The good hour’ or ‘The right time’. Since 2015 they have become a household name throughout the north west of France.
Gers lottery
Kathleen Cotter Wavecrest, Blackrock won the match three prize of €200, but there was no winner this week of the jackpot in the Geraldines lottery.
It is now worth €4,400.
The numbers drawn this week were: 18, 21, 28 and 31.