KILLAVULLEN

COMMUNION 2023

Best wishes to the children of Ballygown NS who are receiving Communion for the first time this coming Saturday. Best wishes to you all for a memorable day.

REMEMBERING MAYA GRACE HARNEDY

Last January little Maya Grace, daughter of Helain (Looney) and JP Harnedy sadly passed away. Wildflower seeds are being sold in packets in her memory, while also raising funds for the CDKL5 Ireland Charity and Little Haven Playschool. Packets of seeds can be purchased using Revolut by contacting 0860897995 with your name, quantity and address or by e-mailing vicob999@hotmail.com. The packets of seeds cost €2 each with p&p being €1.50. It would be lovely to see some wildflowers bloom in Killavullen in memory of this cherished little girl who lives on in the hearts and minds of so many.

BLACKWATER CYCLING CLUB UPDATE

Our Thursday, C group spins have just started again at 7pm from the hall in Killavullen. B2 group Tuesday spins will be starting soon. If you are interested in cycling with Blackwater Cycling Club, please contact us for more information.

AGM

Killavullen Community Council is hosting their AGM on Tuesday, May 9th at 9pm in the Community Centre.

The Council has been working hard to benefit the people of Killavullen. They need fresh ideas and input from new and present members to continue this. Killavullen is a wonderful community with fantastic people involved in many clubs and activities, who are always willing to give of their time.

Whether you want to become an officer or just a member, your input is valued and your ideas can help make a positive change within the community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get involved and make a difference. See you at the AGM!

CHIROPODY DATES

Appointments with our friendly and dedicated chiropodist Patricia are now available for May 13th. Please contact her at 086-3225052 to arrange an appointment.

ANNAKISHA CEMETERY WALL

It is planned to carry out repairs to sections of the graveyard wall this summer. In an effort to reduce costs, the builder has requested donations of old building stone, of a similar (limestone) type already in the wall. Please contact Fr Gerard if you can supply same.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Pre-Baptism meeting: The next Baptism preparation meeting will take place on Monday, May 7 at 7.30pm in the Parish Office.

LOUGH DERG 2023 PILGRIMAGE SEASON

Posters with details of the traditional 3-day and 1-day retreat events between May 1 and September 15 are displayed on the Church noticeboards or visit www. loughderg.org

DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

Watch the sunrise or walk from ‘Darkness into Light’ in your own area or on one of the organised walks this coming Saturday, May 6th. Darkness into Light is an annual fundraiser for Pieta House. Founded in Dublin in 2006, Pieta was established to provide free, accessible one-to-one counselling to people suffering from suicidal ideation, engaging in self-harm or to those bereaved by suicide.

With over 200 qualified therapists across 15 physical centres, the organisation do everything they can to ensure that help is available to those in crisis. In 2009, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, 400 people set off on the inaugural Darkness into Light 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta. From small beginnings, the movement has continued to grow, and around 200,000 people now take part in the event annually.

Each year the walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and to show their support for those who have been impacted by suicide. A team of dedicated volunteers, in Ireland and overseas, return year on year to make the event a success and to help raise awareness in the global fight against suicide and self-harm.

Since Darkness into Light began, supporters have raised almost €29 million, which has enabled Pieta to keep their doors and their 24/7 helpline open for people in crisis, free of charge. You can sign up online www.darknessintolight.ie/ register/cork/defaultregistrationform or make a donation through the Darkness into Light website. Pieta House in Cork can be contacted at Pieta Cork, Shanakiel, Sunday’s Well, Cork T23 P865 – tel: 021-4395333.

MONTH OF MARY

May is the Month of Mary. It is a tradition to make a May altar and decorate it with flowers. Often a white cloth was placed beneath. The flowers gathered for Mary were often the ones to be found growing along paths and walkways.

BRING FLOWERS OF THE RAREST HYMN

Refrain:

O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today!

Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May. O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,

Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May. Bring flowers of the rarest bring blossoms the fairest, from garden and woodland and hillside and dale; our full hearts are swelling, our glad voices telling the praise of the loveliest flower of the vale! Refrain:

Their lady they name thee,

Their mistress proclaim thee,

Ah, grant that thy children on earth be as true as long as the bowers are radiant with flowers, as long as the azure shall keep its bright hue.

Refrain:

Sing gaily in chorus, the bright angels o’er us re-echo the strains we begin upon earth; their harps are repeating the notes of our greeting, for Mary herself is the cause of our mirth. Refrain.