Notes 10/12/2012 - Newtowncashel - Co. Longford

VICTORY FOR COMMUNITY GAMES DRAUGHTS TEAMS

Huge congratulations to our Under-12 and Under-14 Draughts teams who both took Gold in their respective finals last Friday evening, December 7th, in Kenagh Community Sports Centre.  Both teams faced off against Clonguish teams in their finals and played excellent draughts in very competitive finals.  Thanks also to the referees Eamon and Raymond.  The U14 Team are Lauren Casey, Aine Bannon, Eoin Mulvihill, Brian Kelly, Molly Fox, Joseph Kenny and Dominic Jeffrey.  The U12 Team is Luke Mulvihill, David Sweeney, Emma Casey, Zara Mulvihill, Harry Murray, Josh Mulvihill and Aidan Mulvihill.   The Under-12’s received their gold medals from Eamon O’Kane, the new County Secretary, and the Under-14’s received theirs from our own Anne Bannon.  This is our first time to win gold as we were took silver medals on a number of occasions over the past few years.  Congratulations also to Killoe who won the Under-10 competition.  Thanks to the team managers and please note that training will continue.  We sincerely hope Santa Claus brings a few draughts boards!  We will be playing in the 1st round of Leinster around the end of February or beginning of March.
Art and Model Making will take place in Cashel just after Christmas; watch the notes for this activity.  Registration for Indoor Soccer and Tag Rugby will take place shortly.

CHRISTMAS STAR AND CRIB
The Christmas Star over the Church gate and the Crib inside the Church were erected last week.  Thank you to the teams who looked after getting these in place and turned on.  

SCHOOL CONCERT
The teachers and pupils of St Mary’s National School present their biennial Christmas Concert in "The Hill" on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th December.  Doors open 6.30pm. Curtain 7.00pm sharp.  Admission Adults €6.00, Students €3.00.

NEWTOWNCASHEL DRAMA GROUP
Newtowncashel Drama Group is holding a meeting on Wednesday 12th December, 8:30pm in The Hill. Items on the agenda include our own production and the School Play. Please can all attend as this will be our last meeting before Christmas.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Úna Farrell, Carrodger, who is this year’s winner of the Ballymahon and District College Scholarship of €1,000.00.  Úna is studying medicine at NUI Galway.

CASHEL GAA AGM
Cashel GAA Senior Club holds its AGM in the Clubhouse on Saturday December 15th at 5.pm.  A full attendance is requested please!

CHRISTMAS CARDS
The Christmas cards sponsored by the Tidy Towns are now on sale in LK’s Shop and other outlets in the area for €1.00 euro each.  It is also available to purchase in "The Hill" after Masses on Saturdays and Sundays.  It is a beautiful winter scene of the village by Artist John Nankivell. It was John who did the lovely drawing of the village so highly praised by the Tidy Towns judges each year.  

CAKE SALE
Well done to all who took part in the Teenage Mass at the weekend. The group will hold a cake sale in "The Hill" this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday December 15th/16th.  Donations of home baking and local produce would be greatly appreciated.  Your support will be very welcome.  Proceeds will go to Aware in its role in the prevention of teenage suicide.

SENIOR CHOIR
Preparations are well under way for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.  The senior choir holds its next practice in the Church on Saturday evening December 15th from 6.15pm – 7.45pm.

JUNIOR CHOIR
We have two rehearsals left before Christmas.  The next rehearsal will take place on Saturday from 5.00pm – 6.00pm in the Church.  All those who received Readings or Prayers of the Faithful are asked to ensure that they bring their pages to the practice.  This rehearsal will also cover liturgical music for the Do This In Memory Mass at 10.30am on Sunday December 16th.
Our last rehearsal for the Christmas Day Children’s Mass will be held on Saturday December 22nd from 5.00pm – 6.30pm. Please note, this last rehearsal is longer than our usual hour-long rehearsal.

NEWTOWNCASHEL CHRISTMAS CARDS
New on the market this year is a Christmas card featuring a panorama of the Village in Winter.  Inserts highlight significant buildings and locations.  Produced by Declan Gilmore, dgphotograpth.ie, they are now on sale in L&K Shop for €1.00 each.

ANNUAL MS CHRISTMAS DAY RUN
The Annual Christmas Day Run from Newtowncashel to Lanesborough in aid of the Longford branch of MS Ireland is being organised again for the 22nd year. As a result of this event approximately €160,000 has been raised for Multiple Sclerosis. All are welcome, walkers start from the Hill at 11.45 am and runners at 12.15, finish at the Hall in Lanesborough where refreshments are available. Further details and sponsorship cards are available from Michael Flood, Newtowncashel (Tel: 086-0880855); Brigid Mullooly, Lanesborough (Tel: 04333-21019); L and K's Village Shop in Newtowncashel or O’Brien’s Corner Shop, Lanesborough. All participants will receive a free t-shirt kindly sponsored by Peter Hanley Motors. We would greatly appreciate your support as this is in aid of a very worthy cause. Longford MS has come to depend on this event over the past 21 years and would like to extend their appreciation for the effort given.

CASHEL GAA LOTTO
Cashel GAA’s Lotto still stands at €10,000.  There are weekly, monthly and yearly options to play your numbers.  You’ve got to be in it to win it.  Don’t forget to play your numbers every week.

CAIRDE COMHRA
A meeting will be held this Thursday night at 8.00pm in "The Hill". All are welcome!

NEWTOWNCASHEL TODDLER GROUP
Newtowncashel Toddler Group meets in “The Hill” every Tuesday morning from 9.45am – 12.00 noon.  All welcome!  See you there!

NEWTOWNCASHEL PARISH WEBSITE
The Newtowncashel Parish Website and Newtowncashel Facebook page are up and running, with lots of news, information and photos about all things concerning Newtowncashel.  Please do log on to them and pass the details to family and friends abroad to keep updated with news about the parish as it happens: www.newtowncashel.ie and https://www.facebook.com/Newtowncashel.

THANK YOU
The Society of St Vincent de Paul, St Mel’s Conference, Longford, gratefully acknowledges Newtowncashel’s donations of non-perishable food items plus the sum of €166.00, contributed on the weekend of Mission Sunday, October 20th/21st.

ST CHRISTOPHER’S “POP UP” CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOP
St Christopher’s “Pop-Up” Christmas Craft Shop will be located in Longford Shopping Centre from Monday December 10th to Thursday December 20th.  It is an opportunity to buy Christmas gifts all made in Longford.  

ABBEYSHRULE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Abbeyshrule Annual Christmas Craft Fair takes place on Sunday December 16th from 12.00 noon to 6.00pm at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule.  Proceeds in aid of Midlands, West & Border Autism Support.  All are welcome.  The Fair features over 20 stalls offering a chance to buy some unique Christmas gifts.  There are free craft workshops for children and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs Claus.  TO book a workshop place or to enquire about a stall, contact Betty McGoey at the Rustic Inn, telephone (044) 935 7742

COUNTY LONGFORD RURAL TRANSPORT.
There are a number of spaces available on some of the services, so we would encourage people from that area to avail of the services to keep it activated in that region. The Services are Flexible and Demand Responsive. “If you don’t use it – you lose it”. Fares are: Single €3. Return €5. ALL Age Groups are welcome to travel and the Free Travel Pass is accepted.
Once weekly O/W Service No.13&13A (Tuesday & Saturday) to LONGFORD is provided by Bernie Hackett: 087-2502186.
Once weekly O/W Service No.19 (Friday) to LANESBORO, provided by Farrelly’s Coaches: 043-3322222.
Once fortnightly O/F Service (No.17) (FRIDAY) to BALLYMAHON is provided by Anthony O’Haire: 087-9004876. This route comes from Portnaure-Pollagh-Newtowncashel direction into Ballymahon, BUT can deviate, to facilitate any passenger who wish to travel to Ballymahon for shopping or on business (Banking etc).  Note: The Once fortnightly O/F Service No.17  to Ballymahon on Friday has spaces available and does need support and a greater uptake. The Service is “Flexible” and “Demand Responsive”.

DATES FOR YOUR 2013 CALENDAR
First Confessions on Thursday March 7th 2013.
First Holy Communion on Sunday May 19th at 12.00 noon.

COLLECTION ENVELOPES FOR 2013
Offertory Collection Envelopes for 2013 are currently being distributed by members of the Parish Pastoral Council.  Thanks to all who help in this process.  Anyone who has been omitted but wishes to receive envelopes should contact the Parochial House.