Lanesboro Ballyleague notes Monday 2nd December 2024

Lanesboro Ballyleague notes

Lanesboro Christmas Fair

Sunday next 8th December in Lanesboro’s Parish Hall the annual Christmas Fair will take place. There will be a great number of stalls selling a wide array of items including food, crafts and gift stalls. It surely will be a great Fair and wonderful for all both young and old. Santa will also be making a very special appearance to bring presents to the younger people. The Fair will take place from 11.30am until 1pm. For any further details you should phone 086 3600419.

Meals on Wheels

The county Longford Meals on Wheels organisation is a true gift in our county, day by day, week by week and year by year serving the people of the county with meals. This wonderful service is done without fuss and it gives great respect and dignity to every one of the recipients. 

On Saturday 14th at 6.30pm Mass and Sunday 15th December at 11am mass there will be a Church Gate for the County Longford Meals on Wheels organisation. The funds raised goes to supporting the on-going and growing services in our parish and other parishes throughout the county.

If you would like to contribute and will not be at Mass you can put your donation into an envelope and leave it into O’Brien’s.  Please be generous in your support.

Christmas Lights

The Ballyleague Tidy Towns committee will officially turn on the Christmas Lights in Ballyleague on Monday evening next 9th December after 7pm Mass. Everyone is welcome to come along. Tremendous credit must go to the hard working committee and their helpers for all their outstanding work.

Retirement

After 20 years of faithful service as the Sacristan in St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro, Anne Carroll is retiring. Anne has been such a dedicated part of the parish community over all those years and she has made such a huge contribution to the life of the Parish, which, please God, she will continue in a new way. Anne has done sterling work, sometimes above and beyond the call of duty. With the support of her husband Sean they have taken on so much that defies how they achieved it and they did so comprehensively. It is hoped that someone will volunteer to replace Anne or perhaps some people will be willing to take-up various parts of the role. In the meantime, Sean Carroll has agreed to act as sacristan with the support of others until a new sacristan is appointed. Anyone will to help and support is asked to contact the parish Office (3321166) or talk to Fr. Turlough.

A very big thank you to Anne for all her incredible and dedicated work for the parish over the past 20year and she is wished a very happy, healthy and long retirement.

Local notes 

Anybody that wants items included in the local notes is advised that they have their note with me on a Sunday night at the very latest. This is to ensure inclusion in the coming weeks notes. 

Give Blood

As Christmas is a time for giving there can be no better gift that the gift of blood. There is always a huge demand for blood and this always becomes more acute at this time of the year. The Irish Blood Transfusion Board offers you the opportunity to give your Christmas gift of blood at their clinic in the Hyde Centre on the Athlone Road in Roscommon on Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th December. To make your appointment you are asked to Freephone 1800222111. 

Wedding

The marriage took place in St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Friday 22nd November of Bernadette Ross, Church View, daughter of Brian and Kitty Ross and David Rooney, Lough Ree park, Ballyleague, daughter of Emily and the late Gerry Rooney. Chief Bridesmaid was Louise Bennett friend of the bride. The Bridesmaids were Jane Moorhead, friend of the bride, Joanna Ross and Catherine Ross both sisters of the bride. The Bestman was Michael Neilan, friend of the groom. The Groomsmen were Shane Phillips friend of the groom, Jonathan Sweeney, friend of the groom and John Phelim O’Reilly, brother of the groom. The marriage ceremony was celebrated by Fr. Turlough Baxter. The wedding reception was held in the Hodson Bay Hotel. We wish the happy couple many years of wedded happiness.

Annual Variety Show

Lanesboro Community College will once again present their annual variety show in the Parish Hall on this Thursday 5th December commencing at 7pm.

Every year the Transition Year class does a wonderful job in producing and presenting this Variety Concert. They use all the talents of the students and undoubted talent of the teachers who always have the audience in raptures. Every year the variety and stage craft of those continues to impress and makes you aware of the incredible talented young people attending Lanesboro Community College. It is always an evening not to be missed and continues to be bigger and better each year. The funds raised goes towards the funding of the Transition Year student projects.  They really do deserve our support and encouragement.

Annual Carol Service

Kilgefin Scramogue Choir will perform at the Annual Carol service in St. Mary’s Church, Ballagh on Sunday evening next 8th December at 7pm. It promises to be a very special night welcoming the season of Christmas. Everyone is welcome to go along and enjoy the choir.

Yoga with Jean  

Yoga classes take place on Friday mornings in Ballyleague hall from 10am to 11am. Further details available from yogawithjeanw@gmail.com

Christmas Reading

As we approach the Christmas season and a time for giving we start considering presents for family and friends. When considering you choices you should not discount the idea of a book and especially one that has local relevance or by a local author. At present there are a number of local books well worth considering; Shannonside Tales by John Casey, Traces of Truth by Ciaran Prior, a host of recent books including the best seller ‘In the Wake of the Bagger’ by Jack Harte, the three book trilogy of Shamrock 166 by Gavin Walsh, Blow Ins by Andrew Knowles, The Future is Now by Ciaran Mullooly, Wood of the Stony Land , Martin Carberry’s memories of growing up in Derryhaun  and books of poetry,  Gavin Cooney is co-author of “The Racket” that won the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year.; The Overlap of Things by Margaret Nohilly and Ghost Homeland by Colin Carberry. There cannot be a better feeling of giving a gift to your own by some of your own.

Search for a Star

On Saturday night next 7th December and after a break of a few years the hugely popular search for a Star will make its return to the stage in Lanesboro Parish Hall. The entertainment that Search for a Star gives on the night is truly wonderful and there is no doubt that if you are looking for a great night out then there is no better place to be on Saturday night. Some of the acts, I believe, are truly rib tickling and will bring the place down with laughter. The show will start at 8pm and tickets can be bought in O’Brien’s and if any are not sold they can be bought at the door.

Rathcline Club Mass

Rathcline GAA Club will hold their Annual Club Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Saturday 14th December at 6.30pm.

Following Mass there will be hot chocolate and festive treats in Lanesbrew. Everyone in the community is encouraged to come along.

Christmas Lights Tractor Run

The Parents Association of St. Mary’s National School have put plans in place for a Christmas Lights Tractor Run on Sunday next 8th December. Registration will take place at The Local from 2pm.

Following the Tractor Run there will be a Mini Disco for the kids in the beer garden at The Local with a special visit by Santa with gifts for all the children.

The evenings events will continue from 6pm with the amazing Simon Cooke and a raffle will take place on the night.

Part of the day’s celebration will be the turning on of the Christmas Lights in the village at 5pm with singing from the local choir.

First Place

Congratulations to Cloontuskert Cemetery committee who were recently awarded first prize for the best kept/tidiest cemetery for 2024 in County Roscommon. The award was hosted and sponsored by Roscommon County Council. Many congratulations to the hard working committee who continually show great dedication and pride in their cemetery.

Exciting Christmas Markets

The Pier Inn will host their very first Arts, Crafts and Food Christmas Market on Sunday week Lisnacusha on Sunday 15th December. This will be the very first Christmas Market at the Pier and the promise is of a wonderful spectacle and the real feel of Christmas. Mark it into your diary and do go along for a great time.

Breath-taking Walkway/Cycleway

On Thursday last while travelling with my son Cóilín to a funeral in Ballinamuck we came across what is a truly breath-taking sight. The distance from Drumlish to Ballinamuck is 7 kilometres and to see a walkway/cycleway extending from one village to another was a sight to behold and one that would take your breath away. The walkway/cycleway had already been completed for a few years now from Drumlish to the Fr. Manning Gaels pitch. This newest extension from the pitch to Ballinamuck is truly spectacular as it meanders along the windy road to Gaigue Cross and onto Ballinamuck. This is one development that I could never have foreseen along this roadway and this walkway/cycleway really shows what can be done by a community who have the vision and support to achieve such a walkway/cycleway. Great credit must go them and as far as I know it is due to be officially opened in the next week or two. For our casual cyclist and walkers it is a must to do this return journey and enjoy this spectacular walkway/cycleway. Congratulations to everyone involved that played their part in this remarkable development.

2024 St Coman’s Roscommon & St John’s Lanesboro December Services

The December and Christmas Services for our St. John’s congregation continue throughout the coming weeks and the schedule is as follows.

On this Sunday 8th December at St John’s, Morning Prayer will take place in Lanesboro at 11.30am.

On Thursday 12th December at St Coman’s, Roscommon, there will be a Carol Service at 7.30pm.

Sunday, 15th December at St Coman’s, Roscommon, there will be Morning Prayer,at 11.30am.

On Friday, 20th December at St John’s, Lanesboro there will be a Carol Service at 8pm.

Sunday 22nd December at St John’s, Lanesboro there will be Holy Communion Service at 11.30am.

On Christmas Morning Wednesday 25th December at St Coman’s Roscommon there will be Holy Communion at 11.30am.

Sunday 29th December at St John’s Lanesboro there will be Morning Prayer at 11.30am.

 *Blessed-Filled Advent—Christmas-tide’24 & 2025*

On Sunday 5th January at St Coman’s Roscommon there will be Morning Prayer at 11.30am.

French & German Tuition

Tuition is available for all levels in French and German for Junior and Leaving Cert oral and written examinations. For details and to book your place please contact Larysa at 089 4885679.

Cemetery Sunday – Very Important Advance Notice

I have just been informed there will be significant changes to the dates and times of the Blessing of the Graves (Cemetery Sunday) at our three cemeteries in 2025.

On Saturday 12th July there will be 6.30pm Mass in St. Mary’s Church followed by the Blessing of the Graves at St. John’s cemetery.

On Sunday 13th July there will be NO 11am Mass in the Church. Mass in Clonbonny Cemetery will take place at 1pm. Later in the day 14th Mass will take place at Rathcline Cemetery at 6pm.

The Sunday schedule is weather dependant and if the weather is inclement Masses will take place in St. Mary’s Church.

Shamrock 165 book offer

Shamrock 165 is a trilogy of books written by Sligo native Gavin Walsh on the first ever Aer Lingus plane crashed on Snowdonia National Park, Wales

This is the true story of both the Irish nation’s and Aer Lingus first fatal crash, which occurred in Snowdonia National Park, North Wales on Thursday 10th January 1952. Gavin spent 13 years researching, writing and compiling the ‘Shamrock 165’ trilogy. His final results are diametrically opposed to both the British and Irish Government’s official investigation findings. The author has accumulated more than 1000 never-supposed-to-see the light of day documents; many of which illustrated in the 3 volumes. The story also details the lives of all the 23 victims who perished on that night almost 73 years ago.

On board was local Rathcline lady Evelyn Belton which makes this book of great interest to locals.

This is a fascinating trilogy of books delving into every aspect of the crash and a tremendous read. The books can be bought in O’Brien’s at a cost of just €65 for the set of three or individually Book 1 at €25, Book 2 at €20 and Book 3 at €30.

Membership Open

The membership for the year 2025 at the Lanesboro Triathlon club has now opened. Each year our local triathlon club offers so much competition, comradery and enthusiastic support for all its members. The club continues to attract many new members and it is always encouraging and exciting to see the many new members develop their strength early on for the three disciplines.

Weekly Card Game

The results of last Sunday night 3rd November game held in the Parish Hall are 1st Tom Rock and Tommy Fox, 2nd Peter and Mary Gregg. Last game winners were Eugene Kelly and Barney Kenny. Raffle winners were Johnno, Seamus Casey, Tom Fox and Liz Hughes. The game will take place every Sunday night in the hall at 8.30pm. New card players will always be welcome. Light refreshments are always served.

All card players are reminded that there is a 25 partners game in the Local pub, Newtowncashel every Monday night at 8.30 pm sharp with proceeds after prizes going to Cancer Care. Your support would be appreciated.

Upcoming events

Local lady Geraldine Greally has just informed me of some of their upcoming events at the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon. As you can see there is a wide variety of events and something for everyone.

Christmas Party Nights at the Abbey Hotel – additional date added due to popular demand. Friday 20th December. Festive Drinks reception, live music disco and late bar with additional entertainment on the night! Tel: 090 6626240 or email events@abbeyhotel.ie  

Bingo Loco at the Abbey Hotel on Saturday 21st December Tel: 090 6626240  

Foster & Allen – celebrating 40 years of hits. Live concert will take place on Saturday 28th December. Doors open at 7p.m. Show commences at 8p.m. Tickets are €35 and they are available from Abbey Hotel reception or via Ticketmaster. Tel: 090 6626240.

Women’s Little Christmas Afternoon Tea on Saturday 4th January at 3p.m. Part Proceeds of ticket sales will go to Mayo Roscommon Hospice. A perfect Christmas Gift Idea. Contact the events@abbeyhotel.ie  or Tel: 090 6626240.

Winter Wedding Fair at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon  – Sunday January 5th 2025 from 2-5p.m. All newly engaged couples are invited to register. Enjoy some complimentary refreshments on the day. There will be lots of wedding inspiration and fantastic offers from our local wedding suppliers on the day. Enquiries to weddings@abbeyhotel.ie  Tel: 090 6666211.

Rathcline 50/50 

On Monday 25th November the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place for a jackpot of €554. The jackpot for Monday night was well over the €500 mark thanks your continued support. The winner this week was young Maddie Muldoon, Newtowncashel who was the winner of the €554 prize. This was a wonderful win for a young girl and perfect time for Christmas shopping. As usual; the winning cheque can always be collected in O’Brien’s.  

The Rathcline 50/50 draw takes place every Monday night in one of our local bars at 7.30pm. Your continued generous support is greatly appreciated, and your great support is highlighted by the large pools every week – thank you. 

Tidy Towns Lottery

The weekly Tidy Towns lottery draw took place in O’Brien’s on Tuesday last 26th November October for a jackpot of €15,000. The numbers drawn were 7, 15, 17 and 19. There was nobody with the good luck to have the correct four numbers drawn out and the jackpot of €15,000 remains for the next Tuesday draw on Tuesday 3rd December. The winner of the €50 prize was Jenny and Faye Rooney, Carraroe, and the three €20 winners were Mary and Eli, c/o The Wooden Spoon, Patricia Heneghan, Rathcline Road, and Phil Carroll, The Green. The draw will take place in O’Brien’s every Tuesday morning.

Ballyleague Tidy Towns

The Ballyleague Tidy Towns team are currently seeking community minded/spirited people to join their team to maintain and improve Ballyleague and its hinterland.

Dementia Memory Club

The Roscommon Dementia Memory Club is designed for those that are living with dementia and their carer or friend or plus one! A café-like set up, followed by activities, storytelling, reminiscence, music, song and dance. The club offers a great opportunity for persons living with dementia & their carer to socialize and promote improved mental and physical wellbeing, and more importantly to have fun! You don’t have to dance, you can watch and enjoy and contribute in other ways! Come along and see for yourself. Roscommon Music Social Club, the Quad Youth Centre, Circular Road, Roscommon Town. F42 CH70 every Thursday 11:30am to 1pm. Contact Irene on 087 108 0650 or email IreneTabb@westernalzheimers.ie

Longford Learning Support

Longford Learning Support is a Registered Charity, which has been set up to provide a weekly after-school intervention programme, aimed specifically for children who are experiencing learning difficulties.  

Tutors help children in groups of 3 or 4, according to age and ability, in an encouraging and supportive environment.  

Classes cover Reading, Spelling, and Maths.  

Classes take place every Tuesday evening from 7.00 pm to 8.30pm in the E.D.I. Centre, Mastertech Business Park, Athlone Road, Longford N39 Y0F4. 

If you would like any further information on Longford Learning Support, please contact Nuala at (089) 214 6666 or email llslongford123@gmail.com

Visit Corlea

Right on our doorstep the fabulous Iron Age Trackway is situated in Corlea just 13km (7m) from Lanesboro. This very unique Trackway has an 18m long section of original Trackway the largest ever discovered in Europe is displayed at the Visitor Centre. You learn how people lived at the time and murals depict implements of the time.

This is one of Ireland’s most famous hidden treasures and it is a place that should be visited and bring your visitors to this wonderful experience.

Visiting the centre is free of charge and the excellent local facilitators will bring you thought the experience and leave you in awe such is their knowledge.

Access for All boat 

Have you availed of the wonderful experience on our doorstep? The Access for All boat is for everybody and it takes you on a 90 minute trip out onto the lake as see its beauty and some of the islands on Lough Ree. The boat can cater for three large wheelchairs, but you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to avail of the excellent trips. Winter sailing times daily for the 90 minute trip are 11.00am and 1pm. Guided fishing excursions can also be organised. Advanced booking is recommended. You can contact by email www.loughreeboattrips.com or phone 089 2625505 or 043 33 84175

Alzheimer Café

The Longford Alzheimer Cafe will hold their monthly Alzheimer Café on Wednesday 27th November at 7.00pm in their office on Earl Street, Longford, opposite Mollaghan’s Furniture Store.  Guest speaker on the night is Caroline Doyle and her topic is ‘The Healthy Homes Project ‘ The Café will then run on the last Wednesday of every month, with a different speaker and topic each month. The Alzheimer Café will provide a safe, warm and welcoming space for people with dementia, their family and friends, along with social and health care professionals to meet and exchange ideas and learning. For Further information you can contact Eileen on 085 8724475 .The Alzheimer Society of Ireland National Helpline is open six days a week Monday to Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 10am–4pm on 1800 341 341 and the website is: www.alzheimer.ieAlzheimer.

Brothers of Charity seeks support

Volunteers needed: Are you interested in supporting someone with an intellectual disability, to be part of the community in which they live? Volunteers provide a valuable contribution by connecting people to their local communities and enrich the lives of the people we support, by bringing friendship and fun in to their lives. Volunteers can do this by attending local social activities or sporting events together, going walking, swimming, or just sharing interests and chatting over a cup of coffee/tea. Volunteers will be supported in their role by the Volunteer Coordinator. If you are interested in volunteering in the Brothers of Charity Services in Roscommon please contact Edel Crehan on edel.crehan@bocsi.ie or 0874887314 for more details.

Short Breaks Scheme: Would you be interested in providing home from home short breaks for children and adults who have an intellectual disability? Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Homeshare Roscommon are recruiting host carers. Training and support provided. Tax exempt Allowances paid. For further information email Homeshareroscommon@bocsi.ie or phone Catherine on 090 6628500 / 087 2126607.

Community Employment Scheme

Western Alzheimer’s Roscommon has vacancies on their Community Employment Scheme for Dementia Specific Health Care Support Assistant to join our Community In-Home Respite Service Team. They are looking for friendly, approachable, honest, reliable and committed individuals who can make a connection with their clients in a supportive capacity and assist them to partake in their activities of daily living. Please call the Roscommon office on 090 6627816, they would love to hear from you!!

Lanesboro Garda Station

Lanesboro Garda Station has just posted a notice telling of its opening times where the station will have a member of the force in attendance for the public. Lanesboro station will be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 11am. The station will be open at those times unless the local Garda is dealing with a situation that requires their attendance.

Local Health Service

Local Heath Service is available at Roscommon University Hospital. The service will deal with urgent and routine health problems. The Freephone phone number to ring is 1800 700700.

For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@alone.ie or phone 086 0145 829.

Line Dancing For All 

They say that Line Dancing, stimulates the brain, reduces stress, reduces risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, increases mental capacity, improves posture and balance, tones the body, strengthens bones and muscles, provides opportunity to socialize and meet people and its suitable and popular for all ages and all abilities.

Line Dancing classes take place every Friday morning 11am at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town. 

Line Dancing classes every Sunday at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town for beginners from 6pm to 7pm and Improvers from 7pm to 8pm 

Dance classes takes place in Kilbride, Four Mile House every Tuesday 7pm followed by: 

Jive & Waltz classes 8 45pm. 

Learn to play Guitar

Have you ever thought of learning to play the guitar? Complete beginner guitar lessons are now available in the Lanesboro area. For booking and further details phone 087 7774203.

Co. Longford Citizens Advice Centre 

Co. Longford Citizens Information Service has recently been restructured and is currently under new management.  

They continue to provide free, impartial, and confidential information, advice, and advocacy services to the public on social services, rights, and entitlements. The range of areas covered by the citizens information centre are extremely wide including social welfare rights and entitlements and other social issues such as employment, health services, housing, education, family matters and consumer rights, all where people need access to information.    

The way people access the services changed during Covid and now they currently deal with a large number of queries over the telephone, however, they continue to provide our drop-in times and welcome people to their face-to-face service five mornings a week from the Longford office. The services are provided by experienced trained Information Officers who are there to help you.

The centre is located on level 1 within Longford Shopping Centre and direction can be obtained at the reception desk from Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 5.00pm. The office closes for lunch from 1pm until 2pm.   

The Employability Service 

 Is an Employment and Recruitment Service to assist people with a disability or health issue to pursue and maintain employment in the open labour market? If you are over 18, have a disability or health issue and would consider working part-time then you should contact Employment Services Roscommon support to help find you a job in your area. This is a confidential and free individualised service funded by the Department of Social Protection.  

Are you managing mental health issues? There is the opportunity for Individual Placement and Support (IPS) that is funded by the HSE and offers a range of tailored personalised supports to people using mental health services who wish to work. For further information you should phone 090 66 28608 or call/text 087 3745307. They can also be contacted via email at info@rosemp.ie 

Alcohol Anon Meetings 

Relatives and friends of those addicted to alcohol are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral. The meetings take place every Tuesday evening at 7pm. 

Ballyleague Bingo  

Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.  

The club is extremely grateful for your on-going tremendous support.  

ALONE 

ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home. 

Our work is for all older people and aims to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. We have a national network of staff and volunteers who provide an integrated system of Support Coordination, Practical Supports, Befriending, a variety of Phone Services, Social Prescribing, Housing with Support and Assistive Technology. 

We use individualised support plans, to address health, financial benefits and supports, social care, housing, transport and other arising needs using technology and through harnessing other services. 

We work to empower the whole sector of community support for older people through our Community Impact Network that provides Training, IT support and resources to other organisations. 

Support line for older people 

ALONE manage a national support line and additional support for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to Covid-19. Professional staff is available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm. Text TALK to 50808 to begin. 

Local Health Service 

The health service is here for us all, from routine to urgent calls. HSELive is here 7 days a week to answer questions. The number to ring is Freephone 1800 700700.  

Roscommon University Hospital Injury Unit is available from 8am to 8pm seven days, a week and the contact number is 09066 32212.  

Emergency Department deals with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies if you need urgent medical help. They are open 24 hours a day and can be contacted by phoning 999 or 112. 

Smart Recovery 

SMART recovery is an evidence-based addiction recovery support group where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour. 

There is a meeting every Friday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm in Vita House, Roscommon. For information you should phone Conor 086 1702912 or info@smartrecovery.ie  

GROW 

Grow is a Community Mental Health Movement which meets every Monday at 11am in the Community Mental Health Centre, Dublin Rd., Longford. If you are feeling lonely, isolated or suffering from stress, please feel free to attend. You can call Assumpta for any further information on 086 8114135. 

St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro

Priest contacts: If you have a need to contact any one of the priests you can do so by phoning Fr. Merlyn Kenny 086 0603433 or Fr. Turlough Baxter 087 9972259.

You can also contact parish secretary Maireád Rooney by calling into the presbytery from Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 2.30pm.or she can be contacted on the phone at 3321166.

Cemetery Sunday changes: On Saturday 12th July 2025 there will be 6.30pm Mass in St. Mary’s Church followed by the Blessing of the Graves at St. John’s cemetery.

On Sunday 13th July there will be NO 11am Mass in the Church. Mass in Clonbonny Cemetery will take place at 1pm. Later in the day 13th Mass will take place at Rathcline Cemetery at 6pm.

The Sunday schedule is weather dependant and if the weather is inclement Masses will take place in St. Mary’s Church.

Grow: Grow is a community Mental Health Movement that meets every Monday morning at 11am in the Community Mental Health Centre, Dublin Road, Longford. If you are feeling lonely, isolated, or suffering from stress, feel free to attend on Monday morning. For further information call 086 8114135.

Adoration: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues on Tuesday’s in the Prayer Room

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confession time in the Prayer Room takes place on the first Friday of each month from 6.30pm to 7pm.The next opportunity is on Friday 6th December.

Smart Recovery: Smart recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery group, where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour. There is a meeting every Friday evening in Vita House in Roscommon Town from 7pm to 8.30pm. For information contact Conor at 086 1702919 or info@smartrecovery.iee   

Kilgefin Parish Notes

Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060

Spiritual Nourishment: On every First Friday of each month the priest is obliged to visit all the sick, elderly and homebound in the parish to pray with them and give them Holy Communion. Family members are encouraged to inform Fr. Dan about their loved ones in need of spiritual nourishment.

Confessions: The Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance (Confessions) is very important for all Catholics. We are always encouraged to go to confessions to say sorry for the wrongs (sin) in our lives and to experience God’s healing through forgiveness by the priest. Parishioners can always come to confessions after mass on Friday’s 10.30am or any time convenient to you.

Eucharistic Adoration: There will be an hour Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament every Friday in Curraghroe Church from 8pm to 9pm. And also in Ballyleague Church from 10.30am to 11.30am. You are invited to go along and spend a quiet time of prayer with God.

Advent Retreat Day: As we prepare for Christmas, we are all invited to our Advent Retreat Day on Saturday next 7th December in Ballyleague church from 11am until 1,30pm. During the retreat we will pray the Holy Rosary, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions, a Spiritual talk on the season of Advent by a guest speaker. Several visiting priests will be available for your confessions. Come and be blessed.

Carol Service and Songs: The parish choir is inviting all parishioners to our Carol Service and Songs on Sunday next 8th December at 6.30pm in Ballyleague Church. You are all invited to come along and enjoy the Christmas carols.

Unveiling and Blessing: As many of you may have noticed, we have erected a new statue of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in front of the church. The statue has been funded by an anonymous donation by a parishioner. The statue will be unveiled and blessed following the 11.30am mass in Ballyleague on Sunday next 8th December. May God bless the donor and family.

Church Gate Collection: The annual St. Vincent De Paul Church Gate collection will take place before the 11.30am mass in Ballyleague on Sunday next 8th December. You usual and continued generous support towards Vincent De Paul will be greatly appreciated.