Stradbally

TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS

The traditional Latin mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Stradbally on Saturday, April 27 at 2pm.

WHIST DRIVE

The next whist drive will be held in St Patrick’s Hall, Stradbally on Friday, April 19 commencing at 8.30pm and all are welcome.

NATIONAL PLOUGHING

The 2013 National Ploughing will take place on the farm of David Carter, Ratheniska from September 24 to September 26. Showcasing Irish food, farming and culture, this event will incorporate all sectors of agricultural living.

IRISH KIDNEY ASSOCIATION CHURCH GATE COLLECTION

The Laois Branch of the Irish Kidney Association will hold a church gate collections Saturday, April 13 and Sunday 14. You support is greatly appreciated and benefits Laois patients with kidney disease.

SACRED STILLNESS

Sacred Stillness (mindfulness /meditation/contemplation) starting Saturday, May 4 for a ten session course. This course is based on a six fold path of contemplative / mystical journey. For further details contact Anne or Mai at 057 8626541.

SCOR NA BPAISTI

Scor na bPaisti takes place on Saturday, April 13 (venue to be decided). This competition is for primary school children only and the usual Scor rules and categories apply.

FORESTRY FESTIVAL

The Irish Forestry, Woodland and Bio Energy Show 2013 will take place at Stradbally Hall Estate on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11. The show is a bi-annual event that will feature forest and woodland machinery with all the ancillary activities that go with tree growing and harvesting. The show will host the National Tree Climbing Championships and will feature the top tree surgeons competing for a place to represent their country at European and world events.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

First Holy Communion will be held in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Stradbally on Saturday, May 18, 2013 and in St Michael’s Church, Timahoe on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Lourdes 2013 - July 1-6, Portlaoise/small group from Stradbally. For more information contact 057 86 22458.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL

The Stradbally St Vincent de Paul shop opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm. The confidential telephone number is 086 3384055. If you have any unwanted items sush as good quality ladies, gents and children’s clothing and footwear, household goods, bric-a-brac, please drop them into the shop on Main Street. If you have any good quality unwanted furniture please phone Pascal at 087 1359382, Breda 085 7573468. Your support is greatly appreciated.

COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS

Stradbally community allotments still available for 2013. For details please contact Noel 087 6577188 or Siobhán 086 3300943.

HOUSEBOUND

The housebound of the parish will be attended to on Friday, April 12.

SERVE FUNDRAISER

A big thank you to all the people in Stradbally and Timahoe who contributed and bought cakes for the SERVE fundraiser on Easter Sunday. The amount raised was €1,500.

FUNDRAISING DANCE

A fundraising dance in aid of Tony Harris will be held in the Gandon Inn on Friday, April 19 from 9.30pm until 12.30pm. Music by Pat and Richie. Raffle on the night. Prizes greatly accepted for the raffle. Phone 089 443818. The proceeds will go to Stradbally branch of Moore Abbey.

40TH WEDDING ANNIVARSARY

Congratulations to Michael and Patricia Kelly, Aughamaddock who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at a surprise party in the Killeshin Hotel.

TEEN SPIRIT

Kildare and Leighlin Diocese presents ‘Teen Spirit’, a celebration of teen talent and Christian faith in Askea Parish Church, Carlow on Friday, April 19 commencing at 8pm. Live band Midnite Blue. Donations welcome.

SOLEMN NOVENA

Graiguecullen/Killeshin Solema Novena in St Claire’s Church, Graiguecullen for nine Monday nights from April 8 to June 3. Time 7.30pm.

LAOIS FLEADH 2013

The Laois Fleadh 2013 will be held in Ratheniska and Stradbally on June 2. The committee would very much welcome any suggestions, ideas or volunteers to help to make this a great event. For more information contact Michael 087 9933162.

TREE PLANTING

Stradbally Spade Brigade planting of trees at the Stradbally Community Gardens (beside the allotments) has been postponed until Friday, April 26 and Saturday 27 commencing at 12 noon due to site clearance work that was not finished for some of the larger tree planting sites around the country.

STRADBALLY COUNTRY MARKETS

Stradbally Country Markets open every Saturday from 10.30am - 1pm.