Around Portarlington Way
ST DE PAUL VINCENT
St Vincent de Paul has had a presence in Portarlington since 1921, and next year will be 100 years in existence, as a Registered Charity, subject to strict Regulation from the Charities Regulator. Last year the Conference spent over €60,000 helping people in need in this community. The help provided to the less well off in our society covers a broad range of assistance each year as follows: Food Vouchers, Financial assistance (Rent etc), Fuel (Electricity, Gas, Oil & Solid fuel, Education (Fees, Accommodation etc, Clothing & Furniture.
They expect to spend this amount again by the end of 2020. By supporting the Annual Appeal, you can help a family through this winter. Your help can get them get back on their feet. Your help can give them a brighter future and save them from a life of poverty and also help to make Christmas as normal as possible for them.
Many of you regularly support the work and the Committee thank you most sincerely for that support. Without this help, they simply would not be able to help our fellow Parishioners on your behalf. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions they currently can’t collect at the Church door, and the shop on Main St is closed, which has had a detrimental effect on fundraising. But you can still donate directly in many of the local shops and businesses who have kindly facilitated the Society by allowing donation buckets on their premises.
You can also drop a donation into the letterbox at the shop beside the Garda Barracks. Volunteers are in the shop at present, although it is not yet open for business. The Conference would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your very generous support throughout the years. They wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
PORT CREDIT UNION
The Christmas Shoebox Appeal is moving online!
Unfortunately, due to the effects of the COVID-19 restrictions, it is not possible to send gift-filled shoeboxes from Ireland this year.
Instead Team Hope will be asking schools, families, friends, communities and businesses to #TeamUpForTeamHope by donating gift-filled shoeboxes for children affected by poverty. The Christmas club savings can now be paid to your account. BIC and IBAN numbers needed to transfer money.
SANTAS HELPERS
Last Christmas Santa’s Helpers through professionals and community activists reached 160 families. We do not know the identity of these people except the circumstances of some. To establish where our help was to go, we asked for a little information without identifying the recipients. Some of the stories were heart-breaking and very difficult, some were of ordinary people who found themselves struggling, All of them needed support. This Christmas Santa’s Helpers will try to reach all that we can.
Children receive something from Santa, the family resources stretch further, Children will have fond memories of these moments. Help us to help others.
Please share. Time is ticking away. Almost at €4,000. Thank you to all who donated so far.
Santas Helpers are in touch with Volunteers to identify where our help may be needed this Christmas and we have approximately 3 to 4 weeks to achieve our target which is initially €10k but realise more is needed. Please share our post to create awareness of Santa’s Helpers. Thank you. Here’s the link.. You can contact Ann Bourke Dunne who has agreed to help in Portarlington. Darren Conroy can be contacted at Taylor & Conroy, Kilminchy in Portlaoise.
SENIOR ALERT
Have you heard of Senior Alert Alarms? All over 65 years are eligible. It provides you with the access to summon help, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It is fully covered for supply & installation of the alarm. Small yearly charge to monitor the alarm. If you or someone you know is interested then contact the PCDA at the Love Port office on 0858568801 or e-mail info@portarlington.ie
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of William (Murt) Treacy, the Heath, Portlaoise who passed away on Friday November 6. Murt was a retired teacher at Portlaoise Vocational School. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Kathleen, sons Fionan & Billy, daughters Sinead & Karen, his 6 grandchildren, sister Anne, brothers Pat (Portarlington) & Tom (the Heath), his extended family & a wide circle of friends. Funeral took place on Friday November 13 at the Heath Church. May Murt rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Paddy Boylan, Spa St who passe away on Monday November 7. Paddy was predeceased by his loving wife Bridie. He will be sadly missed by his daughters Kathleen, Geraldine & Caroline, sons in law Michael, David & Sean, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family & friends. Requiem Mass took place in St Michael’s Church on Wednesday November 11, with burial after in St Michael’s Cemetery. May Paddy rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Rose Fogarty (nee Lalor), Avondale estate & formerly St Joseph’s Tce Mountmellick, who passed away on Tuesday November 10. Rose will be sadly missed by her devoted husband Pat & son Barry, brother Tom, sisters Mary, Lily & Trush, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours & friends. Requiem Mass took place on Friday November 13 at St Michael’s Church Portarlington, with burial after in St Michael’s Cemetery. May Rose gentle soul rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Mervyn Rochford, Castle Gate & formerly Wexford Town who passed away on Thursday November 12. Mervyn will be sadly missed by his loving wife Hilary (Oakley), his sons Colin & Brendan, step children Patrick, Lorraine, Pamela, Helen & Robert, his grandchildren, sisters Phyllis & Muriel, brothers Lionel, Górdan & Adrian, his extended family and many friends. Mervyn was the instigator of setting up the Portarlington Men’s Shed. Funeral took place on Saturday November 14 to Mount Jerome Crematorium. May Mervyn rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Marie Comerford (nee O’Reilly), Twomey Park Mountmellick & formerly Marian Hill Portarlington who passed away on Thursday November 12. Marie was predeceased by her loving daughter Linda. Marie will be sadly missed by her loving husband Noel, son Noel Richard, daughters Sharon, Caroline, Noeleen, Valerie, Kathleen & Wendy, sisters, brothers, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, neighbours & friends. May Marie rest in Peace.
PARISH NEWS
St Michael’s Parish during phase 3. Masses-No public Masses allowed. All Masses will be online. Weekdays-10am. Saturday-6.30pm. Sunday 9am & 12.15pm. Churches will remain open for private prayer. Baptisms to be deferred until a suitable date can be arranged.
St Michael’s Church webcam is here.
GRACEFIELD LOTTO
Lotto results for Monday November 9. Jackpot €11,800-no winner. Numbers drawn 7-1-9-16. €50 each to Mary Evans c/o Online, Martina Wilmot c/o S Slattery, Anto & Mary c/o A Earley, Derek Hanlon c/o H Hanlon & Liz Hopkins c/o Online. Promoter- Michael Slattery. Next Jackpot-€12,000.
ONLINE LOTTO
Our club lotto tickets can now be purchased online here.