WINDGAP PARISH NEWSLETTER       26th MAY 2013
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MASSES DURING THE WEEK
Monday & Friday: Dunamaggan at 9.30 a.m.
Tuesday: Windgap at 9.30 a.m.
Wednesday & Thursday: St. Joseph’s Home, Kilmoganny at 12.10 p.m.
Saturday:  Kilmoganny at 7.00 p.m.; 
Sunday: Tullahought at 9.00 a.m.; Windgap at 10.00 a.m.; Dunamaggan at 11.00 a.m.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Nicholas’s Church, Windgap each Monday from 10.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.
Holy Hour each Wednesday from 3.00 - 4.00 p.m. St. Leonard’s Church, Dunamaggan. 
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ANNIVERSARIES: Christopher & Josephine Brennan, Tullahought, mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 26th.
Pierce & Maura Barry, Ballygowan, mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 2nd.
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PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING: (1) An up to date list of members of the Pastoral Council will be displayed in each church; (2) A new organ has been donated to St. Nicholas’ Church, Windgap, thanks was expressed to the donor; (3) Mary Egan was nominated as representative to the Deanery Pastoral Council with Anne Foley as substitute; (4) Thanks was expressed to all who helped and attended the Faith Fest in Kilkenny; (5) mass will be celebrated at about 12.15 p.m. on 23rd June at the Grotto as part of the week-end celebrations; (6) Joan Watters was nominated as the Parish Safeguarding Children representative; (7) A review of activities during the past 5 years took place and planning for the future was outlined.
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ANNIVERSARY MASSES: When more than one anniversary is included at a weekend mass, those prayed for will be included in masses during the following week.
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FIRST COMMUNION CELEBRATIONS:
Sunday 26th May in St. Eoghan’s Church, Kilmoganny at 12.00 noon (An additional mass on next Sunday)
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MASSES FOR STUDENTS SITTING EXAMINATIONS will be celebrated in:
St. Eoghan’s Church, Kilmoganny on Saturday 1st June at 7.00 p.m.
St. Nicholas’ Church, Windgap on Sunday 2nd June at 10.00 a.m.
***************************************************************************************** ST. JOSEPH’S HOME, KILMOGANNY: Thanks to all in Windgap and Tullahought who contributed to the envelope collection for the Home. €2,561 was collected.
*************************************************************************************** WINDGAP COMMUNITY ALERT: Following the Community Alert meeting on 22nd May it was agreed to set up a text messaging service in the Parish to help with the problem of crime in rural areas. Each house in the Parish, over the next week or two, will be given a letter of explanation and a form to be completed and returned to any Community Alert member if they are willing to take part in this text messaging service.
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GET BACK ON YOUR BIKE! A Free adult cycling workshops - or a reintroduction to cycling will take place at Gaelscoil Osraí, over 3 sessions, on May 30th, June 6th and June13th from 7.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. each night. The workshops are open to adults and will help you gain the confidence to get back on your bike. Also included is advice on basic bike maintenance. Contact Seamus in Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership on 056 - 7794990.

This week's blog was written by Jamie Lomax, Aisling Lynch & Leah Murray.



The First Communion was on May 19th with 13 boys and girls receiving their First Holy Communion in Tullahought. The choir, which was made up of the pupils from 1st to 6th class (see photo), sang their hearts out on this special day for the 2nd class. Mrs Malone was very busy because she organised the choir and prepared the 2nd class for First Communion.

Well done to Parent Association members Rachel and Lena for their great performance on Sue Nunn’s radio show last Monday. We were able to listen to it in school on the internet. They were promoting our Healthy Eating Day. We are very proud of them.

On Wednesday of last week the 5th and 6th classes went on a maths trail around Kilkenny city and the Infants went to Kilkenny Castle. It was a cold but fun day for us all.  

Mr Eddie Kelly came to visit us on Thursday. He was principal of our school for many years. We were interviewing him about his life. He had lots of interesting things to tell us. He will be back in Windgap for the school’s 50th birthday on June 21st.

HB ice-cream funday in aid of Down Syndrome for all the pupils and staff of Windgap NS. During school on Friday 31st of May. All children are asked to bring a donation, please. Organised by 6th class girls (Niamh, Karen, Aisling & Molly.)

Molly Walsh

Don't miss the raffle on the healthy lunch day this Saturday with fabulous prices:

• Cast iron pot set from Waterford Stanley. 
  
• Dish from Nicholas Mosse with their new design. 
  
• Beauty hampers from Madigan's Pharmacy 
• And many other prices.
  

Camogie Updates - with Alanna Dunphy

U14 Windgap girls played their great rivals Ballyhale on Wednesday night with Windgap winning 5-6 to 1-1. 
This was to in no small way to our goal keepers Laura Foley and Sarah Doherty and scorers for the night Margaret Foley 2-1 and molly Walsh 1-2, and our chief scorer for the night Margaret Purcell bagging 2-3.

Windgap Tullahought Notes May 22nd - JW
NO PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY IN THE HILLS OR VALLEYS ANYMORE: Recent robberies, break-ins and unsociable activities are turning out to be life changing events for members of local communities. Nowadays every person has a poignant personal story of such an event, or knows of a neighbour, relative or friend who has been effected in some way. For them it comes in various forms, the theft of hard earned euros no matter how small, a family heirloom often handed down through generations, or a hard saved for commodity such as a TV camera or computer. For others it is badly needed and expensive to replace heating oil, work tools or a time saving quad or piece of farm machinery. On the list too are schools, shops and businesses where the long term effects are similarly felt. For all it is the violation of their homes, space and premises that remains long after the event along with the added fear of a return visit. With many having been hit not once, but several times, the Cromwellian or Famine style wave that is sweeping the country has confined many people indoors with little or no social contact. Family events that were once community celebrations such as holiday’s, weddings and parties are now only whispered about in fear the word will be out that the house is unoccupied. In an era of improved communications with twitter, face book and email replacing the traditional personal interaction of visits to the local pub, school, shop or outside the church, security gated houses are adding to the isolation of those inside and their neighbours outside. For many living alone being unemployed or a pensioner in tough economic times or being a parent wishing to travel abroad to meet emigrated family members or assisting a homecoming it means they cannot afford sufficient security to doors and windows or an alarm system.  Recent cases have shown the organization and brazenness of the robbers that was once only to be seen on a Hollywood or James Bond set as no residence appears safe no matter how well it is protected. For many the trip to town is now a challenge as unoccupied houses are regularly raided within a short time of the residents departure. In addition it creates unnecessary fear, tension, sleeplessness and associated health issues with some incidences now going unreported. Adding to scenario is the cases where people have encountered their possessions being up for sale or being sold in public in nearby towns and cities. The rising trend of breaking and entering continually shocks visitors from abroad, particularly from cities and lesser developed countries who have long since dealt with their spiralling rates of crime and had the idea Ireland was ever effected until they hear and see its current extent. 
CAMOGIE: In Allana Dunphys weekly report on underage camogie activities this weeks story reports on Windgap's under fourteen camogie championship tie in Galmoy on Wednesday. On their visit the side recorded a fine win over St Anne's as Molly Walsh scored 2-4, Margaret Purcell 1-1, Margaret Foley 1-2 and Gillian Costello with a goal got the scores as they were well supplied with a fine supply of the ball by the rest of the team.
CLUB MERCHANDISE: The supply of hurling club Hoodies and Jerseys for all age groups ahs been replenished. For further details contact any committee member or call 051 648366. 
TIDY TOWNS: Work continued in Tullahought with a clean up of the lake and grass cutting during the week
FIRST COMMUNION: The first communion ceremony took place at a special Mass being celebrated by Fr. Nicholas Flavin on Sunday last in St. Nicholas’ Church Tullahought. Further details to follow in the coming weeks.
HURLING NEWS: The sides double bill with Slieverue at Junior and Junior "B" level was postponed at the weekend following the death of Paddy Buggy. Paddy was a former GAA President, Leinster and Kilkenny County Board Chairman and All Ireland winning player against Waterford in 1957. Paddy's funeral took place in Ferrybank. The games are currently being refixed, see fixtures details on sports pages.
HURLERS DRAW: Supporters of the local club can win any of five cars or an array of holidays and cash prizes. Tickets are also available from local committee members and players.
HEALTHY FOOD: The school building fund Healthy Food Fair takes place in Windgap Community Hall on this Saturday 25th May 2013 12 – 4 pm. It will include the Launch of the Windgap National School book of Healthy Lunch Recipes and a Cookery Demonstration with Anne Neary. Presentations on the day will include: Food for Life by Mr Abbas Ghadimi. Avoiding Food Waste by Bernadette Moloney Kilkenny Co Co Environmental Awareness Officer. Also included will be Food Stalls, Raffle,Tea, Coffee, Refreshments. Admission is €5 per adult, Kids are Free and all are very welcome
GATHERING AWAY: Do you have old photographs or items of memorabilia for the Gathering exhibition in The League House?. If so please contact Tess Cross, Kate Moloney or any committee member.
INVITATIONS: Invitations for the gathering are currently being sent out and the full list of details of the event will be available shortly; 
OUT AND ABOUT: Another feature of the gathering weekend between June 21st - June 23rd is the Knockroe Passage Tomb. It dates back to Stone Age Ireland circa 4000 BC and is of　significant importance in understanding our ancient ancestors .It is one of the most decorated tombs outside of the Boyne valley catchment. It is also the most southerly decorated tomb and proves that our ancient ancestors were not confined to the Boyne Valley. Knockroe is also unusual in being the only tomb with passages aligned to both the rising and setting sun of the winter solstice (December 21). The importance of this site was only realized in 1990 and excavations were carried out between 1990 and 1995. The site is now owned and maintained by the OPW. 
WINDGAP BOYS: The under 10 boys travelled to Galmoy on Saturday last and played the locals in the Go Games league. On the day Windgap started well scoring with an early goal to set them on their way as they recorded a 5-3 to 1-3 win. Their next match will take place in Nowlan Park.
COMMUNITY ALERT: A community alert meeting will take place in Windgap Community Centre on this Wednesday 22nd May at 8.00p.m. The agenda will include the creation of a text messaging system in the area. All are invited to attend. 
STUDENTS EXAMS: A mass for all students sitting exams will be celebrated in St. Nicholas’ Church, Windgap on Sunday next 2nd June at 10.00 a.m.
PLAYGROUND NEWS: Clare Goodwin of Kilkenny County Council met Fr. Nicholas Flavin, Marie Hayes, Matt Doran and Jimmy Walsh at the proposed site of a new playground on Tuesday morning last. The group were representing the Planning for the Future Committee, The Parish, School Parents, the elected members of the County Council and the Windgap Community Development committee. Amazed at the beauty of the setting on a split level site surrounded by trees, water and the areas sporting educational and social facilities Clare offered the full support of the council and advised the group on how to advance the project. Adding to the ambience was the sound and sight of the school children scattered on three different play areas during their morning break. In addition the air was full of birdsong and the fragrances of the fresh growth of summer and the newly cut grass as local volunteers George Watters and Dermot Houlihan were busy manicuring the grass area around the lake.   
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: The smallest attendance to date was present at the latest Planning for the Future meeting held in the GAA Clubrooms on Tuesday evening. In a long agenda, the repairs and renovations to the Creamery Store, The Gathering event from 21st – 23rd June were discussed. Also the repairs to Tullahought and Windgap Churches, the roof of the presbytery in Windgap and the low voltage ESB supply in Tullahought. Also debated in depth were the proposed Playground Development, the tennis court and the re-development of the Hall in Windgap. Getting an airing on the night was the proposed amalgamation of walkways where a fantastic offer of the cost free construction of a linking path has been made. Completing the long list was the feedback on an all weather playing area. Missing owing to possible time constrictions was the updates on the widening of the gates into the Car Park at the church in Windgap and the proposed cleaning of the statutes in the Grotto in time for the gathering. Owing to space constrictions further details will follow on each item in the coming weeks..The next meeting was fixed for Tuesday 18th June at 8.30 p.m. 
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to [email protected] by Sunday evenings at 6pm

Support your local newspaper - The Kilkenny People

FOOD company Glanbia is to appoint Siobhan Talbot as its new chief executive.

This move marks the second only appointment of a female chief executive to an Irish publicly listed company – the other is Anne Heraty at recruitment firm CPL Resources.

Glanbia’s current boss John Moloney is to retire after 12 years at the helm.
Ms Talbot has been with the company for over a decade and will take up her new position at the end of the year.

Siobhán is originally from Kilmoganny and is the daughter of the late Johnny and Moira Hickey. Her father, a  farmer passed away over thirty years ago and her mother Maura taught at Tullahought National School and then at Windgap National School. 

WINDGAP COMMUNITY ALERT meeting will take place in Windgap Community Centre on Wednesday 22nd May at 8.00p.m. to explore possibility of setting up text messaging in Parish. A member of Muintir Na Tire will attend. Forms will be available for those interested in partaking in the scheme and volunteers will be required to man the phone in rotation. A good attendance is needed if this service is to be put into operation. All are welcome and inform anyone who may be interested.