Mass –
Sunday 21st December, St. Michael’s, 11 am. Peter McCaul, Shercock & Corduff.
Patrick & Ellen Keenan, Greaghlane.
Ann Finnegan, Lisnafeddly, her son Brendan & Maggie Finnegan & Patrick Dupont.
Mick & Katie McCabe & their son Michael & deceased members of the McCabe & Carragher families.
Thomas & Mary Fox, Greaghlane, Bridget & Charles Gollogly & deceased members of the Gollogly family, Fartagorman. Rose & John Fox & deceased members of the Fox family, Bocks & Frank Curran, New Jersey & Eddie Lynch, New York & Larry, Lorcan & Emma Keenan, Bocks.
Pat, Rose & Noel Marron, Corbane.
P.J. & Ita Martin & deceased members of the Martin family, Umerafree.
Michael Heirty, Ardragh.
James & Julie McGardle & Hugh, Bridie & Rose & deceased member of the McGardle family Carrickamore.
Christmas Eve Vigil Mass – Wednesday 24th December, St. John’s, 8 pm.
Christmas Day Mass – Thursday 21st December, St. Michael’s, 11 am.
Sunday 28th December, St. John’s, 11 am. Kathleen Conlon & remembering her husband Patsy, Raferagh.
John & Maureen Smyth, Raferagh & deceased members of the Smyth & Lennon families, Beagh & Greaghlone & Peter Finnegan, Corcreagh.
Bazaar – Another very successful Annual Christmas Bazaar took place last Friday night in Corduff Raferagh Community Centre. The crowd was in early in the hope of picking up some prizes, and many were successful. The prizes were amazing, thanks to the donations from locals, business and clubs. All proceeds from the Bazaar goes towards the upkeep of St. Michael’s and St. John’s. Congratulations to the committee and everyone who helped out in any way. Events like these don’t just happen, a lot of background and prep work is needed to make it a success. And of course on the night the team who kept the tickets flowing, the wheel spinning, the prizes distributed and the money countered. A whopping €13,000 was raised, so your support was very much appreciated.
Santa – A great day was had by all in Corduff Raferagh Community Centre last Sunday when Santa Claus came to visit the children and their families. It was another successful family day with lots of excited and happy children. A special thanks goes to Santa for making it a very special day. The Byrne family, as always put in a phenomenal amount of work, before, during and after the event, we really don’t appreciate all the time and effort they put into this event every year and make it such a special day, so a heartfelt thanks to team Byrne for their Trojan work. On the day many Elves and Helpers came along to help out, all volunteering their time and cheer, so thank you to team Santa. Before we even get to the special day another team of volunteers make all the necessary arrangements, giving of their time to ensure everything is in place so thanks to Joan and her team. Thanks also to Pauline and her team for setting up the hall and serving the food as well as all the other background work they do. Thank you to those who sponsored prizes for the raffle – Mairead McConnon & the Mountain Dew, Super Valu, Justin McKitterick, Martin McKeown, Margaret & Tom Fox. We also acknowledge the help and assistance received every year from the management and staff of Gifts and Things and their generosity.
Scoil Phàdraig Clothes Collection fundraiser – Thanks very much to all who dropped bags into the school as part of our cash for clobber collection. We had 1260kg (more than a tonne) of cloths collected on Friday 12th Dec. Thanks to the school staff and kids for all their help storing and loading. This will all help with our ongoing fundraising. Many thanks from Scoil Phádraig Parents Association.
Saint Vincent De Paul – Thanks to everyone who contributed to the local Saint Vincent De Paul collection in Raferagh on Sunday last. Total amount collected was 2067.60. This money will benefit many people in the parish. If anyone needs assistance please contact 1800677777.
Poker on Saturday night 27th December in the Mountain Dew.
Social Dancing Christmas Party Night on Saturday 27th December with music by Silver Moon from 8.30 pm.
New Year’s Eve Party with music by Colorado in the Mountain Dew on Wednesday December 31st.
Community Employment Vacancy at Corduff Raferagh Community Centre, for details call Rosie at Cormagh Development Co Ltd on 042 9692765.
Christmas Ceremonies – Penitential Service Sunday 21st December at 5.00pm in St. Joseph’s. Confessions Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd December in St Joseph’s after 10.00am Morning Mass. Christmas Eve Mass (Wed 24th Dec) 8.00pm, St John the Evangelist Raferagh. Christmas Day Mass (Thur 25th Dec) 11.00am St Michael’s Corduff.
Extending sincere sympathies from the Corduff Raferagh Community to the McGarrell family Bocks Lower on the passing of Patrick (Paddy) McGarrell, Drummond Etra. May Paddy rest in eternal peace.
Sad Farewell – Last Thursday week ago the news on Northern Sound Radio announcing the cessation of publishing of the long running weekly newspaper, the Northern Standard, was met with deep sadness. Another of our long-standing Irish institutions has become a victim of so-called progress and modernity. It may not have been a total shock, the news, but still, it was saddening. The availability of news literally on tap 24/7 from across the globe to our phones has not only had a detrimental effect on regional newspapers and the print media in general but it also delivers a non-stop flow of sad, horrific, nauseating and perplexing news that our minds are assaulted with on a daily basis. And that’s just the News, that doesn’t include all the other garbage that appears on our phones by the minute.
So where do we go from here? Some people will no doubt still like to get their weekly regional newspaper fix. From the south Monaghan perspective, some will gravitate to the Anglo Celt others may return to the Dundalk Democrat which up until the 1980s was probably the most purchased regional paper in south Monaghan, or maybe a new Monaghan paper will take up the baton, or maybe the powers that be will inject some assistance into the NS. Until such time as we all figure out where to submit our weekly local news, the Corduff Raferagh website’s News page will have the details normally printed each week in the paper for our area. You do not need to be on social media to access this page, but you will need a phone or tablet with access to the internet, this I appreciate is not going to suit everyone. The Corduff Raferagh Facebook page will also provide a link to the webpage each weekend. For the next two or three months we will generate a printed Community Bulletin which will be available in the Mountain Dew, the Community Centre reception area and in St. Michael’s & St. John’s, it will be a monthly bulletin (not a weekly bulletin), to see if there is demand for it. Over Christmas we will print one with a survey to see where locals normally get their local news and where they would like to get it from in the future. So we would appreciate if people completed the survey and return it.
