Streete Notes 16th December 2023
SANTA’S Coming Soon: I have received a special letter from Santa which he has asked me to share with the children from Streete and the surrounding areas. It reads as follows: Season’s Greetings to everyone from Santa’s headquarters here in the magical North Pole! To all the boys and girls around Streete and local area. Thank you for having me at your Christmas Market. Mrs. Clause and I had a wonderful day and we got lots of lovely letters, wishes and dreams from the children. The elves are working hard every day getting the toys and gifts ready in good time for Christmas and are eagerly awaiting the green light from our North Pole weather experts to clear a path in the snow as we head to Streete on Christmas Eve. Can I remind you to leave a little snack out for me and Rudolph as we can get quite peckish on the long journey and please be on your best behaviour for mum and dad and go to bed when your told, need I remind you, I can’t break the magic of Christmas by delivering presents while you’re awake. You must only wake up when you hear the jingle of bells as Rudolph powers up the sleigh to move me away to the next house. And thank you for remembering the special people in your life. I'll see what I can do to make their dreams come through too.
Santa
Fairy light tractor run: The now annual Fairy Light Tractor Run held at the Parish Park will take place on Friday December 29th So Before you put Christmas to the back of your mind for another year, why not join us along the route as tractor owners deck out their machines with festive fairy light for an evening’s enjoyment, starting at Streete Parish Park. Registration from 5 pm with run sharp at 6 time, we ask tractor and truck owners spread the word. For more information on this, Kevin on 087 1375222.
Community Centre Closed: On behalf of the Committee, Staff and dedicated supporters of Streete Parish Park may I wish each and every one a joyful Christmas. The centre will be closed from This Monday 18th until Tuesday 9th January for sporting activities. During this time some essential maintenance work will take place. The 2024 Calendar for bookings is now open. We encourage you to make your dates know to us to avoid over booking and date clashing. This helps us to run the center smoothly and operate more cost-effectively. To help us Please contact 087 1375222.
Shortest day: This Thursday is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. the Winter Solstice occurs on 21st of December, and for anyone lucky enough to get a ticket to the Newgrange monument where one of the 7 wonders of the world takes place. This unexplained wonder takes place on this date once a year and if we’re lucky enough to have a clear sunrise, the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn through the specially contrived small opening above the entrance known as the ‘roof box’, to illuminate the Chamber for 17 minutes, this is known as The Winter Solstice which is an astronomical phenomenon. To you and me from this day on we can look forward to a little extra stretch in the evenings.
Deepest sympathies: On behalf of the present and past committee of Streete Parish Park we express our deepest condolences to the Reilly Family Mullahoran on the sad passing of Oliver, Ollie Reilly (Bandmaster) R.I.P. Oliver was part of a troupe of traveling players who gave his time so freely to our Parish as we travel around the local areas raising funds at our lotto nights to complete the building of our Parish Park community Centre. A true gentleman who will be fondly remembers and sadly missed by all who knew him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Carol Service: The students off St Mary’s National School Rathowen will lead a carol service in St Mary’s church Rathowen, on Thursday 21st at 10.30 Am, You are welcome to join then in the joyful preparation of the birth of Christ. A cake sale will also take place in the school afterwards your support would be gratefully appreciated.
Post office Christmas hours: A reminder all post offices will be closed from, 1 pm on Saturday, December 23rd Normal business hours on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th December. Normal business hours resuming on Tuesday 2nd of January. Last post: Letters and light parcels to USA December 11th England and Europe December 18th all local post in Ireland December 21st
Active Retirement: A truly enjoyable day was had by members of our group who attended the Age Friendly Program, held in the Bloomfield house hotel Mullingar last Monday. The event provided lots of information on supports, services and programmes available to the older persons and people with disabilities. Several guest speakers promoted social activities along with a large variety of information stands, followed by a beautiful lunch some music. Or next outing is in the planning, and we will hold a meeting soon. May I wish each and every one a very happy Christmas and peaceful new year.
SOCIAL DANCING: To wind of 2023 we have one of Irelands most talented singer songwriters, Galway’s very own, Shane Moore will be rocking the rafters of Streete Parish Park on Friday December 29th as Shane takes to the stage to entertain us with an unbelievable range of songs and a wide range of tunes, including his version of 'Streets of Promise' released in 2015. Dancers are encouraged to bring their dancing shoes for a great night' of dance and craic, guaranteed. Doors open from 9.00 till Late.
Streete Parish Park: We currently have staff vacancies at the Parish Park Community Centre for anyone who would like to take part in a Community Employment (CE) Scheme. This scheme is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed andor in receipt of a Social Welfare payment to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within their local community. The participant works 19.5 hours work. Community Employment Rates apply to the posts. We would be delighted to here from anyone in the Streete area or the local surrounding areas, Contact 087 1375222 or Westmeath community Development on 044 9348571
Community Alert: Local Gardaí ramp up their appeal and ask that you remain vigilant over the Christmas period and report anything you consider suspicious to them. They ask you to lock away anything that could attract a thief on to your property, keep gates closed and never make it obvious that you have valuables by keeping them out of sight. Your community alert group Streete Watch has a list of reputable people who can do power washing, painting, and many other services, we strongly advise you contact us rather than engaging with unknown strangers who cold call offering convincing services which can leave you deeply out of pocket. For more advice call 087 1375222 report suspicious activity to Gardaí in Mullingar 044 9384000 or Granard 043 6687660
Lads walk in the park: If any men in the parish would like to meet up for a walk or a chat on Tuesday evenings 8pm-9pm, Declan Carthy and a few others are putting in a great effort so why not join them and do a few laps. For more Call Declan 086 8123514
Walking Track Membership 2024: The Parish Park walking track has proved a great success and is enjoyed by many from a wide area. The Parish Park Committee would like to thank everyone who paid for membership for the past year and would like to remind you that your 2024 membership is now due for renewal. New application forms can be found in the membership box at the entrance gate of the walking track or by calling into the girls in the park on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10 am until 2 pm. Single membership is €20, and a family is €30. We also remind you this would make a great Christmas present to someone. Gift vouchers are available from the office or please ask any of the Committee or Kevin 087 1375222. All cheques made payable to Streete Parish Park.
REMINDER: Streete Vintage Club MEMBERSHIP FOR 2024 I have received membership numbers and the annual vintage magazine for members from the Irish Vintage Society. This is now available to all members for collection. For renewal or new Membership. Call 087 1375222 or drop your name and address with the membership fee of €30 through the parish park letterbox and we'll take it from there.
Computers for Beginners: Stage 1 course for the complete beginners will start in the parish park in January and will cover the essentials of getting started, it will help you learn the basics and enable you to gain confidence in using the Internet, send emails, create documents. and share photos online if enough interest in progressing stage 2 will follow on. I would encourage anyone interested to contact me asap as spaces may be limited 087 1375222.
Badminton: Has finished up for the Christmas period and will resume on Wednesday 10th of January at 8.30 pm. On Behalf of Maeve support members and all who take part. May we wish each and everyone a safe and happy Christmas and bright new year. New Adult members, improvers of all grades are welcome to join. Please come along and tell a friend, Call Kevin 087 1375222
PARISH PARK LOTTO: Draw Monday 4/12/23 Numbers Drawn: 17, 19, 26, 27 No Jackpot winner. Four Lucky Dip Winners: Jen Kelly, Rathowen (Online) Anne Boyhan, Multyfarnham Pauline, c/o Feerick’s J.R & Logan Manning, Drumlish. Thanks for your support. Our next lotto draw will take place on Monday 18th December 2023 Jackpot will be €2400.
Boherquill Ramblers: The Ramblers visited Multyfarnham on Sunday 10 December 2023 for a walk out to Donore beside Lough Derravaragh with a diversion on the way through the woods near the Lough. Just a couple of swans were out on the lough and the mobile home park at Donore was very quiet of course at this time of the year. The rain started just before the group completed a loop back to the village so the usual refreshments were skipped. There will be no walk on Sunday 24 December 2023 so the next walk will be the traditional St Stephen’s morning walk at 11am in Mullaghmeen Forest. All Ramblers and their families are wished a Happy and Healthy Christmas. If you would like to add a walk, new or old, to this year's Walks Calendar please contact Philip Epps. See boherquillramblers.ie for more information.
Streete Bowls: On Tuesday night last, we played the semi-finals and final of our Christmas doubles competition. In the first semi-final, Liam Connaughton and Gerry McCaffrey just got the better of Eamon Carty and Paul Holdroyd in a very close contest, winning by a single shot. The second semi-final was an equally exciting contest in which Marie Delamere and Enda Connell edged out Tom Connell and Sean Flood. Both teams were six points each going into the last end. This set up the final between Liam and Gerry versus Marie and Enda. Sometimes finals can be a disappointment but this one was a thriller. Both teams went into the last end locked at eight points each. Enda looked to have taken the end with her last bowl but Liam drawing on his vast experience just edged in front with his final bowl, to win by nine points to eight. Well done to all the bowlers who took part in this competition. A very special word of thanks to our secretary and competition organizer Pat Kelly who as always can run these competitions without a hitch. The club would like to wish all bowlers and their families a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Come and join us in Streete Sports Complex any Tuesday night for a great night of bowling.
Church Notes St Mary’s, Streete/Rathowen: Masses and Adoration this week: Christmas Mass Times: Christmas Eve Boherquill 6 Pm. Christmas Day Rathowen 10 Am. Confessions: Rathowen Monday 18th 7 Pm Boherquill Tuesday 19th 7 Pm. This Coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Advent Calendar. Vigil Mass every Saturday in Boherquill at 8 P.m. Sunday in Rathowen at 10 a.m. Mass this week Tuesday, Boherquill 9.30 Am. Wednesday Rathowen 9.30 Am Thursday, Rathowen 9.30 Am, adoration 10 to 10.30 Friday, 8 pm with adoration 7 to 8 pm
Mass intentions: Please remember in your prayers the souls Paddy, Mary and Dympna Reilly, Balloo and Scott Reilly USA. whose Anniversary Mass was last week. This coming Saturday, Months Mind Mass for the soul of Brian Nerney. Sunday night Christmas Eve Special Mass for the people of the parish. Mass bookings for 2024 are now being taken Please contact Fr. Pierre on 087 6960542
Rosary continues: Rathowen, every Tuesday at 7 pm and Boherquill every Thursday at 7 Pm.
Men’s Prayer Group: Every Monday in the church in Boherquill at 8 p.m. New participants are always most welcome.
NOTES: If you would like to remind us of an upcoming event or would like to have something mentioned in the Streete and District notes, please email kbrady1964@gmail.com or call Kevin 087 1375222 before 5 pm Saturday at the latest and remember folks if you don’t tell me I can’t tell them.