Thank you for the memories

Kieran Gavin wants to thank all those who helped to make Childhood Memories of Moate in the Forties such a success. The books were completely sold out and I know that we could have sold many more copies if we had any to distribute. The launch night was a great social success with MC Andy Gillivan and guest of honour Colm Murray bringing great humour to the occasion, an occasion which was graced by a crowd which was way larger than expected. The staff of the hotel, the shopkeepers who sold the book, the local media for their coverage and the printers are all thanked for their contribution to the success of the project. The proceeds from the sale of the book have already been handed over to the Moate Social Services, a much larger sum than was anticipated. The Sacrament of the Mass is being offered for the memory of all those who lived in the areas of the town covered by the book. Kieran was delighted with the response the book received and is grateful to everyone, young and advanced, who made his efforts so successful Auld Shebeen Golf Society AGM The AGM will be held tonight Wednesday, December 10 at 9pm sharp with the new captain and president taking over for 2009 and also announcing the details of the famous Cider Cup Competition, the annual fundraising event for charity. The calendar of dates for 2009 will also be announced. New members are welcome to join. Carmelite Notes At this time of year, many Children have already written, or are just sitting down to write, their letters to Santa. To children, Christmas seems to take forever. And it is so hard trying to be good while you wait for Santa to come. We are tempted to ask Santa to hurry up and get here earlier, before we break under the strain of all that unnaturally good behaviour. St Peter, in Sunday"s Second reading, is writing to Christians in the early church who are waiting for Jesus to return. They are excited. They are ready. But days pass, then months and then years. They are still waiting. People around them begin to mock their faith, and sadly, many Christians start to believe them. Maybe Jesus isn"t returning. Like little children at Christmas time who get tired of being good, some of these early believers go back to their old ways of life. Waiting for the coming of Christ is an important element of every Christian life. It is the hallmark of this Advent season. But waiting does not mean living in the future; rather it means living fully in the present in the light of future promises to be fulfilled. Waiting is not an excuse for passive inaction rather it is a time of active preparation. Penitential Communal Service A Penitential Communal Service will be held immediately following the 7.15pm Mass on Saturday, December 20 in preparation for Christmas. Shared Intention Mass Fr Mulcahy has been celebrating Mass every Day for the past year for those enrolled in the Shared Intention Mass and shall continue to do so in the future. Recently Deceased Bridie Darcy, Terryglass, (Sister to Mrs Heavin Ballinakill, Moate); Rita Burke, Kells (Cousin of Fr Brendan O"Reilly). We extend our sincere sympathy to their families and loved ones. May they rest in peace Additional Masses Please note, there will be an 8am Mass every morning from Monday to Friday for Advent in preparation for Christmas. Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mary"s bewilderment at the greeting of the angel, "Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you," must have stayed with her all of her life. The birth in stable, the flight into Egypt, trying to make a living in the hill country of Judea, the vigil at the foot of the cross - Is this what it means to be favoured by God? Mary must have wondered! The greeting speaks to us of the person of Mary rather than of the circumstances of her life, that she had been favoured by God in preparation for her part in God"s plan of salvation from the very start of her life. The "servant of the Lord" is not a male hero, but a woman, just a poor girl. In Mary"s Immaculate Conception the ordinary becomes extraordinary, nobody becomes somebody. Think what God can do with you. God uses the most ordinary people for the most extraordinary tasks. All of the things that surround the birth of Jesus are for you - hope, joy, peace and love. In your ordinariness, right where you are, God comes to you. Prayers for the people of Zimbabwe We ask for your prayers for the people of Zimbabwe at this present time. There will be a special day of prayer held on December 10, World Human Rights Day to remember all those who are suffering and have suffered in the World today. St Vincent De Paul Carol Service A Carol Service in aid of the St Vincent de Paul Society will be held on Sunday next, December 14 at 7pm in Carmelite Church. All are welcome. Midland Warriors RFC The Warriors U8, U10 and U12 teams will travel to Ferbane on Sunday next to play against West Offaly Lions and Nenagh RFC with a 11.15 am kick off. Meet outside the Carmelite Church at 10.30am. Parents are requested to help with the transport . Christmas Fun Event On next Wednesday, December 10, they will launch their Midland Warriors RFC Christmas Fun Event in Association with the South Westmeath Hospice at a Press Night in the Auld Shebeen, Moate at 9pm. The event will be a 5 a-side adult tag rugby tournament (non-contact) on Saturday, December 27 starting at 12.30pm in the Moate Show Grounds. For entry forms and tournament details contact: Graham Ross 0879290196; Hugh Flynn 0862522313; Ethel Mitchell 086 1717727; Ian Rowlands 090 6448734; or midlandwarriorsrfc@gmail.com The presentation of prizes will take place in the Auld Shebeen Moate on Saturday evening, December 27. Midland Connemara Pony Breeders Group Officers elected at the recent AGM are Chairman: Eddie Fleming 086-8122821; Vice Chairman: John Moran 087-7410027; Secretary: Mary Rabbit 044-9226489; Treasurer: John Durkin 086-3116415; PRO Ruth Rogers 087-2540164, E-mail rodgersruth@eircom.net Moate Bridge Club The results of the game held last week were, 1st net, Joe Creggy and Larry Flanagan; 1st Gross, Shelia Flanagan and Eileen White; Eithne Pettit and Catherine Roche 2nd net, Mary Kinahan and Dympna Murray; 2nd gross Catherine Murphy and Mary Cronally; Kathleen Grogan and Marjorie Lowe. The club would welcome new members and beginners. If you are interested please come along to Moate Golf Club on Wednesday night at 7.45pm. Christmas Bingo Bonanza The hardworking bingo committee at the Moate Community Centre are on week three of their Christmas Bingo Bonanza tonight with the third of their four big prize nights offering cash prizes of over €4,000. The jackpot of €1,000 must be won on the night, the flier prize of €400 must be won on the night. There will be sit beside prizes on all pages as well as a raffle for prizes ranging from €200 down. With a record crowd again last week the advice is to get there early. The night starts off at 8.30pm and everyone is welcome