Successful Christmas gathering for Moate Retirement Village residents

A successful Christmas gathering was held for residents of Moate Retirement Village on Wednesday, December 15.

This year, due to the pandemic, the Carmelite Fathers offered the residents the use of their Carmelite Pastoral Centre which, due to its space, was ideal for ensuring compliance with public health guidelines and social distancing.

With people per table there were 30 residents and friends in attendance, and the gathering commenced when Fr Jimmy Murray, O Carm, celebrated Mass for those present.

Josephine Donoghue, accompanied by Josie Adamson provided music and song during the liturgy. This year Moate Retirement Village lost two of its residents, Carmel Monaghan and Susan Woodroffe, and relatives of theirs joined in the Mass of Remembrance.

Following the Mass there was hospitality including a draw where each village resident got, at minimum, a Christmas Hamper

The eldest resident Sean O'Farrell, who is originally from Rosemount, celebrated his 90th birthday on the same day and photos were taken with family members at the event.