Horseleap Streamstown Community Association Notes

The Community Association is looking forward in anticipation to the Annual Christmas Dinner for the invited guests from the Community on this Sunday the 11th of January commencing at 2pm.We hope for a good turnout on the day. If anyone would like to donate items for the Raffle please feel free to do so. We hope to have a good line up of entertainment on the day.Streamstown Tidy VillageThe Annual General Meeting of the Streamstown Tidy Village committee is scheduled for Wednesday the 14th of January at 9pm in the Horseleap Streamstown Community Centre. We hope for support from all of the households in the area, and would like feedback on the work and plans for the locality. So please come along and have your opinions heard.Fr Martin E BurkeOn New Year"s Eve news of the passing of Rev Fr Martin E Burke filtered throughout the locality which shocked some, even though it was realized he had been in failing health.Fr Burke who was ordained to the priesthood in 1954 and served in Myshall, Co Carlow for his first nine years on loan to the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. He was then moved to Kilcloon parish from 1963 to 1966, and then to Mountnugent from 1966 to 1970, before coming to Clara, where he served for ten years.During those 10 years he was very active and well known throughout the parish as he served in the Horseleap/Streamstown area. He was well remembered for his involvement with the barbecues that used to take place in The Ball Alley in Streamstown as fundraising events for the parish, and got to know many families from weddings, baptisms, first Holy Communions, Sacrament of Confirmation, Sick Calls, First Friday Calls and funerals.In 1980 he was appointed to Kilcormac and in 1982 was appointed as Parish Priest to Donaghmore - Ashbourne until he returned to Clara in 1998. Fr Burke continued for the next few years as P.P of Clara which extends to Horseleap and Streamstown and takes in a large catchment area and remained active in all his duties until he retired in 2005.In 2004 Fr Burke celebrated his Golden Jubilee in the parish which was a great achievement for him. He retired as parish priest in 2005 to his home in Horseleap where he remained actively involved in Parish duties until earlier in 2008 when he was in failing health. Fr Burke had been on the Board of Management of the schools in Horseleap and Streamstown and was very diligent in the goings on of the schools and it was always Fr Burke that administered the sacrament of first Holy Communion in Horseleap.Fr Burke"s remains were removed to St Peter & St Paul"s Church on Friday last the 2nd of January from 2pm to 6pm where there was a constant flow of people visiting the Church to pay their respects to Fr Burke and to offer sympathy to his two sisters and other family members.His remains were then removed to St Brigid"s Church in Clara and received by Bishop Michael Smith and some of his fellow priests and was in Repose from 7pm to 9pm, where First Friday Mass was offered by Fr Patrick Keary, Fr Michael Meade and Fr Brendan Ferris.Fr Burke"s funeral Mass was concelebrated on Saturday at 12 noon in St Brigid"s Church Clara with in excess of 50 priests present. His family members recited the readings and prayers of the faithful. The Offertory Procession was brought to the altar by Phyllis Lennon, and Phyllis Price and Annie Digan. Following the funeral Mass his remains were removed back to their final resting place in Horseleap.Deepest sympathy is extended to his sisters Mona Nolan and Nuala O"Toole, his brothers-in-law Patrick and Thomas; his nieces, nephews, Bishop Michael Smith, his fellow priests, his housekeepers and friends Ann and Phyllis, his extended family and friends. To us his parishioners on our own loss as he had been among us for over two decades.CongratulationsCongratulations and best wishes are extended to Edward Slevin, The Village, Horseleap, son of June Slevin and Michael Slevin on celebrating his 40th birthday with family and friends at the weekend. Best wishes from all of your extended family and friends.Wednesday ClubThe Wednesday Club will resume following their Christmas break on Wednesday the 14th of January 2009.Thank YouDarragh, Eileen and Gerry Fallon would like to express a heartfelt thanks to each and everyone who supported them in their annual Table Quiz and auction which was held on the 7th of November in aid of The Caring for Kids Project.In 2007 the sum raised was €4135 and they had hoped to even achieve a similar amount, but they exceeded this and reached an amount of €5852 for which they are overwhelmed. So a big thank you to everyone who helped and all look forward again to 2009"s event.SympathyBelated sympathy is extended to Mrs. Madeline Langan, Newtown, Horseleap on the death of her mother Mary Clarke who passed away prior to Christmas in Tullamore. Sympathy to Madeline and Jimmy, and their sons, and daughters and all of the extended family at this time.Sympathy is also extended to Gemma Conlon, Creeve, Streamstown on the death of her father John Minnock, The Clove, Rahan, Tullamore who passed away on the 29th of December last. His removal took place from the family home to St Carthage"s Church, Killina and funeral Mass was celebrated on New Year"s Eve with burial afterwards to Rahan Cemetery. Deepest sympathy to his wife, Molly, sons, daughters, and extended family. Deepest sympathy also to Gemma and Anselm, and their sons Alan and Thomas and daughter Sarah on their loss.Set Dancing ClassesThe set dancing classes are resuming on this Thursday night the 8th of January from 8.30pm to 10pm and all are hoping for a full turnout with the New Year"s resolutions cutting in.Dates for your DiarySunday 11th of January Annual Christmas PartySunday 22nd of March Confirmation Day in Clara Church at 1pmThought for the WeekWe should be grateful that we are not alone in this world and that, especially at Christmastime, we are surrounded by those we love.