Cara Phort celebrates fifth year in Ballynacargy

The community group 'Cara Phort' in Ballynacargy, marked the fifth anniversary, with a celebratory Mass, followed by a party in Cara Phort centre.Described as a 'family resource centre', Cara Phort is the focus point for a lot of Ballynacargy"s social activities, as well as a host of community, training, and support initiatives, and at Saturday evening"s Mass, there was a procession of gifts representing the activities carried out at the centre.The gifts were a plaque bearing the name of the centre, brought up by Natalie Keena; the centre"s Mission Statement - which states that the members worth with all of the community to improve the quality of life for all, especially those most vulnerable - was borne to the altar by Tess Coyne, while Tracey Maher brought up a painting that she had done herself in a class at the centre.Wayne Kelly brought up a photograph from a trip from one of the centre"s summer camps, while Jake O"Meara brought up a copy of a DVD produced by one of the many drama groups which operate in the centre, and Mary Maher brought up a Volunteer Appreciation Certificate.At the Mass, Tricia McKenna spoke, and told the congregation that Cara Phort translates as 'friendly harbour', which is what the centre is for the people of Ballynacargy.'It is a family resource centre, and what does it do? It tries to overcome and fight disadvantage,' she explained, adding that it provides special services for lone parents, young mothers, young families, older people, job seekers, and other people who need support, including the most vulnerable and isolated groups in the area. Those benefiting from the centre are from Ballynacargy but also Sona, Emper and Milltown.Ms. McKenna urged anyone with time to spare to volunteer to help out in the centre, speaking of the vision of Cara Phort, which was that everyone in the community would feel a 'sense of belonging' within their local community.'This is a time to be proud and happy over what has been achieved, but also a time to look forward to the future and the continued growth and success of the centre, and this can only be achieved with the involvement of the community,' she said.Fr. John Nally, P.P., Ballynacargy, spoke in praise of Cara Phort and the activities carried out there. He also said that there can be rivalries between parishes, and that it was his hope that this sort of rivalry would die out.