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Roscrea Youth Centre hosted it’s annual End of Year Mass and prize giving ceremony recently. It was a beautiful, sincere and fun filled night, where members, committee, families and friends celebrated all that is good within the club. The extremely talented choir opened with ‘Circle of Friends’ a hymn that has become the club’s anthem in recent years.
Last year’s club members of the year, Meggie Fitzgerald and Thomas Cashin welcomed everyone to the mass and explained the theme of ‘Milestones’. The artwork and photographs around the club walls re-eclipsed this theme and was expanded upon by Kelly, Katie & Rebekah as they read a reflection from senior girls about past present and future milestones. Sean Hogan then read a committee reflection on the milestones we have faced over the last year.
In his homily, Fr. Lorcan outlined the lessons he learnt from junior members, senior members and committee members over the year. They were ‘the importance of second chances’ ‘the courage to change’ and the ability to give even when tired and stressed. In a light-hearted way Fr Lorcan made a comparison to ‘Nanny McPhee’ and the lessons the children had to learn in that movie.
What followed then was an offertory of different coloured candles, carried by different people who represented different parts of the club ie: Fintan brought a junior candle, Katie a senior candle, Mark a committee candle and Anne brought a candle representing families and friends of the club. They were brought to an actual milestone in front of the altar. loved ones in Heaven who still give us strength light and direction were then remembered.
Fr Lorcan finished Mass with certificates for the junior committee and a dolphin insigna (in memory of the club’s Ballybunion holidays) for the club’s committee and leaders. He thanked the committee for their kindness support and generosity and said how proud he was to be part of such a group.
In his thank-yous Fr Lorcan also thanked the following people for their work on the night and help during the year.
They were:
1. All who took part and prepared the mass, who decorated and set up the hall. A special word of thanks to the choir; led by Anne, Margaret, Aileen, Paddy, Anne and Veronica. To Trish, Carmel and Anne who did the booklet, with brilliant cover design by Lauryn Murphy and MacKenzie Treacy.
2. To our friends, neighbours and patrons of the club; A special word to Ann Ralph / Erin & members of the press, Brian Redmond, Des Walsh and all who supported the club on the flag day and through draw cards and who made donations. A special thanks to Imelda & May for their kindness & friendship. Fr Lorcan really thanked Imelda for doing the Lions Club walk.
3. To Paddy at Fas, Esther our fas worker and all at fas. To Brendan Keeshan for his help on the night.
4. To Andrew & Mary Walsh who sponsor the Oscars, Michael and Mrs Tobin who sponsor the beautiful trophies and medals. To Peg Coughlan & Peg Coffey & their families for the memorial cups. To members of the Gardai who helped in our Holiday and club activities.
5. Lastly Fr. Lorcan again thanked our Junior and Senior Committee. He is extremely proud of both of them and is looking forward to starting a new annual holiday in Kenmare. We as a group are counting down the days.
Eileen Shanahan then came forward and announced the junior & senior members of the year. They were chosen for their helpfulness, dedication and overall attitude in the year. These two well deserving young people are Fintan Dwyer and Aoife Moore. Well done and well deserved. As a surprise two special certificates were given to two junior members who improved the most during the year. These two men really impressed the committee and reminded them how important our club can be as a place of encouragement, self help and growth. They are Steven Mulhall and Joe Devereux. Well done lads, you deserved it.
Andrew Walsh then went on to give out the Oscars. Sponsored by Andrew & Mary, the Oscars is a way of acknowledging all the good voluntary work that can be done in our community. They are such worthy winners each one deserving of praise and merit. Also for the first time, a father & son won successive oscar months so history has been made by Mixie & Seamus Doran. Congratulations to all our Oscar winners, may you continue to make a difference to our community.
The night ended with a disco and treats for the members, with light refreshments for families and friends. It was such a fantastic night, another milestone in the life of Roscrea Youth Centre.
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