Local Notes: Traffic management, church gate collection and sympathies
Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank. Picture by Joe Evans
The death has occurred of Sean (Lefter) Brett, late of Golf Links Road, Ferrybank, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, at the age of 68.
Sean died in the tender care of his loving family and the staff of the Southeast Palliative Care Centre, Oak Ward, University Hospital Waterford.
He was predeceased by his parents, Paddy and Bridie (née Phelan).
Reared in the family pub, Paddy Brett’s — one of the wellâknown trio of Bretts, Flemings and Morrissey’s at the end of Ferrybank — Sean grew up in a community shaped by those establishments, all of which later closed due to roadâwidening works.
In his youth, Sean was a talented schoolboy soccer player who lined out for Ferrybank AFC and represented the local Gaelic football team.
He served for a time with An Garda Síochána before later working with the greenkeeper team at Waterford Golf Club.
Sean was widely remembered for the role he played in securing the future of St Patrick’s Hospital in 2017, following a decade of determined protest.
Deeply devoted to his mother Bridie, who was a patient in St Brigid’s Ward, he famously undertook a hunger strike at the hospital gates in 2009. Alongside Davy Walsh of Marymount and many others, he continued his campaign to reverse the ward’s closure.
The modern St Patrick’s Hospital, with its improved facilities, stands today as a testament to the efforts of all who took part in those protests.
His mother Bridie passed away in April 2010.
Sean is deeply mourned by his brothers Liam and Ray, his sister Pat (Desmond), brother-in-law Dermot, sister-in-law Anna, nieces Orla and Zoë, nephews Conor, Brett, Ross and Dery, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Sean reposed at Power’s Funeral Home, Ferrybank, on Friday evening.
A private family burial took place on Saturday in Clara Cemetery, Co. Kilkenny.
Parish Priest, Fr. Roderick, will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) on Monday, March 30 at 7pm in Slieverue Church, and again on Tuesday, March 31 at 7pm in Ferrybank Church.
Lent is a deeply meaningful season of reflection, repentance and renewal.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers an opportunity for healing, peace of mind, and the experience of God’s mercy in a personal and prayerful way.
Parishioners are warmly encouraged to attend as part of their Lenten preparation.
Members are reminded that Chair Yoga will take place on Wednesday, March 25, at 11:30am in St Mary’s Parish Hall.
This will be followed at 12:50pm by our usual afternoon activities, including Bingo, the Social Club, and our craft groups for knitting, crochet and more.
Please note that the Association will close after activities on Wednesday, March 25 for the Easter break.
We will reopen on Wednesday, April 15.
We look forward to seeing all our members before the break and hope everyone enjoys a happy and restful Easter.
Julie Mullally, a parishioner in Ferrybank, is travelling to Lourdes with three students from Abbey Community College — Ava, Isabella and Kathleen — to volunteer for five days in May.
They have been raising funds to cover their travel and accommodation costs, and a Church Gate Collection was held last weekend to support their efforts.
Parishioners were encouraged to give as generously as possible.
Traffic management began last week on the inbound lane of Dock Road, Ferrybank, between the Ard Rí entrance and Rice Bridge on the riverâside footpaths.
These works are expected to continue for several weeks to facilitate the installation of new lamp posts.
We know everyone in the area has already endured a huge amount of inconvenience and frustration throughout the North Quays development.
These upcoming traffic measures are another necessary step, and while they may cause further disruption, it is hoped this signals that we are finally moving closer to the finish line.
We extend our sympathy to Pat Meehan, Marymount, on the passing of his brother-in-law John Purcell, late of Mount Suir, Gracedieu, and late of Pine Court and ACEC Waterford, who died on Saturday, March 14, aged 83 years.
John, who was a brother of Pat’s late wife Kit, was buried in St Killian’s Cemetery on Monday, March 16.
Also buried in St Killian’s Cemetery on Monday, March 16 was Catherine (Kitty) Penkert (née Sullivan), late of Connolly Terrace, Waterford, who died on Wednesday, March 11 in her 94th year.
