It Says in The Bridge: May 08

What could be a revival of the old Corpus Christi processions which brought out most of the community is the lead story subject this month.

It's the detailing of the Cruinniu Chriost scheduled for Sunday May 25, at which a procession will start in the square and the participants will make their way to Scoil Bhride, where Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Eamonn Walsh.

The event is devised as a whole community one, with a suggestion that those coming from the different areas of the parish converge in their own processions, possibly with banners.

All are encouraged to bring the makings of a picnic, which will take place after the 3 o'clock mass.

Pictures on the front page record the dismantling of the 50 years old gates at New Abbey graveyard, which have been damaged. The original gates were put up by Mick Brady and his nephew John is in charge of the current replacement job. Keeping it in the family in more ways than one, as Brian Neill is helping, and it was his father Matt who helped Mick a half-century ago.

Among the news inside is a planned reprise of the 'House of Stories' event organised by Billy Redmond. According to The Bridge piece, the next one, at the end of this month, will be in Fallons.

There's the usual good crop of stories from the schools, one highlighting how some 200 of students from the CPC have climbed Croagh Patrick in recent times. Another reports a Brannoxtown NS healthy living initiative that organised a 'walking bus' over three weeks, whereby children going to school were dropped off a kilometre from it and then walked the rest of the way under supervision of their parents and teachers. Scoil Bhride pupils meanwhile marked Active School Week with a Basketball Blitz, Mini Sevens and Athletics competitions. And they recorded the lot on video and in written accounts.

There's plenty of photographic coverage through the magazine of the recent Fashion Show organised in aid of Scoil Bhride. The event received lots of support from local businesses, who are properly thanked in a report on the evening.

There's plenty of Kilcullen Lions news this month too, with a full report on the very successful Community Day and Duck Race, and details of a visit from the District Governor and the Baltinglass Lions. The club is also organising a photographic competition to record Kilcullen's built structure and people.

In other news, there's lots of coverage of scouting activities, including a recent campting weekend in Donadea Forest Park.

The usual columnists are joined this month by the welcome return of Nuala Collins with one of her excellent profiles, this time on Catherine Moran, who for many of the 91 years was a dressmaker for scores, if not hundreds, of children and women of Kilcullen. Amongst the regulars, Sean Landers reports from his Taiwan base, but in a shift of tempo this time as he recounts the rise of a young male fashion model from the US who got his early breaks in Taipei.

In a separate piece he muses on old photographs of Kilcullen and asks for somebody to do something about collecting them. Somebody 'who is retired and has a lot of free time might consider the project' he suggests. Doesn't he know that nobody does retirement any more?

Which is maybe a good cue to Past Dunlop's piece for this month, titled A Clear SIgnpost to Balanced Living. But balance in the spiritual sense, and perhaps not the material helter-skelter on which we all seem to be travelling.

Another feature is about Fr David Conway's mission in Kenya. Fr David is originally from Thomastown, Kilcullen, and there's a gig in St Laurence's GAA Club Narraghmore on May 10 to support his efforts.

As always, there's far too much to mention, but buy a Bridge and see for yourself. It's always worth it.

Brian Byrne.