Latest news with #StBenedict
The Citizen
25-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
St Benedict's learners unite for Mandela Month with school-wide acts of kindness
St Benedict's learners unite for Mandela Month with school-wide acts of kindness True to their motto Veritas in Caritate (truth in charity), the St Benedict's College Junior Prep and Preparatory School community marked Mandela Month with meaningful acts of generosity and service. Each learner took part, proving that even small gestures can make a big difference. Grade 00 and Grade 0 learners prepared and donated 125 sandwiches and 90 pieces of fruit to the Elandsvallei Home for the Aged in Primrose. ALSO READ: Mandela Day sparks generosity across Germiston as groups give back Grades one and two focused their support on the St Francis Care Centre, Rainbow Cottage. 'Grade Ones collected 22 packs of nappies, 10 tins of formula, 54 jars of baby food, 18 baby creams and washes, 19 packs of wet wipes, baby clothes, and 10 bags of toys,' said head of marketing Mpumi Motsabi. Grade Two learners gathered 120 canned goods, 11 bags of rice, 22 cleaning products, as well as tea, sugar, pasta, cooking oil, coffee, soup, maize meal, cereal, spices, stock cubes, and lentils. ALSO READ: Avril Elizabeth Home invites community to Mandela Day Walk-A-Thon fundraiser Grade Threes supported the Khanyisa Trust, a soup kitchen run by the Bedfordview Methodist Church, with a large donation of fresh vegetables. Their contribution included 40 bags of potatoes, 10 bags each of sweet potatoes and butternut, four pumpkins, 15 bags of gem squash, 15 cabbages, 50 bags of carrots, and 40 bags of onions. ALSO READ: Jenny Wu Sports Academy embraces the spirit of Mandela Day everyday Grades four to seven joined forces with Assumpta Catholic Primary School, packing an impressive 2 568 soup packs in just 67 minutes. These will benefit more than 10 000 people, distributed through The Father's Hand, an outreach initiative led by school chaplain Fr Thabo and the Assumpta community in Sharpeville. This large-scale initiative was made possible thanks to the generosity of parents, learners, and retail partner Pick n Pay. 'St Benedict's extends special thanks to Pick n Pay for supporting our Grade Five learners on Mandela Day,' added Motsabi.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
St Benedict's to host national pipe band championships in Bedfordview
More than 200 competitors will gather as the powerful sound of bagpipes and drums fills the air during the South African Pipe Band Championships. The event takes place at St Benedict's College on July 26, marking the first time the school will host this prestigious national competition. Top pipe bands from across South Africa will perform throughout the day, joined by distinguished Drum Majors from Northern Ireland. The championships are set to be a full celebration of music, heritage and cultural pride. Audiences can look forward to a dynamic programme of competitive performances, showcasing the precision, musicality and discipline of each participating band. ALSO READ: Local pipe bands to compete in championships coming One of the standout moments of the day will be the Massed Band Display. This finale will bring all participating bands together for a powerful and emotional group performance that highlights the spirit of the event. Adding further vibrancy, the Highland Dancing Competition will bring colour, tradition and movement to the stage. Visitors can enjoy a curated craft market, sample gourmet offerings from local food vendors, and relax in a lively beer tent. A dedicated children's play area will keep younger guests entertained, making the event ideal for families. For those unable to attend in person, the entire championship will be live-streamed on the St Benedict's College YouTube channel, allowing viewers from across the country — and beyond — to join in the excitement. ALSO READ: St Benedict's host pipe bands show Gates open at 09:00 and entry costs R70 per person. Tickets will be available at the gate or online via Webtickets. 'This year marks a proud milestone for St Benedict's College as it takes centre stage nationally as the event host. With a rich tradition of musical excellence, the school is honoured to welcome performers and audiences to what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of pipe band culture in South Africa,' the school said in a statement. For enquiries, contact: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
St Benedict's HoD Portia Nhlapo nominated for 2025 Edu Women in Leadership Awards
St Benedict's HoD Portia Nhlapo nominated for 2025 Edu Women in Leadership Awards St Benedict's College head of department Portia Nhlapo has been nominated in multiple categories of the Edu Women in Leadership Awards 2025 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to education. 'It is a real honour to be considered,' said Nhlapo. 'I believe this recognition not only reflects my personal efforts but also the strength and innovation of our school as a whole.' The 33-year-old educator said teaching has always felt like a natural calling. 'From a young age, I was inspired by the transformative power of education and its ability to shape lives and futures,' she said. 'I was especially drawn to making a meaningful impact in children's lives, particularly in the area of language development.' While she initially aspired to become a lecturer and had the opportunity to teach at college level, her career has developed into more than a decade of classroom and leadership excellence. 'I have taught a range of subjects, including IsiZulu, English, EMS, social science and life skills across both the intermediate and senior phases,' said Nhlapo. 'Each year has brought challenges and opportunities for growth.' She currently heads the IsiZulu department at St Benedict's preparatory school, mentors colleagues and continues to develop learning materials that promote inclusive and effective language education. The EduPulse Africa Teacher Competition, which hosts the Edu Women in Leadership Awards, celebrates educators who go above and beyond to make a difference in their schools, communities and the lives of their learners. Among her many achievements, Nhlapo is a recipient of the Golden Key International Honour Society award, which recognises academic excellence among the top 15 percent of university students globally. Now she needs your help to bring home another prestigious honour. 'People should vote for me because I bring passion, experience and innovation to education,' said Nhlapo. 'I embody the values of excellence, resilience and continuous growth. 'I also aim to develop accessible digital learning content in African languages to support inclusive education and curriculum innovation.' To vote for Portia Nhlapo, visit: Voting closes on July 25. ALSO CHECK: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an advocate ALSO CHECK: Suspect caught with 4.4kg of dagga in Tsakani following police tip-off At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Ballyhea, Killavullen and Meelin
Church Notes Mass Times – Thursday, July 10, 10 a.m.; Friday July 11, 10 a.m.; Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.; Sunday, July 13, 8.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Thursday after 10 a.m. Mass Holy Communion – Only those receiving Holy Communion should approach the Altar and only on a seat-by-seat basis. Booked Anniversary Masses – Booked Anniversary Masses are accepted on the understanding that Funeral Masses and month's mind Masses take precedence. Month of July – The month of July dedicated to the Most Precious Blood Feastdays for the coming week – Thursday, July 10, St Alexander. Friday, July 11, St Benedict, Abbot, patron of Europe. Saturday, July 12, Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sunday July 13, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Alms for Nigeria – Alms may still be left into the sacristy. These will be applied to a charitable purpose designated by Archbishop Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria. New Crucifix – The parish has acquired a large out-door Crucifix from the Redemptorist Monastery in Esker, Co. Galway. To defray the purchase and transport costs a subscription list is now open for anyone who would like to support this initiative. Subscriptions may be left into the sacristy at any time. Collectors for July – 7.30 p.m. Vigil Mass: Helen O'Doherty. 8.30 a.m. Mass: PJ O'Driscoll. 11 a.m. Mass: Michael O'Mahony. Readers – Saturday, July 12: Elizabeth Ryan. Sunday, July 13: Mary Byrne. Sataturday July 19: Ger. O'Shea. Sunday, July 20: Sheila Fennessy. ADVERTISEMENT Church Altar Flower Arrangers – Saturday, July 12: Breda Crowley. Saturday, July 19, and Saturday, July 26: Angela Ryan. Irish Catholic Newspaper/Sacred Heart Messenger – The Irish Catholic newspaper and the Sacred Heart Messenger are available in the Porch for purchase. Irish Catholic €3, Sacred Heart Messenger €2. Pilgrimage to Medjugorje – Leaving Cork on August 20 to September 4. Early booking offers available. Money can be paid in instalments to spread out the cost. For more information, please contact Mary Cott, Group Leader 086 1220850. Church gate collections – No church gate collection taken up at St Mary's Church, Ballyhea is endorsed by the parish. Any group or organisation intending to collect outside the church gates are asked to present copies of their permits in the sacristy, together with copies of letters of authorisation of those collecting on their behalf. This should be done before the collection commences. GAA club news Lotto – The numbers drawn on June 28 were 18, 19, 40. There was no winner of the jackpot of €1,200. Lucky dips winners were: €30 Dinny Ring c/o Mike O'Kelly, €30 Ríona Garvey c/o David Garvey, €30 Oliver Herbert c/o the idle Hour. Get your tickets before 5 p.m. on Saturday from Costcutters Ballyhea, Corbett Court, The Idle Hour or from any of the ticket sellers or they can be purchased online at Thank you for your continued support. The first three numbers of the National Lottery Main Draw will be the jackpot numbers. If a number higher than 42 is drawn in the first three, the draw will continue with the next number drawn under 42. Groundskeeper Position – A part-time position is available as Groundskeeper for 19.5 hours per week at Ballyhea GAA Must qualify for Community Employment. Please contact Kathleen at 086 836 97 64 for further details. Ballyhea in Black and White – 'Ballyhea in Black and White' is a collection of memories from local photographer Michael McGrath and photos that have been collected. It features some great GAA and camogie memories from down through the years. Books can be purchased at Costcutters shop in Ballyhea for €20. Online Shop – The club's online shop is proving to be very popular. All the latest club gear can be purchased from the O'Neill's website. Check it out at Instagram – The club can now be followed on Instagram. To see the latest club pictures go to ballyheagaaclub. Ballyhea Community Alert Ballyhea Community Alert has successfully set up a Text Alert Network to immediately alert our community when an incident occurs. Prompt information to and from Gardaí deters criminal activity. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Text Alert Network please phone any of the following people for information and sign up details – Phil Ryan 087 2937465, Pat Daly 086 1220114, James Horgan 087 2572271, Willie Meaney 087 1936842, Con Walsh 086 8570355. The fee for this service is €10. annually. Killavullen Farmer's Market Killavullen Farmer's Market takes place this coming Saturday in the Birthplace of Nano Nagle from 10.30am until 1pm. All are welcome to come along for the local produce and the company. Community Café Community Café will reopen on Tuesday July 29th from 10.30-12.30 in Killavullen Community Centre. Men's Shed Killavullen Men's Shed meets at the Nano Nagle Birthplace, and there will be more activities planned. All are invited to come along. Contact the Nano Nagle Birthplace for further details. Date for your Diary The annual parish pilgrimage this year will be to Cobh by bus from Killavullen Church on August 15th. Mass for the Feast of the Assumption will be celebrated at St Benedict's Priory followed by a visit to the adjoining Bible Garden. A guided tour of St Colman's Cathedral will be followed by lunch at the Harbour Suite of the Commodore Hotel. In the afternoon, a guided visit to the recently opened Barryscourt Castle (Carrigtwohill) will conclude the day. Cost: €50 (under 21: €30); Reservations: Kathleen Hanley: 086-1556360 Chiropody dates Appointments with our friendly and dedicated chiropodist Patricia are now available for August 9th and September 6th. Please contact her at 086 3225052 to arrange an appointment. Lotto Killavullen Community Council Lotto takes place twice a week. The bonus ball of the National Lottery draw is the winning number each Wednesday and Saturday evening. Last week's winners were Lottie, Anna & Harry and J&C Browne both having the lucky bonus numbers. Congratulations and thank you to one and all for your support. GAA club news Lotto Jackpot shared - There were two winner's winners of the GAA lotto, on Tuesday night last, 1st July in the draw, which took place in the Community Centre. The numbers drawn were 4, 9 and 22. The jackpot on the night was at €1,500. Jake Barrett from Castletownroche, who won the Lotto before, about 2 years ago, was one recipient of the win, and the other was Norma Roche. Both long standing supporters which is always good to see. The winning tickets were sold by John Angland and Nora Roche respectively. The winners of the lucky dips were as follows: €50 - Bessie Rea (seller – Michael Rea); €30 – Brendan Luddy (seller – Lar Luddy); €20 – Jack Neenan (seller – John Beechinor) The next jackpot on Tuesday night 8th July is €1,000 again. In the Killavullen GAA club Lotto, you must pick three numbers from thirty-six which means that the lotto can easily be won, just you have to play, to have a chance. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website- Thank you for your anticipated and ongoing support. Scramble for All Ireland tickets - The final whistle had not sounded in Croke Park, when the requests from staunch Cork and Killavullen supporters could be heard, seeking any kind of a ticket for the All-Ireland Final, on 20th July. With the huge following that Cork hurling has at the moment, a vibrant, youthful and colourful following, invariably there will be disappointments as people who may have followed the progression of the Cork team to every game thus far, are left disappointed. Meelin Vintage car and tractor run The Joe Withers memorial vintage car and tractor run will take place in Meelin on Sunday 13th July.
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
New Bedfordview moms' club promotes wellness and community connection
A new moms' club in Bedfordview brought local mothers together for a special day of connection, relaxation, and wellness. Held on June 1 at the Spa and Wellness Retreat, the event featured a picnic and a variety of fun, interactive activities designed to foster a sense of community and sisterhood. Organised by Rizwana Aboobaker, the gathering was created in response to a lack of baby-friendly spaces for mothers in the Bedfordview and Edenvale area. ALSO READ: St Benedict's rugby team trains with top UK clubs on international tour 'There are plenty of moms' clubs, but not all of them welcome babies. So I decided to host a moms' picnic, not just for a day out, but to help moms get out at least once a month. 'People often don't realise that moms who are constantly alone with their babies can experience depression,' said Aboobaker. The initiative aims to become a regular fixture in the community, with monthly outings planned to encourage connection and provide mothers with much-needed social interaction and support. 'Next month, we're planning a trip to the zoo or another outing where we can include not only babies but also toddlers and older siblings. We'll be doing another picnic in September, hopefully even bigger than this one. 'The goal is to help moms meet other local moms and build a support network,' Aboobaker added. ALSO READ: St Benedict's rugby team trains with top UK clubs on international tour One of the highlights was a self-defence demonstration by Blackbelt Martial Arts Taekwondo Academy, aimed at empowering both the mothers and children with basic safety skills. Fitness and well-being were also front and centre. Pilates instructor Natasha Cordeiro led the moms through a gentle session designed to refresh both body and mind. 'As a mom myself, I know how exhausting and overwhelming it can be when your children are still little,' said Cordeiro. 'We give so much to our families, but it's crucial to prioritise our health. The stronger and more balanced we are, the better we can care for our children.' Cordeiro emphasised the importance of taking time out, even if it's just for an hour for Pilates or yoga. 'So many women prioritise their families and forget themselves. To care for others, we need to be well ourselves. You can't pour from an empty cup.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
