Papal medal bestowed on Dunboyne volunteer

The Papal medal, the Benemerenti, was presented to Mrs Annie McEnroe of Cushinstown, Dunboyne, at the vigil Mass in the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Dunboyne, on Saturday night. The medal was presented to Mrs McEnroe by Monsignor Dermot Farrell, PP, Dunboyne, in recognition of Annie's work over the last 40 years as a member of the Meals-and-Wheels team of Dunboyne Social Services. The Mass was concelebrated by Mons Farrell, assisted by Mons Edward Dunne, retired PP; Fr Tony Gavin and Fr Tom Gilroy. Dunboyne Social Services had been founded by Fr FX O'Reilly shortly after his appointment as curate in the early 1970s. Based on his previous experience as a curate in the Diocese of Ossory and his work with the well-known Bishop Birch and Sr Stan Kennedy, he quickly recognised the benefits it could bring to Dunboyne. A meeting was set up and a number of people enrolled for the services that best suited their talents and time constraints. Thus, teams came together and began to operate Meals-on-Wheels, Citizens' Information Centre and The Friday Club, amongst other organisations. Many of these services still exist, supervised by some of the original volunteers, as well as new volunteers, young and not so young, but still imbued with the same spirit of willingness to help a good cause. Mrs McEnroe, no doubt from her experience in the local branch of the ICA, which still avails of her help and experience in several officer posts over the years, opted for the Meals-on-Wheels service on that first occasion. Her achievements and dedication to fulfilling the requirements is nothing short of legendary in Dunboyne, including the filling and delivery of numerous Christmas hampers down the years for those in need. She has also served on the central committee of the Meals-on-Wheels organisation since its foundation. She, of course, would point out that it's the committed work of all the helpers involved that makes all the difference. While many other members have also served since the beginning, Mrs McEnroe is the oldest living member of the group. In her 92nd year, she still carries on with the same enthusiasm. However, her efforts have been recognised by the award of the Papal Benemerenti Medal, which is awarded by the pope for long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church.