14th August, 2022

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th August 2022  

Volume 22.  Number 32

ADAMSTOWN LOTTO RESULTS

The winning numbers in the Adamstown Lotto draw on

Monday 8th August were: 1 – 19 – 21 – 25. There was no Jackpot winner with five match three players.

Ivor Whitty, Daithí White x two tickets, Finbar Buttimer, &

Ann-Marie Galway, each received €40. The next draw is on Monday 22nd August for a Jackpot of €14,800.

It is still there to be won, well worth a €2 ticket.

ADAMSTOWN PRAYER GROUP NEWS

On the last Saturday of July twenty-two of the Adamstown Prayer Group boarded the Barrow Princess and cruised down the rolling River Barrow.  Despite a rather overcast morning the group enjoyed the sites of Stokestown, the Rose Kennedy Bridge, Great Island and Waterford Castle Island not to mention a number of wildlife along its banks.

Some showed a preference for the great outdoors by staying on deck, while others imbibed refreshments in the cosy cabin downstairs. At the Clock Tower they disembarked and enjoyed some carefree ambling and lunch in the Viking City of Waterford before returning by coach to the New Ross Quayside.

A most relaxing and refreshing morning was enjoyed by all.

M.J BOOTH R.I.P.

The entire community of Adamstown and surrounds were deeply saddened to hear of the death of M. J. Booth at Wexford Hospital on Tuesday morning last.

M.J. was such a familiar figure in and around the village every day, he was known far and wide. Although confined to a wheelchair, it never held him back; he lived life to the fullest, greatly enjoyed sports, playing cards, snooker, history, gardening or having a debate on politics or other matters.

He was a well-known and hugely successful artist.

He will be missed in our community.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his brothers Leo and Liam, sisters Betty and Mary, nieces & nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.

M.J.’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Abban’s Church on Saturday 13th August with burial afterwards in the adjoining Cemetery. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

A CONDOLENCE – Paddy O’Shea

So saddened to hear of the passing of our good friend and neighbour M.J. Booth. You will be deeply missed around Adamstown and surrounding areas. Your contribution to Art and Culture will always be set in stone.

M.J. was such a talented and unique individual who touched so many people during the course of his life.

A great and passionate community and clubman.

Rest in Peace friend and neighbour. You will be missed around the village.

POEM READ AT RICH FURLONG’S FUNERAL MASS by his daughter Averil.

For this one farmer the worries are over,

lie down and rest your head,

Your time has been and struggles enough,

 put the tractor in the shed.

The years were not easy, many downright hard,

but your faith in God transcended,

Put away your tools and sleep in peace.

The fences have all been mended.

You raised a family, worked the land well

and toiled each day bar none,

Hang up your sprong inside the shed,

your work here on earth is done.

A humble faith led your journey through life,

often a jagged and stony way,

The sun is setting, the sheep are all bedded,

and here now is the end of your day.

Your love of God’s soil has passed to your kin,

 the stories flow like fine wine,

Wash off your boots in the puddle left by the rain

one final time.

You always believed that the good Lord would provide and he always had somehow,

Take off your gloves and put them down,

no more sweat and worry for you now.

Your labour is done, your home now is heaven,

no more must you wait,

Your legacy lives on, your love of the land,

and we must shut the gate.

COVID BOOSTER VACCINES IN ADAMSTOWN PHARMACY

The HSE are now rolling out 2nd booster vaccines to the under 65’s.

From Mon 15th August aged 60 and over are eligible

From Mon 22nd August aged 55 and over are eligible

From Mon 29th August aged 50 and over are eligible

As ever people can book an appointment by ringing

053 9240460 or 053 9240454

We will be vaccinating every Wednesday at a minimum.

ADAMSTOWN TIDY TOWNS NOTICE

The position of Chairperson for Adamstown Tidy Towns Association is available.

Anyone interested can contact 097 7631442.

NEW ROSS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL THANKS

On behalf of New Ross Community Hospital please convey my thanks to the parishioners of Adamstown for donating to our Annual Collection. The collection amounted to €269.16. The kindness and generosity of everyone involved is greatly appreciated.

CHURCH NOTICES

IN MEMORIAM

Sat 13th – Tom (Tiddler) Byrne, Kellystown (A)

Sun 14th – Tom Walsh, Coonogue (Month’s Mind)

Sat 20th – John, Bridie, Nicholas and

Sister Eleanor Whelan, Kellystown (A)

Sun 21st – Padraigh & Susan O’Gorman, Kellystown (A)

Pray for Anna Mai Furlong, Castleview (A)

Pray for John Dunne, Ballybrennan (A)

May they rest in peace.

Monday Feast Day of The Assumption – Mass at 10.30am.

Wed 17th August – Feast of Our Lady of Knock

Morning Mass each weekday at 9.30am

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday for the month of August from 10.00am – 11.00am.

READERS OF THE LITURGY

Sat 20th – T. J. McDonald.   Sun 21st – Sheelagh Delaney

Sat 27th – Anthony McGee    Sun 28th – Neasa Cloney

OUR LADY’S ISLAND PILGRIMAGE 2022

The opening of the Pilgrimage season at Our Lady’s Island takes place this Monday 15th August at 3pm beginning with Mass followed by the procession around the Island.

Each weekday there is Mass at 3pm & 8pm with several speakers and musicians invited to take part.

On the first Sunday of the season, the focus is traditionally on healing and the speaker this year will be Director of Pilgrimage Fr. Jim Cogley. On Sunday August 28th there will be a focus on Mental Health with Nick Popplewell speaking. On Sunday September 4th the focus will be on homelessness and the speaker will be the very well known campaigner for the homeless Fr. Peter McVerry.

The closing Mass and candlelight procession will take place on Thursday, September 8th.

‘COME AND SEE’ VOCATIONS WEEKEND –

16th – 18th September 2022

A ‘Come and See’ Vocations discernment residential weekend will take place in Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre, Blackwater from Friday 16th to 18th September this year.

It is open to men 18 and over who would like to know more about the priesthood as a beautiful way of life and vocation from God. The weekend will include prayer, fun and opportunity to meet with priests and people who will offer encouragement, friendship and further support.

For further information and to book a place, contact

Fr.Billy Swan at: billyswan68@hotmail.com

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

‘God our Father we trust in your loving kindness. Bless our Diocese of Ferns with many priestly and religious vocations. Give the men and women you call, the light to understand your gift and the love to follow always in the footsteps of your Son. Amen’

ANNUAL PATRON

The Patron in St. Abban’s, Adamstown will take place on Sunday 4th September with Mass at 1.30pm followed by blessing of graves in the cemetery.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEE ING

(Cathal Duddy – Pioneer Magazine)

Bees feed on pollen and nectar. The honey bee lives an average of twenty-one days, and then dies. The queen bee can live up to a year or more. Although a single bee travels approximately 55,000 miles during his lifetime, each bee produces only about one tenth of one teaspoon of honey. So the production of honey for our tastes and needs requires colonies of bees. However, bees do much more than merely produce honey. Bees are the foremost pollinators of the crops that we grow. About every third mouthful we eat is food that is dependant on bees. It is true that dairy produce such as milk, butter and cheese do not come from crops, but even the grass is indirectly reliant on bees since grass requires nitrogen in the soil that is produced by clover that depends on bees for its pollination. In recent years, bee colonies around the world have been collapsing at an unprecedented rate, a rate that is alarming many food producers because it affects every crop that depends directly or indirectly on bees for pollination. Many beekeepers have lost all or some of their hives. The phenomenon is called ‘colony collapse disorder’ and is recorded in Europe, Asia and the United States. In parts of China, pollination now has to be done by hand, which is labour intensive and takes much longer. At present this is done efficiently ‘free of charge’ by bees. But some scientists believe that if bees continue to die out at the present rate, bees may disappear altogether within a few years.

Scientists simply do not know why bees are dying out. Under normal conditions 10% of bee colonies are lost in winter. Destruction of habitat, increasing monoculture and greater use of pesticides on crops could be contributing factors to the bee decline. Monoculture is where a single crop is grown but one of the problems with this is that bees can than feed only on a limited form of food so that their immune system is weakened to such an extent that they cannot withstand viruses and diseases. The bees are also often the victims of pesticides, which are sprayed on crops to kill other pests. Ironically, the decline in bees in part stems from the expansion of agriculture to feed people, but destroying the bee populations can hurt the very crops that growers are trying to optimise. Growing more food means that we need more pollinators. You can make your garden an attractive place for bees, butterflies and other insects simply by planting herbs, which you will also be able to use in cooking. In Ireland, the following herbs are excellent for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies: angelica, chives, fennel, lavender, thyme, mint, rosemary, marjoram/oregano.

For more information on beekeeping, visit The Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations

CAMROSS HALL NEWS

Dancing to Michael Collins in Camross Hall on Friday 2nd September 9.30pm – midnight. Admission €10 including tea.

Camross Hall presents a Concert with entertainment from local artists. Save the Date: – 18th September 2022

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – (William Wordsworth)

“The best portion of a good man’s life: is his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love”