29th January, 2023

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Weekend of Sat 28th & Sun 29th January 2023

Volume 23. Number 4

ADAMSTOWN LOTTO RESULTS
The winning numbers in the Adamstown Lotto draw on Monday 23rd January were: 18 – 19 – 23 – 24. There was no Jackpot winner including online players. The following two
players matched 3 numbers and each received €100. Róisin Ruth, Corduff & Maura Corcoran C/O Callie Doyle.
The next draw is on Monday 6th February for a Jackpot of €15,000. Keep on buying the tickets – it will be won!!

ANCCR Area Development CLG (Ce Programme)
Brilliant opportunity to get back into the workforce/training
We have vacancies for the following positions:
• Community Employment General Operatives in the following areas, Adamstown, Newbawn, Cushinstown/Terrerath, Caroreigh & Clonroche.
• Community Employment Childcare Assistant in
Adamstown/Raheen
• Office Administrator in Raheen
In order to apply for any of the above positions you need to be over 21 years and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for 12 months.
If interested in any of these positions, please contact your local Intreo Office or phone Kay, CE Supervisor at ANCCR
On 087 4144313. We would love to hear from you.

ADAMSTOWN GAA NEWS
Well done to boys – Sean Doyle and Sean Galway, both saw action around the half back line in a comprehensive 4-14 to
1-08 win for Good Counsel College over Wexford CBS. A
marvellous occasion for both young lads to play in front of over 12,000 people at Floodlit Wexford Park on Saturday last. A last gasp Wexford win in the senior game capped off a great evening.

Ireland Lights Up – Walking every Tuesday night at 7pm on the Community Centre walking track, keeping fit & supporting Operation Transformation.

Looking forward to our Clubs Dinner Dance on Sunday night 5th February in the Brandon House Hotel, New Ross at 7pm.Come & join us in celebrating our achievements in 2022.

A MEMORY (Taken from a Sowan’s Flour packet)
“I see my mother’s hands moving the flour in the bowl when
I bake.
Often, that’s reason enough to turn on the oven.
I see her deft light movements, her intent face..
I close my eyes and I am ten years old in the sweetness of her fragrant kitchen.
I see the sun playing on the wire tray
I taste the tenderness of home”

SHAMROCK VINTAGE CLUB AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Shamock Vintage Club will be held on Tuesday 7th February in Raheen Hall at 9.00pm. New members welcome.
THE STORY OF IRELAND’S OWN
Editors Interview with Liam Collins – Sun Indo 20/11/22
If the Real Ireland has a bible, it is Ireland’s Own, in which readers enter a gentler world where cares are banished, history brought to life and mysteries solved to the soundtrack of a showband or ballad session. Kitty the Hare (first published in 1914) still appears from time to time, as do many old features such as ‘Ireland’s Myths and Legends’, What’s in Your Name and ‘Stranger than Fiction’ to name but few. There are no journalists or staff writers. The magazine is compiled by its editors, Sean Nolan and Shea Tomkins, from a small army of contributors and dispatched to avid readers at home and abroad. Before proceeding further into the workings of what is, for many, a national treasure – celebrating 120 years in existence on November 26.”It was founded to promote Irish culture and provide an alternative to the many British publications flooding the Irish market at the time, with wholesome, family-orientated and non-contentious content”. While each issue has a folksy air, it is never fusty or dull. Its friends are legendary, Maeve Binchy, along with Brendan Behan and Colm Keane, graced its pages. John B. Keane had his first poem published in the magazine when he was just 13, and his son Billy continues the tradition, Alice Taylor, Michael Harding, Cathy Kelly, Patricia Scanlan and Billy Roche sing its praises “It has a religious flavour” Nolan says, “It’s clean, there’s no bad language, scandal or sex. It’s a cushion against the tough world out there” But while it continues to be wholesomely Irish, here and there you find a subtle sleigh of hand. The ‘Penfriends’ column which flourished when people actually wrote to one another, still goes under that name, even the advertisements provide their own charm. Over the years they offered everything from bicycles to ‘snake-oil’ potions, while one enterprising business offered to buy “old and disused false teeth”, presumably for recycling. Ireland’s Own is still printed on newsprint, and any changes in format or style are deliberated long and hard before decisions are made. As a former editor, John O’Donnell, once put it: “I can see no reason why Ireland’s Own should ever die or change”. The magazine also welcomes submissions. “Everybody is welcome to contribute, joint editor O’Shea says. “If someone has a good yarn, we will consider it, but it has to fit in with our ethos~”
We know a lot of children are introduced to us when they’re visiting or staying with their grandparents. Of course, when they get to a certain age they go away from us – but what we’ve found is later in life they often come back to Ireland’s Own. The editors point out the edition of May 24, 1916, as a classic of Irish understatement. “Owing to the upheaval in Dublin we have been unable to distribute Ireland’s Own as usual,” it says of the Rising, “Now that things are becoming more normal again, we are able to publish a limited number of copies this week. We expect to have everything running as before in fortnight or so,
” Ireland’s Own has seen its fair share of “upheavals” since the editor wrote that little vignette. It has largely ignored them, carrying on doing what it does best – bringing a little bit of joy to its readers with very issue.
CHURCH NOTICES
IN MEMORIAM
Sat 28th – Deceased members of Adamstown GAA
Also: Pat Martin, Woodview Drive (Month’s Mind)
Sun 29th – Mogue & Mary Kealy, Ellen, Johnny, Jim & Sonny Kehoe & Tom & Liz Murphy, Rathurtin & The Leap. (A)
Sat 4th Feb – Margaret Comerford, Oldcourt (A)
Tony Comerford who died recently.
Also Jack, Patrick & Annie O’Gorman, Kellystown (A)
Sun 5th Tom Lacey, Woodview Drive (A)
May they rest in peace.
Wed 1st February – Feast of St. Brigid – Mass at 9.30am
Thurs 2nd Feb – Presentation of the Lord – Candlemas Day
Candles will be blessed for Church & home use at the 9.30am Mass
Fri 3rd – Feast of St. Blaise –
Throats will be blessed at the 9.30am Mass
Sat 4th Mass at 9.30am
Visitation of the Sick on Friday 3rd & Sat 4th February.

Monday 30th – Feast of St. Aidan, Bishop of Ferns
St. Aidan or Maedoc (Mogue) was born around 550, probably in Co. Cavan. Aidan studied under David in Wales, and on his return he founded a monastery at Ferns. He became a bishop there and was renowned for his great generosity and kindness. He died in 626.

ECUMENICAL GATHERING
After a three-year gap owing to the Covid-19 pandemic we will have an Ecumenical Gathering in the St. John of God Retreat Centre, Ballyvaloo, on Wednesday 1st February 2023 under the guidance of St. Brigid. We have chosen the theme, New opportunities for the Churches to work together. Rev. Trevor Morrow, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland will lead us.
The day will begin at 11.15am with registration and coffee.
It will conclude at 4.00pm. The contribution, payable on the day is €25.00 (including lunch, and coffee on arrival).
All are most welcome to join us. Please contact Fr. James Murphy on 087 8152637 (phone or text) by Monday 30th January if you wish to attend.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL WEEK & GRANDPARENTS DAY
As part of Catholic School’s Week, we celebrated Grandparents Day on Wednesday last, when many of our parish community of grandparents joined with their grandchildren in schools all over the county and visited their grandchildren in classrooms availing of teas & coffee also.
Here in Adamstown N.S they walked together on the walking track in the Community Centre and had a lovely time.

A Child’s Prayer for Grandparents:
Dear Father,
We thank you for our wonderful grandparents.
They bring such joy and happiness into our lives.
Thank you for all the special times that
we have with them.
Please watch over them, protect them and
care for them now.
May they know your goodness and love always. Amen.

ST. BRIGID (Jenny Beale)
Of the patron saints, Brigid has the distinction of being a protector of heart and home. Crosses dedicated to her are traditionally woven St. Brigid’s Day to represent her presence and protection over the household. Rushes are collected to weave into either the most common four-arm cross or a three-arm cross which may signify the elements of earth, sea and sky or many variations thereof. The cross from the previous year is burned or returned to the earth. Snowdrops, tiny white flowers that nod bashfully to the earth, are a symbol of Brigid and represent her warming breath upon the land. Their presence portends spring’s arrival. Dandelion is another flower and herb of Brigid and of springtime. As a healer, she may have used this herb as medicine as well as food. It’s bright yellow blossom symbolises Brigid’s fire, incorporating both her aspect as goddess of the forge and as Christian saint protector of the hearth and home.
Brigid was a herbalist, both in her pre-Christian as well as Christian aspects and dandelion was one of her favourite herbs for healing and nourishment.

CHURCH ALTARS & DECORATION
Thanks to the ladies from Ballyvergin/Glenour for looking after the Church & Altars for the month of January.
It is now the turn of parishioners from Newtown/The Leap for the month of February.

PASTORAL VISITATION
Bishop Ger Nash will make a Pastoral Visit to the Parish of Adamstown on the weekend of Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th February 2023. He looks forward to meeting parishioners. We warmly welcome him on this occasion.

ADAMSTOWN SHOW SOCIETY AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Adamstown Show Society will take place in the Community Centre on Thursday 2nd February at 8pm. New members always welcome.

ICON CLASSES IN NEW ROSS THIS FEBRUARY
What do you know about religious Icons? Well if you wish to find out more and have a chance to make your own, please contact Sr. Helen, Carmelite Monastery on 087 2181687
Sr. Helen is starting new courses for both beginners and experienced artists alike, here in New Ross on 16th February 2023. All brushes, paints, boards and tuition supplied. Spaces are limited, so book early.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Mr. Liam Row, Ballyvergin recently celebrated his 90th birthday. We join with all his family, neighbours and friends in congratulating him on this happy occasion and wishing him every blessing.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
Make no unnecessary noise.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Take away only memories and photos.