26th November, 2023

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Weekend of Sat 25th & Sun 26th November 2023  

Volume 23.  Number 44

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ADAMSTOWN LOTTO

The next draw in the Adamstown Lotto takes place this

Monday 27th November in the Community Centre for a Jackpot of €15,000.  Do buy a ticket and give yourself a chance.  Please leave books back in Cullen’s by 8pm on draw night. Thanks for your continued support.

ADAMSTOWN G.A.A. NEWS

Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday evening last to officially switch on the lights on the new pitch.

Many thanks to all who helped setting up the Community Centre and catering.  Thanks to Cora Flood for the fabulous spread of food and to Ted Bradley for setting up the sound system in both Astro and Community Centre, it was truly appreciated.

Coiste na Nóg AGM –

Newbawn Hall Sun 26th November at 3.30pm.

Parents of all underage players are invited to plan/prepare for next season and some important decisions will be made – vital that you have your input and be involved in all debate. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

ADAMSTOWN COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS

Community Centre Craft Fair on December 3rd.

Exercise Together Classes coming in January

An exercise and well being club for women where baby/toddler can come along too and join in the fun or simply play alongside making new friends. Fully equipped with play area and toys for toddler and a workout for you, no matter what stage you are on your journey pre/post pregnancy and beyond. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to get back to exercise after having a child, no matter how old they are now, you are encouraged, motivated and coached, whilst growing week to week, month to month.

Contact Sarah on 087 062 7653

COLÁISTE ABBÁIN NEWS

Looking forward to welcoming everyone to our Annual Christmas Craft Fair on Thursday 7th December from

10.00am to 1.00pm. in the Sports Hall.

Free Entry. Everyone welcome.

THURSDAY NIGHT CARD GAMES

The Thursday night Card Game continues in the Community Centre every Thursday night at 8.30pm. Card winners on Thursday 23rd Nov were: Chris Byrne, Bridie Dillon, Ger Sweeney, Kay Whelan, Jim Wickham, Micksy & Breda Bolger. Christmas Ham winners were: Phil Jackman and Ger Sweeney.

60th WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS

Sending congratulations and good wishes to Nick and Eileen Walsh, Brocurra on the occasion of their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Wishing them many more years of good health and happiness.

ADAMSTOWN I.C.A. NEWS

 Thirteen members and some friends had a most enjoyable night in St. Michael’s Theatre, New Ross on Tuesday night, where Oklahoma was performed. It was a great night’s entertainment and well done to all the local performers but especially to Claire Kickham who choreographed the show.

We’re lucky to have such talent at the helm in our local primary school. Well done Claire.

We secured a grant from Wexford County Council for €1000 to be spent on blinds for the kitchen in the Community Centre and to purchase some extra folding tables.

Work to be carried out in the coming week. Thank you to Wexford County Council.

The Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party will take place on Sunday December 10th in the Horse and Hound at 1.30pm

Invitations will be distributed in the coming week. If you are eligible and would like to attend please contact any member of the I.C.A. as it’s not always possible for us to know who is eligible.

For Nollag Na Mban, Little Christmas January 6th, we have organised a bus to go to Newbridge Silverware for the day.

If anyone is interested please contact any I.C.A. member.

Next meeting is on Wednesday December 13th.

New members most welcome.

SYMPATHY

We extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs Jennifer Carroll, a teacher in Adamstown National School on the death of her mother Mrs. Margaret Howlin, Bishopswater, Wexford.

Sympathy also to her sons, Ivan, Alan & Eamonn, extended family, neighbours and friends. Her funeral took place on Wednesday last. May she rest in peace.

JOHN O’NEILL, GLENOUR. R.I.P.

John O’Neill died unexpectedly on 20th November

at his home in Glenour. John and his late wife Mary came to live in Glenour some years ago and we extend our sympathy to his children Ivan, Audrey, Brenda and Thomas, extended family, neighbours and friends.

John’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St. John’s Church, Kilkenny on Thursday last, followed by burial in St. Kieran’s Cemetery.  May he rest in peace.

RELIGIOUS CALENDARS FOR 2024

Religious Calendars are now available in the Church Porch costing €2.00. (Please put money in Candelabra stand)

A SMILE – Big Grouch     (Ireland’s Own)

A woman who thought she’d a problem went to the psychiatrist. When she got home she told her husband he’d said she was perfectly normal. “So what did he tell you to do about that terrible grouch you’ve been going around with for thirty years?  her husband asked. “Oh, your name didn’t come up” she replied.

CHURCH NOTICES

IN MEMORIAM

Sat 25th – For all who died during the past year.

Sun 26th – James Power, Raheenduff (A)

Also –        Mary Kate Sinnott, Dungarvan & Knockreigh

                 Michael Lawlor, Knockreigh (A)

Sat 2nd Dec – People of the Parish

Sun 3rd         – People of the Parish

May they rest in peace.

Mass each week day morning at 9.30am

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday from 10.00am – 1.00pm.

Visitation of the sick on Friday 1st December and Saturday 2nd December.

Mass on Saturday morning at 9.30a.m.

READERS OF THE LITURGY

Sat 25th – Anthony McGee.  Sun  26th – Ann Ryan

Sat  2nd – Cáit Bradley.  Sun 3rd –  Kay Whelan

Sat  9th – Liam  Whelan.  Sun 10th – Sheelagh Delaney

Sat 16th – Annette English    Sun 17th – Callie Doyle

CHURCH ALTARS & DECORATION

Thanks to the ladies from Tomgarrow for looking after the Church and Altars for the month of November. It is now the turn of parishioners from Kellystown for the month of December.

THE LIFE OF ST. MARTIN DE PORRES

Bread and Faith –

At the close of each day, hundreds of beggars gathered at the monastery door for the one they called “Father of the Suffering Poor”. At this time Martin grew restless waiting for the dinner to end so he could go out to them. Armed with serving items Martin made the rounds of the refectory to gather everything that he could find. He had already put his own meal aside; bread and water would suffice him.

Before he distributed the food, he blessed it, saying simply, “May God increase it through His infinite mercy” and then began to fill the cups, the bowls and little pans. Francis de Santa Fe, who often helped him, carefully watched the quantity of soup in Martin’s serving pan. There seemed only enough for six. But the poor continued to come, and Martin continued to pour until the last bowl of the last person had been filled. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish for the crowd who came to listen to him, he multiplied Martin’s food so that it was always sufficient. Martin’s comforting words and his counsel to remain faithful to, and hopeful in the Lord did as much to sustain and strengthen the crowd as the bread and soup.

(St. Martin’s Magazine)

MASSES FOR THE  HOLY SOULS

The past week we have had the opportunity to attend special Masses each evening for the Holy Souls celebrated by Fr. Nolan. Each evening there was a very good attendance, for which we thank you all. It is always a special occasion and a time to remember with love and thanks all those who have died over the past year. May they rest in peace.

THE MULE IN THE WELL – (Pioneer Magazine)

There is a parable of a farmer who owned an old mule.

One day, the mule fell down the well on the farmer’s land. Hearing the mule cry out, the farmer assessed the situation. The mule was old and rather than destroy the well, the farmer decided to bury the mule with dirt and put him out of his misery. He called his neighbours together and they began to shovel the dirt down the well. The mule became hysterical. But, as the farmer and the neighbours continued to shovel, the dirt hit the mule’s back. With each shovel of dirt, the mule shook it off and stepped on it. Every time another shovel of dirt was thrown, the mule shook it off and took another step skywards. The force of the dirt didn’t deter the mule. Though he panicked and felt a little distress, he repeated the words to himself ‘shake it off and step up’

Before long, the old mule tattered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the side of the well. What seemed to bury him actually helped him, all because of the manner in which he handled adversity. It is the same with life. If we face our problems and respond in a positive way we can find the strength and will to triumph over any difficulty.

Author unknown.

MARCH FOR LIFE IN LONDON IN SEPTEMBER

Isobel Vaughan-Spence shared her experience of being arrested for praying silently near an abortion centre.

“On the second time I was arrested, I was told my prayers were an offence” She said  “I’ll tell you what is offensive that our own country has the highest ever abortion figures, 100,000 of them annually being repeat abortions and the only response we see happening in our government is a clamp-down on those who peacefully offer alternatives to pregnant women”. Isobel believes the experience shows the Pro-Life Movement ‘ is growing like never before’.

“More and more people are recognising how this contradicts our most fundamental value and is an offence to basic human decency both for mother and child.

The highest since records began of 214,000 were reported in 2021. We cannot be complacent or let the momentum slip- now is the time for everyone to do their part.  Disruptive Pro-Abortion groups were unable to prevent 17,000 Pro-Lifers from making a big impact on the march.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society.

(Benjamin Franklin)

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK – Prayer for our world

Lord, in this time of tribulation, hear the prayer we offer,
For our suffering world.
May we be united in hope for the future destiny of our world.
That together we can strive to make it a better place,
Where our human family can live in harmony and peace.
Inspire our political leaders to find just solutions to the terrors that beset us in our world today.
We may hold fast to our trust in you. Amen.