17th December, 2023

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Weekend of Sat 16th & Sun 17th December 2023  

Volume 23.  Number 50

ADAMSTOWN LOTTO

The winning numbers in the Adamstown Lotto draw on Monday 11th Dec were: 1 – 13 – 24 – 25. There was no Jackpot winner and just one match three winner, including online players. Margo Doyle, Breezemount matched 3 numbers and received €200. The next draw is on Tuesday January 2nd for a Jackpot of €8,000.

The big Jackpot winner Shirley Buttimer, was presented with her cheque for €15,000 and Marian received the seller’s prize.

A sincere thanks to everyone who supported our local Lotto over the past year and also to the sellers.

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

SHAMROCK VINTAGE CLUB

The Shamrock Vintage Club presented a cheque for €4,000 to the Cumas Trad Band on Saturday 9th December in Scully’s Pub, the Maudlins, New Ross. This was the proceeds from the recent Cabaret. Well done to everyone.

WEEKLY THURSDAY NIGHT CARD GAME

The weekly Thursday night Card game continues in the Community Centre. Winners on Thursday 14th Dec were:

Tom Rochford, Nick Doyle, Andy Reville, Matty Sullivan, Pat Murphy, Matt O’Neill, John Hanley. Christmas Ham winners were Tom Wickham & Sammy Elmes.

PRESENTATION TO SR. HELEN

Last weekend Danny Doyle, Glenour presented Sr. Helen with a cheque for €1,000 to help her provide for the many under privileged people in Uganda where she spent so much of her life helping to alleviate the poverty in that country. Danny raised this money through sales of his book ‘My Journey through the Ballroom Years & Remembering the Civil War and Adamstown My Native Parish” which he launched on 3rd March 2023, with a presentation of €16,500 to Sr. Helen on June 16th from the book sales. In total €17,500 is a massive amount of money, and Sr. Helen is so grateful to Danny and

to all who purchased the book, which will provide a better quality of life for many people. Thank you all

Well done Danny, Mary and family on a terrific achievement.

SCOIL NAOMH ABBÁIN NEW B.O.M.

The new Board of Management members of Scoil

Naomh Abbáin, Adamstown are as follows:

Chairperson – Majella Stafford.

Patron – T. J. McDonald

Teachers – Mrs Claire Kickham 

                   Ms Ciara Walsh

Parents Reps: Kamila Swierczynska & Michael Redmond

Community Reps – Sean Doran & Anne Marie O’Shea.

We wish the new Board every success.

We thank the retiring Board members – Fr. Robert Nolan P.P., Paddy Gethings, Abi Kent & Ellie Wash for their work over the past four years.

TAKEN FROM THE EULOGY READ AT MICKEY CONNOR’S FUNERAL MASS BY HIS SON IN LAW GARY.

I have the privilege today to speak to you about the life of an amazing man, a legend of a man. Michael was the third son of Guite and Mary Connors and was born on 15th Oct 1953 in a taxi outside Wexford Hospital, so he always said he was a real traveller born on the road. He was reared up along with his brothers and sisters in Kilmore Quay, something he was very proud of and a place that never left his heart. The family are so grateful that they recently got to bring him down there once more again, to celebrate his 70th birthday with his family and old friends. He was beaming with joy that night and he was on cloud nine for weeks after, so they thank everyone who helped to make that weekend so special. Mickey was one of nine brothers and three sisters who he loved from the bottom of his heart. He often spoke fondly of his early days and remembered living in a wagon and travelling around the countryside with his mother Mary, when they went off calling to the old cottages and into local people they knew so well.  The family then moved into the thatched cottage in Kilmore, a place again of fond memories and the inspiration for his very own Kilmore song. It was in Kilmore that he got his first job working in a fish factory along with his sister Ellen where he went to school (for a little while) and played sport with some of his oldest friends. After Kilmore the family moved to Adamstown, again a place he really considered his family home where he returned year after year to visit his mother and father and many of his siblings. It’s a great comfort to the family to be able to bring him here today and lay him to rest where we can all come and be close to him.  Michael’s true love was his wife Mary and from the first time he saw her on a blue bicycle he knew she was the one he wanted to marry, though it took her a bit longer to come on board with the idea. Michael & Mary married in 1979 and moved to London. They welcomed their son Jamie and the following year Edward then Mary and Christine. Michael was deeply proud of his family and particularly their great musical talent. He would beam with pride when they sang and performed. He was their biggest supporter and a great man to sell a few CD’s on the side too. He also was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren Timothy, Ellen, Katie, Cealan and Colm, they brought him so much love and pride. Michael was truly a man of the people, he would speak to a billionaire of a Pauper just the same. He could walk into any room and fill it with his presence. Anywhere he every went he would pull a crowd and people would gather around to hear what he had to say, and he could definitely talk and be heard too. His mother once said, “our Mickey swallowed a wireless”. He always made people laugh, and he also gave advice and words of wisdom for anyone who needed them. In his own words he wasn’t a scholar, but he had the words of a scholar. He helped so many people in more ways that will ever be known and leaves behind him a legacy never to be forgotten. The sheer volume of tributes, messages, calls and the visible attendance here today is a testament to that. He was known by many names but most importantly he was an adored husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and father in law, and he will be forever missed.  

Rest in peace Mickey

CHURCH NOTICES

IN MEMORIAM

Sat 16th – Kit O’Connor, Newtown (A)

Also         Josie Thorpe, Newtown (A)

Sun 17th – Pat Byrne, Raheenduff (A)

Sat 23rd – Mary Flood, Oldcourt (A)

Sun 24th – People of the Parish.

Pray for Jim Connors, Mooncoin & The Hill (A)

Mon 18th Mass at 9.30am for Jim Connors, Mooncoin

& The Hill.

May they rest in peace.

VISITATION OF THE SICK

If you would like Fr. Robert Nolan to call with Holy Communion you may call 053 9240512. For home calls please place a white cloth on a table with two lighting candles and a Crucifix. Likewise if you are a patient in hospital and you would like Fr. Robert to call please inform.

Telephone 053 9240512.  Thank you.

NÍ BHEIDH A LEITHEID ARIS

Fond memory brought the light of other days around us in November. Like many of you the last two years have left empty chairs at our tables. My sister in law Eileen, my brother Michael, and my sister Betty. May they rest in peace. They accompanied me on many visits to hospital, at Christmas Dinners, birthdays and anniversaries with a love that was always ready to trust, to excuse, to hope, to endure whatever comes. My family will always be EVER grateful to them and to all of you for your prayerful support. Also to the God that comforts us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort others.

Thank you Fr. Robert.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

Sat 23rd – Mass at 7.30pm.

Sun 24th – Mass at 10.30am

Sun 24th Vigil Mass of the Nativity 7.30pm

Mon 25th – Mass of the Nativity at 10.30am

Mass 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th at 11.00am.

As we prepare for Christmas I encourage you to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I will be available for confessions every morning after Mass.

You may also avail of the sacrament every day in the Franciscan Friary Church in Wexford.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL COLLECTION

The amount contributed to the St. Vincent de Paul collection in St. Abban’s Church last weekend amounted to €1042.45.

A sincere thanks to all those who so generously donated.

WEXFORD PARISH CARE FOR THE EARTH GROUP

Life is grounded in three fundamental and closely connected relationships: the Relationship with God, with our neighbour and with the earth. (Pope Francis)

FOLK GROUP NOTICE

There will be a practice for the Folk Group members

this Wednesday 20th in St. Abban’s Church at 7pm.

BLESSING FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE

Lord God, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds.

Let your blessing come upon us as we illumine this tree.

May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy 

that fills our heart.

With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome

Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.

May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge

and joy of salvation,

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

ANOTHER YEAR, LORD PLEASE

(When Fr. Felix Byrne, aged 94, died recently, the following poem was found amongst his things)

Today, dear Lord, I’m 90, but there’s so much I haven’t done,

I hope dear Lord, you’ll let me live until I’m 91.

But then if I’m not finished with all I want to do.

Would you be so kind and let me live until I’m 92?

There are things I want to know about, and oh so much to see,

Do you think you could manage Lord, until I’m 93.

The world is changing very fast and there’s so much more

in store,

So I’d surely like to be on hand until I’m 94.

And if by then my heart is sound and I am still alive

I’d like to be around until I’m 95.

There are so many procedures and so much needs a ‘fix’

I’d like to be around until I’m 96.

I know dear Lord, it’s much to ask, and it’s mighty nice in heaven,

but I would like to be around until I’m 97.

Perhaps by then I might be slow and I know it’s getting late,

But it would be nice to be your guest when I am 98.

I will have seen so much by then and had so grand a time,

That I’d be willing to call it quits and settle for 99!

(Curate’s Diary, November 2023)

SCOIL NAOMH ABBÁIN CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Takes place this Tuesday 19th December in Coláiste Abbain at 6.30pm in the Sports Hall. €5.00 entry, children free.

All proceeds go to school funds.

LEARNED – (Ireland’s Own)

Little Mary asked her teacher, as the children were leaving for home, “Please, Miss Murphy, tell me – what did I learn in school today? My daddy always wants to know”

Adamstown Pharmacy opening hours Christmas 2023

Saturday 23rd –                  9.30am – 4.00pm

Sunday 24th                      10.00am – 1.00pm

Monday 25th                     CLOSED

Tuesday 26th                    CLOSED

Wednesday 27th               9.00am – 6.00pm

Thursday 28th                   9.00am – 6.00pm

Friday 29th                        9.00am – 6.00pm

Saturday 30th                    9.30am – 2.00pm

Sunday 31st                      CLOSED

Monday 1st Jan   `             CLOSED

Tuesday 2nd Jan               9.00am – 6.00pm