24th December, 2023

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Weekend of Sat 23rd & Sun 24th December 2023 

Volume 23.  Number 51

ADAMSTOWN ICA NEWS

Adamstown ICA Guild would like to say a huge thank you, to all who helped in any way, with our Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party in the Horse & Hound, on Sunday December 10th. What a lovely day it was, we were delighted to welcome over 100 guests to the meal and the Horse & Hound left no stone unturned, to make sure everyone was happy. The brilliant Dermot Hynes and Joe Bradley kept the music going and Margo’s Irish dancers were a joy to watch, they give of their services every year and we are so grateful to all of them, also to Fr. Nolan and Callie for their lovely singing. Thank you to everyone who gave donations of money and spot prizes, it all added to the festivities. 

Christmas Wishes:

Adamstown ICA would like to wish all our Parishioners near and far, and everyone who supported us over the years a Happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and that 2024 will be kind to us all. Also a reminder about our first trip of the New Year on “Nollaig na Mban” Saturday January 6th to Newbridge Silverware. It’s open to any ladies who would like to go, just contact any ICA member for more details, we would love to have you on board.

Our first meeting of 2024 will take place on Wednesday January 10th; make it your New Year’s resolution to join us for fun and friendship.

CHILDCARE POSITON AVAILABLE

Anccr Area Development (CE Programme) have a vacancy for a Childcare Assistant to work in Raheen Childcare Centre. To apply for this position you must be over 21 years (18 in special circumstances) and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for 12 months, Ukrainians 9 months, or a dependant of a qualifying adult on jobseekers, etc.,

If interested in this position, Please phone Kay at ANCCR on 087 4144313

RACKARD LEAGUE WINNERS

Well done to both the boys and girls football Rackard League teams on their fantastic Rackard League Shield victories on Friday 15th December. The teams consist of players from Sacred Heart School, Newbawn, Raheen National School and Adamstown N.S. The boys fought a tough battle against Bunscoil Loreto. They lead at half time by 3 points and managed to maintain that gap throughout the 2nd half to come out victorious. The girls also had a tough encounter against Oulart National School. They had a fantastic first half where they held Oulart scoreless. The 2nd half was a lot more tense as Oulart started to fight back but thankfully the Adamstown determination to win stood to them and they ended up winning by two goals. Well done to both teams and we can’t wait to see what they can do in the hurling and camogie leagues in the New Year.

SHAMROCK VINTAGE CLUB AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Shamrock Vintage Club will take place on Tuesday 4th January at 9pm in Raheen.

New and old members are very welcome. Wishing all our Club members, friends and supporters a Very Happy Christmas.

ADAMSTOWN NATIONAL SCHOOL

On 7th December the Safe Route to School Scheme opened at Adamstown National School. Cllr. Anthony Connick, Cathoirelach, New Ross Municipal District officially opened the scheme, which was also attended by Cllr. John Fleming, Cllr. Bridin Murphy, Cllr. Pat Barden, Rev. Robert Nolan and representatives of the Safe Routes to School Section of An Taisce and Cllr. Connick said that the project ‘has been a great improvement to the village as a whole’ and he thanked and congratulated all those involved in the work. School principal Mrs. Claire Kickham said that “it was an absolute pleasure to work collaboratively with representatives from An Taisce, the National Transport Authority and of course Wexford County Council. From start to finish the whole process took about 18 months. I would specifically like to thank the trustees of St. Abban’s Hall for their support in the implementation of this initiative”. John Nolan, Principal of nearby Coláiste Abbáin Secondary School also offered his support for the scheme saying that the scheme is also a huge benefit to the students of Coláiste Abbáin. The children from Adamstown N.S. are delighted with their safe passage across a busy road to enter and leave the school every day. The Safe Routes to School is a national programme to improve safety at school gates, increase walking and cycling and alleviate congestion in front of schools. The Adamstown scheme includes distinctive street furniture and crossing points to emphasise school location. The design also includes new footpaths and pedestrian crossings to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians to school, shop, housing estates and church. Re-surfacing and drainage upgrades were also carried out at the main village junction. The whole scheme is a wonderful and bright addition to the school and village.

 Well done to all involved in the project.

COLÁISTE ABBÁIN PANTOMIME ALADDIN

What a wonderful treat was in store for all who attended Coláiste Abbáin students presentation of Aladdin in the College on Thurs 14th. Huge congratulations to all the young students for their fantastic performances – all stars on the night. Well done to all the background staff, musicians, costume design, lights, sound. Thanks to Ms.Fiona Quirke, Ms. Ella Ryan & Orla Quirke, Ms Rachel Condon, & Ms Aeidin Sinnott, Ms. Annette Byrne, Ms Shirley Doyle, Ms Rosaline Power & Mr. David Joyce.  The surrounding local schools thoroughly enjoyed the Matinee. There was a great attendance for the two night’s performances and again well done everyone.

THURSDAY NIGHT CARD GAME IN COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Thursday night Card game continues in the Community Centre on Thurs 28th Dec. Winners on Thurs 21st were:

Nick Doyle, Andy Reville, Paddy Furlong, John Murphy, Phil Jackman, Tom Rochford, Matty Sullivan & Pat Murphy.

Ham winners – Micksy Bolger & Tom Rochford.

Wishing all the card players a very Happy & Peaceful Christmas & many thanks for your support over the past few months.

CHURCH NOTICES

IN MEMORIAM

Sat 23rd – Mary Flood, Oldcourt (A)

Sun 24th – People of the Parish at 10.30am

Sun 24th – Vigil Mass 7.30pm – Pat Martin, Woodview Dr. (A)

Mon 25th 10.30am – Kitty, Edward, John Buckley,

 Brocurra (A)  also Ned Buckley who died this year.

And Pat O’Connor (A)

Sat 30th – Mick & Josie Whelan, Tomgarrow (A)

Also   –      Phyllis Bernie and Fred O’Brien.

Pray for Mary Furlong, Misterin and the deceased members of the Furlong family. (A)

Pray for Josie Galway, Breezemount (A)

Pray for Jim & Mary Connors, The Hill

also Alice & Mary Connors, Woodview Drive.

May they rest in peace.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

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.

EVER THOUGHT OF PRIESTHOOD?

‘Take the Risk for Christ’ is the name given to this year of prayer and promotion to the diocesan priesthood. ‘Taking the Risk for Christ’ underlines the chance Christ asks us to give him as he leads us to the way of life he created us for. Might this way for you be priesthood or religious life? If you have thought and prayed about this possibility, then please know that help and support us available. Contact Fr. Billy Swan,

Vocations Director at billyswan68@hotmail.com for a chat and more information.

SIMPLY DIVINE PROGRAMME (Maria Colfer)

On Saturday 30th December the Simply Divine Programme has Jimmie Weldon (Cáit Bradley’s nephew) speaking about his experiences in the Irish Navy and rescuing refugees in the Mediterranean.

SYMPATHY

The death occurred on Friday 15th December of Jimmy Kelly, Tomgarrow. We extend our deepest sympathy to his son James, daughter in law Janet grandchildren Ava and Jack, sister Bridget, extended family, neighbours and friends. Jimmy was predeceased by his wife Maura.

Jimmy & Maura came to live in Tomgarrow in 1976 and became an integral part of the community of Adamstown of which they were deeply involved in. Jimmy was a great singer, yodeller, guitar player and took part in many pantomimes, concerts, cabarets, Senior Citizen’s Christmas parties and many other activities in the parish. He gave willingly of his time and talent for the enjoyment of others.

He had a smile and a chat for all those he met and was known far and wide for his music and dancing.

Jimmy’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Abban’s Church on Monday 18th December, followed by burial in Adamstown Cemetery. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

CRIB PROJECT MOYCULLEN

On the long road from Galway to Clifden there is at night a beacon of light to illuminate the lonely traveller. This comes from a very special crib sitting at the entrance to Moycullen, a village located near Lough Corrib in Connermara.

This lovely structure came into being thanks to the Crib Committee and the Local Divina Group who are supporters of the Saint Martin Apostolate. It was inspired by the fact that cribs are on the decline in public places. As once in Bethlehem their is no room in many places for the Christ child. The group, who have been meeting for fourteen years, approached a local business man who owned a green area in the village and he gave them permission to use his land.

Once planning permission had been acquired the construction could begin. The stone structure was based on the design of Séipéal Mhic Dara Gallarus Oratory in Dingle. Throughout the period of over two years there was great support from the parish priest, Canon Michael McLoughlin and funds were raised through a variety of events. Thanks to suggestion of a priest friend they were able to source their figures from the Liturgical Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. These were sixteen beautiful Italian figures, which had been ordered ten years previously, but never collected. As well as being gorgeous they are practical, made to endure inclement weather being rubberised to protect them from breakages. Now after all their hard work their dear village has been made even more special by its eternal commemoration of the real meaning of Christmas. (St. Martin’s Magazine)

SILENT NIGHT – ‘Silent Night’ is one of the world’s most famous Christmas melodies. The story goes that the carol (originally ‘Stille Nacht) was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818. Joseph Mohr, a young Catholic priest at St. Nicholas Church, Salzberg in Austria, was in despair: the organ at his church had been incapacitated by mice, and the chances of getting it fixed before the evening service were looking slim. But Joseph had an idea. A few years before, he had written a rather beautiful poem called ‘Stille Nacht’. So he asked Franz Xavez Gruber, a school master and organist in nearby town, to set his poem to music. That night, the two men sang ‘Stille Nacht’ at the church’s Christmas Mass, while Mohr, played guitar  – and the rest is history.

SILENT NIGHT

Silent Night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child,

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent Night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight,

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,

Christ the Saviour is born!

Christ the Saviour is born.

Wishing everyone a Happy & Peaceful Christmas.

A warm welcome to all visitors to our Parish

over Christmas & New Year