4th February, 2024

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Weekend of Sat 3rd & Sun 4th February 2024 

Volume 24.    Number 5

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ADAMSTOWN LOTTO RESULTS

The winning numbers in the Adamstown Lotto draw on Wednesday 31st January were: 1- 9 -20 – 21. There was no Jackpot winner including online players. The following five players matched three numbers and each got €40.

Helen Furlong, Kathy Furlong, Eadaoin Stafford, Matty O’Neill, Junior & Kay Whelan. The next draw is on Monday 12th February in the Community Centre for a Jackpot of

€8.600. Thanks for your continued support.

THURSDAY NIGHT CARD GAME

The Thursday night Card game continues in the community every week at 8.30pm. Winners on Thursday 1st Feb were:

Jim & Trish Wickham, Kathleen Whelan, Paddy Furlong, Johnny Nolan, Seamus Joyce, Phil Jackman, Tom Rochford.

The card players extend their deepest sympathy to the family of their fellow card player and friend John Furlong, Templenacroha who died on Friday 2nd February.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

ADAMSTOWN GAA CLUB NOTICE

Calling all Managers, Trainers, and Helpers of our underage teams. Please enrol in this course if you are new to your team or your current cert is over 3 years old. This course is mandatory for all who are involved in any way with our underage teams.

SAFEGUARDING 1 FACE TO FACE Venue: Adamstown Community Centre Date:  19th February.  Time: 7pm – 10pm To book a place please contact: Mairead at 087 – 7789957

SYMPATHY

The death occurred on Monday 29th of Michael (Mick) Cogley, Clonroche. We extend our deepest sympathy to his Christine Mackey and family, Glenour, also his sister Ann, brothers Thomas, Paddy, Aidan, his son Kenneth, daughter Tracey, extended family, neighbours and friends.

His funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Clement’s Church, Cloughbawn on Thursday followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace.

JOHN FURLONG, TEMPLENACROHA R.I.P.

We extend our deepest sympathy to John’s wife Mary, sons Sean, Aidan, James, daughters Ann-Marie, Kay, Maureen, sister Josie, grandchildren extended family, neighbours and friends. John’s funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Church of St. John Paul, Raheen on Monday 5th February followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

A BIT OF HISTORY – MACRA

Adamstown 1946 – 1955 – 1962 – c/1967

First Chairman – James Redmond

First Secretary – Frank Barry

First Treasurer –  James Furlong

Adamstown Young Farmers’ Club was formed in September 1946 on the initiative of Frank Barry, a Rural Science teacher in Adamstown Vocational School. Members of the club had come together to attend a night-class given my Frank Barry himself. Approximately fifty-attended the first meeting, all of whom were men in the 20-35 age group.

Adamstown Young Farmers’ Club became one of the first branches of Macra na Feirme. Amongst its major achievements were the organisation of Adamstown Agricultural Show and its involvement in building the local St. Abban’s Hall. The branch lapsed for a number of years and was revived in 1962 with the help of Brendan Browne, Francis Kent, Philip Doyle, James Power, John Barden and Michael Galway. On this occasion, Patrick Fortune was elected chairman and Bridget Furlong secretary.

The branch had a number of successes on the competition front when John Whelan won the County Beef Judging competition in 1963, Tom Whelan, Sheep Judging in 1964 and Edward Finn, Farm Management in 1965.

(Co.  Wexford Macra Story by Macra na Feirme Members.

Bee McDonald 1949 – 1989)

CANDLES OF MASS DESTRUCTION

The X-ray machine at the airport reveals an unexplained object in my carry-on luggage. We go through the usual routine. Is this my bag? Yes! Did I pack it myself? Yes!

The security official conscientiously unpacks every item, one by one. The culprit is a little candle holder – a gift for a friend. There’s no problem with the ceramic holder, but a tiny tea light offends and is confiscated. The official explains that explosives could have been mixed into the wax. We look at each other in mutual disbelief at the absurdity of it all, but he has his orders. I proceed to the boarding gate, wondering what is happening to a world that feels threatened by a little Christmas candle. The light shines in the darkness. Let not our irrational fears become the darkness that extinguishes it.

(Compass Points – Margaret Silf)

‘WALKING WITH GRANDMA’

As we have recently celebrated Grandparents Day.

These few words are for Grandmas everywhere.

I walk with Grandma. Her steps are small like mine.

She doesn’t say, “now hurry up” she always takes her time.

I like to walk with Grandma, her eyes see things like mine do.

Wee pebbles bright, a funny cloud, half hidden drops of dew.

Most people have to hurry; they do not stop and see.

I’m glad that God made Grandma,

unrushed and young like me.

CHURCH NOTICES

IN MEMORIAM

Sat 3rd – Margaret Comerford, Oldcourt (A)

Also –     Kathleen Furlong, Raheenduff (A)

Sun 4th – Paddy, Statia & Eileen Doyle, Templeshelin (A)

Sat 10th – Jack, Marie, Patrick & Annie O’Gorman, Kellystown (A)

Also        The deceased members of the Cullen Family,      Lambstown (A)

Sun 11th – Tom Lacey, Woodview Drive (A)

Also           Ann Byrne,  Raheenduff (A)

Pray for Fr. John P Nolan, Parish Priest, Duncannon who died on Thursday 1st February.

Pray for Tom Lawlor, The City, Oldcourt who died in England, a brother of Pat Lawlor, Knockreigh.

Pray for John & Sheila Murphy, Kellystown

Pray for Fr. Aidan Redmond P.P.

May they rest in peace.

No Mass on Bank Holiday Monday.

Mass each week day morning at 9.30am.

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

READERS OF THE LITURGY

Sat 3rd Feb – Cáit Bradley, Sun 4th – Sheelagh Delaney.

Sat 10th – T.J. McDonald.   Sun 11th – Neasa Cloney

Sat 17th – Anthony McGee.  Sun 18th – Kathleen O’Connor

Sat 24th – Eoghan Greene.   Sun 25th Amelia Swierczynska

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK – Sunday February 11th

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the thirty-second World Day of the Sick “It is not good that man should be alone” Healing the sick by Healing Relationships.

Anointing of the Sick in Saint Abban’s Church on

Saturday February 10th at 12 noon.

All welcome.

FERNS DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGETO LOURDES 2024 Led by Bishop Ger Nash Pilgrimage Director: Fr. Odhran Furlong Spiritual Director: Fr. Brian Broaders  Thursday 16th -Tuesday  21st May 2024 Cost €865 per person. Further details & booking: – Marian Pilgrimages 38-39 Pearse St. Dublin Tel: 01 8788159 or WWW.MARIAN.IE

AN IRISH BLESSING

May God grant you always….

A sunbeam to warm you,

a moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering Angel

So nothing can harm you.

Laughter to cheer you.

Faithful friends near you.

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

DIOCESAN CHURCH GATE COLLECTION IN AID OF

YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE APRIL 2024

The Annual Church Gate collection in support of the Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Medjugorje will take place on

the 18th and 19th February next. In the words of Pope Francis, “Our generation will show that it can rise to the promise found in each young person when we know how to give them space”. This Youth Pilgrimage is one of the opportunities for us to invest in our young people as twenty young people from schools all over our diocese prepare to go to Medjugorje in April. Please give generously and we thank you for your support.

If you would like to donate online please see details below:

Bank:  Bank of Ireland. The Quay, Wexford

IBAN: IE20 BOFI  9067 1840 9690 78

SORT: 906718    ACCOUNT NUMBER 40969078

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Under One Roof

Next time you are in church, take a good look around.

Notice the young couple there and the child or children in

the seat with them. Are the children restless? Maybe even distracting?  Be happy that they are there. Notice the man or woman sitting along – was there someone with them a few months ago? Maybe there was bereavement. Notice the

couple, maybe they are recently married or preparing for marriage or trying to make a decision about the future.

Take heed of the readers, the choir. Remember the priest.

Become even more aware of the diversity of people that are under one roof, at one time and be thankful that this is happening. There are others that could and should be there but give thanks for those who are and give thanks that you are one of them.

(Fr. Vincent Sherlock – Messenger Magazine)

 SNOWDROPS       (Margaret Dixon)

The Snowdrops bloom – and yet I know,

That born of wind and rain,

These flowers – so like the driven snow –

Are part of joy and pain.

For joy and pain have each a part,

Within our lives to play,

And smiles and tears come to the heart,

Most every passing day.

And, if perchance the pain should be

Almost too much to bear,

May some sad heart, within my life,

Find Snowdrops growing there.