November 29th 2020

ADAMSTOWN CEMETERY COMMITTEE NOTICE
No work of any kind may be carried out at Adamstown Cemetery without prior permission from the Cemetery Committee.
Contact person is Jimmy Kelly at 086 0678148
 
O’BRIEN FAMILY THANKS
The Family of the late Nancy O’Brien, Rathkyle would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support, beautiful messages on Rip.ie, cards, floral tributes and out pouring of love following the passing of our dear mother Nancy.
A special word of thanks to Fr. Nolan and Fr. Jimmy and Cáit for all their kindness, time and effort over these difficult times. Thanks to all the staff at the New Ross Community Hospital, Northgate Medical Centre and Gerry and staff at Adamstown Pharmacy for all the help over the years. Our appreciation to Stephen Murphy and Joanne at Cooney’s for making a difficult day that much easier to deal with.
Please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our heartfelt appreciation.
God Bless you, the O’Brien Family.
 
THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN
Mount Carmel Convent, New Ross will shortly welcome three sisters from Loughrea, Co. Galway. The Carmelite convent in Loughrea opened in 1670, but has been forced to close because of the declining numbers of sisters.
Mount Carmel, New Ross regularly supplies Altar Bread to St. Abban’s Church, Adamstown, for the celebration of Mass. This bread becomes for us the bread of life. Mount Carmel is also a powerhouse of prayer, which rises like incense to heaven on our behalf at this stressful time.
How blessed are we to have such a community in our midst since 1817.
Balla O Dhia orthu go leir.
 
RAHEEN RESOURCE CENTRE – CHRISTMAS APPEAL
Letter from the Principal in Adamstown N.S.
Dear Parents,
This year due to the struggle with Covid-19, Raheen Family Resource Centre have decided to do a food drive for families in need in our community. We are appealing for non-perishable food such as cereals, oil, tea, sugar etc., and toiletries. If you wish to donate any of these items it would be very much appreciated. Please send in donations with your child to the school, alternatively you can leave items in the Drop Box at the front door and notify the school by phoning or sending an email. Please be assured that donations received from Adamstown will be distributed within the locality. Items may also be left in Cullen’s Gala shop; donations may be given until 10th December. As always thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Also if anyone needs a helping hand themselves during these challenging times, please do not hesitate to contact Carmen / Bridget at 051 442888 (Raheen F.R.C.)
ADAMSTOWN NATIONAL SCHOOL NEWS
The Annual General Meeting of the Parents’ Association of Adamstown National School was held in October 2020.
The new Committee was formed as follows:
Chairperson – Michelle Payne
Co-Secretaries – Yvonne English & Hannelie Cawthorne
Members – Caroline English, Annette Doran, Sharon Whelan, Ann-Marie Nolan, Bridget Colfer, Lisa Egan, Liz Moran, Mark Mernagh.
Thanks to out-going member – Noleen Burrows and welcome to new member Mark Mernagh.
We wish the Parents’ Association the very best for the coming year.
 
Adamstown N.S. Bumper Christmas Raffle
December 2020 is now ONLINE:
https:/www.idonate.ie/raffle/adamstownnsraffle
Great prizes to be won! Thanks to all our sponsors – full details can be seen online.
Prizes include: Christmas Turkey, Oil vouchers, Espresso Machine, 100 bar Electric Power Washer, Part Two Scarf, Pharmacy Hampers, IRFU Supporter’s Rugby Ball & Backpack – signed by Tadgh Furlong, Photography Voucher, Hardware Voucher, Grocery Vouchers, Desk Lamp, Leisure Max Voucher, Mugs from Stoneside Pottery, Signed Adamstown Football, Dog Accessories Gift Bundle, Jamie Oliver Pizza Stone Serving Rack and many more……….
Tickets are now on sale online, should you wish to buy online.
Prices are 3 for €5.00; 7 for €10.00 or 15 for €20.00.
Please feel free to share the online link with your friends and family to support our first school raffle fundraiser. All funds raised will go towards the upgrade to the school playground.
 
BUMPER SPLIT THE POT DRAW – Friday 27th Nov.
Thank you all for your generous support for our bumper Split the Pot Draw this November. The winner of the Jackpot of €385.00 is Matt O’Neill, The Boola. The seller’s prize of a Ken Black’s voucher for €20 went to Kieran O’Neill in 6th class.
Thank you again, Adamstown N.S. Parents’ Association.
 
SYMPATHY
The death occurred on Thursday 26th of David Forrestal, Oldcourt and formerly Barrett St, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his daughters, Ann, Majella and Rita, grandchildren, brother, extended family, neighbours and friends. A private family funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Abban’s Church on Saturday with followed by burial in St. Abban’s Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
 
CHRISTMAS WREATHS
Adamstown Tidy Towns Association will have beautiful hand-crafted Christmas Wreaths on sale from Monday 7th December costing €10, available in Cullen’s Gala.
CHURCH NOTICES
Mass from St. Abban’s Church is now available to view on their Facebook page every Sunday morning at 10.30am. Please search for Adamstown Parish Church on Facebook and send a friend request to be able to view.
 
Please pray for Michael & Mary Therese Delaney,
Brocurra (A)
May they rest in peace.
 
THE HOLY SOULS
As we come to the last weekend of November
We remember those who have died since November 2019.
Terry McDonald, The Leap.
Mary McCabe, Rathsilla.
Phyllis Bernie (nee Whelan) Dublin & Tomgarrow
Mary Thorpe, Newtown.
Richard Fortune, Doononey.
Tomas Kelly, Doononey.
Nancy O’Brien, Rathkyle.
John McCabe, Ballyvergin House.
Bridget (Bud) O’Neill, The Boola.
May they rest in peace.
We remember also all those who we have been asked to pray for.
Fr. Nolan has offered Mass throughout the month of November for the Holy Souls.
 
POPE’S INTENTION FOR DECEMBER
Prayer intention for evangelisation: For a Life of Prayer
We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.
 
CHURCH ALTARS & DECORATION
Thanks to the ladies from Coonogue for looking after the Church & Altars for the month of November. It is now the turn of parishioners from Knockreigh for the month of December.
 
A BIT OF HISTORY
The first Bannow and Rathangan Show was held in 1949. But in fact this was the continuation of the Bannow and Rathangan Ploughing Match which was held from 1933 -1948. Among the many prizewinners in this first show were the following Adamstown people.
Mrs Annie Kent, Miss A O’Brien, Mrs A. S. O’Brien, Mrs Mary Ellen Lawlor, Miss B Kent, Miss W. Jourdan, Miss A Kent, Miss C. Creane, Mrs Katie Furlong, Miss Katie Jourdan, Mrs Anna May Furlong (who exhibited in the Home Industry Section for many years and a lovely picture of her appears in A History of Bannow & Rathangan Show book published in 1998)
In the horse class confined to followers of Killinick & Wexford Hunt districts 2nd prize to Mr. Denis O’Brien’s horse ‘Knock ’em Down. 3rd prize to Mr. Denis O’Brien’s horse “Air Mail”.
The Bannow & Rathangan Show, as we all know has become one of the biggest Agricultural Shows in Co. Wexford and thousands of people attend it each year.
 
Messenger Magazine – subscription is now due.
 
LUNCH WITH GOD (St. Martin’s Magazine)
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his case with a few bars of chocolate, some biscuits and 6 small cans of soft drink and he started his journey. When he had gone about 3 blocks of the city where he lived, he met an old man who was sitting in the park just staring at the pigeons. The boy sat down next to him to drink one of his cans of cola, when he noticed that old man looked hungry, so he offered him some biscuits. The man gratefully accepted them and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a drink. Again he smiled. The boy was delighted! They sat there for quite a while smiling but never saying a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. His reward was the biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God” And before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? He’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy returned home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, “Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I ate biscuits in the park with God.”
And, before his son responded, he added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected”.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have potential to help or bring a blessing on another.
 
TAXING CHURCH CANDLES (Business Post )
The Government is putting a 21% tax on church candles; there is currently a zero Vat rate on white cylindrical candles, which includes small candles that people light while saying prayers. However, the Finance Bill before the Dáil is removing this Vat exemption and putting a 21% Vat rate on every type of candle.
…………………………..
In St. Abban’s Church it is heartening to see in this time of uncertainty and distress, the lovely feeling of warmth and calm by the number of candles lighting in the candelabra stands every day. In particular during the month of November, many people were daily dropping in to St. Abban’s to say a prayer and light a candle. The number of candles being lit in the church has provided a huge source of income for the Parish and we are very grateful to everyone who over the many years has lit a candle or two on a visit to the church and may it long continue.
 
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK (Fr Brian Darcy)
If you are going to have an exercise programme, start by exercising kindness.
A word of encouragement during failure is worth more than a whole book of praise after success.
 
WORDS OF WISDOM – Use what talents you possess.
The woods would be very quiet if no birds sang except those that sang the best..