April 11th, 2021

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Weekend of Sat 10th & Sun 11th April 2021   

Volume 22.  Number 13                                                                                     www.saintabbans.com

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ADAMSTOWN TIDY TOWNS NOTICE

Adamstown Tidy Towns recently acquired a grant through the Probal Grant Scheme to clean up the area around the large granite nameplate on the Barrack’s Road. Ger O’Neill and Sean Doran worked tirelessly to achieve the end result, which greatly enhances the entrance to the village. The area has been reseeded and a hedge will also be planted shortly. Please note profits from our Christmas Wreaths 2020 were also used to finish this project. Six maple trees have also been acquired through the Trees for Wexford campaign.

Our Annual Spring Clean will be taking place this year with further details soon. We would also like to thank Councillers Pat Barden and John Fleming who through the Amenities and Arts grant helped us receive €350.00 for the installation of bike stands. Our next project is to install signage highlighting places of interest and interesting features about our village. 

We are holding a Clothing Recycling event on Friday 30th April. Bags can be left into Cullen’s Gala from now until the 30th. We can take all clothing, belts, bags, curtains, towels, blankets and bed sheets. No pillows or duvets please.

Your support would be greatly appreciated.

 Please check us out on our face book page.

MARY FURLONG RIP

It was with deep sadness we received the news of the death of Mary Furlong, Tomgarrow on Tuesday last. Mary was a kind and gentle person, always willing to help in the Parish.

She was a good neighbour and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Mary had not been in good health in recent times and we offer our deepest sympathy to her husband Ned, sons Eamonn and Shay, daughters Deirdre, Brenda and Eilis, Mary was predeceased by her daughter Lisa.  Sympathy also to her extended family, neighbours and friends. A private family funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Abban’s Church on Thursday last with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.

SYMPATHY

We extend our condolences to the family of the late Noel Whitty, Clonroche who died on Tuesday 6th April. Noel was predeceased by his wife Maureen (Lawlor). Our sympathy also to the Lawlor family, Newtown, his extended family, neighbours and friends.  A private family funeral Mass took place in St. Clement’s Church, Cloughbawn on Thursday last, with burial in Adamstown Cemetery.  May he rest in peace.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

We are not all in the same boat,

We are in the same storm,

Some have yachts, some have canoes,

and some are drowning.

Just be kind and help when you can.

A BIT OF HISTORY – MACRA NA FEIRME 

Forty Years of Wexford Agriculture – M. T. Connolly.

The outbreak of World War 11 in 1939 brought a crisis to Irish Agriculture. Because of Ireland’s neutral stance, a stage of siege was imposed on the country, which gave more emphasis than ever to the policy of self-sufficiency. Feeding the existing population was the preoccupation of the government. Compulsory tillage was introduced in 1940 whereby it was made obligatory to till one-eight of the arable land in each holding. By 1944, the proportion had increased to three eights. However, because of the war, it was not possible to import certified seed and so farmers were forced to sow their own seed. The Dept of Agriculture asked Rural Science teachers to test this seed for fertility, farmers brought their seed to the local Vocational School and while there, discussed agricultural issues, and groups came together and thus formed the  ‘Young Farmers’ Clubs’

In Co. Wexford the first Young Farmers’ Club was formed in 1944 and Adamstown was one of these groups. The Young Farmers’ Clubs were actively involved in the campaign for Rural Electrification in their own areas.  The ESB had been set up in 1927 and by 1943 about 50% of the total population had been supplied. However, vast areas of rural Ireland still had no electricity.

On 16th March 1949, an historic meeting took place in the Railway Hotel, Enniscorthy for the purpose of setting up a County Executive of Macra na Feirme.  The result was the formation of such a committee, which, it is claimed, was the first of its kind in Ireland. The Adamstown representatives at that meeting were: Messrs. J Power, J. Crean, F. Barry, J Redmond & M O’Brien.  Elected Secretary was Frank Barry, Adamstown.  (Macra Story” Bee McDonald)

CONDOLENCES

We send our condolences to the following families who suffered bereavements recently:

To Peter Caulfield, Ballycowan, Tagoat, (retired member of Coláiste Abbáin teaching staff) on the death of his wife Mary on Thursday 1st April. To her mother Marie, extended family our sympathy also.

To the Murphy family, Courthoyle Old, on the death their mother Anna Murphy (née Doyle, Ballyshannon Lane) who died recently. A private family funeral took place on Monday 29th March.

To the Ryan family, Barmoney, Galbally on the death of Deirdre Ryan, and to her sister in law, Ann Ryan, Ballyvergin and all her family, a private family funeral took place on Tuesday last.

May they rest in peace.

SECRET VALLEY WILD LIFE PARK, CLONROCHE

We are delighted to announce that Secret Valley Wild Life Park will open on 26th April 2021. We will have reduced capacity and strict Health and Safety procedures in place.

CHURCH NOTICES

IN MEMORIAL

Sat 10th – Laurence, Ellen Bradley, Charlie Bradley Doononey (A)

Sun 11th – People of the Parish

Sun 18th – Phyllis Bernie (née Whelan) Tomgarrow,

1st Anniversary.

Pray for Mary Furlong, Noel Whitty & Deirdre Ryan.

May they rest in peace.

Easter Water will be available in the Church Porch from Sunday 11th.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY – 11th APRIL

Following a ceremony at 3pm on Sunday, the Divine Mercy Picture will be on display for veneration in the Little Chapel

EASTER IN ST. ABBAN’S

Although in lockdown again this Easter, we were able to celebrate the ceremonies online. Thanks to Fr. Nolan, Cáit, Joe, the ladies who decorated the Church and those who erected the Easter Garden. A big thanks to T.J. for facilitating the online ceremonies.

Over Easter Week, many people visited the church and lit candles, the flickering candles, give comfort, and togetherness at a very different Easter time.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

WORK ON THE CHURCH TOWER TO BEGIN

The very necessary repair work to the Church tower will begin on Monday 12th April. The main entrance to the Church yard will be closed off to the public, as will the entrance from the cemetery into the church yard. The only entrance to the church while works take place will be by the door of the Little Chapel, which is situated near the cemetery toilets. Warning signs will be in place, and we ask the public to please adhere to these safety measures.

SPECIAL NEEDS POEM

(April Vernon – Ireland’s Eye)

They say that I have special needs and while

that’s partly true,

The needs that matter most to me are the same ones you have too.

I need to be accepted, I need friends that make me smile.

I need a chance to learn to grow, feeling valued all the while.

Sure, I need some extra help and somethings I can’t do,

But I hope you see beyond all that,

Inside I’m just like you!

ONE LINE WISDOM:  ABOUT CHURCH

• Pope Francis tells us that the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a rest home for saints.
• Every organisation – even the Churches – must wear the hair shirt of its history.
• Doubtful apparitions and excessive devotion cannot replace mysticism.

(Fr Des O’Donnell OMI – Messenger Magazine)

ALL IN AN APRIL EVENING

                (Katharine Tynan: 23rd Jan 1859 – 2nd April 1931

All in the April morning

April airs were abroad;

The sheep with their little lambs

Pass’d me by on the road.

The sheep with their little lambs

Pass’d me by on the road

All in an April evening

I thought on the Lamb of God.

The lambs were weary and crying

With a weak and human heart

I thought on the Lamb of God

Going meekly to die.

Up in the blue, blue mountains

Dewy pastures are sweet

Rest for the little bodies

Rest for the little feet.

But for the Lamb of God

Up on the hill-top green

Only a cross of shame

Two stark crosses between

All in the April evening

April airs were abroad;

I saw the sheep with their lambs

And thought on the Lamb of God.

‘WE WON’T SURVIVE WITHOUT IT’

(Reflection of an elderly priest)

I have received two Covid injections

It’s the first time that old age earned me anything!

I find it extraordinary that a bug so tiny that it cannot even be seen by the naked eye

Can paralyse an entire world.

I feel sorry for the young people, patience is not one of their virtues,

But like the rest of us, they must wait this virus out.

Perhaps we will emerge out of all of this a humbler people with a greater awareness that we are not in charge,

Normally we’re the centre of everything.

God had His own plans.

I hope you keep safe and well.

Hang on to your sense of humour,

‘We won’t survive without it!

A SMILE!  –  LADY’S CHOICE

A parishioner had been very faithful in attending all her church’s services for many years, and the vicar wanted to reward her. At the beginning of the next Sunday’s service he announced, “For her loyalty to the church we shall reward Miss Hoey by letting her pick a hymn for the evening”

“Oh, goody,” exclaimed Miss Hoey, and pointing to a member of the congregation, she said, “I’ll take him”

(Beautiful Thoughts for Beautiful Minds – John Scally)