October 3rd, 2021

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd October 2021

Volume 22.  Number 37

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CORRECTION

Item in last week’s Newsletter re: Threshing &

Vintage Day should of course have read 18th Sept 2005 not 2015.Apologies for printing error (old age perhaps?)

SYMPATHY

Our condolences to Patricia Sinnott and family, Woodview Drive, Adamstown on the death of her sister Margaret Barnwell, Monastery Avenue, Taghmon who died on Sat 25th September. Sympathy also to her family and friends.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Fintan’s Church, Taghmon on Monday 27th with burial in St. Fintan’s Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

On Saturday last 25th September in beautiful weather, the children from 2nd class of 2020 in St. Abban’s National School received their First Holy Communion. We send our congratulations and good wishes to the children and their families on this very special occasion in their young lives. We thank also their parents, teacher Ms. Ciara Walsh &

Fr Nolan for preparing them for First Holy Communion. Despite current restrictions, it was a lovely Mass and celebration, thanks also to Mrs. Claire Kickham and Ms. Joeleen Codd for providing the music.

We wish God’s blessing on the children:

Betty, Caoimhe, Cillian, Daniel, Dylan, Ellie, Eoin, Kaiden, Lauren, Liam, Nathan, Pippa, Ruby and Zoe.

ST ABBAN’S BOXING CLUB

Only a few spaces left get your names in as soon as possible. We are getting closer to being ready to see everyone again, so we ask that you all dig out and find your gum shields, wraps, gloves, skipping ropes and FYI

We are now practicing no plastic bottles reusable only at the club.

Please note -If you are feeling unwell, please do not come in. A link will be posted up for you to sign in.  Thank You.

WATERFORD/WEXFORD ADULT EDUCATION SERVICE

‘What is it like to study with National Learning Network, (NLN) – visit them on open days, every Monday from 4th October to 18th October and 1st November to 29th November from 2pm – 4pm. Find out more about the courses:  Catering and Hospitality, Computer Applications with Office skills, Retail Sales, Reception skills.

Employer Based Training. Options Rehabilitate Training.

For more details contact Kitty Galvan, Evelyn Nevin.

Ring 051 359220 or email nln.ie

ADAMSTOWN N.S. PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION AGM

The Adamstown National School Parents’ Association AGM will take place this Thursday 7th October 2021 at 8.30pm in the school. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING

As the harvest has now come to an end we thank God for

the good weather enjoyed in saving the harvest and the bounty of food He has provided for us.

Harvest in olden days

In rural Ireland the harvest was an occasion that brought whole communities together to carry out essential work while the weather was right. There was always some urgency about the work, and a great community feeling. This was one of the few times in the agricultural year when everybody had to work together. The last sheaf left in the fields was known as the Cailleach or Hag. In some areas it was considered an honour to cut this sheaf, while in other areas it was thought an ill omen. Sometimes there was a contest where reapers tossed their reaping hooks at the last sheaf.

Once cut, the sheaf was plaited or bound in an ornamental fashion and carried to the farmer with great ceremony. The farmer was expected to provide a reward in the form of a great feast or harvest home. The harvest home was usually held in a barn and the Cailleach was given pride of place. The barn was the only building large enough to hold all those who had helped with the harvest. The feast was followed by music and dancing, led by the girl who tied the last sheaf and the eldest son of the farmer.

(Celebrating Irish Festivals – Ruth Marshall)

FOR THE FARMER

Before the human mind could warm to itself,

The hands of the farmer had first to work,

Creating clearances in the earth’s thicket:

Cut into the thorn-screens of wild briar,

Uproot the clusters of scrub-bush,

Dig out loose rock until a field emerged

Whose clay could be loosened and softened.

To take seeds and bring forth crops.

The earth was able to trust

The intention of the farmer’s hands,

Opening it, softening it, moulding it

Into a domain of shelter and nourishment.

It waits through its secluded winter

For his imagination of springtime

To feed into its darkened heart

New seeds for it to work its mind on

Until the harvest gathers and thickens

With golden corn, honey-scented hay,

Ripe red and dark purple fruit.

In his mind, his fields become presences;

The feel of their colours, the brace of their walls

Have greened his thought and tempered his heart.

(John O’Donohue – Benedíctus)

CHURCH NOTICES

IN MEMORIAM

Sat 2nd Oct – Matt O’Neill, Forestwood (A)

Sun 3rd – Mai Furlong, Misterin (A)

Sat 9th – Thomas & Elizabeth Walsh, Brocurra (A)

Sun 10th – Bud O’Neill, The Boola (A)

May they rest in peace.

Feast Days this week:

Mon 4th – St. Francis of Assisi

Tue 5th – St. Faustina Kowalska

Thurs 7th – Our Lady of the Rosary

 DEATH – WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT….

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side” Very quietly the doctor said ” ” I don’t know”…”You don’t know? You’re a Christian

Man, and you don’t know what’s on the other side?. The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing….I know my Master is there and that is enough.

RADIO MARIA IRELAND

On Saturday October 9th, The Hail Holy Queen Conference will be on Radio Maria Ireland at 2pm. Guest speakers include Bishop John Keenan, Dr. Patrick Kenny, Fr. Gerry McCloskey and Dr. Blythe Kaufman.

On the following day (Sunday Oct 10th) the Coastal Rosary will take place at 2.30pm. Join people around Ireland to pray the Rosary for Life and Faith at our grottos, churches, at the coasts and other suitable places. We encourage you to gather safely being mindful of COVID-19 regulations. Simply sign up a Rosary location at www.coastalrosaryireland.ie or text your location to 087 2786552

CHRISTIAN MEDIA TRUST PROGRAMMES OCTOBER

On South East Radio 95.2 – 96.4fm

Sun Mass 3rd Oct – St. Michael’s & St. Mary’s Church

Sun Reflection 3rd Oct – 8.30pm -9pm.

Patricia McNally shares a reflection on one of the world’s most popular saints, priest, stigmatist and mystic –

 St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Music Box Mon 4th 8.04-8.30pm Fr. Brian Broaders shares a selection of musical favourites on the theme of Love and Peace.

Faith Matters Mon 4th 8.30 -9pm. Carla Maria Corless shares an insight into the life of St. Therese of Lisieux.

Mission Impossible Tues 5th  8.04 – 8.30pm.

Anne Cousins speaks with Fr. Martin Pender, Ballymitty on the Sacrament of Baptism.

CHURCH ALTARS & DECORATION

Thanks to the ladies from Raheenduff for looking after the Church & Altars for the month of September, it is now the turn of parishioners from Brocurra for the month of October.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK – A Prayer of Thanks

Thank You, God, for everything

I’ve experienced here on earth-

Thank You for protecting me

from the moment of my birth-

And thank You for the beauty

around me everywhere,

The gentle rain and glistening dew,

the sunshine and the air.

The joyous gift of “feeling”

the soul’s soft, whispering voice

That speaks to me from deep within

and makes my heart rejoice-

Oh, God, no words are great enough

to thank You for just living.

And that is why every day

is a day for real thanksgiving.

(Helen Steiner Rice)

POPE’S INTENTION FOR OCTOBER – Evangelisation

We pray that every baptised person may be engaged in evangelisation, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavour of the Gospel.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Before Nelson Mandela left prison he said:

“As I stand before the door to my freedom,

I realise that if I do not leave my pain, anger and bitterness behind me. I will still be in prison”

Forgiveness does not make you weak, it sets you free.

ADAMSTOWN LOTTO RESULTS

The winning numbers in the Adamstown Lotto draw on Friday 1st October were: 8 – 14 – 21 – 25. There was no Jackpot winner. The following 3 players matched three numbers and each got €70.00. Shane O’Neill, The Boola, John French, Oldcourt &  Ellie Walsh, Tomgarrow.

The next draw is on Monday 18th October in the Community  Centre for a Jackpot of €10,600.

Keep on buying the tickets, if you’re not in you can’t win.

WORDS TO PONDER  

Wealth is of the heart and mind – not the pocket.

(Written on the inside pocket of a pair of jeans)

Note: – Autumn Dues Envelopes included in your Weekly Envelope Box this weekend.