January 30th, 2022

Adamstown Parish Newsletter

Weekend of Sat 29th & Sun 30th January 2022
Volume 22. Number 5

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ADAMSTOWN LOTTO RESULTS
The winning numbers in the Adamstown Lotto
draw on Monday 24th Jan were: 10 – 18 – 23 – 30. There was no Jackpot winner, the following two players
matched three numbers and each received €100 –
Ann O’Gorman, Kellystown & Dylan Whitty, Heathpark.
The next draw is in the Community Centre on Monday
7th February for a Jackpot of €12,000. Well worth
buying a ticket and be in with a chance.

ADAMSTOWN NATIONAL SCHOOL NEWS
Date for Confirmation – Wednesday March 16th 2022 in
St. Abban’s Church at 11.00am.

CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
As part of our celebrations of Catholic School Week, the children invited their grandparents to meet up with them for a walk on Wednesday last at the pitches in the Community Centre, Wednesday was a special day to remember Grandparents, and was enjoyed by old & young alike.

Prayer for Grandparents
Loving God bless all grandparents.
We thank you for the love and care they show us and the gifts of experience and knowledge of stories, songs and memories they have passed on to their children and grandchildren.
May they be safe in your loving care and protect them from harm.
Bless them with joy and hope, Amen.

ADAMSTOWN GAA CLUB
Following the relaxation of Covid restrictions, the Annual General Meeting of St. Abban’s Adamstown GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football & Camogie Club will take place in Adamstown Community Centre main Hall this Monday January 31st at 7.30pm.

VERY REV. CANON TOMMY DOYLE RIP
The death occurred on Tuesday 25th January of The Very Rev. Canon Tommy Doyle, Craanford, retired Parish Priest of Craanford and former Parish Priest of Adamstown. He is survived by his brothers Benny, Eamonn, James, Micko, sisters Breda, Eileen, Carmel to whom we extend our deepest sympathy. We offer our sympathy also to his housekeeper Anne Steadman, Bishop Ger Nash, fellow clergy and parishioners.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Craanford on Friday 28th, followed by burial in St. Cormac’s Cemetery, Boolavogue. May he rest in peace.

CHURCH ALTARS & DECORATION
Thanks to the ladies from Tomgarrow for looking after the Church and Altars for the month of January, it is now the turn of parishioners from Misterin for February.

THE LOVELY SWAN & A LESSON IN PRAYER
It was a cold and sunny January morning as I walked along Newbridge Linear Park beside the river Liffey. I stopped at the ‘Watering Gates; where from the 1800’s to 1922, British Army horses were brought many years ago in early morning or after a day’s training to quench their thirst. Up to the end of the twentieth century, children were able to catch tadpoles there without any danger of falling into the river!
On that morning, I observed a beautiful white swan paddling her way up the river, against the current. Slowly, but very surely, she got through the ever-increasing rough water. When she got to the little weir she made four attempts to get over that obstacle before settling in calm water where she was able to get nourishment from the river bed. I just thought that this beautiful swan was like any of us in our struggles in life when we have concerns and worries. We can get through them, and over the weir, with a bit of paddling in the form of prayer and arrive in the clear water of God’s love and our place in his plan. Let us always, trust in God’s plan for us and in his guidance at all times – no matter how tough the water or how difficult the storms of life.
(Lorcán O’Rourke – Pioneer Magazine)

WEXFORD CO. COUNCIL NOTICE RE: PARKING FINES
Did you know that parking on footpaths can endanger the lives of our more vulnerable citizens?
Your parking may be forcing wheelchair users, the visually impaired, pedestrians, & buggies off the footpath and on to the road.
Please think before you park and don’t impede the access of others by placing any of your wheels on the footpath.
If you do park on the footpath, or cycle lane you are likely to receive a fine of €80.00 effective from 1st February.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
The show field in Adamstown was the setting recently for the Wexford Secondary Schools Cross Country competitions. There was a huge turnout from all corners of Wexford for the eight races from Minor through to Senior. Coláiste Abbáin were first place winners in the Junior Boys and the Senior Boys.
Well done to all the athletes and organizers & stewards on the day.

COLÁISTE ABBÁIN SOCCER
Well done to our U-17 Soccer boys who drew 2 – 2 in a very tough game against CBS, New Ross this week.
The lads were 2 -0 down at half time but we couldn’t be prouder of how they went out in the 2nd half. A great team effort from everyone got us back in the game. Well done to our two goal scorers Philip and Morgan. Well done all.

CHURCH NOTICES
IN MEMORIAM
Sat 29th – Philip, Elizabeth Jackman, Raheenduff &
Hannah & Danny Falvey, Raheenduff (A)
Sun 30th – Ellen, Johnny, Jim & Sonny Kehoe, Rathurtin (A)
& Liz & Tom Murphy, Mogue & Mary Kealy, The Leap (A)
Sat 5th Feb – Margaret Comerford, Oldcourt (A)
Sun 6th – Mary Alyward, Ballyvergin, (Month’s Mind)
Pray for The Very Rev. Canon Tommy Doyle whose funeral Mass took place on Friday.
May they rest in peace.
First Friday Mass 4th Feb at 9.30am & First Saturday 5th Feb Mass at 9.30am.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday following 9.30am Mass until 3pm.
Visitation of the sick on Friday 4th & Saturday 5th February.

Feast Days this week:
Tuesday Feb 1st – St. Brigid.
Wed Feb 2nd – Presentation of the Lord
Candles will be blessed for Church & Home use
Thurs – Feb 3rd – St. Blaise.
Throats will be blessed after 9.30am Mass on Thursday and also after Saturday & Sunday Masses next weekend 5th & 6th February.
Please wear a face mask when coming to receive the blessing
Saint Blaise is a bishop and martyr who lived in the fourth century in Turkey and Armenia. For a time he lived in a cave to escape persecution. On his feast day the church recalls a miracle cure associated with him and celebrates the blessing of the throat.

A SMILE – ‘NEVER ARGUE WITH CHILDREN’
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah,” The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?” The little girl replied, “Then you ask him”
(WORLD Wisdom)

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY POPE FRANCIS TO HIS VATICAN EMPLOYEES
“Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love”
“Take care of brothers and sisters who are weaker…the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and strangers, because we will be judged on this”
“Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused to others”

AN UNOTHORDOX APPEARANCE – (Irish Catholic)
A young man came to the house recently, sent by the local authority to put up safety rails for my son, who is learning to walk again after a broken femur. Rick had a ponytail hairstyle and rather noticeably fancy earrings.
I caught myself thinking, oh yeah, we’ve got a hippy worker here. But Rick turned out to be efficient, helpful and cheerful and when he had finished, I thanked him. “You know what?” he said smiling. “I have the best job in the world! People are pleased to see me. They always thank me. And I go on my way feeling I’ve helped someone. And I get paid too!”
There goes a man happy and fulfilled in his work, I thought. And I inwardly kicked myself for having judged someone just for his unorthodox appearance, without seeing the sunny soul underneath.
Artificial intelligence will never replace human touch.

ST. BRIGID HONOURED WITH PUBLIC HOLIDAY
The Government has decided to add a new public holiday to the national calendar to honour the country’s female patron, St. Brigid of Kildare.
The fifth Century abbess, who is one of the country’s three patron saints along with St. Patrick & St. Columba, founded several monasteries of nuns and her feast-day takes place on Feb 1st, marked by many people as the traditional first day of spring. Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin where St. Brigid founded her largest monastic settlement, had backed calls for the female saint to be honoured on the civil calendar. (Irish Catholic)

PRAYER TO ST. BRIGID
Brigid, you were a woman of peace.
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light to the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious,
and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.
Brigid, you were a voice for the wounded and weary.
Strengthen what is weak within us.
Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.
May we grow each day into greater
wholeness in mind, body and spirit. Amen.

LISTEN AND LEARN
Bobby; “Dad are caterpillars good to eat?”
Dad: “Don’t talk about such things at the dinner table.
We’ll discuss it later”
Bobby after dinner: “Never mind, Dad. That caterpillar was on your salad, but he’s all gone now.”

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been
the foresight to know where you’re going
and the insight to know when you’re going too far.