Mullingar Deanery Pioneers back on track in 2022

The Pioneers of the deanery were delighted to get back on track in 2022 and have had a busy and productive year. As with all Pioneers, our aim is that through our prayer and abstinence from alcohol and drugs, those who suffer because of addiction may be helped.

School Visits

During the last year we visited many primary schools in the deanery. We received good responses and approximately 200 young people joined the Pioneers. Our aim and hope will be that their membership will help them to abstain from alcohol until they are at least 18 years of age and keep off illegal drugs for life. The committee would like parents to encourage their children to become Young Pioneers when our representatives visit schools. We are grateful to the school principals and teachers who helped us to keep this part of our apostolate going so successfully through the difficult years of 2020 and 2021. We are also sincerely grateful to Bishop Deenihan for his encouragement and words of wisdom on Confirmation Days in our parishes.

Deanery Mass

The annual Deanery Mass was celebrated in Rochfortbridge Centre in July. This was also a special occasion for Rochfortbridge Pioneers as they were celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of their centre. The commemoration began with concelebration of Mass led by Fr Séamus Houlihan, PP Tubber and Rosemount Parish, and spiritual director for Pioneers of the Meath Diocese, Fr William Coleman, PP Rochfortbridge, and Fr Liam Carey, SSC.

Sacristan, Mary McAuley, had everything in order; the choir, led by Michael Plunkett, contributed beautifully to the occasion, and the readings and Prayers of the Faithful were articulately delivered by youth officer Marie Giles Corrigan and the Young Pioneers.

The gifts were presented by acting chairperson, Harry Gouldsbury, and Margaret Giles. A beautiful commemorative Mass booklet was compiled by Young Pioneer chairperson Sarah Smyth. The Mass was followed by the Novena to Venerable Matt Talbot for all those who suffer because of addiction of any kind. Pioneers from surrounding centres and deaneries joined in the celebration and prayers.

Angela Hyland of Farthingstown and Des Ryan of Meedin were congratulated on reaching the diamond jubilee of their Pioneer membership and Lily Curran of The Park, Gibbonstown, was presented with a special diploma to mark the extraordinary achievement of 76 years of temperance, having started on her Confirmation Day.

After Mass, everybody went to the Parish Hall, where Clare Brady had the kettle boiling and a lovely celebration meal ready. The secretary thanked everyone who had helped to make the evening a success and Deanery chairperson, Joe Monaghan, praised and encouraged all present.

Novena to Venerable Matt Talbot

We started the annual Novena to Venerable Matt Talbot in March and were delighted to be able to keep it going on a monthly basis through the following eight months. The venues were: Kilbeggan, Mullingar, Castlepollard, Rochfortbridge, Raharney, Ballynacargy and Kells. It is a powerful Novena; its purpose is to assist all who suffer because of addictions and it brings with it many graces and blessings. We sincerely thank Fr Séamus Houlihan and the priests from the various centres for helping with the Novena.

Annual Pilgrimage to Knock

We are grateful to Peter Fagan of Killucan Centre for organising a bus for the annual Pioneer Day in Knock in July. A large crowd was present and all were delighted to be able to celebrate together again. The chief celebrant at Mass was Bishop Michael Neary and the homily was delivered by Fr Robert McCabe, spiritual director of the Pioneer Association.

Garden visit

A enjoyable and informative garden visit was hosted by Danny and Betty Dunne in July. The good weather contributed to a pleasant occasion, attended by Pioneers from various parts of the diocese. Delicious refreshments added to the enjoyment for all present.

2022-2023 Deanery Committee

The committee for the coming year: chairperson, Joe Monaghan from Castlepollard Centre; secretary, Peter Fagan from Killucan Centre; treasurer, Mary Riggs from Ballynacargy Centre; safeguarding officer, Rita Clarke, Rochfortbridge.

New Members

We are always delighted to welcome new adult members into our association and we strongly encourage people to join us. We recognise alcohol as a gift from God and we voluntarily do without the enjoyment of that gift and offer that sacrifice for those who are struggling with addictions. If you would like to become a Pioneer, get in touch with your Pioneer Centre or contact any of our committee officers mentioned in this article.

Thank you

The Deanery Pioneers are thankful to Mullingar Credit Union Social and Cultural Fund and the Westmeath Community Action Grant Scheme for their generous donations towards the society; we very much appreciate that and all funds are used towards promoting the organisation and helping the Young Pioneers.

The association would like to thank all who supported members throughout the last year at our church gate collections, through purchase of the Pioneer Newsletter, support for draws and in other ways. Many thanks to the spiritual directors throughout the deanery who continually promote the ideals of the PTAA.

Deanery meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month in the Parish Hall, Rochfortbridge at 8pm. All are welcome to attend.