PTAA honour members in Castlepollard
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A special Mass was celebrated by Very Rev Patrick Moore, PP, VF, in St Michael’s Church, Castlepollard. jayde g fordeImage 2 of 5
Among those who received Diamond pins were (back from left) Catherine Reynolds, Michael Halpin, Veronica Nally, Dominic Egan, Peter Earley and Katherine Doran; (front) Joe Monaghan, Nancy Hennessey, Fr Moore, Cora Dermody and Donie Cassidy. jayde g fordeImage 3 of 5
New members, Will Cassidy, Max Cassidy, Mary Mulvey-Holtkamp, Derek Walsh and Cliff Gurren. jay g fordeImage 4 of 5
Mairead Kiernan and Sandra Fagan were awarded Silver pins. jay g fordeImage 5 of 5
Liam Fagan, Siobhan Hannon, Mícheál Cassidy, Emily Cassidy and Bernadette Ginnell received Gold pins. jayde g fordePioneer pins, diamond, gold, silver and junior, were presented to more than 30 members of the Castlepollard Pioneer Total Abstinence Association on October 17 last.
To mark 60 years or more in the PTAA, diamond pins were presented to Nancy Hennessy, Donie Cassidy, Kathleen Lee, Thomas and Dominic Egan, Catherine Reynolds, Peter Earley, Cora Dermody, Kathleen Doran, Betty and Seamus Macken, Moira and Michael Halpin, Veronica Nally, and Joe Monaghan.
Gold pins for 50 years in the association were presented to Siobhan Hannon, Bernie Ginnell, Kathleen Fagan, Michael and Emily Cassidy, Phil McCormack, and Liam Fagan. Sandra Macken and Mairead Kiernan received silver pins for 25 years’ membership.
Two new members, Will and Max Cassidy, grandchildren of Donie and Anne Cassidy, received their junior membership. Full membership was presented to Derek Walsh, Mary Mulvey-Holtkamp, Eamon Reilly, Dymphna Doran, John Rabbitt and Cliff Gurren.
The presentations of pins and certificates were made at a special Mass celebrated by Very Rev Patrick Moore, PP, VF, in St Michael’s Church, Castlepollard. In his homily, Fr Moore congratulated all the recipients and said that "pioneers were initially and still are, apostles of temperance and society, as they lived with the spirituality that cemented what they were about".
"We honour and thank them this evening, the founders and all subsequent members," he said.
Fr Moore urged more members to attend the monthly meetings and other events happening throughout the year.
During the Mass the Lessons were read by Joe Monaghan and the Prayers of the Faithful were read by Peter McCrum. The parish choir, who added much to the ceremony, along with the Mass servers, Jacob Connolly and Kai Brazil, and the sacristan Orla Morrissey, were thanked for their participation.
After the presentations, refreshments were served in the St John Paul II centre by Jane O’Reilly and staff.
On behalf of the Pioneer Centre and Mullingar Deanery area, Joe Monaghan welcomed all, especially the diocesan chairperson Jim Smith and the diocesan representative Mary Brady, and all those involved in the successful evening.
Joe acknowledged the financial support given by the North Midlands Credit Union and Westmeath County Council annually towards the work of the association. He also thanked the local newspapers for their support. In conclusion, Joe thanked all the members throughout the Deanery for their support and commitment to the association during a busy year.