Mitchelstown PTAA 90th anniversary celebrations

THERE was a very large attendance at the Parish Church in Mitchelstown on Friday evening to mark the 90th anniversary of the local P.T.A.A Council.

Bishop William Crean was the main celebrant of the Mass along with Canon Michael Fitzgerald, retired Canon Tim O’Leary, Fr Gabriel Burke CC and Fr Eamonn McCarthy, Spiritual Director P.T.A.A.

The occasion was also the Diocesan yearly P.T.A.A. Mass and concluded with the presentation of Confirmation Pledge, new Pioneers, 10 year achievement, 40 year achievement, Golden Jubilarian-50 year achievement, Diamond – 60 year achievement, 70 year achievement, 75 year achievement, 80 year achievement and Fr Cullen medals for outstanding service.

Bishop Crean, in his address, complimented the Mitchelstown P.T.A.A Branch on their 90th anniversary celebrations.

He thanked the committee for the kind invitation. In his homily he spoke about the problems related to excess alcohol and the great work being done by the various P.T.A.A branches all over the world.

It is, he stated, our mark of faith in God saying God’s love for us is never in question. We come to know and experience grace and redemption in our lives and those of others.

We are, he declared, strengthened by the Grace of God. The Feast of the Sacred Heart denotes the entire wisdom of God. The last nine decades have been a priceless treasure.

This evening we renew our gratitude of the Pioneer movement over the past 90 years, he swaid. Abstinance is very challenging for us at this time. He mentioned sport where sacrifice is so necessary. The Temperance movement is challenged by this, such is the power of the Drinks Industry.

Young people need, at the earliest possible time in life, to be introduced to the P.T.A.A. It is a graceful way to walk on the earth. He concluded: may our gathering lift up our hearts.

Canon Michael Fitzgerald expressed a big welcome to Bishop William to the special 90th anniversary celebrations. He welcomed Fr Eamonn McCarthy, Spiritual Director of the Cloyne Diocesan P.T.A.A. He thanked all the organising committee and paid tribute to the great work done by them year after year in promoting the National P.T.A.A. draw, flag day, distribution of the monthly P.T.A.A Magazine and to the sacristan and the staff in the parish office.

Bishop William Crean made the presentation to the various recipients, as follows:

Confirmation Pledge – Ian O’Dwyer, Glanworth

New Pioneers: Tom Daly, Castletownroche; Caitriona Horgan (Killavullen)

10 year achievement - Catriona Fox-Murray (Carrick on Suir) Tommy O’Brien, Kilacluig Mitchelstown; Christopher O’Sullivan, Edward St. Mitchelstown.

40 year achievement: Nora Martin (Cullane, Ballylanders) Tomas O’Sullivan (Glanworth)

Golden Jubilarian – 50 year achievement: Margaret Barry, Robert St, Mitchelstown; Margaret Boland, Kilshanna Mitchelstown; Michael Browne Glanworth; Breda Daly, Charleville, Elizabeth & Patrick Downes The Demesne Mitchelstown, Charlie Hanley and Paddy Hanley Quitrent Kildorrery, Kathleen Hanley, Killavullen, Michael Hanrahan and Kathleen Hanrahan, Glanworth, Margaret Hennessy Glanworth, Eileen Kent Kilshanna Mitchelstown, John Kirwan Knocknamuck Mitchelstown, Elizabeth Lambe Mulberry Mitchelstown, Breda McCarthy Rathcormac, Anthony & Joe Murphy, Naad Banteer, Mary O’Brien Church Road Mitchelstown, Olivia O’Meara Railway Road Mitchelstown, Denis O’Gorman, Castletownroche, Catherine Roche Limerick Road Kildorrery, John Twomey Monadrishane Kilworth, Ann & Maurice Walsh Church View Ballindangan, Patrick Whelan Mulberry Mitchelstown.

Diamond – 60 year achievement: John Casey, Mitchelscourt, Mitchelstown; Vincent Daly, Banteer; Margaret (Peggy) Hennessy, Ballygiblin, Mitchelstown; John Murray, Carrick on Suir; John O’Brien, Fermoy; Ann Ronan, Baldwin St, Mitchelstown

70 year achievement: Betty Coffey, Tankardstown, Kildorrery

75 year achievement: Alice O’Brien, Fermoy Road, Mitchelstown

80 year achievement: Patricia & Jim Skinner, Georges St, Mitchelstown

Fr Cullen Medal: Long service members Mary Dunleavy, Clonmel Road, Mitchelstown, Eleanor McEvoy, 26 Roches Heights, Mitchelstown; Tony Sherlock, 6 O’Neill Crowley Tce. Mitchelstown

After the ceremony all in attendance attended the Firgrove Hotel, where refreshments were served courtesy of the local credit union.

P.T.A.A. president Pat Twomey thanked the committee members and the many people who came from surrounding areas to receive their presentation. He also thanked the local credit union for their kind sponsorship of refreshments.

Last week the Mitchelstown P. T.A.A. Branch were awarded the Gradam na Readoiri award for the year 2016 in recognition of the overall quality of commitment and service in promoting the aims and goals of the P.T.A.A. This is the 10th time that the Gradam Award has been awarded to Mitchelstown Centre. Mass and presentations were held in the Church of St. Francis Xavier Gardiner St Dublin.

Another 10 year award went to Fedamore Branch in Limerick.