Invitation to 5th & 6th Class Pupils
(& children being home-schooled)
to become Young Pioneers
7.30 pm – 9.30 pm,
Wednesday June 10th,
St. Michael’s Church
Ballinasloe
H53 CV05
&
Ballinasloe Social Centre,
Emerald Ballroom,
Ballinasloe.
H53 X7T1
Related Letters of Invitation
Letter to Fifth & Sixth Class Pupils
Dear Boys and Girls,
You probably know already that it is not good for young people to take alcohol or any illegal drug.
Would you consider refraining from alcohol until you are 18 years of age, and illegal drugs for life, for another reason?
The reason we encourage is love for Jesus and of people who struggle with addiction to alcohol.
If you are open to this, please read on.
At 7.30 pm on Wednesday 10th June, Bishop Michael Duignan will preside at a Special Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe. During this Mass interested 5th and 6th Class pupils, who have parent / guardian support, will have an opportunity to take a special pledge (which is like a promise) called the Pioneer Pledge.
Those who take this pledge, commit to three things as a way of showing love for Jesus:
- to abstain from alcohol until they are 18 years old,
- to abstain from illegal drugs for life, and
- to pray each day for people impacted by addiction.
Following the Mass we will celebrate by having a fun Treasure Hunt that will begin in the Church and take us to Ballinasloe Social Centre where we will have a party.
If you come, you will be invited to engage in the Treasure Hunt as teams of either three, four, five or six people. You can form a team with your friends or with people who sit near you at the Mass.
There must be at least one person on each team who has taken the pledge . The other team members can be friends or family members and must include one adult, e.g. a parent, guardian, other older family member (18 years plus) , or a teacher, principal or other trusted adult from your school community.
We also want you to talk about this with your parent / guardian. Please tell them about this web page and invite them to read this letter and our letter to them below.
We look forward to welcoming those of you who choose to become Young Pioneers.
Yours sincerely,
Justin Harkin
Adult Leadership Coordinator,
Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club,
www.creideamh.ie/youth-club
Letter to Parents / Guardians
Dear Parent / Guardian
At 7.30 pm on Wednesday 10th June, Bishop Michael Duignan will preside at a Special Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe. During this Mass interested 5th and 6th Class pupils, who have parent / guardian support, will have an opportunity to take the Pioneer Pledge, committing themselves to:
- abstain from alcohol until they reach 18 years,
- abstain from illegal drugs for life,
- pray for people impacted by addiction.
Following the Mass the adult leadership of Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club (www.creideamh.ie/youthclub) will host a fun Treasure Hunt and party for the new Young Pioneers and the adults who accompany them (parents /guardians /teachers /parents) in The Emerald Ballroom, Ballinasloe.
If your child is happy to take the Pioneer Pledge and they enjoy your support, we encourage you or another available family member to accompany them to this Mass.
Accompanying adults and siblings are also welcome to participate in the Treasure Hunt and party.
Our time frame for the evening is 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
Yours sincerely,
Justin Harkin
Adult Leadership Coordinator,
Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club,
www.creideamh.ie/youth-club
Letter to Principals, 5th & 6th Class Teachers and Other School Personnel
Dear Principal, Teacher, other member of school team,
This is our third year to reach out to you and we remain grateful for the support we have received in raising awareness among 5th and 6th Class pupils concerning the Pioneer Pledge. Over the past three years c. 160 young people have opted to do so.
We would be grateful if you could bring this web page to the attention of your 5th and 6th Class pupils and facilitate them read the above letter.
Should any child express interest in taking the pledge at our special Mass with Bishop Michael we would appreciate if the note that follows this letter, adapted as you deem appropriate, could be given to them to bring home. This will direct their parents to this web page, and to the letter to parents above.
There are three questions you may be asked:
- ‘Is the pledge reserved to Christians?’
The answer is ‘No’ but we do encourage all young people to discuss this opportunity with their parent / guardian and to respect their decision. - Do many young people take the pledge?
The average number of young people who have taken this pledge in each of the last three years is sixty. - Is the Treasure Hunt a competition with winners and losers?
Not really. The treasure will consist of goodies (treats to be shared with everyone) and some Young Pioneer clasps.
Finally, some adult leaders of our Youth Club are approved to present a twenty-minute PowerPoint on being a Young Pioneer to 5th and 6th Class pupils. Please get in contact if you would like this for your class / school. We can’t guarantee a visit to every school but we will do our best.
Yours sincerely,
Justin Harkin
Adult Leadership Coordinator,
Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club,
www.creideamh.ie/youth-club
Suggested Note from Fifth /Sixth Class Teachers / Principals to Parents / Guardians of Children Who Express Interest
Dear Parent / Guardian,
Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club, with the support and encouragement of Bishop Michael Duignan, are offering 5th & 6th Class pupils an opportunity to become Young Pioneers on evening of Wednesday 10th June in Ballinasloe. Your child has expressed interest. Please visit www.creideamh.ie/invitation for more information and invitation.
Sincerely,
___________
Class Teacher / Principal
Young Pioneer Pledge & Daily Prayer
Lord, for your sake,
for the recovery of problem drinkers
and victims of substance abuse,
to make amends to your Sacred Heart
for the intemperance in all our lives,
I promise not to take alcoholic drink
until I am at least 18 and
to keep off drugs for life. Amen.
Related Costs
There is no charge in relation to taking the Young Pioneer Pledge or participation in Treasure Hunt
There is a special pin / clasp that all Young Pioneers are entitled and encouraged to wear. This will be available for sale in Ballinasloe Social Centre after the Treasure Hunt at a cost of €8 per pin /clasp.
Some young people also like to purchase or receive a certificate which notes the date and place they became a Young Pioneer. The cost of this certificate is €0.50. These will also be available in Ballinasloe Social Centre.
Finally, some Young Pioneers like to register with the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. The cost of doing so is €10.00, and related forms will also be available in Ballinasloe Social Centre.
A Brief Note on the Treasure Hunt
Immediately after Mass all present will receive a short introduction.
Teams will also be given a sheet and pen. The sheet will provide pointers to clues and the clues will lead the participating teams to Ballinasloe Fair Green (weather permitting) and Ballinasloe Social Centre.
As young people find what each clue points toward they will encounter some quotations and numbers.
By adding and subtracting (where directed to) the numbers the teams will arrive at a number that is the combination number of a locked case / box.
But before they can try out the lock, they will have to find the box!
Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club
Our club will also have an information table for those interested in finding out more about us / joining us.
In the meantime why not visit our web page: www.creideamh.ie/youth-club ?
Further Enquiries
Please direct to Justin Harkin @ 087 6171526 / pioneers@creideamh.ie
Updated 20th May 2026