Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club
Parent / Guardian Updates
Dear Parent /Guardian,
Thank you for supporting your child’s membership of the above club.
The purpose of this page is to provide you with updates etc. regarding club developments, decisions, activities etc. We trust it will prove useful to you and to ourselves (Adult Club Leaders) in maintaining good communication.
CURRENT (7) UPDATES (16th November)
Creative Arts Workshop
Our next meeting (22nd November) will integrate a Creative Arts Workshop. This will be led by Maryrose Finlan Heavey, Joyce’s mum. Our thanks to Maryrose for offering this opportunity.
Review & Planning Meeting
On Thursday 28th November, 7.30 – 9 pm, Youth Club Leaders will meet with a facilitator, Mr Kevin McGeeney, to review the Youth Club’s year, and to look to 2025.
This meeting is necessary in terms of the club’s preparation of 2025 applications for funding and will take place in the Clonfert Family Centre (usual venue for meetings).
All parents and guardians are welcome to participate. Club Leaders would be glad of your input and support.
Pioneer Raffle
Every year the Pioneer Association runs a raffle to raise funds to support the running of the Assocation. The proceeds of the 2022 and 2023 raffles met the cost of our club’s insurance, and subsidized safeguarding training costs.
We have been invited to purchase tickets to the value of €400.00. Club Leaders and friends have already contributed €240.00. We would be grateful if parents and guardians would consider contributing €20 per household, with a view to the club purchasing the remaining tickets in the name of the club.
If you are in a position to contribute, and happy to, please give your child €20 to bring to next meeting (Friday 22nd November).
The Association has indicated that it will meet our insurance costs in 2025.
Greater Ballinasloe Gaza-Syria-Turkey Christmas Appeal
For the past four years three club leaders, Sean Kelly, Damien Farrell (who joined us recently), and Justin Harkin have been part of the Fundraising Committee for the above initiative (www.creideamh.ie/2024-appeal )
We would like, with parent / guardian consent, to invite the Youth Club to affiliate with this initative as an expression of our Christian ethos and solidarity with people in grave difficulties at this time.
What might this look like in practice?
We have two suggestions for discussion:
(i) participation in a leaflet drop (available secondary school students only) in some parts of Ballinasloe at a pre-agreed time on the afternoon of Saturday 30th November or Saturday 7th December.
(ii) club memberss’ sharing of the fundraising leaflet with a few family members and friends.
We would like to emphasise that this is much more about encouraging their awareness of ways they can be supportive of people in great need than fundraising.
Should any parent / guardian have any concerns about us raising this matter with club members please contact Sean (086 1647970) or Justin (087 6171526) at your convenience.
Promotion of Club
Club Leaders are currently working on a promotional brochure for the club, and one of our parent representatives, Auriene (Sophia’s mum), will speak about the club at Masses in Ballinasloe once it is complete and available.
We also recognise the need for a club poster that could be circulated via social media, and placed on school noticeboards etc. If any parent / guardian would be happy to help some club members develop such a poster or set of posters we will be grateful for your assistance.
Camp Veritas Residential Faith & Fun Camp, Clongowes Wood College
Last year one club member, Maja, participated in the above camp (www.campveritas.org), and one club leader, Justin, also participated as an Adult Volunteer. Both enjoyed the experience and found it very enriching.
Currently some club leaders are fundraising to subsidize the cost for any club member who is in secondary school who would like to participate in next year’s camp (June 24th – 28th).
The opportunity will also be offered to non club members in First and Second Year in the Greater Ballinasloe area … but without the offer of a club subsidy.
If you or your child is interested … and we heartily encourage their participation … please contact Justin (087 6171526).
2025 Retreat Day
The Pioneer Association encourages all its members, young people and adults, to participate in an annual retreat day.
We will be joining Young Pioneers from Roscommon, Galway and Sligo for such a day on Saturday 15th February in Donamon Castle, Donamon Co. Roscommon. Parents / Guardians also very welcome.
The day will be led by two Dominican sisters from the UK, Sr. Cooey Fowler and Sr. Hyacinthe Defos du Rau. Cooey and Hyacinthe have years of experience of leading youth retreats and residential faith and fun summer camps. It promises to be a lovely day and we actively encourage parents / guardians to be part of the experience.
PREVIOUS UPDATES (1st OCTOBER)
Youth Club Leadership & Committees
Twice yearly we invite club members to take up different roles, by way of contributing to the life and evolution of the club. If you have any related enquiries please contact Justin on 087 6171526. Roles will be discussed with club members at meeting on Friday 13th September.
Designated Roles
– Selection is mindful that everyone cannot attend all meetings.
- Youth Leader
Sophia - Deputy Youth Leader
Francis - Secretary
Matthew - Treasurer
Aisling - Christmas Party Organisers (3)
Ava, Joyce & Conor - Special Activities Co-ordinators (3)
Abbie, Maja & Nicole
(Rosary beads making,
bring-a-friend night etc.) - Photographer
To be agreed - Preparation of room for meetings
First to arrive - Tidying of Room at end of meeting
Everyone - Mentors (supporting new members)
Maja & Francis
Leader and Deputy Leader (to work as a team)
* to welcome and thank visitors
* to speak about the club at public gatherings
* to make sure everyone signs in
* to make sure room is tidy before we leave.
Secretary
* to send letters and cards with adult leaders
* to read out letters etc. received by club
* to record important club decisions in club decision journal.
Treasurer
* to collect and record monies given by members
* to help with special collections (if we have any)
* to sign receipts with adult leaders
Christmas Party Organisers (3)
* To organise a Christmas party that wil:
– Include Mass
– Be welcoming of other Pioneers
– Be fun
Special Activities Co-ordinators (3)
– To help the club respond to the rosary letter we received.
– To organise the club’s ‘bring a friend’ night.
Photographer
– To take at least one photo at each of our meetings
– To take some photos during special outings etc. that the club arranges
Mentors
– To help new members get to know everyone in the club
– To help new members get involved
– To respond to queries (with parents) to queries
non-club members and their parents may have.
Youth Club Summer Outing
Subject to sufficient interest, this will take place on Tuesday 13th August.
Outing going ahead. 14 young people and 9 adults, including 4 Group Leaders have indicated their commitment to participating.
The itinerary is as follows:
9.45 am
Minibus trip to Athlone … leaving from Clonfert Family Centre (H53 NX59)
10.30 am
90 minute cruise / boat trip to Clonmacnois
12 – 1.30 pm
Visit Clonmacnois Monastic Settlement & interpretive Centre
1.30 pm
Minibus back to Athlone
2 pm
Lunch in Supermacs / MacDonalds
2.30 pm
Visit Athlone Castle
3.30 pm
Shopping
4.30 pm
Minibus back to Ballinasloe … returning to Clonfert Family Centre for 5 pm.
Owing to fundraising the cost per youth club member is €20.
Parents / Grandparents also welcome and the cost per accompanying adult will be €35.
It will also be necessary for everyone to bring a pack lunch or pay for own food.
Brother, sisters and cousins of Youth Club members also welcome once accompanied by an adult family member who takes responsibility for them.
Previous Updates
To reserve a place please contact Justin Harkin (087 6171526) on or before Tuesday 6th August.
As we reach the end of our 2023/2024 year
We propose to have four more meetings / gatherings before summer break:
- Friday May 24th (usual meeting)
- Friday June 7th (Solemnity of the Sacred Heart / our special day)
Holy Mass and Social Gathering with other Pioneers / young people interested in becoming Young Pioneers in Emerald Ballroom, Ballinasloe, 7 – 8.30 pm. - Friday 21st June (usual meeting, and welcoming of new members)
- Friday 5th July (Club’s Awards Night & First Birthday Celebration) .
Fortnightly meetings will resume on Friday 16th August.
The Club’s Adult Leaders will also be having a 2023/2024 Review and 2024/2025 Planning Meeting toward the middle of June (date and time to be decided). Interested parents and guardians will be welcome to participate. An invitation will issue nearer the time.
Retreat Day with Sr Kathryn Press ASCJ
On Saturday 6th April Sr Kathyrn, who lives and works with young people in Waterford, will lead a retreat day (day or recollection, fun and faith-learning) for Young Pioneers from Galway, Roscommon and Sligo in Donamon Castle. She will be supported by Bishop Kevin Doran, Justin Harkin and members of our Youth Club. More information @ www.creideamh.ie/youth-retreat .
Sr Kathryn appreciates that club members and parents are likely to value an opportunity to chat with her in advance. She is also eager to ask club members for their assistance in running the retreat day … assistance with games, workshops, Holy Mass.
With this in mind we (Youth Club Leaders) have arranged a Zoom meeting with Sr Kathryn as follows:
This Wedneesday (26th March)
8.00 – 8.30 pm
Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8761715260?pwd=TTcxUTc1K3FhNTVOTXZrRlBoNEw3Zz09
Zoom ID
8761715260
Password
270420
We would be grateful if as many Youth Club members and parents as are available could join the meeting, either from the comfort of your own home, or by joining us (Leaders) in the Family Centre (where we normally meet).
We (Club Leaders) also appreciate that some parents are likely to have work commitments on 6th April. At this time we can offer at least six children (three per car) a lift to and from Donamon Castle (retreat venue).
A text reminder of Zoom meeting will issue on Wednesday.
Good Friday Outdoor Way of the Cross in Ballinasloe
For more than twelve years people from Ballinasloe-Creagh and surrounding parishes have undertaken an outdoor way of the cross around Ballinasloe town on Good Friday. There is also a tradition of participating children carrying the cross (with support and under supervision) for the final stage (station) … from the bottom of main street to the top of St. Michael’s Square.
This year Fr. Garvey has invited our Youth Club to participate – young people, adult leaders and parents – and to carry the cross for the fourth station (from Church of Ireland to the presbytery on Dunlo St.). He appreciates that only some will have availability and would like all who choose to participate to be happy about their invovlement.
If your child would like to participate, and you or another adult family member are free to bring them to the entrance to the Duggan Park on the Fair Green (starting point) but you cannot remain with them please alert Sean or Justin and we will adopt a Safeguarding role for the duration of the walk.
The walk usually concludes at the top of St. Michael’s Square c. 1 pm / 1.10 pm.
Camp Veritas – June 25th – 29th 2024, Clongowes Wood College
In recent years Clongowes Wood College near Clane in Co. Kildare has hosted a week long Catholic Summer Camp for teenagers, 12 to 18 years through an organisation called Camp Veritas (www.campveritas.org).
The camp can take c. 240 young people and most young people who participate love to return. Indeed the camp was over-subscribed last year.
Sr Kathyrn, who is leading our retreat day is among those who lead workshops etc. at the camp. We have invited her to speak briefly about it when we meet her via Zoom on Wednesday evening. Justin will also be an Adult Volunteer with the Camp this year.
If your child is twelve years or older and both she / he and you (parents) find you are interested please contact Justin as we have some people willing to contribute toward costs for youth club members.
As Adult Club Leaders we also see a great advantage for the club in connecting with this camp. Firstly, club members who participate will be very well placed to introduce all of us to games, recreational activities etc. they enjoy at camp. Secondly, it offers a networking opportunity with clubs like our own who avail of the camp for leadership training etc. for their young leaders.
***
.Adult Leaders happy to respond to queries etc. regarding any of the above items at our earliest convenience. Please be mindful that we are all volunteers with family, work and other obligations.
Bowling Night Out
On Friday 15th March an outing to the bowling alley in The Planet Entertainment Centre, Athlone, followed by a trip to Supermacs, will replace our regular meeting.
We would be delighted to be joined by club members’ parents for this outing.
The proposed schedule is as follows:
7.30 pm
Gather at Clonfert Family Centre, Ballinasloe (where club meetings take place).
7.35 pm
Travel to Athlone
… We would be grateful if we could car pool.
8 – 9.15 pm
Bowling
Hire of two lanes for an hour is being met through grant received from Knights of St. Columbanus last year.
9.20 – 9.45 pm
Return to Ballinasloe and meet up in Supermacs, Sarsfield Rd.
Cost of food and drinks to be met by parents.
9.45 – 10.20 pm
Supper at Supermacs
10.20 pm
Return to our homes.
Additional Information
Club leaders have invited Fr John Garvey PP to join the club for this outing. If circumstances allow he will join us.
If you have any related enquiries or questions please contact Justin on 087 6171526.
To get to Youth Club page please click here.
Bible Fundraiser Appeal
February – March 2024
This appeal has reached its target. Sincere thanks to all who contributed.
Dear Reader,
In August 2023 the above club was established by way of supporting a rejuvenation of our Association in the Greater Ballinasloe area / Clonfert Diocese and by way of being true to the association’s outreach to young people. Since then it has grown to have ten members ranging in age from ten to fourteen years.
The young people meet fortnightly for a time of prayer, learning, conversation and games etc.. We also have an occasional outing and celebration of members achievements and are confident we will grow to having twenty members by June.
All have committed to abstaining from alcohol until they reach eighteen years and illegal drugs for life and all have committed to praying the pioneer prayer daily.
It is our custom to begin meetings with a time of scripture-based prayer that is age-appropriate and educational for our young members. We are keen to support this by acquiring two sets of bibles, a particular set of children’s bibles for our members still in primary school, and a particular set of youth bibles for our members in secondary schools. Having them will enrich the prayer experience at meetings. We also look forward to integrating their use into events like our annual retreat day, Christmas and June Masses, quizzes, reading and public speaking challenges, treasure hunts etc..
The cost of the sets of bibles we wish to invest will be c €1485.00 (27 x €55). We are also eager to invest in some additional resources, e.g. icon for sacred space, bringing total cost to c. €1650.00
As of today (17/2/2024) our fundraising initiative has raised, in terms of monies received and pledged, its target amount of €1650.00.
Our thanks to family and friends, other adult PTAA members and Knights of St. Columbanus who have sponsored bibles. We look forward to remembering your intentions when we use the bibles and take time to pray.
Further enquiries regarding this initiative may be directed to:
Sean Kelly
PTAA Youth Club Safeguarding Officer
Tristane
Aughrim
Ballinasloe
Co Galway
086 1647 970
Justin Harkin
PTAA Youth Club Co-ordinator
Conna House
Cleaghmore
Ballinasloe
Co Galway.
H53 YR92
087 6171526
Updated: 13/11/2024