Congratulations to parishioner Bill Toye who was presented with a pin and certificate at the 9.15am Mass at St Joseph’s on Sunday 11th May for achieving 60 years as a Pioneer. Bill took the pledge to be abstinent from alcohol on 4th May 1965 and has remained faithful to his promise.
The Pioneer Movement (The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart) was founded by Fr James Cullen SJ in 1898 to address the problem of alcohol abuse which was rampant in Irish Society at that time and to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Fr Cullen recognised that it was only through devotion to the Sacred Heart that the scourge of alcohol abuse could be overcome.
The Pioneer Association has, over the years, spread throughout the world and its membership is continually growing. Those who become full members of the Pioneers make a commitment to abstain from alcohol for life. This represents a sacrifice by which great graces are obtained from God for those people suffering from the abuse of alcohol.
Bill’s family attended the Mass to share in this happy occasion.
For more information on the Pioneers, please visit: https://www.pioneers.ie/
