The Traveller Parish Newsletter Eastertide – Spring 2010 EASTER GREETINGS elcome to this edition of The Traveller Parish Newsletter which comes to you in the calendar Wseason of Spring and the Church season of Eastertide. We have come through the dark days of Winter, and yet our lives remain overshadowed by dark clouds of Church scandal, economic recession and, more recently, volcanic ash. At a personal and family level, in recent months there have been a number of tragic and very sad deaths in the community, remembered in prayer in Parish Masses, and also in this edition of the Newsletter. Having prayed through Holy Week on the Passion and Death of John McElroy Jesus in our Good Friday Liturgy and Stations, we lit the Easter fire in our Easter Vigil Mass, joyfully celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus and his final victory over sin and death. In the words of the Easter liturgy, ’Jesus Christ our Photo courtesy of Lord is truly Risen, Alleluia!’ Eastertide finds an echo in Spring with Nature’s bursting workers, priests, and bishops in Rome last month. Finally forth of new life and colour. New life and new beginnings we include, among our other features, the story of the shine through many of our features on life in the Traveller Parish Choir which was formed especially for the community around the Dublin diocese. Here in the Parish, Remembering Annette concert in Tallaght’s Civic Theatre the team has been glad to welcome Georgina Jameson for last month. The main song performed by the Choir, written her five month long placement as part of her training to by the late Annette Halpin, is called ‘Everyone’, and become a Parish Pastoral Worker. Georgina introduces includes the following memorable message: herself and shares some of her impressions and experiences of the community. We hear of the Positive Role Everyone has a part to play in this world Model Seminar which took place in Bray, the 2009 Traveller And every has something to contribute Pride Awards ceremony, the Yellow Flag social inclusion Everyone is of equal value in the eyes of God initiative in St. Dominic’s Secondary School, Ballyfermot, And every person’s voice is worthwhile being heard and the story of Castlebrook, a Housing Project which highlights the importance and value of consulting and On behalf of everyone in the Parish Team, involving Travellers directly in the development of such God Bless, culturally appropriate housing projects. We also tell the story of the invitation we received to present the Parish’s Travelling Towards Inclusion initiative to a Vatican sponsored meeting of European pastoral Fr. D e r e k Fa r r e l l , P. P. The Traveller Parish Newsletter assumes that the full permission of anyone featured in a photograph has been secured prior to being submitted. As part of our Parish Child Protection Procedures names are not assigned to individual photos of children. Rare exceptions to this are only at the express request of the parents involved, and then at the discretion of the editorial team. Views expressed in The Traveller Parish Newsletter do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the Parish. Some photos submitted to the Newsletter may be used on our website. Thanks to all our contributors. Your views, comments and local news are always welcome at (01) 838 8874 or Email: [email protected]. Parish Website: www.ptrav.ie Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Pages 6-7 Page 14 Page 21 Page 23 Page 27 CONTENTS Holy Week & Easter 2010 3 Irish Traveller Movement Law Centre 15 Wedding Congratulations 4 The Child Protection Policy Statement of the Recent Christenings 5 Parish of the Travelling People 16 Traveller Pride Awards 2009 6-7 Clúid Traveller Housing Project, Castlebrook 17 Wicklow’s Positive Start to 2010 8 Traveller Arts News 18 Ponytail Gets the Snip for Guide Dogs 8 F.C. Town Football Club Update 19 Hello from Georgina 9 Haiti Fundraiser 20 St. Patrick’s College Research Project 9 Traveller Singer and Songs 21 Celebrating International Women’s Day 2010 10-11 Recently Deceased and Anniveraries 22 Vatican Conference 12 In Memory of Ellen Lawrence and Annette Halpin 23 Deansrath – April 2010 Update 13 Remembering Annette 24 Primary Health Care Graduation 14 Parish News 25 Minceirs Whiden 14 Youth Zone 26-27 The Traveller 3 HOLY WEEK & EASTER 2010 We would like to thank the communities of ST. OLIVER’S PARK, CLONDALKIN St. Margaret’s, Ballymun, and St. Oliver’s Park, Clondalkin, for their warm welcome and prayerful participation in the events and faith gatherings of Holy Week and Easter. n Holy Thursday young and old alike shared in the sacrament of Reconciliation in a beautiful prayer service which took place in the OParish chapel-of-ease in St. Oliver’s Park. Good Friday morning was wet and windy so we gathered indoors with the people of St. Margaret’s in their Community Centre for the Stations of the Cross. It was great to have so many participating in reading the reflections, and especially having so many men stepping forward. On Good Friday afternoon in Clondalkin the sun came out and the rain stayed away long enough for us to complete our outdoor Stations of the Cross, making our way through the whole site of St. Oliver’s Park and Bridgeview. We concluded by gathering together in the chapel for our Good Friday Holy Communion liturgy. Once again we were blessed to have so many coming forward to read and to lead in the prayers and reflections. ST. MARGARET’S, BALLYMUN Lar Boland Photo courtesy of Lar Boland Photo courtesy of Finally, on Holy Saturday night we gathered again in St. Oliver’s Park chapel for the Easter Vigil Mass. The Easter fire blazing outside the chapel was blessed, the Easter candle was lit, and the light of the Risen Lar Boland Christ was celebrated and shared among the people gathered. Special thanks to Sr. May and to our trainee Parish Pastoral Worker Georgina for their part in the ceremonies, and all our thanks again to everyone who joined and took part in the beautiful prayer, music and ritual of those Photo courtesy of three days. 4 The Traveller Congratulations to all those Recently Married This special day is here at last Where hope and dreams come true, You won’t believe the happiness That lies in store for you. For as time goes passing by The togetherness that’s shared Will bring along a closeness that Could never be compared. Darren Mongan & Rose Sharon Reilly Date Names Address 7th December April Ward & Michael Ward Blanchardstown 25th January Rose Sharon Reilly & Darren Mongan Swords 4th February Margaret Collins & John Collins Cara Park 11th February Kathleen Joyce & Keith Duggan Ashbourne 11th February Shenise Power & Robert McDonagh Clondalkin 23rd February Ann Louise Mongan & Pat Corcoran Lucan 15th March Margaret McDonagh & Thomas McDonagh Co. Longford 7th April Bernadette Stokes & Michael Corcoran Inchicore 9th April Kathleen Keenan & John Keenan Dunsink Pat Corcoran & Ann Louise Mongan Michael Corcoran & Bernadette Stokes Robert McDonagh & Shenise Power Bernard Joyce & Annmarie Conroy, Clondalkin Ann & Michael Connors, Wicklow Margaret & John Collins Elizabeth McDonnell & Davy Reilly, Navan For advice on and details of pre-Marriage preparation and requirements, please contact the Parish Office at 01-838 8874. Also if you would like to see your wedding featured in our Newsletter please forward photo and details to Geraldine/Pauline at Parish of the Travelling People, 6 New Cabra Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, or preferably by email to [email protected] The Traveller 5 RECENT CHRISTENINGS A new born little life Comes with a whole lot of love A precious little gift John and Geraldine O’Donnell with Sent from heaven above young Michael and baby Martin, Finglas. Bridgie & Patrick Collins, baby Stephanie and family with Fr. Paddy Kelly, Finglas. Baby Angelina Marie McDonagh Ann & Anthony Stokes holding and family, Balgaddy. baby Emma Sinead, Ballymun. Helen & Patrick Lawrence with baby Jimmy Oliver and family. Maria & Patrick Collins with baby Martin, Finglas. If you would like to see your Christening in our Newsletter, please send a photograph and details to the Parish Office, 6 New Cabra Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, or preferably by email to [email protected] 6 The Traveller TRAVELLER PRIDE AWARDS 2009 The Traveller Pride Awards were part of Traveller Focus Week organised by the Irish Traveller Movement, Minceirs Whiden, Pavee Point, National Traveller MABS, the National Traveller Women’s Forum and the National Association of Traveller Centres. The first ever Traveller Pride Awards were held on 8th of December 2009. The idea of the Traveller Pride Awards is to bring Travellers from across the country together to celebrate and showcase Traveller achievements, whilst highlighting some of the obstacles that exist for Travellers in Irish society. The ultimate aim is to instil pride, increase expectations and celebrate the undoubted positive contribution Travellers have made to Irish life and also the pride and determination one must have in order to succeed as a Traveller. Achievement in Education The sisters were the first Traveller girls in Labre Park to complete their leaving certificate and pursue third level studies. Sally is a second year student at the Liberties College, Dublin studying Community & Youth Work. Eileen completed a one year access programme in Trinity College, Dublin and is now completing a pre- nursing Course in Ballyfermot College. Eileen has also applied to be part of the Garda reserves. L-R: Catherine Joyce with Sally and Eileen Flynn from Ballyfermot, Dublin Achievement in Sport Hannah Carthy has overcome many obstacles which exist for Travellers but with a winning determination she has enjoyed successful boxing achievements which include becoming the Irish Amateur All Ireland National Girls Champion.