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Gold Pins for Muff Pioneers
22.05.09
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
IT'S CONFIRMATION season and all around Inishowen
young people have been making a pledge to stay off
alcohol until they are 18. Some will make it, but
many will break their commitment over the next six
years.
At St Mary’s Chapel in Muff recently, eight Pioneer
gold pins were handed out to locals who’ve gone 50
years without touching a drop of the hard stuff.
At the end of 10am Mass in Muff, Fr Farren blessed
the pioneers and thanked them for their commitment
and the example they shown to others as he presented
the pins. There was a reception afterwards and the
Inishowen Independent sat down with the group to
discuss their attitudes to temperance.
The group agreed that there was more temptation for
young people to drink these days and that they,
having never consumed alcohol, didn’t miss it.
“Pioneers are not judgemental, we do not think we
are better than someone who drinks, but I do feel
sorry for those people who feel they need to have a
drink before they can enjoy themselves. I was at a
wedding last week and was one of the first out on
the dance-floor,” said Ellen McReynolds. “I don’t
think I’ve ever seen a couple that were pioneers
split up,” added Ellen Reynolds, referring to the
strain a drinking partner or couple can put on a
relationship. |
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“It’s very difficult
for someone that’s had a problem with drink to be a
pioneer. So that’s why you can take a three month
and six month commitment to start off with,” said Fr
Farren. “It’s very much against the norm nowadays,
not to take a drink. There is nothing wrong with
drinking in moderation, of course and most people
become responsible social drinkers.”
The group did not feel that friends who’d gotten
drunk while out with them were a burden, although
Perth, Australia, based Billy Smith did express the
opinion that pioneers were making reparations for
the sins of those who abused alcohol.
“I worked behind a bar, and watching how people
behave when they get drunk, that would be enough to
put you off drink,” said Patrick McCarron.
There was the feeling that the era of large amounts
of people made a lifelong commitment to stay off
alcohol had passed.
“It’s the young girls nowadays that I feel so sorry
for” added Liam Harkin, who was wearing a silver
pioneer badge on the lapel of his navy jacket.
In the last five years the Church has separated the
Sacrament of Confirmation from the pledge to not
drink alcohol until 18. These days the pledge is
entirely optional.
“Young people still take the pledge. Most of the 6th
class students at Scoil Naomh Brid took the pledge
last week. I know that some will fall by the wayside
when they are 16 or 17.”
These Muff people have now set their sights on
earning a Fr Cullen medal to mark 60 years as
pioneers. |
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