Jim Bird
The social aspect of the Pioneers has had a positive effect on my life, writes Jim Bird
I hail from the small rural area of Boardsmill in Co. Meath. I’m 24 and currently studying history and geography in Maynooth University in the hope of entering the teaching profession. My parents are teetotallers all their lives, so alcohol was mainly absent from our family home.
This helped determine my choice, not only to be a teetotaller like my parents, but also to become a Young Pioneer, where young people from the age of 12 upwards take a pledge to abstain from alcohol until they are at least 18 years of age and to keep off illicit drugs for life.
Young Pioneers also say a short prayer daily for those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, including those who suffer the ripple effects the misuses abuse can cause, not only to the addict, but to other family members who also bear a loved one’s dependency.
Pioneer activity
Throughout my teens I was lucky as there was lots of Pioneer activity in the Meath area, with a particular focus on Pioneer youth-based activities such as weekends away and one-day seminars. These were held locally which made it easy of access and encouraged me to make many lifelong friends along the way.
I find that being a Pioneer helps me enjoy a healthier lifestyle. I’m also a keen GAA player, playing for Boardsmill GAA Club, where I’m also the club’s Health and Wellbeing Officer. The social aspect of the association has had a positive effect on my life where I have met and continue to meet like-minded people who can enjoy themselves without taking a drink.
I’ve been involved with my local Pioneer Centre in Boardsmill for the past few years, and I’m currently the secretary of the local committee.
More recently, I became actively involved with the Leinster Youth Pioneers through which I have met a great group of people and it is a wonderful opportunity to participate in the association. We are a group of Pioneers from our late teens to late 30s, some of whom have been actively involved in the association since the 1990’s.
Strong bonds of friendship have been formed among the members of the committee. The Leinster Youth Committee is currently making the final preparations for the 21st Annual Pioneer Ball, being held this year in Athlone Sheraton Hotel on April 8.
As this is a significant milestone in the history of the Pioneer Ball, we have also organised a jam-packed weekend of activites from April 7-9, including sight-seeing excursions, bowling and a cruise on the Shannon among other fun things to do.
Ball
The idea for the Pioneer National Ball came from the Pioneer Youth Conference in Limerick in 1995, where it was suggested that there should be social events for Pioneers at national level, as most national events at that time were competition based. The Kilteely/Dromkeen Young Pioneers took on the challenge of organising the first Pioneer National Ball in the Limerick Inn Hotel in February 1997. It was a resounding success and since then, the ball has featured in the Pioneer calendar, taking place each year.
Starting with Mass reflecting the spiritual dimension of the Pioneers, the ball has proved a great occasion for Pioneers to get together and have a good time, with food, music and dancing into the small hours! The Pioneer Ball is held in a different province each year.
The Pioneer Association, currently operating in its 120th year, will see this remarkable movement enter a new phase as it becomes a Private Lay Association of the Faithful from January 1, 2018. Although the Jesuits will pass the baton of temperance into the hands of the lay faithful, the core values and aims of the association, established by Jesuit priest Fr James Cullen in 1898, will remain promoting temperance and sobriety through prayer, example and self-sacrifice and devotion to the Sacred Heart.
The Pioneer Association has evolved and changed in response to developments in Irish society over its 120 years. It started out as an association for women only, but that soon changed. In the mid-1990’s it became clear that for many, making the commitment to life membership at 16 was a big step.
Distinctive badge
So the new membership category of Young Pioneer for young people from 12 upwards was established, with its own distinctive badge and prayer. The red and purple badge surrounding the gold Sacred Heart, which has become our symbol – the red is symbolic of the fire of the Holy Spirit and the purple the sacrifice made by Young Pioneers out of concern for others.
I encourage more young people to sign up, take the pledge, get involved and experience the alternative to the drinking scene, like I have done. The benefits of being a Young Pioneer can be invaluable, particularly for young people still in school, studying or beginning their career.
If you want the challenge, come join us and a whole host of Pioneers and friends at the ball in Athlone and see how we party the Pioneer way.
*The 21st Pioneer National Ball takes place on Saturday, April 8. The event commences with Mass at 6.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Athlone, celebrated by Bishop Francis Duffy. The ball continues with dinner in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel, followed by music and dancing to Nite Fever. The guest speaker will be racehorse trainer Jim Bolger. Tickets €30 each. For tickets/information – contact Brenda Lynch 087-6189411 or Dermot Fagan 085-7201646.