Sunday 1 December - Sunday 8 December 2002

The first week in December is Pioneer Week throughout Ireland, and all sorts of events are organised to celebrate the formation of the Association, and the beneficial effect it has had on so many lives.

Our own Readoiri Competition on Sunday 8th was promoted as the major event of the week on the national Pioneer site at www.pioneertotal.ie.

Here's a list of the week's events, with links to pictures and reports:

Sunday 1 December
Mass in St Paul's Church, Belfast at 3.00pm. Everyone welcome. Light refreshments afterwards.

Monday 2 December
Launch of our re-designed website.

Wednesday 4 December
"The Challenge of Moderation"
Schools' Conference at St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Glen Road, Belfast from 9.30am-3.00pm.

The conference will focus on the challenges faced by our young people with regard to alcohol abuse and allow them the opportunity to identify strategies to meet these challenges.

Friday 6 December
Father Cullen Day. The Pioneer Association was founded in Dublin in 1898 by Fr. Cullen.

Friday 6 December
Garda Officer Peter McHugh from Dundalk Garda Station will be the special guest of DCPA. He will be present in the Pioneer Coffee Bar to meet members of the public during the day and will take part in discussions in the evening during the Friday night club. Garda McHugh passed out from Templemore Garda Training College earlier in 2002, the only officer who did so as a Pioneer.

Saturday 7 December
Advent Mass for DCPA Swifts football squad and parents agt 7.30pm in Youthcom. Refreshments afterwards.

Sunday 8 December
Readoiri: St Clare's Hall, Glenavy - a talent competition for Pioneers of every age.