Clogher Pioneers

Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in the Diocese of Clogher

• Brief Introduction to the Association:
• The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) was founded by Fr. James Cullen, SJ in 1899 to address the problem of Alcohol abuse which was rampant in Irish Society at that time. He also wanted to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since its foundation, the Association has spread throughout the world, and its membership is continually growing both here in Ireland, and in countries in Africa and Latin America.
• Members of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association make a commitment to abstain from alcohol for life, and offer up this sacrifice for those people who suffer from the abuse of alcohol.
• The Assocation in the Diocese of Clogher:
• The Clogher Diocesan Council of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Assocation is the principal intermediate structure between the Local Centres/Regional Councils and the Management Board/Central Council.
• The Council is composed of an elected delegate from each Local Centre and two officers of the Regional Councils within the Diocese. The Diocesan Spiritual Director, Fr. Jimmy McPhillips has been appointed by the Bishop of Clogher.
• The main responsibilities of the Diocesan Council are:
• The promotion of the aims of the P.T.A.A. within the diocese To liaise with the Bishop on matters pertaining to the spiritual development of the PTAA within the diocese.
• The co-ordination of joint spiritual and social activities of Local Centres and Regional Councils within the diocese.
• To liaise between the Management Board and Central Council and the Local Centres and Regional Councils.
• The election of a delegate and substitute delegate to Central Council, who will serve for a term of three years.
• The preparation of an Annual Report on the progress of the Association within the diocese.
• The maintenance of accurate financial accounts, and the provision of adequate insurance to cover activities and meetings organised by the Diocesan Council.
• Adherence to the guidelines and procedures laid down by the Association's Child Protection Policy.
• Officers of the Diocesan Council for the 2009/2010 year are as follows:
• Spiritual Director - Fr. Jimmy McPhillips,CC,  South Monaghan
  President - Jimmy Reilly, West Clogher.
  Vice President - Jim Halligan, South Monaghan
  Secretary - Ann Scallon, West Clogher
  Treasurer - Laurence Magee, West Clogher
  Central Council Delegate - Jim Halligan South Monaghan
  Readoirà Officer - Hugh P McElroy, West Clogher
  Quiz Officer - Jim Halligan, South Monaghan

Membership

For further information about membership of the association, and for details about how to join, please click here.  Please note that all applications are dealt with through the Head Office of the Association.




Activities

Want to know what activities we offer in the Pioneer Association?  Please click here for a detailed description of all our activites.


Video Links
Here are some videos relating to alcohol and drug abuse.
Click on the various video titles below to open them in YouTube.

Metallica - James Hetfield's Testimony     

Starsailor - Alcoholic

Never the Same Story Again

Stop the Madness  (Anti Drugs Music Video)

Imagine a nation without drink driving

A candle blowing in the wind