Introduction

Tá misean Chumann Réadóirí um Lánstaonadh bunaithe ar chur ar aghaidh Ghlóir Dé agus leas na ndaoine. Ciallaíonn sin go bhfuil dhá ghné ag ár misean, 'sé sin, an gné tréadach agus an ceann sóisialta. Tá an Cumann bunaithe ar phréamhacha spioradálta agus ag obair i gceart lár na ndaoine.

The Pastoral Mission of the PTAA

The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association is both a pastoral and a social movement. Pioneers seek their inspiration from their devotion to Christ as manifested in His Sacred Heart, which is a symbol of His love for every single person. The love is especially central to those who are dedicated, and devote their lives to the welfare of their brothers and sisters with serious alcohol or drug problems, and, for the victims of alcohol and drug abuse. The spiritual foundation of our witness, prayer and action is what makes the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association unique among temperance associations. This spiritual base gives the members a great sense of confidence in their ability to promote sobriety in their community, despite adverse trends and opposition from strong commercial forces. In this sense, it is clear that the Association is primarily part of the pastoral mission of the Church, at the local, regional and national levels.

The Social Role of the Association

The social dimension of the Pioneer movement is also very clear from an examination of policies and activities of the Association. These policies and activities include the promotion of abstinence from alcohol and drugs among the youth [minors], and of temperance among adults. In order to achieve such social objectives, emphasis is placed on a range of social and leisure activities, which are alcohol-free, i.e. cultural, sports and leisure competitions, etc. The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association also acts as a lobby voice in society for the promotion of public policies, laws, norms and patterns of behaviour, which are conductive to sobriety and to the prevention of the abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs.

Spiritual and Social are Integrated in our Work and Prayer

While it is possible to distinguish the pastoral.spiritual and social dimensions of the Pioneer mission for purposes of description and analysis, in practical day-to-day life of the Association, the two go hand-in-hand. We try to glorify God and help our neighbour at the same time. The individual Pioneer, of course, also benefits personally from his or her membership of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. "It is giving that we receive" [Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi].