Pastoral & Faith Development Services

“Faith, Hope and Love and the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13). Working Towards A More Participative Church.

Operating under the patronage of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception this Office operates at two levels.

castlereaparishgroup

Castlerea parishioners Rita Flemming, Mary Doyle, Daisey O’Reilly, Mary Colleary, Bishop Christopher Jones, Fr. Michael McManus, Mary Flynn, Sr. Nora Caufield and Kathleen Callaghan at the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral Ministry Gathering in The Shannon Key West Hotel, Roosky on Saturday October 11th 2008.

 

At the level of innovation and development it:

  • Researches and initiates consultation around pastoral, evangelisation and adult faith formation initiatives that are recommended to the diocese
  • Manages the administrative, resource, communications and evaluative aspects of approved initiatives
  • Liaises with individuals, groups and other bodies that seek to contribute to the development of the diocese as a more participative Church
  • Liaise with individuals, groups and other bodies that seek to respond to specific pastoral challenges.

At the level of practical support it:

  • Serves as a point of information in relation to pastoral and catechetical resources and innovations
  • Seeks to encourage and support persons called to advance pastoral initiatives at parish, cluster and deanery level
  • Provides workshops, lectures, seminars, courses etc. in response to requests (drawing on the expertise of friends of the Office).

Since it was established in May 2000 the range of initiatives involving Office personnel and associates includes:

  • Furtherance of Diocesan Parish Development & Renewal programme through provision of information sessions, courses and workshops (2000 – 2004)
  • Development and maintenance of diocesan web site (2000 – 2006)
  • Provision of liturgy workshops (2001 – 2005)
  • In-services for various diocesan committees and personnel (2001 – 2006)
  • Encouragement of Youth Ministry initiatives (2001 – 2004)
  • Facilitation of consultation process that led to Constitution for Parish Pastoral Councils (2002-2004)
  • Development and provision of Lenten Adult Religious programmes (2004- 2006)
  • Researching various topics etc. for Bishop Jones and various diocesan committees (2000 – )
  • Organisation and facilitation of diocese’s annual Parish Development and Renewal Gathering (2001 – )
  • Introduction of Alpha and Catholic Faith Exploration (CaFE) courses (2001 – )
  • Provision of training for Liturgical Ministries, e.g. Special Ministers of the Eucharist (2002 – )
  • Servicing of various Diocesan Committees, e.g. Liturgy Com mission, Working Party re: sacramental programme (2002 – )
  • Encouragement of formation of Parish Pastoral Councils in every parish (70% of parishes now have a PPC) (2004 – )
  • Organisation and facilitation of diocese’s annual in-services for Parish Pastoral Councils and Parish Baptism teams (2004 – )
  • Assisting with planning and facilitation of annual in-service for parish choirs (2005 – )
  • Contributing to the diocese’s child protection initiative (2006 -)
  • Encouragement and resourcing of Parish Scripture Sharing Groups for season of Lent and Advent (2007 – )

The Office is eager to foster collaboration and dialogue between committed lay people, religious and clergy in the service of the Gospel. It recognises and cherishes God the Father’s love for all of us.

It recognises Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life. It seeks to value the gifts and abilities given to all of us by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Church.

For more information in relation to any of the above or concerning any aspect of Pastoral Development / Adult Faith Formation please contact:

Justin Harkin
Director of Pastoral Development,
Pastoral Development Office,
Church Grounds,
Strokestown,
Co. Roscommon.
Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)71 96 34960
E-mail: [email protected]

Fr. Eamonn O’Connor
Director of Communications (Pastoral Development Office)
Tarmonbarry,
Co. Longford.
Tel: 00353 (0)87 2656063
Email: [email protected]

Queries pertaining to administrative issues etc. should be directed to:

Ann Allen
Secretary / Resource Person
Pastoral Development Office,
Church Grounds,
Strokestown,
Co. Roscommon.
Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)71 96 34960
E-mail: [email protected]