Latest Parish News

Dear Parish Pastoral Council,

Thank you for responding to the recent survey which was sent out by the  Diocesan Pastoral Council. This has enabled us to set priorities that will be of benefit for parishes now, both in the short and medium term.

All these suggestions were taken from the meetings with the chairs and secretaries of Pastoral Councils which were held at the end of 2025, and your own meetings in January 2026. Looking at the outcome, it is clear that there is some uncertainty about how the role of Pastoral Workers and Catechist  would work in parishes at this stage,  but there is a clear desire for formation at a local level in the areas of: 

Sacramental Preparation,  

Funeral Team Ministry,  

Preparing our Sunday Liturgy,  

Praying with Scripture.

These were all seen as immediate priorities to work on. The Diocesan Pastoral Council has responded to this by committing to developing programmes on these topics for the next year. 

Each of these modules of training will  take place over a three night course. They will offer initial training to those parishes who wish to become involved. After a period of reflection, and drawing on the experience gained, it will hopefully lead to full time Pastoral Worker and Catechist courses.  

The areas  of training  being  prepared now are: 

(1) Sacraments of Initiation.

This will be focused on how a parish  can develop a Baptism team, as well as the elements of Confirmation,  Penance and First Eucharist, done with the co-operation with the schools from a parish perspective..  The course  will take place in May,  so that  those involved can have a  parish  plan in place by September, once the  schools return.  

(2) The  Sunday  Eucharist.  Why Sunday  Matters. 

This course will provide an opportunity to develop a group in a parish who wish to focus on  how we understand and  celebrate the Sunday Eucharist,  as the  cornerstone of  parish life.  It is envisaged that the course will commence in September.  

(3) Developing a Parish  Funeral  Team.  

This course  will provide a training opportunity for those who wish  to journey with bereaved families as part of a parish team, assisting both the family and the priest at time of a funeral of a loved one.  A further course will be focused on training parishioners to lead funeral prayers for  various rituals,  at the  time of a funeral.  

(4) The Word of God,  in life and liturgy.  

Further details will follow,

In the meantime we would ask parish pastoral councils to consider these proposals, and to begin to focus on which of these areas your parish like to concentrate on.

More detailed information on the Sacrament of Initiation Course to take place in May will be sent to parishes immediately after Easter.

With every blessing at this time

+ Paul Connell,

Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois

26 th March 2026