Assembly

Diocese of Killala

Placing Hope in Faith
A Listening Process: 2017-2020
 
Stage 1: Listening and consultation (2017-2018)
Data from submitted questionnaires independently and confidentially analysed by the Institute for Action Research, Kerry.
At our Diocesan Assembly on Sunday, July 1st, 2018, over 300 delegates from the 22 parishes of our diocese voted on 129 proposals across different pastoral areas, prioritizing the top 5 or 6 proposals in each category.
 
Stage 2: Implementation (2018-2019)
Focus Groups were established with a view to outlining a process of implementation in respect of the proposals as voted by the delegates at the Diocesan Assembly under the following pastoral headings:
 
1. Family
2. Prayer/Pastoral Care
3. Women in the Church
4. Youth
5. Inclusion
6. Education in the Faith
7. Lay Participation
8. Vocations
9. Liturgy/Deacons
10. Management of Parishes
 
An Implementation Committee is coordinating this part of the process.
It is expected that Focus Groups will have completed their task by the end of 2019 as Placing Hope in Faith moves towards Stage 3 in 2020.
 
Stage 3: Action (2020…)
This stage will focus on the various action points across the ten pastoral areas with an emphasis on practical implementation of agreed proposals. 
 
Placing Hope in Faith – Deanery Meetings
The Placing Hope in Faith initiative in Killala diocese, which began in 2017 is moving into its third stage.

The first stage asked: What can we do?

We answered that question through meetings, discussions, reflections and a diocesan assembly with 300 delegates from the parishes of the diocese that voted on a series of proposals.

The second stage asked : How do we do it?

We answered that question through a series of Focus Groups that offered specific suggestions.

The third stage, the Action stage, starts with four deanery meetings and directs us to ‘Doing It!

March 9, Tyrawley North (Killala, Lacken, Ballycastle, Ballysakeery, Kilfian) in Newman Institute at 8.00pm

March 10, Tyrawley South (Ballina, Backs, Ardagh, Crossmolina,  Addergoole, Moygownagh) in Newman Institute at 8.00pm 

March 18, Erris (Belmullet, Kilmore, Kilcommon, Kiltane, Ballycroy) in Broadhaven Bay at 8.00pm

March 19, Tireragh (Castleconnor, Kilglass, Easkey, Kilmacshalgan, Templeboy, Skreen & Dromard) in Easkey Community Centre at 8.00pm

At the deanery meetings members of the diocesan Action Committee will present the first policy decisions to the priests and members of the Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs) in that deanery.

As these meetings are absolutely crucial to the success of the Placing Hope in Faith initiative, we feel it is important that all the priests will be in attendance as well as all the members of the PPCs.

The diocesan initiative, presented at the deanery meetings,  will begin to be implemented in September 2020 in all parishes of the diocese. Will this in mind it is vitally important that priests and members of the PPCs are in attendance at these crucial meetings.     

Thanking you for your support to date,

Patricia Melvin, Peter McLoughlin, Anne Sweeney (Leaders);

Bishop John Fleming, Fr Brendan Hoban (co-ordinator) on behalf of the Action Committee.