PARISH PASTORAL TEAM: A new Parish Pastoral Team is in place. Their purpose is to work with the Parish Priest, Fr. Celsus Tierney, in a co-responsible way in the pastoral care of the parish. Their handbook is the “Seeds of Hope” Pastoral Plan for the Archdiocese. On the 26th Oct. officers were elected. Chair: Moira Morrissey; Secretary: Bríd Maher Long; PRO: Anne Marie Hayes. Other members include Margaret O’Gorman, Sophia Fanning, Margaret Manning, Jeremiah Nolan, Michael Ryan, Tom Gallagher, Patricia O’Dwyer, Catherine Carroll, Veronica Molloy & Geraldine Helbert.
News: October 2022 – The Diocesan Pastoral Council have suggested that each parish should have a Parish Pastoral Team (PPT). This team would have co-responsibility with the Parish Priest on a pastoral level in the parish. To this end there was a meeting of a group of parishioners in Holycross Parochial House on Wednesday 5th October 2022.
The composition and role of the PPT was outlined. Ideally the team would have between 12 and 16 members. Other people could be co-opted to support the work in the different areas of pastoral ministry. It is an exciting time for the Church where the people of the parish will be promoting spirituality – some thing we all need.
Each member was asked what they would like to see developed in the parish in line with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, ‘Seeds of Hope’. The ideas included the formation and training of a visitation team who would visit new people to the parish and welcome them on behalf of the community. The expansion of music/choirs would enhance liturgies further in the parish. A folk group involving young people with musical talent would be important. This could be done in conjunction with the formation of a youth club. A support group for bereaved and those living alone would be important. Training for this would need to be provided. There could be a Bible Study Group set up which would promote the love and understanding of Scripture. Special Masses for the start and the end of the school year as well as a Children’s Mass on a regular basis would involve parents and children. The raising of awareness of what is often called ‘The Third World’ would give our parish a missionary dimension and make us grateful for all we have. It was pointed out that the parish have an environmental group which is action based. It is named Domhan Glas. It has many members from outside the parish. It is important to promote the love of nature and the environment. Nature walks could be organised to this end. If we learn to respect nature we will not harm it. Many people who cannot attend Mass would love to have Communion brought to them in their homes. Now that there is going to be less Masses in our churches other liturgies could be organised and led by the laity. A cup of tea once a month after Mass would help to bond the community and help new people to be welcomed to the parish.
It would be unrealistic to think that all these ideas could be taken on in the parish so the members were asked to select what could be done in the short to medium term.
Meeting January 2024
The first 2024 meeting of the Holycross/Ballycahill Parish Pastoral Team was held recently. Items discussed were:
1. Lay-led liturgies.
2. Lenten programme for the parish based on the Sunday gospels.
3. Hospitality leaflets and list of parish organisations now ready for distribution.
4. Afternoon of reflection in Cabragh Wetlands during Lent.