From the 1st January 2009 Frank McGuinness has taken up the position of Director of Youth Ministry and Child Protection for the Diocese of Elphin. Living and married in Galway with two children, Frank has a broad range of experience in youth and young adult ministry, with over twenty years of active part-time voluntary work at various levels within parish and diocesan services. He holds qualifications in Information Technology, Project Management, Theology and Philosophy.

In his professional capacity he has gained invaluable experience as a Team Leader and Project Manager, predominantly within the Healthcare and Quality related environments. In the past he has worked as Assistant Chaplain in Sligo IT where he also held the position of President of the Youth Ministry Society, which was responsible for a wide range of outreaches to the student population.

Frank is a past pupil of Summerhill College and having lived and worked in the Sligo area for over ten years during the 90’s has continued to maintain strong links with the diocese, through a large network of colleagues, friends and family. He is one of the founding members of St. Michael’s Youth Prayer Group, has served on Parish Pastoral Councils, National Youth Committees and being a representative at various international gatherings for Faith Renewal and Evangelisation.

Within the diocese he has helped organise numerous youth events, pilgrimages and other youth outreaches, including weekend retreats and days of renewal. He has been a regular speaker at local and national youth faith gatherings and has also broad experience in music ministry, liturgical services, prayer and worship.

Frank is a keen GAA man, having represented his county at various underage levels, plays a competitive game of golf and enjoys fly-fishing on Lough Melvin, in his native County Leitrim, when time permits.

During the next while Frank will be settling into the new role and will be getting to know all of us. The Office of Youth Ministry and Child Protection is currently based in St. Mary’s, Sligo and Frank can be contacted by email at frank.mcguinness@elphindiocese.ie and by phone on +353 (0)87 9880690.