Parish Development and Renewal Gathering 7th October

Diocese of Elphin Parish Development & Renewal Gathering 2017

St. Joseph’s Hall &
Abbey Community College,
Boyle,
Co. Roscommon.
9.30 .m.  – 4.00p.m.
Saturday  October 7th 2017.

 

ALL WELCOME

 

Dear Parishioner,

Pope Francis has chosen Dublin to host the next World Meeting of Families (WMOF2018) in August 2018. Held every three years, this major world event celebrates family as the cornerstone of our lives, and the fundamental building block of the Church and society.

Here in the Elphin Diocese we will take the opportunity over the  next twelve  months to celebrate and  reflect on family life in a  number of different ways.

This Gathering, as well as bringing people together from all around the  diocese, has three core objectives:

(i) to present participants  with an excellent opportunity to engage with the vision for love, marriage and family expressed by Pope Francis and to consider with others the  hope and challenges it presents to us.

(ii) to communicate some developments / impending developments in parishes of our diocese in support of  married couples and families.

(iii) to launch the Amoris Programme in our diocese, i.e. a programme of parish-based activities and learning developed in preparation for WMOF2018.

Now that you have  read this introduction I strongly encourage you to join us, especially if you are a parent or  grandparent, a person committed to family, or interested in the future of your  parish community.

A warm welcome awaits everyone.

+ Kevin Doran
    Bishop of Elphin

 

 

Outline of Day

09.30:   Registration / Tea & Coffee in St. Joseph’s Hall

09.45:  Word of Welcome  & Morning Prayer led by Bishop Kevin

10.00:  Let’s talk family, let’s be family! 
              – Martin Kennedy

12.00:  An introduction to The Amoris programme
              Sheena Darcy, Diocesan Delegate, WMOF2018
               & Colette Furlong, Catechist, Sligo Cluster of Parishes.

12.30:  Bishop Kevin’s address

12.50:   Lunch   (Soup & sandwiches)

01.50:    Afternoon Workshops

03.00:    Tea / Coffee

03.10:   Final Reflections led by Martin Kennedy

03.40:   Word of Appreciation & Closing Prayer Service

 

Our Guest Presenter & Facilitator
Martin Kennedy is Pastoral Programme Coordinator for WMOF2018.  He is also well known in Church and Community circles as a freelance trainer and facilitator and has contributed many fine articles to Church publications such as Intercom and The Furrow.

Martin is tasked  with engaging participants with the vision for love, marriage and family expressed by Pope Francis in The  Joy of Love.  Given his vast  experience as an adult education teacher, facilitator and communicator this is likely to be a very personally engaging, informative, affirming and encouraging experience.

 

WMOF2018 ICON OF THE HOLY FAMILY

 This will be  present for veneration in St. Joseph’s Hall for the duration of  the Gathering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS (1.20 – 2.40 pm)

Each participant will be invited to choose one of the following workshops

*  Engaging  families back in the parish – exploring WMOF2018 rationale (Martin Kennedy)

* Reaching out to families through our parish’s social media outlets – lessons from Athlone (Fr. John Deignan & members of Athlone  PPC)

*  Supporting parents hand on the  faith – our pilot initiative in the greater Castlerea area (Fidelma Croghan & Fr. Joe Poole CSSp)

*  Supporting parents being family in these challenging times (Tess & Michéal MacGiollaRí & friends)

* What’s all this about Retrouvaille?  Offering a lifeline to marriages when they need it. (Torbjorn & Sallyann Huss)

 

 

COST TO PARTICIPANTS

Owing to generous financial support from the Diocese of Elphin, the  goodwill of Conference Volunteers and Workshop Providers many costs and anticipated needs have been met.

The organisers, nonetheless, would appreciate a contribution of €8.00 from each participant toward the cost of lunch (soup and sandwiches) and tea-breaks.

Contributions will be taken up during registration.

 

REGISTRATION

On the day but please advise the organisers that you are coming by ringing, texting or emailing Justin @ 087 6171526 /  [email protected]   before Thursday October 5th.

 

Further Enquiries regarding Gathering to:

Justin Harkin
Diocese of Elphin
Pastoral & Faith Development Services
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 087 6171526

Further Information regarding WMOF2018 in our  diocese:

Sheena Darcy
WMOF2018 Diocesan Delegate
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 071-9150106

 

Participants who are not free to participate in the whole  day are welcome to participate in either  the morning or afternoon sessions.

Thank you.

 

http://www.elphindiocese.ie/gathering/