Parish Pastoral Council Support Programme 2022/2023

Introduction
It is the policy of the Elphin diocese that each of the diocese’s thirty-seven parishes have a single Parish Pastoral Council.

A Parish Pastoral Council (PPC herein) is a consultative body of the faithful, representative of the whole parish community, willing to work actively in close partnership with the priest(s) of the parish to further the mission of Christ and his Church in the parish.

2022/2023 Support Programme

August         
Retreat Day for Parish Pastoral Council members
Saturday 27th  (10.30 – 3.30 pm)  Donamon Castle, Donamon, Roscommon
Visit Begin Again Retreat Day for more information

September
Training & Renewal Evenings for PPC Officers

(Chairs, Secretaries & Presiders)
… working toward valued outcomes for officers, councils and parishes 
Tuesday 13th (8 – 9.30 pm) Summerhill College Sligo.
Wednesday 14th  (8 – 9.30 pm) Donamon Castle, Donamon, Roscommon.
Thursday 15th (8 – 9.30 pm) Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill, Athlone.    

October
Induction for New Parish Pastoral Council members
& Refresher Evening for existing members
Tuesday 4th (8 – 9.30 pm) Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill, Athlone.
Wednesday 5th  (8 – 9.30 pm) Donamon Castle, Donamon, Roscommon.
Thursday 6th (8 – 9.30 pm) Summerhill College
, Sligo.

 Annual Diocesan Parish Development & Renewal Gathering 
 Saturday 22nd (9.30 – 4 pm) St. Joseph’s Hall & Abbey Community College, Boyle
Deferred until Saturday 4th March 2023.

November
Introduction to Trócaire Parish Ambassador/Advocate Initiative

… online information meetings
Tuesday 8th  (8 – 8.45 pm)   via Zoom
Wednesday 9th (8 – 8.45 pm)
via Zoom
Thursday 10th (8 – 8.45 pm)
via Zoom
Zoom details will be communicated nearer the time.


February
PPC Evangelisation Workshop
…  supported conversation aiding PPC members (and other interested parishioners) identify ways they / their parishes can contribute to evangelisation
Tuesday 7th (8 – 9.15 pm) Summerhill College, Sligo.
Wednesday 8th  (8 – 9.15 pm) Donamon Castle
, Donamon, Roscommon.
Thursday 9th (8 – 9.15 pm)
Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill, Athlone.

Pre-Lent Trócaire Parish Representative Seminar
… PPC representatives &  TY students to undertake day together
Wednesday 8th  (10.30 – 3 pm) Fourmilehouse Community Centre, Roscommon.
Thursday 9th (10.30 – 3 pm) Giloolly Hall, Sligo.

May
PPC Officers 2022/’23  Shared Review & Forward Planning Meetings
Tuesday 23rd  (8 – 9.30 pm), Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill, Athlone.
Wednesday 24th (8 – 9.30 pm) Donamon Castle, Donamon, Roscommon.
Thursday 25th (8 – 9.30 pm) Summerhill College, Sligo.

September 2022 to June 2023             
PPC Support Team members available to meet with individual PPCs  (with exception of Lent) at request of PPC officers.

 

Constitution

 

On the Feast of St. Brigid (February 1st) 2020 Bishop Kevin published a new template constitution for PPCs, i.e. following a consultation with existing Pastoral Councils.  This template and Bishop Kevin’s introduction to same can be  accessed by clicking here

A pdf version can also be downloaded by clicking here:  PPC Constitution

Printed copies are available from Justin Harkin.  See below for contact details.  

 

Prayer Resource

ppc_prayer_reource_cover

 

In December 2016 the Elphin Diocese’s Pastoral & Faith Development Services published a prayer resource to support prayer at the beginning of Parish Pastoral Council Meetings.

The resource was piloted by the Parish Pastoral Councils of the following parishes:  Ardcarne, Aughrim, Ballintubber-Ballymoe, Boyle, Castlerea Fairymount-Tibhohine, Frenchpark-Ballinagare, Kilgefin, Roscommon, Rosses Point,  St. Anne’s Sligo and Strokestown.

For more information, copies etc. please contact Justin (see contact details below).

 

Support for New & Existing Parish Pastoral Councils

Tailored Workshops available.  Please contact Justin (contact details below).

 

Discussion Documents

The following ten discussion documents have been designed for use during PPC meetings, i.e. with a view to supporting discussion and positive pastoral outcomes for parish communities.   They were developed by The Pastoral Renewal Team of the Kerry Diocese and are shared with the PPCs of the Elphin Diocese with permission.  We graciously acknowledge the Kerry Diocese’s Pastoral Renewal Team’s generosity.

Discussion Document 1 Enhancing The Experience Of Saturday Evening / Sunday Morning Mass

Discussion Document 2 Sharing Faith With Children

Discussion Document 3Parish Communications

Discussion Document 4 Care For The Elderly

Discussion Document 5 Inviting All Parishioners Into Ministry

Discussion Document 6 Celebrating Cultural Diversity

Discussion Document 7 Occasions to Extend Welcome And Build Community

Discussion Document 8 Fostering Faith & Spiritual Development of Adult Parishioners

Discussion Document 9 Corporeal & Spiritual Works Of Mercy

Discussion Document 10 Identifying Actions to Promote Care of the Earth

 

For more information, support  etc. please contact:
Justin Harkin
Diocese of Elphin
Pastoral & Faith Development Services
Rooms 2 – 4,
St. Coman’s Club,
Abbey St.,
Roscommon.
F42 YT51.

Email: [email protected]
Mobile:  087 6171526
Office Phone:  090 666 5491

 

Recent Publication

In May 2021 Veritas published a book written by Justin entitled  Coming of Age – Navigating Parish Pastoral Council Responsibilities – A Benedictine Perspective.  This is available from Veritas: www.veritasbooksonline.com

 

Last Updated:  28/06/2022