Killaloe Diocesan Appointments 2022

Killaloe Diocesan Appointments, July 2022

This year’s Diocesan Clerical Changes are expanded to include the appointment of lay people to Ministry in the Killaloe Diocese. In 2018, an innovative decision was taken to introduce two new lay ministries in the Killaloe Diocese as part of the diocesan response to a changed situation where numbers of priests are steadily declining in our Church.   The two new ministries would work alongside priests and people in parishes and pastoral areas across the Diocese helping local Christian Communities to reach out to the wider community and easing the burden of work on the diminishing number of priests in the Diocese.

Since January 2019, twenty-four lay people have been in formation for lay ministry in the Killaloe Diocese, thirteen for the Ministry of Pastoral Care and eleven for the Ministry of Catechist. Having completed their training, the twenty-four new Ministers were commissioned for Ministry at the Mass of the Chrism during Holy Week in 2022 and with these announcements now receive their first ministry assignments in the Diocese of Killaloe.

Ministers of Pastoral Care

The new Ministers of Pastoral Care will work beside priests in parishes and pastoral areas offering the care and support of the Christian Community to those who need it.  The role of lay chaplain is increasingly common in our hospitals and nursing homes.  The Ministry of Pastoral Care is a similar kind of role, but it is exercised in the local community. This Ministry includes visiting those who are ill or elderly at home or in nursing homes and having a special care for those who are isolated or on their own in the community.  They will be available to offer sensitive care to those who are bereaved according to their wishes and needs or to help families at times of funerals through, for example, helping to prepare funeral liturgies which are meaningful to families.

Ministry of Catechist

The focus of Ministry of Catechist is on helping people in their own faith development.  This ministry will take different forms depending on local needs, reaching out to families at significant moments in the family faith story. It will include a welcoming presence to parents who request baptism for their children, journeying with families who present their children for First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation or Confirmation, accompanying and supporting programmes such as “Do This in Memory of Me” or “You Shall Be My Witnesses”.

The new Catechists will help support those who are searching for meaning in their lives or those who wish to grow in their faith and relationship with God by, for example, facilitating conversations where people have an opportunity to explore their own faith/spirituality.  Some of the Catechists will also work in the areas of adult faith development, providing courses that might be of interest and relevance for the needs of the time.

Many thanks to all who worked so hard to prepare for this ground-breaking work in the diocese and every good wish and blessing to the new ministers who take on the new roles.

Appointments to take effect from Friday, 26th of August for the duration of 3 years with view to review at that stage.

Planning and Restructuring

Some introductory work has been done on the important work of restructuring and meeting the needs of the diocese for the future.  The international phase of the Synodal Pathway since October 2021 has been most helpful in identifying areas that need to be addressed and I look forward to the national phase of that process in the coming years.  I intend progressing the specific work of planning and restructuring in the Autumn and beyond with much discussion, planning and consultation at all levels.

Killaloe Diocesan Clergy Appointments July 2022

Fr. John Bane, Co-PP, Ceantar na Lochanna Pastoral Area, resident in Broadford retired in January 2022 now living in Clarecastle and offering pastoral assistance in the Abbey Pastoral Area.

Fr. Martin O’Brien, Cuan an Chláir, Ennis, to be priest in residence, Tulla and offer pastoral assistance to Ceantar na Lochanna Pastoral Area.

Fr. Willie McCormack, Co-PP, Odhrán Pastoral Area to remain in Puckane and become AP in November.

Fr. Des Hillery, VG, VF Odhrán Pastoral area, resident in Nenagh to go on Sabbatical returning for an appointment in the diocese early in the New Year.

Fr. Pat Gilbert, returning from leave of absence be Co-PP in Odhrán Pastoral area and VF and to reside in Nenagh.

Fr. Michael Casey, Co-PP to become VF of Cois Fharraige Pastoral area in place of Fr. Gerry Kenny who continues as Co-PP.

Fr. Michael Harding, Co-PP, Cronan Pastoral Area, resident in Roscrea to go on sabbatical leave for one year.

Fr. Pat Treacy, Co-PP, Cronan Pastoral Area, resident in Roscrea to go on sabbatical leave for one year.

Fr. John Molloy, Co-PP, Ollatrim Pastoral Area, resident in Toomevara to be Co-PP Cronan Pastoral Area, resident in Roscrea and VF.

Fr. Francis Xavier Kochuveettil, CC, Tradaree Pastoral Area, resident in Shannon to be Co-PP, Ollatrim Pastoral Area to be resident in Toomevara.

Fr. Antun Pasilic, newly ordained, resident in Cathedral House, Ennis to be CC, Cronan Pastoral Area, resident in Roscrea.

Fr. Martin Blake returning from leave of absence to be Co-PP, Pro-tem in Abbey Pastoral Area, residing in Cathedral House, Ennis.

Fr. Michael Collins, Co-PP Tradaree Pastoral Area, resident in Newmarket-on-Fergus to become VF for the Pastoral Area and to offer Catechetical assistance to complement the work of Fr. Harry Bohan in Sixmilebridge Parish.

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Appointments to take effect from Friday, 26th of August, 2022.

Sincere thanks to all the clergy, religious and faithful of the diocese for the ongoing good work, dedication and generosity of service in the diocese.  Every good wish and blessing to all who take on a new role this Summer.

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Killaloe New Ministers Appointments July 2022

Appointments to take effect from Friday, 26th of August, 2022 for the duration of 3 years, subject to review at that stage.

 

Name

 

Ministry

 

 

Appointment

 

 

1

 

 

Geraldine Armitage

 

 

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Ministry of Pastoral Care in Odhrán Pastoral Area and Nenagh Parish with specific focus on developing bereavement supports and funeral teams.
 

 

2

 

 

Catherine Brigdale

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Imeall Bóirne Pastoral Area to the Ministry of Pastoral Care in Crusheen, Ruan, Corofin and Tubber Parishes.
 

 

3

 

 

Ríona Browne

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Imeall Bóirne Pastoral Area to the Ministry of Pastoral Care in Crusheen, Ruan, Corofin and Tubber Parishes.
 

 

4

 

 

Gemma Brugha 

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Ollatrim Pastoral Area to the Ministry of Pastoral Care in Cloughjordan Parish and outreach to migrants and refugees in the surrounding area.
 

5

 

Anne Marie Custy

 

Catechist

Appointment to Abbey Pastoral Area to support Sacramental Preparation Processes with specific responsibility in Doora-Barefield Parish.
 

6

 

Veronica Dalton

 

Catechist

Appointment to Brendan Pastoral Area to support Sacramental Preparation Processes with special responsibility in Kinnity Parish.
 

 

7

 

Michael Daly

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area to the Ministry of  Pastoral Care in Scarriff, Ogonelloe, Feakle, Killenena, Mounshannon & Tuamgraney-Bodyke Parishes.
 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Bernadette Daniels

 

 

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Abbey Pastoral Area to the Ministry of Pastoral Care Ministry in Clarecastle Parish & Carrigoran Nursing Home and to support to development of the Bedford Row Project in Ennis.
 

9

 

Maura Falsey

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Inis Cathaigh Pastoral Area to the Ministry of  Pastoral Care in Kilrush, Kilmihil, Cooraclare, & Killimer Parishes
 

10

 

Joy Hensey

 

Catechist

Appointment to Abbey Pastoral Area with specific responsibility for Ministry to couples preparing for marriage in Doora-Barefield Parish
 

 

11

 

 

Joan Hogan

 

 

Catechist

Appointment to the Brendan Pastoral Area to support Sacramental Preparation Processes with specific  responsibility in Birr Parish.
 

12

 

Lucy Kearney

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Imeall Bóirne Pastoral Area to the Ministry

of  Pastoral Care in Crusheen, Tubber, Ruan & Corofin Parishes

 

 

13

 

 

Gerard Lynch

 

 

 

 

Catechetics

Appointment to work as part of the Adult Faith Development Team of the Diocese of Killaloe to develop and facilitate faith development approaches for adults across the Diocese.
 

14

 

Dolores Madden

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Scáth na Sionnaine Pastoral Area to the Ministry of Pastoral Care in Castleconnell Parish and the development of bereavement support in the Pastoral Area.
 

 

15

 

 

Bríd Meaney

 

 

Catechetics

Appointment to Radharc na nOiléan Pastoral Area to support Sacramental Preparation Processes in Kildysart, Cranny-Coolmeen, Lissycasey and Kilmurry Mc Mahon Parishes.
 

 

16

 

 

Carmel Moroney

 

 

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Ceantar na Lochanna Pastoral Area with specific responsibility for development of bereavement support and funeral ministry in Tulla, O’ Callaghan’s Mills & Broadford Parishes.
 

17

 

Margaret Mc Inerney

 

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Tradaree Pastoral Area to the Ministry of  Pastoral Care in Shannon & Newmarket Parishes with specific responsibility in Carrigoran Nursing Home.
 

 

18

 

 

Tom O’ Dea

 

 

Catechetics

Appointment to Tradaree  Pastoral Area to support Sacramental Preparation Processes in Sixmilebridge Parish.
 

 

 

19

 

 

 

Deborah O’ Driscoll

 

 

 

Catechist

Appointment to Odhrán Pastoral Area with specific responsibility for the support of Sacramental Preparation in Nenagh and Youghalarra Parishes.
 

20

 

Rita O’ Dwyer

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Críocha Callan Pastoral Area to the Ministry of  Pastoral Care in Milltown Malbay & Mullagh Parishes.
 

 

21

 

 

Jim Sexton

 

 

 

Catechetics

Appointment to work as part of the Adult Faith Development Team of the Diocese of Killaloe   to develop and facilitate faith development approaches for adults across the Diocese.
 

22

 

Anne Marie Sheedy

 

Pastoral Care

Appointment to Tradaree Pastoral Area to the Ministry of Pastoral Care in Sixmilebridge/ Kilmurry Parish
 

 

23

 

 

Gerry Sheeran

 

 

Catechetics

Appointment to work as part of the Adult Faith Development Team of the Diocese of Killaloe   to develop and facilitate faith development approaches for adults.
 

 

24

 

 

Bernie Torpey

 

 

Catechetics

Appointment to Ceantar na Lochanna Pastoral Area to support Sacramental Preparation Processes in Broadford, Tulla &  O’ Callaghan’s Mills Parishes.