Update from the Pastoral Leadership Team (PLT)

Spring 2006

·        Father Kenneth Brady is on temporary leave.  This has increased the workload on the PLT and in particular on the Parish Team.

·        One of the highlights of the past year was the attendance, in Cologne Germany, of four young people from the parish at the World Youth Day event.  The PLT believes that following up on this is very important and intends to make ministry to and with young people a priority in planning for the future.

·        The Four Executive Groups of the Parish now meet regularly.  These include the PLT, the Parish Team, the Finance Committee and the Community Centre Executive.  These groups have discussed items such as Volunteering, Finance and Communications.  As well as bringing about improvements in the ongoing life of the parish, the members of the groups have established a greater understanding of what each group does, as well as a new supportive and appreciative relationship between the members.

·        The group has reviewed material received from the Archdiocese relating to Child Protection.  In the coming months people will be trained in the new guidelines and from these a parish co-ordinator will be appointed to liaise with diocesan structures, and also to ensure that good practice, according to our Child Protection Policy, is being applied in the parish.

·        Further to the research conducted regarding establishing a Liturgy Group last year, the PLT felt that it would take a considerable amount of time to develop and carry out a process towards the selection and formation of such a group.  An Interim Liturgy Group was formed to assist the Parish Team with major liturgical events and this group has been very successful working through Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. This group has agreed to remain in place for the time being.

·        The two groups established to look into creative usage of the Church space reported with their findings.  Some excellent ideas were generated.  On behalf of the parish, the PLT will be working closely with the Passionists as they look to the future, communicate their plans for the Monastery, and consider how best to proceed with the development of the Church, taking into consideration also the imminent Canonisation of Blessed Charles.

·        Last year a meeting was held for the 4 sets of Ministry groups.  In November 2005, a letter was sent to all members updating them on the outcomes since that meeting.

·        Finally, the role of the Pastoral Leadership Team is “Visioning” that is looking to the future to see what the needs of the parish will be and preparing for those needs.  The Team works through prayer, listening and discernment.  It can be contacted by email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it