Our Parish Assembly – “Mount Argus, Looking Forward” took place in the Blessed Charles Centre on St. Valentine’s Day - 14th February 2004.

As well as addressing important issues for the future, the assembly was a 'showcase' for many of the Voluntary groups who are active in our community. Over 20 groups were represented ranging from Altar Servers to the Active Retirement Group. Those who attended found it uplifting to experience the depth of talent and commitment to Mount Argus that was evident at the Assembly.

Fr. Frank opened the Assembly with a prayer and then outlined the challenges facing both the Parish and the Passionist Community. He explained that many of the services delivered exclusively by the clergy today will need additional support from lay people in the future. It is likely that the Parish will be allocated at most, two priests after the Passionist Provincial Chapter meeting in June 2004. The purpose of the Assembly was to explore the implications of this situation and to prepare for the inevitable challenges we will face on our journey together in future years.

'Master of Ceremonies' Paud Lavelle introduced the programme of events for the afternoon. Hugh Kearns presented on the background and context. The Parish Core Group had instigated a review of how the Parish was working and how it could be improved in the future. Four focus-groups were set up in October 2003 to report on these areas. The Research Group was asked to conduct a review of the four parish bodies and their inter-relationships. i.e. Parish Team, Core Group, Community Centre Executive and the Finance Committee. A second group looked at the Core Group itself and made proposals with regard to its future role and make-up. Another group had the task of preparing for the Assembly. The final group had responsibility for co-ordinating the work of the other groups and communicating with the wider parish. The groups completed their work in January and the final phase was to add-on any issues arising from the Assembly. The Core Group would then consider all the information and would plan the next stage of the journey.

Fionnuala Rockett reported on the results of the Parish Surveys - one to the public, one to the voluntary groups. The Groups Survey revealed the need for more training and reflection within the teams as well as the need for new members. Fionnuala finished with a quote from a recent homily in Mount Argus - "As Christians, we are called to change. Do not be afraid of it - the Lord is still in charge!"

Eileen McDermott talked about the "Role of the Volunteer" in society generally and in parish life in particular. People nowadays want to be more involved in the changing Church. Many people are searching for something other than the material aspects of life. Voluntary work is rewarding and can provide the spiritual fulfilment often lost in the other demands of modern living. Speaking from personal experience, Eileen pointed out that as well as being fulfilling, voluntary work can also be fun!

Tom O'Brien then gave a presentation on Parish Finances. From a financial perspective, there are three separate entities within the Parish - The Community Centre, The Passionist Community and the Parish itself. Each has its own accounts and manages funds separately. The Parish is funded exclusively through the envelope collection. The Passionist Community is funded primarily through the basket collection.  The Community Centre has achieved self-funding of all its varied activities. Over the years they have been successful at fundraising and have been prudent investors. The Executive Committee are to be congratulated on their successes and on the role the Centre has created for itself within the Parish.  Tom concluded by outlining the financial issues, moving forward -  1. Tighter definition of the relationship between the Passionist Community and the Parish. 2. Some responsibilities moving from the religious to the lay community. 3. Possible additional services such as pastoral / youth etc. (which would involve additional costs and require fundraising).

Paud Lavelle chaired an 'Open Forum' to allow parishioners to air their views. Topics raised included : The balance between accountability and privacy in relation to Passionist finances; acknowledgement of Dues and dead list donations; The declining number of religious personnel; Problems with crime; poor sound quality in some areas of the Church; the Lenten Programme; Outreach to people who do not come to church; Youth worker, and retaining the younger believers; format of future Parish Assemblies and all agreed that it had been a worthwhile event.