Self Evaluation Report on our Pastoral Council
After 3 years in existence, it is appropriate to carry out an evaluation of the work
of our parish pastoral council. It is fair to say that the council is still in its infancy
and is still learning slowly what is involved in being a pastoral council. The
Council was commissioned by Bishop Paul Dempsey in February 2022 in a
ceremony in the Cathedral.
Our initial sources of information were two books: “Becoming a Pastoral
Council” by Patricia Carroll and “ Partnership in Parish” by Fr Enda Lyons. We
spent many monthly meetings, especially in the first year, trying to get an
understanding of what a parish is, and what a parish does and where a parish
pastoral council fits in. We also attended training nights along with other parish
pastoral councils. This was time well spent.
Monthly meetings took place about ten times each year. An Agenda meeting
between the Presider, Chairperson and Secretary was held in preparation for each
monthly meeting. All meetings were well attended.
Items that were discussed at the monthly meetings included
(A) Correspondence from the Diocese, feedback to the Diocese,
(B) Discussion regarding the proposed merger of the Diocese and the Diocese of
Elphin and attendance at meetings regarding the merger.
(C) Choosing which parishes we should cluster with was also discussed and the
result reported to the Diocese.
(D) The National Synod was reported on and meetings attended in connection
with this.
(E) Correspondence regarding retreats for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers was
also funnelled through the Pastoral council.
Much discussion took place about encouraging Young People in their faith.
Contact was made with the local GAA club in the hope of setting time aside for
them. In the end nothing transpired from this. There was also an opportunity for
a youth leader to be trained that didn’t get any candidates from our parish.
Various opportunities were offered for young people to do activities together
from the Diocese but again they were not taken up. However 4 young people from
the parish did take part in the John Paul 11 awards in the Community School.
They also attended the “Inspire” night in Tubbercurry. The “Light House”,
programme for Confirmation candidates is being introduced this year, where TY
students in St Attracta’s Community School will befriend and mentor the
candidates. They are being trained in St Attracta’s.
The Pastoral Council are also heartened by the Children’s choir and Adult’s choir
in Tourlestrane church, by the number of servers in the parish, and the children
and adults in Lough Talt church choir.
A support programme for parents of children making their first Communion is
being run by two parishioners. A few nights for scripture reflection or Lectio
Divina was offered to anyone who wanted to attend in Fr John ‘s house. Numbers
were small.
There was a special blessing ceremony for parents of children baptised over the
last three years. Bambinelli Sunday was celebrated during Advent.
It should be noted that the Pastoral Council encouraged the formation of the
parish baptismal team, the church committee in Kilmactigue, formed for the
painting of the church, the choir in Kilmactigue, the introduction of emergency
sacristans in the event of a visiting priest.
There was feedback regarding liturgies eg, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter,
Season of Creation ( blessing of animals) . The Pastoral Council was involved in
the Masses celebrated by Bishop Paul Dempsey in the parish. It also took a hands-
on approach to the Mass with Stephan Giblin as guest speaker, Youth Diocesan
Director.
Prayer During meetings: How and when we pray during the meetings has evolved
over the years. We now open with an opening prayer and close with a blessing.
Our main prayer time is at the centre of the meeting. It now consists of focus,
scripture, reflection ( with music) , prayers of petition, Closing prayer. At the
moment Fr John is the person in charge.
Hospitality: We have the cup of tea as we arrive for the meeting, before we start
.We also have a meal together at Christmas.
A mission statement for the pastoral council.
After many monthly meetings in our first year we agreed on what is the mission
statement of our pastoral council.
Kilmactigue Parish Pastoral Council endeavours to build and support a
vibrant parish, inclusive of all ages. We hope to facilitate a structure of
shared responsibility for the future, with active participation and which
fosters a caring, welcoming and faithful community. It will assist in active
listening, prayerful consideration, co-ordinating, planning and evaluation of
parish needs, that centres around strengthening our relationship with Jesus
Christ.
How we operate: We, the Parish Pastoral Council of Kilmactigue Parish, take
responsibility to see that the aim and mission of the parish is being achieved. It
will do by listening to the people of the parish, by considering prayerfully on what
they say, by deciding what to focus on in light of the gospel and what the people
of the parish are saying, by formulating a plan for the people of the parish to carry
out, and by evaluating on what is happening periodically . In doing so, we hope
that the proclamation of the message of Christ by the people of God in our area
will reach all people in a clearer and more tangible way, that is relevant to their
lives and the present age. ( Draft).
A Mission Statement for the Parish.
Our first step was to listen to the people of the parish. We circulated a letter to all
households asking them what they would like to see happening over the next five
years. We received some replies back. We arranged meetings in the three church
areas where people could discuss what they though the parish needed to do..
Second step. We considered prayerfully at our meetings what we had heard.
Third step: We decided on what to focus on, in the light of the gospel and what
the people had said. Our focus was to be on three items: To be a community
united around the Lord. ,attractive to younger people who wish to become
involved, and able through modern means of communication, as well as old
fashioned talking, to reach out to bring the good news to all willing to listen.
Fourth Step: This is where we are in difficulty! We are to formulate a plan to
bring about these goals with objectives along the way.
Fifth step: To evaluate what we have done (in written form)
Parish Vision Statement.
Kilmactigue/Tourlestrane Parish sees its overall purpose as evangelisation, that
is, to make the invisible Christ more visible, and to help bring about the kingdom
of God.
We see ourselves as a prayerful community with Christ at its centre, which
welcomes, appreciates and reaches out to all people.
We hope to be a parish marked by the joy, energy, strength, resilience and
compassion which comes from our relationship with Christ.
We hope to be united around the Lord, attractive to younger people who wish to
become involved, and able through modern means of communication, as well as
old-fashioned talking, to reach out to bring the Good News to all willing to listen.
The parish priest, and parish pastoral council according to their appropriate
roles share responsibility for visioning, planning, empowering, and evaluating.
