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, 26^th 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, 26^th 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, 26^th of August, 2022 for the duration of 3 years, subject to review at that stage.