24 new lay ministers commissioned for the Diocese of Killaloe

TWENTY four lay people have been commissioned to serve in the Diocese of Killaloe in the Ministries of Pastoral Care, and Catechetics/Faith Development.

The commissioning took place last Wednesday in the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, Ennis, Co Clare, at the annual Mass of the Chrism, an occasion that traditionally celebrates the renewal of commitment by the priests of the diocese. At the Mass, Bishop Fintan Monahan formally commissioned 24 new ministers - women and men - who will minister in parishes and pastoral areas right across the Killaloe diocese.

Bishop Monahan said, “I wish to thank everyone who has come forward to volunteer and train to become Ministers of Pastoral Care, and Ministers of Catechetics/Faith Development. Your generosity and gifts are a rich blessing to the body of Christ. These new ministries are part of a diocesan response to the changing face of the Church in recent times, and this includes fewer priests. Whereas once there was at least one priest in every parish, now many parishes have no resident priest, rather they are served by the priests of the local pastoral area. In the future, in our diocese, parishes will be served by a team of priests and lay ministers working together to meet local pastoral needs. Some roles traditionally undertaken by priests will in future be carried out by the new lay ministers.”

Bishop Monahan continued, “in developing the new ministries, the diocese identified the need for Pastoral Care and for Faith Development as crucial. It is envisaged that the new Pastoral Care Ministers will take on roles such as visiting sick or elderly people at home, in a nursing home or in hospital setting, having a concern for those who are isolated or on their own in the community, supporting people and families at the time of a funeral and bereavement as well as offering sensitive care at other critical times on life’s journey.”

In 2018, the diocese launched this initiative and advertised for volunteers for two new ministries of Pastoral Care and Catechetics/Faith Development. There was a very positive response to this initiative. As a result the 24 people commissioned have undertaken a process of training and formation including a specially developed academic programme of theology and pastoral studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. The new ministers have also received training in skills necessary for ministry and have been involved in placements in their respective roles of pastoral care and faith development.

It is envisaged that those commissioned as Catechists will take on roles in faith development, for example, engaging with and accompanying parents whose children are preparing for sacraments, supporting programmes such as Faith Friends, Do This in Memory or You Shall Be My Witnesses, and supporting people who wish to explore their own faith of spirituality.

In his homily for the Chrism Mss and the commissioning of the 24 new Ministers, Bishop Monahan said “I welcome and congratulate with great delight and joy, the 24 new Ministers, 12 in the area of Catechetics and 12 in the area of Pastoral Care. You have responded most generously to the invitation sent out from the diocese four years ago to come forth and minister in your chosen areas in which you have an interest, talent and expertise. You have applied yourself with diligence, dedication and hard work in prayer, discernment and study with the assistance of Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, and in your pastoral assignments in your native areas. You are now warmly welcome in your new role to assist, lead and minister among the faith family of the diocese of Killaloe!

“Many thanks to your families, present today, who have kindly and with great understanding, patience and sacrifice facilitated all this to happen.

“In a few moments you will be commissioned in that new ministry. Later this year, integral to the annual Summer appointments, you will receive a named or specific appointment in your parish, pastoral area or perhaps at diocesan level, whichever is appropriate. A little bit of work still needs to be done to finalise that, in dialogue with clergy and laity, prudently matching the needs of the pastoral areas and the skills of the New Ministers. Every good wish and blessing in this exciting new role, the voluntary ministry of service in the twin areas of service in Catechesis and Pastoral Care,” said Bishop Monahan.