Next week, the first week of Lent, will see the commencement of a dialogue within the entire Diocese of Clogher, involving priests, religious and lay people, on how the diocese can continue to sustain living parishes both now and into the future.
Lay parishioners of all ages and backgrounds, together with clergy, are being asked to engage in a dialogue about how parishes and the diocese can meet the challenges of the years ahead. A team of facilitators – lay and clerical – have agreed to help us in this regard. Meetings will be held at venues across the 7 Pastoral Areas during the first and third weeks of Lent (see below) and from this a sense of the faithful will be gathered.
The process has been initiated by Bishop Larry Duffy following discussions with the Council of Priests and other diocesan groups. Bishop Duffy says that to achieve its objective, this dialogue seeks understanding more than agreement, adding that ‘agreement will take time to achieve, but that will happen too in the Lord’s way and in the Lord’s time.’ He assures people, however, that this is the beginning of a conversation which will be listened to and which will inform future planning at parish, pastoral area and diocesan level.
Bishop Duffy has asked everyone to embrace this process. ‘It is devoted to renewal, a renewal that will, please God, give us all the energy we need to face the future with courage. Praying our way through this is most important and I encourage you to keep that in your prayers both personally and with your family and wider community.’
The dates and venues for the seven gatherings are as follows (all begin at 7.30pm):
SOUTH-MONAGHAN PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Carrickmacross, Magheracloone, Donaghmoyne, Inniskeen, Killanny
Date: Monday 2nd March 2020
Venue: Shirley Arms Hotel, Carrickmacross
MID-MONAGHAN PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Castleblayney, Aughnamullen East, Clontibret, Ballybay, Latton, Rockcorry
Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2020
Venue: Castleblayney College, Dublin Road, Castleblayney
NORTH-MONAGHAN PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Monaghan & Rackwallace, Threemilehouse/Corcaghan, Tyholland, Donagh, Errigal Truagh, Tydavnet
Date: Wednesday 4th March 2020
Venue: St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Broad Road, Monaghan
EAST-FERMANAGH / WEST-MONAGHAN PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Lisnaskea/Maguiresbridge, Newtownbutler/Donagh, Roslea, Clones, Killeevan/Currin/Aghabog
Date: Thursday 5 March 2020
Venue: Cúil Darach, Fermanagh Street Clones
TYONE PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Dromore, Trillick, Fintona, Fivemiletown-Brookeboro, Clogher, Eskra
Date: Monday 9th March 2020
Venue: St Lawrence’s PS, Fintona BT78 2NR
ENNISKILLEN / WEST FERMANAGH PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Enniskillen, Tempo, Derrygonnelly, Cleenish/Arney
Date: Tuesday 10th March 2020
Venue: St Michael’s Community Centre, Belmore Street, Enniskillen
NORTH-FERMANAGH / DONEGAL PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Bundoran, Belleek-Garrison, Pettigo, Ederney & Irvinestown
Date: Wednesday 11th March 2020
Venue: Hall at St Mary’s Church, Pettigo
