Diocesan Congress Waterfront Hall
28th September 2013
Introduction by Bishop Noel Treanor
In this Year of Faith 2012-2013, launched by Pope Benedict XVI, I present this Pastoral Plan to each single member of the Diocese of Down and Connor confident that it will support us in building up the Body of Christ. Throughout salvation history, during the life and ministry of Jesus, from the early Christian church to today, God constantly calls humanity to salvation and forms a People.
We too are God’s chosen people, glimpsing and knowing God in Jesus Christ. In Christ, in whom we are baptised, we are called to life with God and to the service of others. With this plan I invite you to join with and become involved in the opportunities it will create to enrich your relationship with Christ, to grow in holiness and to serve your neighbour both as believer and fellow-citizen.
I extend a further and more personal invitation to you: I invite you to take up the call of service set out in this plan. It points out numerous arenas in which we can support others on their journey to Christ, so that in our parishes we may truly be a welcoming community of believers bearing witness to our faith in today’s society. We must not leave it to others! Let’s dare to live for each other and revitalise the culture of volunteer service in our church.
Parish Response
The Parish of Drumbo & Carryduff was represented by over 20 delegates. The Congress was an outstanding success, but it was only a beginning and not an end in itself. Five areas for development were outlined:
1. Open Welcome Community
2. Faith & Worship
3. Clergy & Religious
4. Lay Participation
5. Passing on the Faith.
A committee called ‘The Living Church Parish Committee’ has been set up to develop at parish level the above 5 areas. A plan for implementation has been drawn up. Volunteers will be needed to implement the plan at parish level as a matter of urgency as is outlined below. Initially 3 volunteers are required to work for ‘The Living Church Parish Office’ for 8 weeks from mid October to mid Dec 2013:
A. Liaison Officer
To act between the Parish Living Church Committee and other groups working on delivering the Living Church Plan for our Parish. This person should have:
Good administration and communication skills.
Experience of people management.
Microsoft Word and Excel skills and experience.
8 hours per week minimum.
B. Word Processing and Administrators
We need 2 volunteers with good Microsoft Word and Excel skills that can work as a team for up to 20 hours per week between them. The majority of this work can be done from home with an occasional meeting in the Parish Centre.
Anyone interested please contact the Parish Office on 02890812238 option 2 Mon-Fri 9am-1pm (or leave a message) or e-mail us at office@drumbocarryduff.ie giving name, postal address, email address and mobile number.
All replies must be with us no later than Friday 18/10/2013
