Altum

A time of change, a time of renewal.NEWSLETTER OF THE PASTORAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF CORK AND ROSS

Altum Put out into the deep ,Luke 5:4

Year of Faith 2012-2013Pope Benedict announced a Year of Faith beginning October 11th 2012 and ending with the Feast of Christ the King November 24th, 2013. The opening coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This great body of teaching guides our lives and shapes our Year of Faith just as it shapes the life of the Church.

In his letter announcing the Year of Faith Pope Benedict talks about the need to ‘rediscover the journey of faith,’ and he invites us to do this by rediscovering the love of Christ in our own lives and sharing it with others. He says ‘faith grows when it is an experience of love received and when it is communicated as an experience of grace and joy.’ (Porta Fidei 7)

The Year of Faith is an invitation to everyone in the Church to celebrate and renew their faith - individually, in families, in parishes and schools, in our Diocese, country and across our global Catholic community. As followers of Jesus Christ, how can we enter into this Year and bring it to life? How can we put our faith into action in the service of others?  How can we grow in our faith understanding and as witnesses to the teaching of Christ and his Church?We are called to live out our Baptismal promises to be hearers and proclaimers of the Word of God to share our faith with all people.

What can we do? What will you do?We cannot simply expect people to find their own way to our churches and communities or wait for them to show an interest. We must be prepared to go out with the message of faith, to find

ways of evangelising and so draw people to Christ. Pope Benedict says: it is the love of Christ that fills our hearts and impels us to evangelise. Today as in the past, he sends us through the highways of the world to proclaim his Gospel to all the peoples of the earth. Through his love, Jesus Christ attracts to himself the people of every generation.

The Year of Faith in Cork and Ross was launched at a concelebrated Mass in the North Cathedral at 6:00pm on Saturday 13th October. Bishop Buckley will issue a pastoral letter on the First Sunday of Advent. To celebrate the Year of Faith many events will be offered such as pilgrimages, study days; conferences, bible and catechism study groups, youth events and more…

Welcome to our new Director of the Pastoral Development OfficeFr Charlie Kiely joins us as the new Director of all the work of the Diocesan Office for Pastoral Development which incorporates our training, resourcing and support for Parish Pastoral Councils/Assemblies; the parish groups associated with them; the work of the Liturgy Office and Adult Religious Education. He is also asked by Bishop Buckley to initiate projects and resources for the Year of Faith and evangilisation and to link with the on-going Catechism study groups.

A native of Belgooly, and the nephew of the late Canon William Aherne, Fr Charlie was ordained in the year 2000 and has served in Glounthaune and

Turner’s Cross parishes as curate. He is no stranger to the office and many of you will have encountered him in the training and support for Parish Baptism Preparation Teams over the last four years; travelling as the priest-leader of our Young Adults to Lourdes pilgrimage group and he also assisted the office as Pastoral Development Coordinator for the parishes of Pastoral Area 13 – Carraig na bhFear; Glanmire; Glounthaune and Watergrasshill.

During his time as curate he completed an MA in Liturgy from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and a PhD from UCC in the study of the Funeral Liturgy – its history, customs and traditions.

Autumn/Winter 2012

Parishes Update

As we go to print we congratulate Barryroe parish on completing the formation sessions for their second Parish Assembly – they have established groups to focus on young people; celebrating faith and building community. The new Chairperson is Pat Tobin and the secretary is Ronnie Barry-Mckeon. At present formation sessions are being held for Drimoleague Parish fourth Parish Assembly; Ovens/Farran third Parish Assembly; and Gurranabraher second Parish Assembly. Tracton Abbey Parishioners are at present nominating their second Pastoral Council and preparations are being made for nominating the second Parish Assembly in Clontead and the fourth in Kilmacabea.

As you are all aware with changes to personnel the named contact Coordinators from the office have changed and Fr Charlie and Sr Karen look forward to meeting with all Parish Pastoral Councils and Assemblies in the coming months. If you require assistance or resources please contact us at the office.

This summer we had a wonderful opportunity of taking part with the annual Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. It was difficult for us to know what to expect as it was our first time going there. As we are both student nurses we have plenty of experience nursing and caring for invalids. We felt it was necessary to share these skills among the sick and elderly who longed to be part of a pilgrimage in Lourdes.

On the 11th of June we departed Cork Airport and flew in to Lourdes. Much to our surprise the weather seemed very similar to Irish summers on our arrival. Our work began bright and early the following morning. We all received a warm welcome from the hospital staff. We were assigned to different rooms where we each took part in preparing the patients for the day’s events. We led the first Cork and Ross Diocesan Mass of the week. It was a pleasure to see how many of the patients enjoyed and appreciated seeing us young local volunteers eager to get involved.

Our routine was similar for the rest of the week yet never monotonous. Our duties varied from taking the patients to Mass, the Grotto, the Baths and Torchlight and Eucharistic Processions. With the help of

us volunteers we also gave the patients the opportunity to visit the town of Lourdes where we spent time shopping, chatting and when the weather picked up....we even had an ice cream or two!

It wasn’t all work and no play for the volunteers. During our time there we visited the house in which Bernadette was born and grew up in, the home they lived in at the time of the apparitions – we also learned about Our Lady’s message to Bernadette. We received a knowledgeable talk at the Medical Bureau from Dr

Allesandro and we attended an interesting talk and life-like show on how the Miraculous Medal was introduced.

All in all our experience was invaluable. We met a wonderful mix of people, both volunteers and patients. We possess memories from this journey that will hold with us forever. Our advice to anyone considering getting involved...is to go for it with two arms open...and it will not be regretted! (Grainne: Enniskeane/Desertserges Parish & Lynda: Kilmeen/Castleventry Parish)

Young Adults Lourdes Pilgrimage 2012

Engaging with Young People

In May we began to focus on how we as a diocese might seek to engage with young people in their teens and young adults. Our three meetings looked broadly at all the possibilities that are around that we as parish/pastoral area/diocese might establish. Feedback from all those who attended led us to decide to propose two projects at our September gatherings on the same theme. As we begin the Year of Faith we are asking every parish to invite, support and encourage at least one young adult (18-35) to join our “Come and see & be a helping hand” initiative as part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes – information was given at meetings or is enclosed with this mailing of Altum. Our promotional banner is available on loan to parishes – contact Sr Karen.

Our second initiative is aimed at teenagers and is a music based project taking its inspiration from the Kerry Diocese TeenSpirit - see www.teenspirit.ie Our search for volunteers to be involved with the teenagers is beginning and meetings will be held shortly with Noel O’Sullivan from Kerry who started their project. Information will be sent to all parishes in due course.

On September 15th, four of us from Turner’s Cross Parish travelled to the third day of the National Pastoral Conference in Athlone where we joined with 230 other participants made up of Bishops, Priests and laity from all over lreland and some from other countries. The theme of the conference was “Community and Co-responsibility in the Church” and one of its primary aims was to support the work of renewal and reform in the Church in Ireland at this time. The keynote speaker was Dr Richard Gaillardetz, a theologian from Boston College. We heard two talks from Dr Gaillardetz, the first on “Discipleship and Mission” and the second on “Structured Ministry in the service of Mission”. He spoke with an energy and enthusiasm which kept us all totally attentive. Following each talk we discussed in groups questions arising from the talk and then in plenary brought up questions or discussion points with Dr Gaillardetz. The atmosphere was one of openness and willingness to share, it was exciting and inspiring to be part of such an event which brought one in dialogue with people from many Church ministries and groups. We all felt that it had been a very interesting and worthwhile day.

Bernadette Hegarty, Turner’s Cross Parish Assembly

National Pastoral Conference

YOUCAT: is short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was launched on World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid by Pope Benedict. Developed with the help of young Catholics and written for second level school age people and young adults, YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith. The appealing graphic format includes Questions-and-Answers, highly-readable commentary, summary definitions of key terms, Bible citations and inspiring and thought-provoking quotes from Saints and others in the margins. What’s more, YOUCAT is keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so people can go deeper. It explains:  ~ What Catholics believe and why (doctrine)~ How Catholics celebrate the mysteries of the faith (sacraments) ~ How Catholics are to live (moral life) ~ How they should pray (prayer and spirituality). The questions are direct and honest, even at

times tough; the answers straightforward, relevant, and compelling. YOUCAT will likely become the “go-to” place for young people to learn the truth about the Catholic faith. Ideal for families who want to learn more about the Catholic faith.  We at the Pastoral Development Office have agreed a special price for parishes wanting to offer it to families and young people €10 and is now available to purchase from Veritas in Cork.

T &YouCat

The YouCat

Catechism of the Catholic Church

A series of studies on the Catechism is taking place in the diocese at this time in two locations: St Francis Church, Liberty St, Cork City and Myross Wood Retreat Centre, Leap, West Cork. The Catechism gives expression to our Catholic faith in an authentic way that enables us to understand it more readily and to communicate it more effectively to the people of our own time. Further details from the Co-ordinator: Máirín Ní Shúilleabháin Telephone 087-7950325.

Adult Faith Development – forthcoming events

Catholicism: A Short Introduction4 Mondays ~ Nov 12th, 19th, 26th, December 3rd, 8.00pm. Wilton Parish Centre.1. Catholic Believing 2. Catholic Living 3. Catholic Praying and Worshipping 4. Catholics in the Modern WorldThis course is for anyone who would like a better understanding of Catholic belief and practice - why we do what we do. You may be engaged or married to a Catholic; recently moved to Ireland or surrounded by Catholics at home or work, or perhaps you just never really understood what it was all about. These evenings will give a simple and informal introduction, with plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Reflecting on the Advent ReadingsAn evening for Ministers of the Word and othersTuesday 20th November – 8.00pm Douglas Parish Centre. Tuesday 27th November – 8.00pm Clonakilty Parish Centre.

‘Come to Me’ Lenten Resource for the Year of Faith

Four adult faith sessions for Lent. Evening meetings end of January 2013 for people interested in leading these in their parish or pastoral area. Details will be on the website.

Parish Faith Development GroupsAnne Francis is available to visit groups interested in faith development initiatives in parishes – contact her at the office.

A session especially for Young Adults 18-35 once month – from 5:30pm tea and sandwiches are on offer in the Pastoral Development Office followed by 6-7pm discussion taken from the new YouCat.Contact Fr Charlie

Parish Baptism Preparation TeamsThe next training programme will be held in the spring – if you are interested in establishing this ministry in your parish or want to train more parishioners to join your team contact Sr Karen. A spring gathering will be held for all members of Parish Baptism Preparation Teams – invitations will be sent out near to the time.

Pastoral Teams for FuneralsTraining for Pastoral Teams for Funerals will take place in Blackrock Parish Centre on four consecutive Thursdays 15th, 23rd, 30th November December 6th, 8pm -9.45pm. Further details from Fr Christy on 087-2675275

TRÓCAIRE2013 sees Trócaire celebrate its 40th Anniversary. Their Advent Parish Resource Pack about Palestine is now available from the Maynooth Office Telephone 01-6293333. The Lenten Resource Pack will be available from the beginning of February. If you would like to promote and sell Trócaire Global Gifts in your parish for Christmas contact the Cork Office 021-4275622. Gifts from €5 are available this year.

WebsiteTo access all information about Pastoral Development see: www.corkandross.org and use the quick link to all our pages. The resources handbook for parish groups is now fully uploaded in five “chapters” under the headings: Celebrating Special Moments; Family & Children; Welcome & Communication; Young People; Community Building. Have a look and find hundreds of ideas for your group!

Farewell & ThanksDuring the summer months we said farewell to Fr Sean O’Sullivan and Pat Sheehan, we wish them both well as Sean takes up his role as PP of the Harbour Parishes and Pat returns to work with The Brother of Charity Services. Our sincere thanks to them for their work in the Pastoral Development Office

Best WishesThis past summer saw four Parish Priests retire. They are Monsignor Leonard O’Brien, Canon Tom Kelleher and Canon Tadhg Ó Mathuna and Fr. Tom Riordan. Canon Ó Mathuna will continue to work as an Assistant Priest in Blackrock. We wish them well and thank them for their dedicated work in the diocese and their support to Pastoral Development over the years.

Very Rev Canon Denis O’LearyParish Priest of BandonDied 25th August 2012.

We offer our sympathies to the family, colleagues and the parishioners of Bandon on the recent death of Fr Denis. He is remembered in a special way in Pastoral Development for the establishment of Parish Assemblies in various parishes where was parish priest. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

On the weekend of 5th-7th October the Sacred Heart Church in Belgooly hosted ‘From The Rich Earth Festival of Flowers’. This project was the effort of the Clontead Parish Assembly Group, the Kinsale Flower & Garden Club and the Belgooly Community Centre Committee. Fifty two arrangements adorned the much loved century old church created by exhibitors from both city and county. People travelled from all over to view the arrangements including many former parishioners, alongside this was an art exhibition highlighting local artists and refreshments were provided in the local community centre. An tAthair Tomás Ó’Murchú PP opened the festival on Friday evening and closed it with a concelebrated Mass on Sunday evening at 5pm to a capacity congregation.

Rev Sean Crowley Ordained Deacon

Sean Crowley, Enniskeane & Desertserges Parish was ordained a deacon at Maynooth College in June of this year. He is now in his final year of preparation for priesthood and we wish him well with our prayers and encouragement.

Vocations & The Year of FaithThe Annual Information Day for those interested in Priesthood in the Diocese of Cork & Ross will take place on Saturday 23rd March 2013 at Ennismore Retreat Centre. Those interested who feel they may have a vocation and unsure what to next can contact Fr Tom Deenihan on 0214301717.

Parishes interested in promoting vocations or gathering to pray for vocations can receive resources and assistance from the Pastoral Development Office on 021-4537603.

Belgooly Flower Festival

Contact Details for Pastoral Development Team

If you would like us to visit your parish/group or are looking for resources please contact us:

Fr. Charlie Kiely Director of Pastoral Development 021 4537603 charles.kiely@corkandross.org

Fr. Christy Fitzgerald Liturgy 021 4537600 liturgy@corkandross.org

Anne Francis Adult Faith Development & RCIA 021 4537602 abfrancis@eircom.net087 2282134

Sr. Karen Kent Pastoral Development 021 4537601 karen.kent@corkandross.org087 9161792