The Survey
Archbishop Dermot Farrell, in his Easter Pastoral Letter, said that it was time now for the
diocesan family to address the specific challenges we face. Covid had a huge impact on all
parishes throughout Ireland for the past two years and every parish community adapted to
deal with it. We learned to worship together with online Masses and even though we
couldn’t attend important family events such as funerals or weddings, we were able to join
in and be present in spirit.

Take the survey: www.menti.com (use the code 66 03 79 2)

We are now facing an even greater challenge than Covid. The number of priests has
reduced so much that there are now positions in parishes in the Diocese that cannot be
filled. There are no candidates for ordination into the near future. At the same time,
congregation numbers are falling and the costs of running parishes are increasing.
Archbishop Farrell set up a Building Hope Task Force Report and it proposes a strategy for
renewing our mission as God’s people. He has invited each parish community to consider
how to respond to the pastoral situation in which we find ourselves. It is clear that the
future will not look like the past. God is bringing forth something new and we should
address the future challenges in the light of the Gospel. The initial consultation undertaken
by the Building Hope Task Force received 3,000 responses. These highlighted the key
dimensions valued by people in their faith communities which provide a framework for
pastoral renewal within and among parishes.

Take the survey: www.menti.com (use the code 66 03 79 2)

Following on from our recent successful conversations for the International Synod which
raised many similar themes we are now inviting you all to take part in a Building Hope
consultation in St. Mary’s. The gifts and talents available within our own parish and the
education and formation that we need for our community will need to be considered. We
will examine the parish partnerships that make most sense in our locality.
Today we are asking you to contribute to this important discussion by completing the survey
sheets which have been placed on the seats and leave them in the baskets as you leave the
Church. Pens are also provided. It is a simple format, that as we listen to each other we are
listening to the Holy Spirit working within each one of us. At the centre of the Framework is
the person of Jesus Christ and this leads to the four dimensions which we are examining,
faith, servant leadership, social justice and welcome and how these impact our community.
These together form the basis of our lives as members of God’s family now and how we
might operate into the future. All parishioners are most welcome to take part in this
consultation as together we build hope for a new future and a new way of being Church.
The results will be collated and returned to the Diocese and will be available for parishioners
later.
Incidentally the Archdiocese’s Report of the Synod conversations from parishes to the Irish
Bishop’s Conference is available to download from the website.

Take the survey: www.menti.com (use the code 66 03 79 2)