As part of the universal Church’s ongoing journey of synodality, the priests of the Diocese of Ferns met together for three days. The assembly of priests worked with facilitators on pastoral development, Scripture, lay ministry, collaboration, synodality, pastoral area formation and leadership. The work of the facilitators especially the lay participation was deeply appreciated. This work complements the synodal meetings of the wider Diocese.
Priests also reflected upon the first drafts of a pastoral plan for the Diocese, which is being developed by representatives from the Council of Priests and Diocesan Pastoral Council and grew from the synthesis of communal discernment that concluded Stage 1 of the Irish Synodal Pathway. This plan looks at ways of empowering people, priests and religious to work more closely together in the proclamation of the Good News.
As we continue to discern together the way forward in a time of change for parishes, we pray that Parish communities within pastoral areas continue to work together to reflect a reinvigorated communion amongst clergy and laity, an outward pastoral reach and a renewed evangelising mission.
