'Without priests, we will never be able to learn how to walk together and to set out on the path of synodality, "the path which God expects of the Church of the third millennium."'

Read Pope Francis' letter to parish priests below...

Dear Brother Priests,

The International Meeting “Parish Priests for the Synod”, and the dialogue with all of you who have taken part, provide me with the opportunity to pray for the parish priests the world over. To all of you, I address these words with great affection.

It is so obvious as to sound almost banal, but that does not make it less true: the Church could not go on without your dedication and your pastoral service. So before all else, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the generous work that you do each day, sowing seeds of the Gospel in every kind of soil (cf.Mk4:1-25).

As you have experienced in these days of sharing, the parishes in which you carry out your ministry vary widely, from those on the outskirts of great cities – as I know personally from Buenos Aires – to those in sparsely populated areas that are the size of vast provinces. They range from those in town centres in many European countries, where ancient basilicas house dwindling and aging communities, to those where celebrations are held beneath the branches of great trees and the songs of birds mix with the voices of small children.

Letter from Pope Francis to Parish Priests

The priests in the local family of parishes are committed to supporting and helping one another

Summer time presents a particular challenge because the timetable of Masses we have at weekends is only sustainable if all six priests are all available.  As well as time for holidays, along with weekend Masses, priests will also attend to other ministries including funerals, weddings, baptisms, care homes and daily Masses.  The Masses celebrated each week by the local priests at Care Choice, Clonakilty Community Hospital and the Convent of Mercy continue during the summer months.

The priests have worked together to create a fair and sustainable timetable for the months of June, July and August.

A new National Synodal Team for the Irish Synodal Pathway met for the first time on the 29 April in Maynooth

Appointed by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the team includes lay women and men, priests, religious, bishops and deacons.

Father Declan Hurley, Administrator of Saint Mary’s Parish, Navan, has been appointed chairperson of the team. Ms Julieann Moran continues in her post as General Secretary of the Irish Synodal Pathway.

Read the full story here

Want to make a positive difference to a child's life?

Every foster child's journey begins with a person like you

Tusla Fostering is currently recruiting Foster Carers in your local area to keep local children connected to their schools and communities.  Could you be the person who gives a child a chance at a better life?

Visit: fostering.ie

Freephone: 1800 336 771

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We foster, could you?

Please note due to the West Cork Rally the Mass time at Ardfield will change for that one Sunday and will be at

9:00am
Sunday 17 March 2024