Launch of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2021-2026: Seeds of Hope
Archbishop’s Statement:
An Introduction to Seeds of Hope
Seeds of Hope Diocesan Pastoral Plan
In our lifetime as parishioners within the Archdiocese of Cashel, Sunday next, September 12th, is a seminal day as our Archdiocese outlines its Diocesan Plan “SEEDS OF HOPE” 2021-2026 .
No business, sporting or community organisation of any sport fulfils its potential without careful planning. We are no different. But plans take on a whole new sense of importance and meaning when organisations need to ‘go again’. We are at that time; not just because the Church has come through some tumultuous decades that it must learn from but because we must also, in moving forward, bring with us all that is good and make it even better as we do God’s amazing work.
We need to turn to the future and plan for the future and that’s exactly what our pastoral plan ‘Seeds of Hope’ is about. We have always hope but we must plant seeds if we are to reap a harvest down the line.
Like any good plan, it has involved listening. We began our process all of four years ago as we engaged with people of all demographics across the archdiocese to hear exactly what it is that we need at parish and diocesan level so that we can serve the pastoral and spiritual needs of all in the years ahead.
Like any journey, there are bumps along the way and, just with the listening phase coming to an end, COVID-19 became ours last year. It was an interruption rather than a derailment and now, having completed the listening process, we are on the cusp of unveiling ‘our’ plan – for it is, indeed, a plan for all of us, by all of us.
The launch of this plan will be in a sacred space for our Archdiocese, Holycross Abbey, on Sunday 12th September at 3.00pm. Because of the pandemic, numbers that can attend are limited but each parish will be represented. Each parish is invited to send a max of 5 people to comply with COVID restrictions. For those unable to attend the unveiling of the plan, with a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, the Mass will be livestreamed on the website of Holycross Parish – www.churchservices.tv/holycrossabbey
It will be a day of truth, a day of reconciliation, a day of renewal and, above all, a day of hope. We ask that you join us on this special day as this very special celebration is live streamed from the Abbey.
In the meantime, we ask that this weekend and over the coming days and months that you pray that, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our Seeds of Hope will, indeed, bear fruit, a new beginning for us all here in our parish and across the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly.
Email: [email protected]
