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Participating Parishes from the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough
Raheny and Coolock. All Saints, Raheny is central to the village of Raheny with quite a number of younger families bringing their children to the Sunday JAM Club (Jesus and Me). We are proposing to develop a Youth Club in 2009 and we also have a faithful group of elderly weekly worshippers. St. John The Evangelist, Coolock, is three miles from Dublin, close to 1950s estates with quite a few factories around like Cadburys. There is a lively teen’s ministry with about 180 meeting weekly and G4J (Generation for Jesus) gathering every Sunday. We have a great team but we need to attract more young people. A weekly Bible study and reflection is led by a layperson.
The parishes of Celbridge and Straffan with Newcastle Lyons are situated in west County Dublin and County Kildare. They are a mix of both semi rural and suburban areas which have experienced huge development over recent years. This has brought exciting challenges of outreach and evangelism to both our established and growing communities.
The Parish of Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin is situated in the heart of West Wicklow, between Blessington and Baltinglass, approximately one hours drive from Dublin. Donoughmore and Donard are in the Glen of Imaal while Dunlavin is situated on the other side of the N81. The area is steeped in history and the scenic beauty of the Wicklow Mountains attracts many people to the area in pursuit of recreation and relaxation.
The parish has two schools. The children in both schools lead a Service of the Word during each term. The three churches have regular services, ranging in form from Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Holy Communion and once a month a Modern Service. Where there is a fifth Sunday in the month, there is a central Service alternating between the churches. The parish has one lay minister and two parish readers who regularly lead the services.
The parish currently has a Mothers Union, Girls Friendly Society, Mothers and Toddlers, Singing, Badminton and Home Prayer Groups.
On being accepted for inclusion in the Church 21 Development programme, the parish representatives to this initiative, along with members of the pastoral council and other parishioners have formed a working group (Church Alive).
This group identified three areas on which they would focus:
1 Communications within the parish and to the wider community,
2 Children and Youth
3 Social Events and Outreach.
Sub committees have been formed to work on each of these initiatives. Within our parish there is a range of all age groups and a healthy variety of opinion with everyone striving to achieve the same objectives.
The challenge now is to communicate with all parishioners and to actively engage them in the process, while listening to and respecting all views and opinions.
The Parish of Howth is set at the Northern tip of Dublin Bay. It includes both the village of Howth and the houses on the hill as well as the suburbs of Baldoyle, Sutton and Bayside. It is a welcoming and inclusive community, anxious to broaden its appeal to the whole spectrum of families who make up the parish community. Our biggest challenge would be our ministry to youth and young families.
Posted by Annette McGrath on 27 Feb 09
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