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| Dear Parishioners - letter 5 |
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Dear Parishioners, I would like to thank those who attended the meeting on Tuesday night when Mr John Colgan from Newcastle gave a very comprehensive presentation on the background and development of Parish Pastoral Councils {PPC} and the important role of each baptised person in the local community. He described a PPC as a small group of people “drawn from the parish” who will work together in close co-operation with their priests by “praying, reflecting and planning together”. He suggested that time spent together at the outset in formation and training is a prerequisite for such a group. A Parish Pastoral Council exercises a “leadership role” within the parish by “thinking ahead” and planning how best to respond to the various pastoral needs of the parish. Throughout his presentation Mr Colgan emphasised the word “discernment” which implies a process of prayerful reflection and listening that will ensure decisions are in accordance with the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The second speaker Mrs Catherine O’Hagan, who is currently the chairperson of Maghera PPC outlined the background to the Council in her parish and how it has evolved over the years. Initially, they divided their parish in to ten units and operated a process of nomination and election. She pointed out, however, that this is not necessarily the best method. Because a PPC is now understood to be more reflective by nature, there is a consequent shift from management skills to leadership ability, from activity to discernment. Consequently, the trend is towards identifying people in the parish who have the particular gifts that are required. They also favour a system whereby a percentage of the group is replaced each year so that there is continuity of policy and planning. Mrs O’Hagan outlined various projects that have been initiated by the PPC and admitted that there have been varying degrees of success and indeed occasional failure. By way of conclusion, she stated that her own involvement with PPC for many years has been a challenging and exciting experience but one that she has enjoyed immensely. Personally, I regret that more people in our own parish didn’t avail of the opportunity to learn a little more bout this important development and to engage in some profitable discussion and exchange. Nevertheless, I am confident that with God’s help we will continue to make progress. It is a slow process, but one that is necessary. Please continue to keep it in prayer. With every blessing, Colum Curry PP |
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