The new Armagh Diocesan Pastoral Centre is now situated in the centre of Dundalk in a building known to the locals as the Magnet. The Pastoral Centre was first opened by Cardinal Daly in 1993 at the Franciscan Convent, Mount Oliver, next door to the Ballymascanlon Hotel. It operated there until February 2007 when the Franciscan Sisters reclaimed the building for their own use. Since then the Pastoral Centre has been in temporary accommodation, while the Magnet building was being renovated. The current director, Sr. Rhoda Curran RSM was appointed by Archbishop Sean Brady in 1998.

The Pastoral Centre is now in operation. It hosts a prayer room, excellent conference rooms, a counseling room, a small library and the offices of the Office of Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry. Early visitors to the centre have been impressed with the freshness and brightness of the facilities.

The Armagh Diocesan Pastoral Centre has a particular interest in Family Ministry. At different times it offers various courses including pre-marriage courses, marriage enrichment and bereavement support groups. Of special merit has been the establishment of the Beginning Experience (BE), a programme specially designed to help people deal with the loss of a spouse arising from death or separation. It is also hosts "Rainbows", a programme to help children and young people cope with the loss of a parent.

The Pastoral Centre, with the support of the Office of Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry offers various programmes and courses that support parishes. This includes baptismal ministry training, reflection days and training for ministers of the Eucharist, readers etc, liturgy training and on-going formation for parish pastoral councils. Seminars on specific topics are held periodically.

The contact number for the Diocesan Pastoral Centre is 00353 42 933 6393, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Soil for the Seed: Exploring our Faith as Adults continues every Monday evening in the Pastoral Centre, beginning at 7.30pm.