Parish Pastoral Council
Mission Statement
The mission of Dungannon Parish Pastoral Council is to build up the local faith community by witnessing to the values of the Gospel. Guided by the Holy Spirit we seek to respond to those in our community so that everyone feels valued, with a sense of belonging to a vibrant, enriched and caring community.
The first PPC was set up four years ago with the aim of gaining an understanding of the pastoral needs of the parish and formulating a mission statement and action plan to address those needs. Areas of Development included: compilation and distribution of the Parish Directory; enhanced liturgies; establishment of hospitality in St Teresa’s Hall; re-dedication of St. Patrick’s Church.
After a period of reflection and discernment within the parish, the new Council was established and held its first meeting in October 2010.
The Council is representative of the four areas of the Parish and includes Dean Curry, Fr Seamus, Fr Aidan and Fr Daniel. The Chairperson is John Kelly and Pat McQuaid is the Secretary.
The other members are Eamon O’Hagan, Bernadette McGahan (Killyman), Paul Mallon, Thomas Hamill (Edendork), Kieran Conlon (Clonmore), Aidan Fee, Hilary Mallon, James Morgan, Dera Cahalane, Anita Mallon, Gerald McBride, Bernie McHugh (Dungannon). It is worth noting that, in addition to the clergy, there are three members of the original Council currently serving.
Within the Council there are four working groups, according to the areas of interest, expertise and the needs of the Parish. The groups are as follows:
Liturgy
Purpose - consistent with the Council’s mission statement through the liturgy, making the celebration of Mass and the sacraments more vibrant and to build up the Community by giving people a sense of belonging through active involvement.
Proposed Areas of Involvement.
Family Masses commencing in September
Do This in Memory Masses
Mass of Hope within Easter Season
Exam Mass in May
Introduction of Congregational Singing (commencing in Edendor
Youth
Purpose - to provide a forum for our Youth to feel valued and to have a sense of belonging to Dungannon Parish and the Church.
Proposed Areas of Involvement.
to promote the understanding and role of Altar Servers and train them for the various liturgical events.
introduction of the John Paul II Awards for post-primary pupils, working in close liaison with the local school.
Select here to see photographs of John Paul 11 Awards being launched in local schools.
Faith Formation
Purpose - to increase awareness of the richness of our faith, and to recognise it as a gift from God and to provide opportunities for our parishioners to explore their faith more deeply.
Proposed Areas of Involvement - introduction of a series of presentations based on the ‘hidden beauty’ of St Patrick’s Church, commencing Sunday 13 March at 7pm. The unveiling of the new tabernacle took place on that evening and the Eucharistic Bell visited Dungannon on 20 March. This was part of preparation for the Eucharistic Congress in 2012.
The introduction of the Alpha Programme and formation of small Christian Communities.
Outreach
Purpose - to promote a sense of belonging to our Church and community for minority groups –elderly, new families, sick, bereaved, disadvantaged, etc.
Proposed Areas of Involvement - East Timorese Cookery Demonstration in Clonmore Football Club on 3 March, Portuguese Mass in Easter Week, One Day Retreat for the Older Person in the Convent on 22 May, possibility of Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Knock on 12 September.
The area of Communication is addressed by all four groups, dealing with such issues as the streamlining of times of weekend Masses, promotion of various modes of communication, eg website, fliers, surveys, notice boards, etc.
In order for the Council to serve the needs of everyone in the parish, views and ideas are most welcome. An email address will be provided soon for this purpose or, alternatively, approach a member of the Council.