Our Mission
The Pastoral Ministry Office forms part of the Prophet Vicariate and supports lay and pastoral ministry across the diocese. Our Diocese is richly endowed with gifted and talented people, and we seek to grow opportunities for all to deepen their faith and get involved in the life of our parishes. Our main activities include:
growing faith
Supporting faith formation across the diocese, creating new materials, training faith group leaders, and offering resources for personal and parish spiritual growth. Administering the Lay Formation Fund to help people access more formal faith education.
growing community
Advising parishes on volunteering, workshops for Catholic leadership, parish blog featuring best practice from around the diocese, resources and support for Pastoral Area Councils.
chaplaincy
Supporting pastoral chaplaincy in hospitals, prisons and universities. Training for new hospital volunteers, annual reflection day for all who visit the sick, support for chaplains and chaplaincy teams, new projects linking parishes to prisons and universities, career support and help for those wanting to work in the chaplaincy field.
leadership
Developing new forms of lay ministry and leadership for the diocese. Liaising with other dioceses to seek out best practice, developing models, processes and training for new forms of parish leadership, responsible for diocesan reflection process.
Lay Formation Fund
It can be used for theological courses, more practical learning or vocational training. The fund can be used to offset the costs of local courses such as booking speakers or buying DVDs. Click here for more information.
Who We Are
Our Team & advisory group
Fr Francis Higgins – Chair
Avril Baigent – Pastoral Ministry Advisor
Peter Commons – Lay Formation Fund Application Committee
Alex Heath – Lay Formation Fund Application Committee
The Pastoral Ministry Office is supported by an advisory group who bring a wide range on skills, knowledge and experience to all aspects of our work. Current members are:
Canon Kevin O’Driscoll
Fr Tony Brennan
Fr Joe Udoh
Deacon Jim Hannigan
Steve O’Brien
Sam Canning