WE NEED YOU !!
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    We are fast approaching September, and all the further relaxations from lockdown protocols, which will signify a significantly busy time within Kilmore & Killyleagh. Some may fall under the allusion that I have been doing little during the three lockdowns, that could be so further from the truth. With a seriously busy time for the sacramental life of the parish, which continued throughout the whole of the pandemic, to beginning to determine what is the way forward for the parish. One thing for sure is that we will be starting from scratch in a lot of areas within Kilmore & Killyleagh, building up what has been lost since the pandemic hit our country.

    The first task is to give those who were involved in the various ministries associated with parish life the opportunity to step down. After this has been done, a process of recruitment to counter those who have decided, for what ever reason to step down, must be undertaken. The simple fact is that I cannot continue in the same way as I have in the last 18 months, trying my best, with my limitations, to ensure that as many of the needs of the parishioner were being met. If our Churches were allowed to be opened, they each received a full schedule of Masses, and let us not forget those parishes throughout the diocese that had a lot less.

    The concept of what it is to be parish is quickly changing and hand in hand with that there must be a change in people’s expectations from the clergy. And that the service clergy provide CANNOT be taken for granted, and that unworkable expectations are no longer feasible.

    A parish needs people and cannot be a "one man Band" Im asking you if you are able to spare some of your precious free time each week or month whatever it maybe to consider volunteering with our Parishes.

    Its a great way to get out and meet like minded people, discover new talents or skills, and also share your own talents and skills to give them back to God and his church. Some of our current volunteers don't attend Church for whatever reason but use their talents in cemetery and ground maintenance team

    For our Parish communities to survive we need people to step up and take belonging of their Church, Parish and Community. A contributing factor in what is the way forward, rests in the Pastoral Community Forum, and that within a few years the number of priests in active ministry will be fewer than there is now. So, the workload of priest in the Pastoral Community will rise exponentially, as few priests will have to cover the Pastoral Community Area.

    WE CANT LEAVE IT TO THE PRIEST AND THE FAITHFUL FEW which we are highly grateful to, but NOW the baton needs passed on to a new generation who will bring Kilmore & Killyleagh into the next century and retain the faith and traditions that have been the building blocks of our Communities and add their own twist to them!! s

    Please if you have time to spare however little it maybe consider volunteering in Kimore & Killyleagh, take time and fill out the form below and we will be in contact with you !

    *** PLEASE NOTE ALL CHILD PROTECTION AND CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE VOLUNTEERING COMENCES ***