– When Bishop
Michael takes the Chair at the Diocesan Synod on 23rd Ocotber 2013,
the dioceses of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ossory, Ferns & Leighlin will
become one United Diocese with one Synod and one Diocesan Council.
Over the years, requests were made to allow
more and more sharing until last year it was decided to meet together in May
2013 to vote for or against union. The result in May was almost unanimous and
the fruits of the labours various committees set up to work out the logistics
of such a union were achieved.
A remarkable
growing together has been achieved and
if we continue in that attitude, we can expect amazing results.
In this parish,
we need to find a vision of being part of something greater than ourselves. We
do not have a tradition of being an integral part of the diocese, let alone of
the wider Church family. We need to leave behind old ways and attitudes and
look forward into the future. If we do not we will become weaker and more and
more remote and insular.
We need to find
a welcoming spirit, a willingness to be truly a part of the community of faith.
And to help others become part of parish life – not just bodies in pews, but
active and included.
We need to open
our church doors, be there to greet the stranger and to do all in our power to
behave as true Christians.
