Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly introduces Parish Pastoral Combinations as re-organisation begins

The Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Kieran O’Reilly, DD has announced new arrangements for the parishes of the Archdiocese which will see combinations introduced in response to the changing needs and requirements across the region.

Following an extensive Listening Process which was followed by the drawing up, and production of, the comprehensive Seeds of Hope document, the Archdiocese, led by Archbishop Kieran and the priests, is moving towards a church which is more reflective of the reality on the ground.

The scarcity of priests has forced the Parish Pastoral Combinations - or parish clusters - and will lead to greater co-operation and pooling of resources between neighbouring parishes. These combinations are designed to allow for the streamlining of parishes and will result in greater participation of the laity also with Parish Pastoral Councils being established right now in many areas.

Archbishop O’Reilly wrote to the faithful in July 2022 and stated: “Future organisation will call for the formation of different pastoral units - encompassing several parishes functioning together to serve the pastoral needs of their communities. The organisation of these units will involve priests and lay people working together in a spirit of co-responsibility.
“ The formation of Parish Pastoral Teams in parishes, now underway, is central to the implementation of our plans for the future."

And, in the latest letter, presented at Masses in the Archdiocese last weekend the Archbishop states that after consultation, it has been agreed that beginning on next Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent - the opening of the New liturgical Year in the Church, the new Parish Pastoral Combinations will be formally set up. The particular parish combinations were outlined by the priests at those Masses.

The aim of this reorganisation is to ensure the good pastoral functioning of the parishes, Archbishop Kieran says and he points out that the fuller organisation of the Parish Pastoral Combinations - as, for example, the arrangement of mass times etc., will take place over the coming weeks with each combination working on this.

It is planned that all such arrangements would be fully in place by the First Sunday of Lent - Sunday 26th February 2023.
These steps in Cashel and Emly are mirror images of similar moves throughout the Church as the reality of falling vocations hits really hard. It is most likely that the number of Masses in parishes will be greatly reduced.

Archbishop Kieran's Letter:

I am writing to bring you up to date following the letter that I addressed to the people of the Archdiocese on July 20th 2022.

In that letter I wrote the following, "that change is coming soon in how we organise parish life in the Archdiocese. These changes will concern all parishes and the way in which pastoral ministry is undertaken in the future. Future organisation will call for the formation of different pastoral units - encompassing several parishes functioning together to serve the pastoral needs of their communities. The organisation of these units will involve priests and lay people working together in a spirit of co-responsibility. The formation of Parish Pastoral Teams in parishes, now underway, is central to the implementation of our plans for the future."

After consultation it has been agreed that beginning on Sunday, 27th November 1st Sunday of Advent - the opening of the New liturgical Year in the Church, the new Parish Pastoral Combinations will be formally set up. The particular parish combination that your parish will be a part of will be outlined by the priests at all masses. Further information may be found on the diocesan website, www.cashel-emly.ie.

The aim of this reorganisation is to ensure the good pastoral functioning of our parishes. The fuller organisation of the Parish Pastoral Combinations - as, for example, the arrangement of mass times etc., will take place over the coming weeks with each combination working on this. It is planned that all such arrangements would be fully in place by the 1st Sunday of Lent - Sunday 26th February 2023.

I thank you for your goodwill and support as we journey together to ensure that we are ready to live and witness to the Gospel in our time.

Sincerely,
Yours in Jesus Christ

Kieran O’Reilly, D.D.
Archbishop of Cashel and Emly

Parish Pastoral Combinations

The following are the parish pastoral combinations which will be operative from the first Sunday of Advent - NOvember 27, 2022.
1. KILBEHENNY & ANGLESBORO; BALLYLANDERS; GALBALLY & LISVERNANE; KNOCKLONG & GLENBROHANE.

2. HOSPITAL & HERBERTSTOWN; KNOCKAINEY & PATRICKSWELL; CAHERCONLISH & INCH ST. LAURENCE; BALLYBRICKEN & BOHERMORE.

3. MURROE & BOHER; NEWPORT, BIRDHILL & TOOR; BALLINAHINCH & KILLOSCULLY; BALLINA & BOHER.

4. KILCOMMON, HOLLYFORD & REARCROSS; CAPPAMORE; DOON; CAPPAWHITE.

5. PALLASGREEN & TEMPLEBRADEN; EMLY; LATTIN & CULLEN; KILTEELY & DROMKEEN.

6. TIPPERARY; SOLOHEAD & OOLA; ANACARTY & DONOHILL; BANSHA & KILMOYLER.

7. UPPERCHURCH & DROMBANE; CLONOULTY & ROSSMORE; HOLY CROSS & BALLYCAHILL; BOHERLAHAN & DUALLA.

8. KNOCKAVILLA & DONASKEIGH; GOLDEN & KILFEACLE; CASHEL & ROSEGREEN; NEW INN & KNOCKGRAFFON; CLERIHAN.

9. KILLENAULE & MOYGLASS; FETHARD & KILLUSTY; DRANGAN & CLONEEN; MULLINAHONE; BALLINGARRY.

10. GORTNAHOE & GLENGOOLE; TEMPLETUOHY & MOYNE; THURLES; MOYCARKEY, LITTLETON & TWO-MILE-BORRIS.

11. TEMPLEMORE, CLONMORE & KILLEA; DROM & INCH; BORRISOLEIGH & ILEIGH; LOUGHMORE & CASTLEINEY.