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PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

St Agnes’ Parish Pastoral Council
summary of meeting: Friday 26 June 2026

The discussion on the sale of the Ros na Ree house led to a very positive
discussion on the future of the Parish and some suggestions were made as to
how we could revitalise the Parish and offer enhanced Liturgies and new
opportunities to our Parishioners, remembering primarily that we are developing
a Place of Prayer.
The establishment of a Liturgy Committee was suggested as a priority within
the second year of the implementation of the Parish Plan.
Details of the September Parish Trip to Downpatrick were finalised and firm
suggestions made for the development of the Parish Website.
The meeting received a report of the increasing communications with Parishes
on the West Bank of the Jordan in Palestine.
Information regarding Faith Development matters and the establishment of a
programme of meetings and courses was circulated.
Fr Raymond reported the continuation of cooperation with the Lower Falls
Family of Parishes regarding Youth Development initiatives.
The meeting was reminded that the Open Evening on Tuesday 22 nd September is
an opportunity to update Parishioners with our plans … and that meeting will be
held in Casement Social Club, beginning at 7.30pm.

 

 MEETING TUESDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER CASEMENT SOCIAL CLUB

 St Agnes Parish Pastoral Council held its first Parish Open Meeting on Tuesday 22nd September. It was a positive and productive night with over 30 Parishioners attending to hear about prior pastoral work and plans for the coming year. There were many comments and suggestions which will be taken forward to the next meeting of the Council and an outline of  plans for the coming year will be published.  Many thanks to Casement Social Club for their hospitality and to all Parishioners who attended.

 

St Agnes’ Parish Pastoral Council Meeting

Wednesday 30 September 2026

The Parish Pastoral Council met on Wednesday 30 September. Present were Carole O’Hara, Denise McGeown, Geraldine and Seán McIlwee, Anne Friel and Fr Raymond McCullagh. Apologies were received from Pat McGrath and John Gow.

Black Mountain Family of Parishes
Seán reported on the recent meeting of the Family of Parishes Leadership Team, including the Glendalough Pilgrimage, parishes celebrating Golden Jubilees, the Palestinian Parish Link, Youth Ministry in West Belfast and plans for a Volunteer Celebration Dinner.

Members agreed that encouraging younger people to become more involved in parish life should be considered at a future meeting.

Carole and Fr Raymond also reported on a recent Diocesan meeting on vocations and shared the encouraging news that Down and Connor currently has the highest number of seminary students in the country.

Carole will also attend the National Synod meeting in October, and a paper outlining the significance of the meeting was circulated.

Parish Open Meeting – 22 September 2026
The comments and suggestions made by parishioners at the Open Meeting were discussed at length, together with the Parish Pastoral Plan.

The Council considered a number of ways to build parish life, including:

  • Greater involvement of the congregation at Mass, particularly families with children.
  • The use of cantors to encourage communal singing.
  • Hospitality after Mass, especially following the Annual Mass for the Parish Deceased.
  • Opportunities for parishioners to meet, socialise and get to know one another.
  • Guest speakers on worldwide issues and the moral questions involved.
  • Activities to help explain the Sacraments and Church teaching in a way that relates to life today.
  • Short-term activities for children involving practical and physical participation.
  • Opportunities to encourage younger people to become more involved in the life of the Parish.

The Council agreed that the Open Meeting had been a great success, with 26 parishioners, in addition to PPC members, attending and contributing either during the meeting or afterwards.

A sincere vote of thanks was expressed to the staff of Casement Park Social Club for their welcome and assistance. Members were encouraged to hear that the venue may also be available for future parish events.

Parish Website
The Council agreed that the Parish website will be enhanced through Blue Monkee, the company currently providing the website. The Council is also seeking parishioners who may have the skills and interest to assist with the ongoing management of the website.

Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18 November 2026.

The meeting concluded with a Closing Prayer. Fr Raymond expressed his appreciation for the continued support and work of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Parishioner Feedback – Open Meeting 22 September 2026

The following suggestions were recorded during the Open Meeting:

  • Hospitality after Masses, including the Annual Mass for the Parish Deceased.
  • More opportunities to get to know fellow parishioners.
  • Exploring the popularity of coffee shops as a way of meeting and socialising.
  • Organising social events.
  • A forum where worldwide issues can be explored in relation to the Gospel message, possibly involving projects undertaken by children.
  • Promoting Liturgy among young people, including through music.
  • Establishing short-term groups or activities, perhaps meeting for an hour each week over a number of weeks, involving storytelling, writing and drama.
  • Providing helpful prompts during Mass regarding standing, kneeling and other aspects of participation.
  • Offering guidance on receiving the Sacraments, for example how to go to Confession.
  • Considering why so many people in our community no longer attend Mass.
  • A Parish Retreat to mark the Feast of St Agnes.
  • Developing a Parish Directory containing contact information for parish groups, their role within the Parish, and possibly a Parish Celebration Day to encourage participation and recruitment.