Parish volunteers 'heart of community'

The cards on a cross showing the wide range of volunteer parish activities.

More than a hundred people who turned out for the recent gathering of volunteer Parish workers were told they were 'the heart of the community', writes Brian Byrne.

At an evening in the Parish Centre, they represented over 30 ministries and groups that work across the parish in activities ranging from structural through communications, education, evangelisation, liturgy and spirituality. A particular welcome was extended to 'those not noticed' who operate in the less visible areas of voluntary work in the parish.

After a welcoming period, all participated in a ceremony where representatives pinned cards showing their activity to one of the pastoral crosses used in the annual Cruinniu Chriost. Following that they broke up into workshops under five headings, to discuss ways of improving the services they provide to parishioners.

The evening finished with refreshments and a general social get-together.

The event provided a surprising to many picture of the breadth of activities carried out by parishioners, just a few of which include the Family Offering Counters, the Altar Society, Cleaners, Grounds Maintenance, the Bethany Bereavement Support group, the Friendship Group for the Elderly, the Family Mass Group, and many more.

This article was first published on the Kilcullen Page of the Kildare Nationalist. There are more pictures from the night here.