Press Release
Friday the 9th July 2010
Ordinations and commissioning of Lay Pastoral Workers in Dublin Diocese
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will ordain a new priest in the Archdiocese of Dublin and commission 10 new parish pastoral workers in a ceremony in St. Mary’ Pro-Cathedral tomorrow(Saturday 10th 11am).
The 10 parish pastoral workers are the second group to have completed a year of formation in Mater Dei Institute and they will take up their roles in parishes in a matter of weeks. This year’s group of two men and eight women includes former students, religious, homemakers and teachers. All have at least an undergraduate degree in Theology.
Last summer 13 parish pastoral workers were commissioned for the first time in the Diocese, and a third group of 10 will begin study this September.
The role of the parish pastoral worker is to work with priests and communities in developing an understanding of faith and to support and develop parish initiatives around prayer and the sacraments.
Conleth Meehan, who is due to be ordained on Saturday, is the 10th man to be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Diarmuid in the Pro Cathedral in the past four years. Originally from Dungannon in Co. Tyrone, Conleth has been a student in St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth for the past six years. Aged 45, he formerly worked as a butcher in Dungannon Meats. His parents Sean and Eileen, brother Terence and other members of his family will be present for his ordination on Saturday.
