The following is the presentation made to the Parish Pastoral Council on 12 August by Brian Kennedy, Chairperson

Historical – Where our traditions come from …

Up to 1979 = P.P. and three curates. 1980 – St. Brendan’s C.S. requires a full-time Chaplain.

1980’s – 2015 = P.P. and 2 curates. Much of time one curate is an A.P.

2006 – Death of Canon John Shalloo A.P. Help sought from S.V.D. Order. Fr. Michael Reddan comes to Birr.

August 2015 –Two priests in active ministry Fr. David Carroll P.P. and Fr. Michael Reddan S.V.D.

Weekly Church Duties of Clergy

7.30 a.m. Masses x 5. 10.00 a.m. Masses x 6. Saturday Confessions after 10.00 a.m. Mass.

Saturday 7.30 p.m. Vigil, Confessions prior to Mass. Sunday: 8.30 a.m. 9.30 a.m. (Carrig) 10.30 a.m. 12 noon

Other Regular Duties of Clergy in Churches

1st Friday 7.30 p.m. Mass (Carrig). 1st Saturday 11.00 a.m. Benediction. 3rd Thursday 7.30 p.m. St. Pio Mass.

Baptisms on Saturday/Sunday (as per rota).

Other irregular duties of Clergy in Churches

On average 50 funerals per year.

Estimate of 20 weddings per year. Each wedding requires a practice.

1st Holy Communions x 3. Priests required for practices also. Confirmation x 2. Priests required for practices also.

Training of altar servers.

Parochial Responsibilities

Two Chaplains between 5 Parish Primary Schools. Academic Masses/ various services etc.

Weekly Mass in Birr CNU. Weekly Mass in Nursing Home. Chaplaincy service to both of above.

Over 40 monthly visits to sick and house bound. Visits to Tullamore Hospital, as required.

Visits to parishioners in surrounding nursing homes.

Marriage preparation, papers etc.

Religious houses – Mass.

Other necessary duties

Dealing with people requesting help/counselling (any time).

Parish administration.

Responding to invitations to openings/public events etc.

Care of Parish property. Attending meetings of Parish organisations e.g. P.P.C., Liturgy.

Diocesan meetings.

How can we best serve the needs of all? Considerations:

Health and well-being of priests. What must we keep? What can we amalgamate or suspend?

How can we streamline the above lists?

What happens when a priest is ill, at a Diocesan meeting or on holidays?

What duties can the laity take on?