My name is Mary Doran. I am a Salesian sister working fulltime this year in Rivermount Parish, Finglas, Dublin 11. The parish is a long narrow one and I am involved mainly at one end, near St. Oliver Plunkett's Church and where the Junior School of the same name and the Senior Primary school - St. Malachy's are situated.

 

This parish is in the care of the Augustinian priests and there are Salesian sisters in the parish and also a Brigidine presence. The Holy Faith sisters are not too far away.

 

I am part of the Parish Team made up of Frs. Seamus and Paddy, Sr. Liz and three lay women - Cissie, Carmel and Marie. This past term we also had a trainee with us - Natasha - who is studying Pastoral Ministry in Mater Dei. The Parish Team meets weekly to discuss and plan parish activities, to decide and to evaluate…all part of keeping the parish community alive.
I am also part of the Parish Pastoral Council which includes the team and other lay men and women, and meets monthly.

 

Days and week-ends can be busy and varied and it certainly is not a nine to five ministry! Our main aim is to be the human face of Christ in this parish community and to try and relate to people especially at significant times in their lives. Every effort is made by the team to add a very personal touch to Baptisms, weddings, funerals, or illness and this is appreciated by all.
I have been involved with other team members, mostly in the preparation and carrying out of various initiatives;

• Prayer Service for staffs at the beginning of the school year
• Linking with parents of new pupils (Junior Primary)
• Linking with staffs and parents in preparation for Confirmation and First Holy Communion
• Organising of Family Mass where children are more involved
• Nativity Play for Childrens' Mass on Christmas Eve
• Other services such as Harvest Thanksgiving, Autumn Years, Service of Light on Nov 2nd, Sundown Service on New Year's Eve, animating the liturgical seasons, St. Brigid's Day and Valentine's.

 

There is a big effort to visit families, often in the context of sacramental preparation, or illness or bereavement.

Many other parishioners contribute in lots of ways - sacristans, collectors, flower arranger, church cleaning etc. etc.

There is never a dull moment and one of the best things is being part of a team of committed people who pray together, share the work, each one using his/her gifts, and helping each other out and all done in a great spirit of camaraderie.

Our parish Church attendance would be considered low, but there is a faithful core and hopefully we touch many others in different ways as we try to let God's love and care shine through our approach and efforts as a Parish Team and Pastoral Council