Diocese of Kerry
Work Plan 2013 – 2014
Priority Area Page
Evangelisation2
Working Together5
Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation7
Safeguarding Children and Young People8
Young People 10
Effective Communications 11
Management of Resources 13
Evangelisation
Goal: To provide formation for all that they might have a greater understanding of Christ’s call and missionActions / Who is Responsible? / Timeframe
Objective 1 : Create opportunities to enrich people’s understanding and experience of faith
1 / Promote Lenten Programmes / Pastoral Team/APCs / Prepare programme in Autumn 2013
2 / Promote and facilitate training on Come and See for parishes / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
3 / Promote and pilot online adult faith programme / Pastoral Team / Spring 2013
4 / Create parish resource pack for churches / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
5 / Pilot the provision of resources for parish newsletter inserts / Pastoral Team / January 2014
6 / Further training, (Scripture), for those who completed the Pastoral Ministry Course / Pastoral Team / November 2013
Objective 2 : Provide on-going formation and support for clergy
1 / Organise two Study days / Council of Priests/Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013 & Spring 2014
2 / Priests’ Assembly / Council of Priests Working Group / January 2014
Objective 3 : Provide formation for parents with children who are preparing for the Sacraments
1 / Promote Do This in Memory and You Shall be my Witnesses / Pastoral Team, Parish Pastoral Councils / Autumn 2013, Spring 2014
2 / Provide training and support for parish facilitators / Pastoral Team / Sept. 2013,Ongoing
3 / Deliver Pre Sacramental Preparation programmes in identified parishes / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013, Spring 2014
Objective 6: Provide ongoing support for faith development of young people at primary, post-primary and third level
1 / Promote the Catholic Ethos of schools / Diocesan Advisors for Primary and Post-Primary Education, / Ongoing
2 / Provide ongoing support and resources for faith development of young people at primary level / Diocesan Advisors for Post-Primary and Primary Ed. / Ongoing
3 / Promote and resource teachers and pupils to journey through the liturgical year in class / Diocesan Advisors for Primary Ed. / Ongoing
4 / Equip each class teacher with a planning and self assessment scheme for RE for the coming year / Diocesan Advisors for Primary Ed.
5 / Continue to support the pilot schools who engaged in a whole school approach to Christian Meditation last year. / Diocesan Advisors for Primary Ed. / Ongoing
6 / Resourceand provide ongoing support to the new schools committed to introducing Christian Meditation as a whole school during the coming year. / Diocesan Advisors for Primary Ed
7 / Continue to promote Missionary groups especially children Helping children. / Diocesan Advisors for Primary Ed
8 / Visit all second level schools / Diocesan Advisor for Post-Primary Ed. / Ongoing
9 / Develop Home- School-Parish links through Ceiliúradh na nÓg / Diocesan Advisor for Post-Primary Ed. / Sept 2013- March 20114
10 / Produce KART News: 4 issues in the school year / Diocesan Advisor for Post-Primary Ed. / Ongoing
11 / Organise and lead in-service for teachers / Diocesan Advisor for Post-Primary Ed. / October/November 2013
January/February 2014
12 / Provide daily pastoral care to staff and students in I.T. Tralee / I.T. Chaplain / ongoing
13 / Invite 3rd level students to various places of pilgrimage associated with St. Brendan to give them a sense of spiritual significance of these places / I.T. Chaplain / Ongoing
14 / Promote volunteerism with Catholic volunteer movements both at home and abroad / I.T. Chaplain / Ongoing
Objective 7: Support family life
1 / Provide training pack for Home is a Holy Place / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
2 / Provide training for facilitators to deliver Home is a Holy Place in parishes / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
3 / Provide resources for family prayer in the home / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
4 / Promote and organise Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock for Grandparents’ Day / Pastoral Team / Sept 8th 2013
Objective 8: Provide training and support for liturgical ministers
1 / Collate resources for parish celebrations during the year / Diocesan Liturgy Committee / Ongoing
2 / Provide liturgical music workshop for choirs and musicians / Diocesan Liturgy Committee / Autumn 2014
3 / Promote and Facilitate training session for Ministers of Prayer / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
4 / Facilitate 2 liturgy workshops / Diocesan Liturgy Committee / October 2013[November/Advent/Christmas]
February 2014 [Lent/Easter]
5 / Facilitate workshop for Baptism team training / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2014
6 / Facilitate workshop for leaders at Family Mass/Children’s Liturgy of the Word / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2014
Objective 9: Engage with communities of other churches and faiths
1 / Promote Week of Prayer for Christian Unity / Diocesan Liturgy Committee / Spring 2014
Working Together
Goal: To foster and support collaboration among laity and clergy at parish, pastoral area and diocesan levelActions / Who is Responsible? / Timeframe
Objective 1:Develop structures at parish, pastoral area and diocesan level to facilitate collaboration between laity and clergy
1 / Provide on-going support for PPCs, APCs and DPC / Pastoral Team / On-going
2 / Provide support for pastoral areas where there is a parish without a resident priest / Pastoral Team / On-going
3 / Organise a networking day for parish secretaries / Pastoral Team / October 2013
4 / Update database of, parish and pastoral area level, contacts. / Pastoral Team / September 2013
Objective 2 : Provide guidelines and support to parishes for the recruitment and induction of ministers and volunteers
1 / Provide resources for recruitment, support and acknowledgement of parish volunteers / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
Objective 3 : Develop guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils, Area Pastoral Councils and Diocesan Pastoral Council
1 / Revise and develop guidelines for PPCs, APCs and DPC as necessary / Pastoral Team, DPC, APC, PPC / Ongoing
Objective 4: Provide pastoral leadership training for members of all Pastoral Councils
1 / Provide leadership training and support, (with a particular focus on reflective practice), to PPCs, APCs and DPC / Pastoral Team / Agree dates with each Pastoral Area in September 2013
Objective 5: Provide pastoral leadership training for those involved in ministry
1 / Deliver 20 week training Course in Pastoral Ministry in two venues in the diocese / Pastoral Team / Sept 2013 – April 2014
2 / Provide support and resources for participants on the course / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
Objective 6: Evaluate the work of PPCs, APCs and the DPC
1 / Develop an evaluation tool for pastoral councils in order to support good practice / Pastoral Team / Spring 2014
Objective 7: Provide guidelines, training and support for finance committees
1 / On-going support for finance committees / Diocesan Finance Committee / Ongoing
Objective 8: Establish supports for pastoral ministry groups at diocesan and parish level
1 / Create awareness of the work of ministry groups in the diocese / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
Goal: To promote an awareness of our Christian responsibility to work for justice, peace and the integrity of creationlocally and in the wider world.Actions / Who is Responsible? / Timeframe
Objective 1 : Promote awareness of Catholic Social Teaching
1 / Provide resources on Catholic Social Teaching on web site / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
Objective 2 : Work towards a sustainable global environment by promoting care for creation
1 / Promote and resource Diocese of Kerry Earth Week / Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee, Pastoral Team / Oct 4th – 13th
2 / Promote Diocese of Kerry Earth Week in schools / Diocesan Advisor for Primary and Post-Primary Ed.
JPIC Committee / Sept. 2013
Objective 3 : Create awareness of and respond to issues of exclusion and poverty locally, nationally and in the wider world
1 / Promote the work of Trócaire / Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee, Trócaire representative / Ongoing
2 / Promote Mission month / Mission Committee, Pastoral Team / October 2013
3 / Create awareness of the work of St. Vincent De Paul / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
Objective 4 : Increase awareness and understanding of issues of migration
1 / Promote Migrant Sunday through the Sunday liturgy / Diocesan Liturgy Committee / January 2014
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Goal: To provide maximum safety for children and young people through the implementation and monitoring of clear policies and proceduresActions / Who is Responsible? / Timeframe
Objective 1 : Implement policies and procedures for safeguarding children and young people
Standard 1: A written policy on keeping children safe
1 / All Church organisations must have a written child protection policy and all church personnel are required to comply with it. / Parish Priest and Safeguarding Children parish representatives / Ongoing
Objective 2 : Promote awareness of policies and procedures for safeguarding children and young people in every parish
Standard 2: Procedures – how to respond to allegations and suspicions.
1 / Step by step guidance, consistent with legislation, on what action to take on receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse / Parish Priest and Safeguarding Children parish representatives / Ongoing
2 / A Designated Officer with a clearly defined role for Safeguarding Children at Diocesan level / The Bishop / Ongoing
3 / A process for recording incidents, allegations, suspicions, complaints and referrals and secure storage / Parish Priest and Safeguarding Children parish representatives / Ongoing
4 / Posters displaying contact details of Parish Representatives, Designated Officer, HSE and Gardaí / Parish Priest and Safeguarding Children parish representatives / Ongoing
5 / Update website / Diocesan Committee / Ongoing
6 / Designated person to attend meeting of the DPC once a year / Designated person / Spring 2014
Objective 3 : Support those involved in safeguarding children and young people
Standard 3: Preventing harm to children and young people
1 / Recruitment and vetting procedures / Diocesan Committee / Ongoing
2 / Organising safe activities for children and young people / Parish Representatives and Leaders of Church based organisations / Ongoing
3 / Code of behaviour for all adults who work with children and Codes of Behaviour for children. / Diocesan Trainers / Ongoing
Standard 4: Training and Education
1 / Training for all Church personnel / Diocesan Trainers / Ongoing
2 / Training programmes approved by the national Board / Diocesan Trainers / Ongoing
3 / Provide training for all parishes / Diocesan Trainers
Standard 5: Communicating the Church’s safeguarding message
1 /
- To children
- To parents and adults
- To other organisations
Standard 6: Access to advice and support
1 /
- Victim Support
- Respondent Support
- Support for Safeguarding Personnel
Objective 4 : Carry out an annual review of the implementation of policies and procedures for safeguarding children and young people at parish and diocesan level
Standard 7: Implementing and monitoring the Standards
1 / Annual audit of parishes to monitor compliance with child protection policies and procedures / Diocesan Coordinator / Annually
Young people
Goal: To reach out and engage with young people enabling them to develop socially, spiritually and emotionallyActions / Who is Responsible? / Timeframe
Objective 1 : Provide young people with an opportunity to participate at parish, pastoral area and diocesan level
1 / Liaise with parishes and those who completed the youth ministry programme to establish projects in parishes / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
3 / Organise YouthFest, in order to celebrate the work of youth ministry / Pastoral Team / Spring 2014
Objective 2 : Promote out-of-school programmes, resources and events that enable young people to grow in faith
1 / Promote the work of Teen SpiriT in each pastoral area / Pastoral Team, Diocesan Advisor for Post Primary Ed. / Ongoing
2 / Promote involvement of parishes with Ceiliúradh na nÓg / Pastoral Team, Diocesan Advisor for Post Primary Ed. / Ongoing
3 / Co-ordinate the Diocesan ‘faithfoto’ project / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
4 / Promote Youth Events on the diocesan web site / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
5 / Develop Post Confirmation Programme / Pastoral Team / Autumn 2013
Objective 3 : Develop formal links between the diocese, parishes and KDYS
1 / Establish formal links between Board of KDYS and the DPC / Pastoral Team / Autumn
2 / Establish a Youth Ministry working group in conjunction with KDYS / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
Objective 4: Provide training and support for those involved in youth ministry
1 / Develop support network for participants from Youth Ministry Course / Pastoral Team / Sept 2013 – June 2014
2 / Explore the possibility of delivering a youth ministry course in Autumn 2014 / Pastoral Team / Spring 2014
Effective Communications
Goal: To develop and implement a strategy that facilitates clear communication for the dioceseActions / Who is Responsible? / Update
Objective 1 : Developand promote the use of technology to enhance communications at parish, pastoral area and diocesan level
1 / Provide training and support for parishes in the use of parish page on / Director of Communications / Ongoing
2 / Maintain communications through computer and e-mail at diocesan/parish level / Director of Communications with Administration staff Bishop’s House / On-going
3 / Review the value and cost of live church streaming for interested parishes / Director of Communications , Parish Pastoral Councils / Ongoing
Objective 2 : Develop effective communications between pastoral ministry groups and parishes
1 / Create awareness of ministry groups through Horizons, website and gatherings / Pastoral Team, Ministry Groups, Director of Communications / Ongoing
Objective 3 : Maintain a user-friendly website to provide news, information and resources
1 / Maintain Face book / Director of Communications / Ongoing
2 / Develop Youth Page on the diocesan website / Pastoral team & Director of Communications / Ongoing
Objective 4 : Develop effective communications between diocesan office and parish personnel
1 / Review communication practices / Director of Communications with Diocesan Administration and Diocesan Secretary / Spring 2014
Objective 5 : Provide training in communications for clergy, diocesan and parish personnel
1 / Promote training in communications for diocesan personnel / Director of Communications, Radio Kerry / Sessions in Pastoral Ministry courses on Communications
Objective 6 : Develop clear communications with the media
1 / Maintain PR strategy for the diocese through a flexible publicity calendar and prompt effective responses to media queries / Director of Communications / Ongoing
Objective 7 : Maintain Horizons, Just A Thought on Radio Kerry
1 / Produces weekly Horizons for Radio Kerry / Director of Communications / Ongoing
2 / Produce daily Thoughts for Radio Kerry / Director of Communications / Ongoing
Objective : Provide materials and resources in Irish as appropriate
1 / Maintain Irish language page on the web site / Pastoral team / Ongoing
Management of Resources
Goal: To manage responsibly the gifts and resources entrusted to us as a dioceseActions / Who is Responsible? / Timeframe
Objective 1 : Establish and implement policies and procedures in human resource management at parish, pastoral area, and diocesan level
1 / Support parishes and pastoral areas in relation to their HR need / Diocesan Administration / Ongoing
2 / Update, information technology, policy / Diocesan Administration, Director of Communications
3 / Implement policies and procedures at diocesan, pastoral area and parish level / Diocesan Administration / Ongoing
Objective 2 : Establish and implement policies and procedures for financial management and
accountability at parish, pastoral area and diocesan level
1 / Implement policies and procedures for parishes / Finance committee / Ongoing
2 / Prepare Diocesan Budget 2014 / Finance committee / December 2013
Objective 3 : Establish and implement policies and procedures for property management and development at parish, pastoral area and diocesan level
1 / Update property file of each parish / Parish priests and property manager / Ongoing
Objective 4 : Develop more efficient structures for administering the diocese
1 / Facilitate communications between DPC and Priests’ Council / Pastoral Team / Ongoing
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