‘It is not enough for me to love God, if my neighbour does not love him’
St. Vincent de Paul 

The Daughters of Charity, in collaboration with parish teams, are striving to make this dream a reality in the following parishes:

Many Daughters of Charity are engaged in Parish Ministry. An important aspect of this ministry is collaboration. She works with a team towards the fulfilment of the Diocesan Vision for the parish in which she is ministering. The sister is a member of Parish Pastoral Council and Liturgy group – Linking with Pope’s themes each year for each year and participating in and promoting including the Trócaire campaign each Lent. She takes part in the weekly planning meeting where possible with parish clergy. Participating in Deanery meetings & various diocesan initiatives.

Many Parish sisters take part in the parish preparation for the children preparing for the reception of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.   Some parish sisters are gifted in music and collaborate with others in developing a Children’s Choir, encouraging and supporting the parents and leaders involved.

Many sisters are the Safeguarding Representative for the parish.

The continual education and development of leadership within the context of parishes is a key aspect in pastoral ministry. Some sisters are involved in the exploration and development of the Ember Programme.  The development of ministries in the Adult faith model: Baptism Faith Friends; Ministers of Word and Eucharist; Bereavement Ministry/Bethany; Funeral Team Ministry.  The development of Adult Faith Programmes including for Advent and Lent.  An important aspect of these programmes encouraging and helping people to pray.

Other Pastoral care activities include Communion calls to the sick and the elderly housebound and visiting bereaved families.

Foxfield/Kilbarrack Parish

The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist (left) borders Bayside, St Benedict’s parishes. With its interesting pyramid architecture is found a hundred metres inland from the Howth Road/James Larkin (coast) Road Junction which places it nicely in the heart of the parish area.

Statue of St John the Evangelist and the Eagle (right) erected in 2007 to commemorate 25 years since the opening of the current church. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden with stones marking various scripture texts from St Johns Gospel.

Bayside Parish

Bayside Parish Church, on the east coast of Dublin, is called the Church of the Resurrection. It borders Foxfield Kilbarrack, Sutton & Baldoyle.

It has a beautiful stained glass window of the Resurrection opposite the wooden decorated sanctuary. This is complemented by a magnificent pipe organ

Pastoral Parish Ministry

My life and work as a Pastoral Care Sister in Corpus Christi  Parish in west Belfast, engages me with many and varied tasks, but most importantly with people of great warmth, welcome and strong Christian faith.

Since my arrival in June 2016, I have been involved in preparing new parents for the Baptism of their children.  I visit the recently bereaved and attend the funerals of their loved ones.

I support the parishioners on their faith journey, by preparing and facilitating prayer, liturgies and helping them promote devotion to Our Lady through the Marian Association.  The Prayer Ministry in the parish is certainly “alive and active” particularly through Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament two days every week.  This experience of the parish community praying together supports me.

The highlight of my day, is visiting the sick and housebound and having the privilege of bringing them Holy Communion and praying with them. I know these are special graced moments for both of us.

Working as a Parish sister, for me is both nourishing and enjoyable.

Kathleen McErlean DC