Donnybrook Parish

Pastoral councils were set up after Vatican II in order to encourage increased lay involvement in the Church. As outlined by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin the mission of the pastoralcouncils was above all that of animation and encouraging others to be more active in their life of faith.

The Donnybrook Parish Council was initiated in 2006 with monthly meetings. In addition officers of the council have attended deanery meetings at which an exchange of suggestions, concerns, ambitions and disappointments were expressed. Some members have attended specialised lectures and courses, most recently in the important area of Child Safeguarding.

It is clearly recognised that the council must relate to all aspects and ages in the parish especially the young. The strong attendance and contribution of the previous and present council members is a source of great satisfaction and assurance of the future contribution of the Pastoral Council to the life and invigoration of our parish.

The current Parish Pastoral Council was established in November 2010, but due to the December weather the first meeting of the new Council only took place in January 2011 and since then the Council has been busy reviewing matters in progress, and planning activity for the coming year. At this meeting three new members were welcomed, Alice Davy, Barbara Gilroy and Fred Duffy. The then Chairman Vincent Keaveney and Secretary Tony McDonald stepped down from their positions after years of commitment and sustained effort.Kenneth Carroll was elected Chairman and Fred Duffy was elected Secretary.

As is usual at the appointment of a new Pastoral Council, photographs of the members will shortly be published. It has been some time since a Council Bulletin was issued and this is planned for publication.

The following is the Council membership for 2011/12, Kenneth Carroll, Fr. Martin Clarke, Sr. Fiona Corway, Alice Davy, Fred Duffy, Geraldine Frame, Barbara Gilroy, Fr. Connor Harper, John Holohan, Vincent Keaveney, Sr. Bertha Lee, Tony McDonald, Crona Sheehan.