Parish Pastoral Council

St. John’s Parish Pastoral Council is composed of the priests of the parish and 24 members of the laity who were nominated by parishioners in Spring 2023 and represent many of the lay ministries in Saint John’s. The Council has a good gender balance and the age profile ranges from the twenties to the seventies. Members have participated in or supported the many religious events that occurred in the parish throughout the year. We are a Faith community committed to fulfilling our role as defined in the Code of Canon Law ‘the Parish Council, which is presided over by the Parish Priest, Christ’s faithful gather together with those engaged in pastoral care of the parish, give their help in fostering pastoral action’. At our monthly meetings, following the Synodal approach, Fr. Tadhg leads us in Reflection which generates a Spiritual discussion and the sharing of responses.

As part of Bishop Ray’s Diocesan initiative, Moving Forward in Hope, we have engaged in online training with over 20 PPCs recently. St. John’s PPC is currently engaged in a mapping exercise of groups within the parish to identify both examples of good practice and areas requiring support. In a spirit of collaboration, Fr. Tadhg and three members of the PPC participate in frequent meetings with representatives from Our Lady of St. Brendan’s PPC and Spa Parish PPC to discuss each parish’s activities and areas of special interest or concern. The PPC has placed a suggestion box in the Parish Centre and we invite you to submit suggestions.

During July and August parishioners were invited to join an Hospitality Group in St. John’s. Nineteen people volunteered and have prepared and served refreshments in the Parish Centre after special event Masses such as the Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Mass, Rose of Tralee Festival Mass and the annual November Remembrance Mass for all those who have died during the year. We are grateful to all who previously participated in providing hospitality in St. John’s.

The Parish Pastoral Council continues to follow the Synodal Approach at all meetings, beginning with a reading from Scripture and engaging in reflection on the reading. We attempt to discern the direction in which the Holy Spirit is leading us. We remain aware of 2025 being a Jubilee Year with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

On February 14th, a coffee morning was held in the Parish Centre organized by members of the PPC and the Hospitality group. It was an enjoyable event and well attended so we held further coffee mornings on the second Friday of March, April and May. We intend to recommence the coffee mornings in October.

At the request of the Diocese and as part of Moving Forward in Hope the mapping exercise of groups, ministries, committees, councils etc. within the parish was concluded and findings were returned to the Diocesan Office. The PPC invited everyone to a meeting on March 3rd to share the findings and over 70 people attended. All who gave an email address has received the collated response from attendees. In general, the response was very enthusiastic and positive.

Further to the mapping exercise, many members of the PPC engaged with the Diocesan workshops facilitated by Martin Kennedy via Zoom. The workshops’ purpose is to stimulate interest and energy in developing parish life and mission. Details of these workshops are on the Diocese of Kerry website.

In May, the PPC as part of the Area Pastoral Council, jointly organized a Pilgrimage by bus of St. Brendan’s Way and 33 people, Pilgrims of Hope, participated in a spiritual and enjoyable visit to significant places in the life of Saint Brendan. Members of the PPC attended a Prayer Service in St. Brendan’s Church, Curraheen on the vigil of the feast day and the Dawn Mass in Fenit and evening procession to Saint Brendan’s statue on May 16.

The PPC will meet again on September 1st