Launch of cluster brochure will mark merging of four North Galway parishes

By JACQUELINE HOGGE FOUR parishes in the north Galway area have been officially merged into one of 15 clusters to address the diminishing number of priests in the Tuam Archdiocese. The official launch of a brochure for the combined cluster of Dunmore, Glenamaddy, Kilkerrin-Clonberne, and Williamstown will take place next Tuesday, May 22 at St Joseph's Church in Kikerrin at 8 pm. Containing information on churches, priests, Mass times, and newsletters, the brochure will be distributed to every house in the cluster area. Fr Pat Farragher, PP of Kilkerrin has been instrumental in establishing a cluster committee, with members from each of the four areas, to identify priorities and plan for the future needs of the region. 'Our motto is working together and our logo depicts four cogs fitting together which symbolize what our four parishes will be doing into the future,' he said. [private] 'Raising awareness of the cluster, throughout the four parishes is a priority, as is arranging weekend Mass times so that people will be able to get to Mass within the cluster and so the priests can cover for each other in an emergency is another area we have worked on. 'We also intend to set up baptismal teams who will be trained to work with couples preparing for their child's baptism. 'Over the past year we have been raising awareness among the people of the four parishes and every now and again the priests exchange pulpits in a bid to let people see the cluster as an extension of the parish. 'All the changes will come by degrees and in consultation with the people and as it stands we have no long term plan, things will evolve as needs are identified. 'Two things though are definite, the need for changes to the way parishes are run at present and the need for more people to get involved in the various church ministries.' Tuesday's launch will see music provided by Dunmore Church choir while guest speaker Gerry Glennon of MidWest Radio will address the congregation. Refreshments will be served in the Pastoral Centre adjoining the church after Mass. There are 55 parishes throughout the Archdiocese, all of whom have been grouped into 15 clusters in recent years. 'There are four priests in our cluster for an area that up to a few years ago had nine or ten priests in the same area,' added Fr Farragher. 'Undoubtedly, in the not so distant future, we will be reduced to three. 'The clusters are all different: urban and rural: huge geographical areas and quite compact areas; some with three parishes, others with five. 'Just as the clusters themselves are all different, so are their needs. A number of the clusters have moved forward quickly in response to the needs of their area. 'They have put baptismal and funeral teams in place to assist the overworked priests. Others, like ours, are in their infancy.' The Cluster committee comprises Chairperson PJ Rabbitte, (Clonberne); Vice Chairperson Padraig Keady (Glenamaddy); Secretary Breda Keaveney (Glenamaddy); Assistant Secretary Annette O'Rourke (Kilkerrin); Treasurer John Meehan (Kilkerrin); and PRO Nancy Lyons (Clonberne). The delegates to Dioscesan meetings are James Donnellan from Dunmore and Michael Jennings from Williamstown.[/private]