Drumalis

Pathways

Pathways – An opportunity to explore faith and spirituality
On the feast of the Curé Of Ars, St. John Vianney, Pope Benedict inaugurated the year of the priest. It is at once a reminder of the implications and obligations of the call to the priesthood, and a boost for the priesthood which given recent years of scandal has suffered a serious crisis of confidence, finally it encourages us all to think about the call to serve the Church as ministerial priests.

However it is now clear that statistically there are going to be far fewer ministerial priests to serve the Church at least in the Western World in the foreseeable future. Frequently in his opening address Pope Benedict cites the example of St. John Vianney to underline or illustrate a point, which makes the following observation very interesting

“His example naturally leads me to point out that there are sectors of cooperation which need to be opened ever more fully to the lay faithful. Priests and laity together make up the one priestly people (9) and in virtue of their ministry priests live in the midst of the lay faithful, "that they may lead everyone to the unity of charity, 'loving one another with mutual affection; and outdoing one another in sharing honour'" (Rom 12:10).(10) Here we ought to recall the Second Vatican Council's hearty encouragement to priests "to be sincere in their appreciation and promotion of the dignity of the laity and of the special role they have to play in the Church's mission. They should be willing to listen to lay people, give brotherly consideration to their wishes, and acknowledge their experience and competence in the different fields of human activity. In this way they will be able together with them to discern the signs of the times."(11)

Collaboration with the ministerial priesthood and the exercise of their baptismal priesthood by the laity are becoming ever more important concepts in today’s Church. The pastoral team at Drumalis were aware of an urgent need to help prepare people for a more pro-active and responsible role in the Church. They were encouraged to pursue this ideal when the diocese of Down and Connor identified adult faith formation as a specific pastoral need. A similar early awareness of this need had led the staff at All Hallows College in Dublin to begin developing courses in Theology, Liturgy, Scripture and Spirituality for lay people. It is some twenty years ago that the course now called “Pathways – Exploring Faith and Ministry” was first introduced. This course continues successfully each year not only at All Hallows but in other centres and dioceses around Ireland. Some years ago Drumalis Retreat Centre in conjunction with All Hallows launched the Pathways programme in Larne. This September the course begins its’ fourth year.

Apart from supplying a deep felt need, one of the reasons for the Pathways course’s enduring success is its founding philosophy. It is firmly based on the principles of adult education. It is consciously inclusive and non-threatening. There is no academic pre-requirement not is there any assessment. All that is required is attendance and participation. Being an adult programme it values the varied backgrounds of the participants helping each to realise that their own personal history is a valid tool for interpreting the catholic tradition and helping reveal its richness.

Pathways Graduation 2009

The second cohort of Pathways graduated on Friday, 25 September 2009
(pictured above).

On the 25th of September Pathways at Drumalis will commence for another year. Over 150 people have now completed the two year course and there are 50 plus beginning their second year. The course has been specially tailored for Drumalis. It is run one Saturday a month 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. from September – June. The day includes coffee and tea breaks and a pleasant lunch. The cost for a year is £160 and many parishes have been willing to sponsor one or two parishioners each year. This course is also supported by Down and Connor diocese’s “Planning for the Future” programme. Applications can be made directly to Drumalis, 47 Glenarm Road, Larne BT40 1DT, Phone 028 2827 2196, email, maura@drumalis.co.uk
Maura Burns
Perry Gildea, c.m. Course facilitators of Pathways at Drumalis

Proposed timetable for 2011 - 2012 on next page...

1 2