My dear people and priests,
Every year about this time, I write to you about the diocesan fund Share, established thirty-five years ago. This fund has been an outstanding success in assisting the development of the very many new parishes established in the diocese, particularly in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
In more recent years, however, as the need for new churches diminished, Share has been used to refurbish parish churches, build parish pastoral centres and increasingly for the provision of services which support the mission and ministry of the Church across the parishes.
The overriding challenge facing us as a Church in Dublin today is the building up of the community of God’s People as a missionary and evangelizing people. Mission and Evangelisation are central to the life of our Church and constitute a shared responsibility of the entire diocesan community. “You are witnesses” Jesus says to all his disciples
I am anxious to ensure that everyone understands how Share funds are used in support of mission and evangelisation.
There are fourteen major services provided to the parishes of the diocese by various Diocesan Offices and agencies.
· The offices of Evangelisation and Liturgy who are constantly interacting with the parishes, educating and facilitating parish groups through training and ongoing formation.
· The Education Secretariat provides training, support and advice to the Boards of Management of primary and secondary schools and ensures that teachers of religion have adequate resources and the necessary support.
· In recent years, I established an office to deal with all employment related matters in the parishes and agencies of the diocese and with Garda Vetting.
· The Child Protection Service is responsible for the implementation of child protection policies and procedures and giving training, advice and information to parish related groups. It also provides pastoral outreach support for victims of child sexual abuse and their families.
· The Office for Ministry to Priests provides a range of support services to the priests who are carrying on the mission of the diocese and looks after our sick and retired priests.
· The Finance and Property management service oversees all parish and diocesan finances and property, prepares the necessary accounts and returns to comply with best accounting practice and ensures value for money for all parish expenditure. The Charities Act 2009 has created a new responsibility on us to ensure that all our parishes and agencies comply with the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
The Communications Office assists with communications, interaction with media and maintains the diocesan website. The Vocations Office promotes the Diocesan priesthood as a way of life for young men and the Permanent Diaconate. Chancellery handles all legal matters. The diocese maintains an extensive Archive which preserves and conserves parish and diocesan records.
You will see from this year’s financial report that while 25% of contributions were paid out to support parishes and 20% for building projects, the remainder was used for providing the central services which I have outlined.
I would encourage you to continue the wonderful support you have shown for the Share fund as evidenced yet again by a generous increase in contributions in 2008 of 4%. You will find details of the income and expenditure of Share on the church notice board along with a summary of the receipts and payments accounts for all the parishes combined.
I would like to thank those who serve on parish Finance Committees and assist and advise our Parish Priests in the raising and expenditure of funds to support the parishes.
Finally, I would again ask you to continue contributing to Share in the spirit of sharing and communion which is a fundamental part of our mission as Christians.
With my renewed thanks and with my Easter blessing to you and your families,
Yours sincerely,
____________________________
+ Diarmuid Martin
Archbishop of Dublin
