The Diocese of Kerry is in the midst of a two week training service for Parish Pastoral Councils on the decision-making method ‘Conversations in Spirit’, offered by the synodal and pastoral teams.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Diocesan Communications Officer David Sheehan said the training centres around “teaching a method of group conversations based on the Synod meetings in Rome,” to assist the Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs) in establishing an approach to decision making in their parishes.
The training will teach PPC representatives to allow the Holy Spirit to guide their conversations and listening practices, said Mr Sheehan. “It’s important because it’s about…giving each person an opportunity to speak and coming to a decision that everyone can get behind.”
The first two sessions of the training took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will continue next week on May 19 and 20. The diocese is recommending all PPC members from its 53 parishes take part. Mr Sheehan said he hopes as many members as possible from each PPC will join. “That’s why we’ve staggered it across four nights, so that there is plenty of choice in what dates will potentially suit everyone,” he said.