The fruits of the Year of Hope in the diocese of Meath are an increase in Mass attendance in many parishes, consistent numbers at Adoration and continued engagement in parishes according to its Bishop Tom Deenihan.
“I hope that the fruits of the Year of Hope will continue. There is an increase in numbers attending Sunday Mass in many parishes, there is a consistent number participating in Eucharistic Adoration, we are just after a very successful Forty Hours Adoration in the Cathedral for Christ the King, and we are continuing to engage with local parishes in relation to pastoral development and faith formation. Parish is where faith is celebrated and parish is where community is created. Parishes are important” he said.
He added: “The Diocese has begun a process of creating Pastoral areas with autonomous parishes in each and we have recently, through a Pastoral Letter, sought to empower Pastoral Councils. I hope that this process continues.”
He said that the diocese hopes to make progress in 2026 on some of the key issues that came up in synodal discussions.
“During the synodal discussions here in the Diocese of Meath, the issues of ‘the future of our Parishes’, ‘the handing on of the faith to a new generation’ and ‘creating a sense of community in our parishes’ were to the fore. I hope we make progress in these aims. Fr Derek Darby and Ms Elaine Campbell are working with these parishes and supporting them so I am confident of progress and the priests of the diocese are firmly on board.”
