Last week we had the opportunity of reflecting on Bishop Denis’ Pastoral Letter as he wrote about the changing reality, which has been emerging over the last few years, and that needs to be faced with faith. Our late Pope Francis called all the baptized faithful over the world to meet, talk, listen, reflect, pray and respond to the needs of all believers – to become a synodal church. This happened over the last four years and it is continuing now in our diocese. Some of you have attended those meetings and a document has been issued recently titled “Walking Together in Hope: A pastoral discernment emerging from the conversations of the pastoral areas of Kildare & Leighlin”. This is a new reality for me and yourselves with my appointment as your pastor and spiritual leader. Emerging from the conversations in the pastoral areas was the expressed need for formation in many areas so that people can become involved in the life of the faith-community. The areas named were: parish pastoral councils, funeral ministry, catechists, liturgical ministries, parish administration, youth ministry, finance committee, lay pastoral leaders. I’d like us all – people of all ages – to begin the journey of inviting people with gifts and interests in the above areas and even other areas not already mentioned. I’m thinking of prayer ministry, visitation ministry, bereavement ministry, and perhaps you can think of more. Next week I will put up a link on the Parish Newsletter so that you can think about which aspect of parish life you’d like to bring your gifts and talents to, and so together build up the Kingdom of God in the Parish of Balyna.