TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Diocese of Kilmore. 3 Diocesan Personnel 3 Diocesan Pastoral Council 3 College of Consulters/St. Felim’s Trust 3 Council of priests 4 Safeguarding designated Officers 4 St. Felim’s Sick and Infirm Priests Society 4 Diocesan Finance Committee 4 Diocesan Finance Officer 4 Bishop’s Secretary 4 Pastoral 5 Pastoral Outreach 5-6 Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2015 7 Creating Missionary Communities 7

Youth 8

Diocesan structures in light of declining priest numbers. 9

Support for Priests 10

Sacraments, Liturgy and Prayer. 10

Finance 12

Diocesan Financial Directives 12

Parish Finance Committee 12

Controls over Income and expenditure 12

Diocesan Collection payment schedule 13

Salary/ Non salary and petty cash payments 13

Parish Asset Register 14

Financial Reporting 14

Insurance 14

Tax refund scheme 15

Parish Fund Raising 15

Compliance with Charity Act 2009 15

Whistleblowing 15

Investment with the Diocese 16

Remuneration of Priests 19

Diocesan levies 19

1 | P a g e

Property 20

Title 20

Sale and Leasing of Parish Property 20

Application forms for Sale or lease of parish property. 22

Protected Structures 24

Inspection of Parish Property 24

Parish Pastoral Councils 25

Constitution for Parish Pastoral Councils 25-26

Catholic Marriage 27

ACCORD Services 25

Mixed Marriage 26

Papers required in preparation for a Marriage 26

Interfaith marriages 27

Checklist 27

Form requesting permission for Mixed Marriage 29

Remarriage/Living abroad/ 30

Overseas Weddings 32

Convalidation of Civil Marriages. Annulments 36

Dean 37

Vicar Forane 38

Vicar for Clergy 39

St. Felim’s Sick and Infirm Priests’ Society 40

Council of Priests 38

Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre 42

Schools 43

Holiday entitlements. 45

Number and Times of Masses 45

Wills/Masses for deceased priests/ Mass Offerings 45

Spiritual Direction and Retreats 45

Expenses priests may claim from the parish 46

2 | P a g e

DIOCESE OF KILMORE

DIOCESAN PERSONNEL

Bishop Most Rev. Leo O’Reilly, DD

Vicar General Right Rev. Monsignor Liam Kelly

Vicars Forane Right Rev. Monsignor Liam Kelly Very Rev. Sean Mawn. Very Rev. Michael Router. Very Rev. Oliver Kelly.

Chancellor/Diocesan Secretary Fr. Donal Kilduff

Diocesan Pastoral Council Bishop Leo O’Reilly Mgr. Liam Kelly Fr. Maurice McMorrow. (Chair) John Paul Feely Fr. John Cooney Nancy Sheils Sr. Suzie Duffy Ashley Wynne Thomas Kelly Fr. Dan Sheridan Sr. Kathleen Gormley Rosaleen Tully Bernie Reilly Anne Rooney Anne Crowe Maria D’Arcy Ciaran McCabe Margaret Tennyson Fr. John Cusack. Sean Coll.

COLLEGE OF CONSULTORS / ST. FELIM’S TRUST Msgr. Liam Kelly Fr Michael Router, Fr. Sean Mawn, , Fr. John Gilhooly, Fr. Donal Kilduff. Fr. Kevin Fay.

3 | P a g e

COUNCIL OF PRIESTS. 2012-2015 Chairman Very Rev. Liam Kelly Secretary Rev. Donal Kilduff

Ex Officio members. Bishop Leo, Liam Kelly, Donal Kilduff.

Deanery Reps. Cavan Brian Flynn, Gerard Comiskey Gerard Cassidy Bailieborough Andrew Tully Peter McKiernan Ballinamore Sean Mawn Ultan McGoohan Manorhamilton Anthony Fagan. Tom Mannion. Bishops Nominees Oliver Kelly, John McTiernan, Michael Router. ACP. Rep.

SAFEGUARDING DESIGNATED OFFICERS Sr. Suzie Duffy. Very Rev. Sean Mawn.

ST. FELIM’S SICK AND INFIRM PRIESTS SOCIETY. Chairman. Bishop Leo O’Reilly. Secretary. Fr. Gerard Alwill.

DIOCESAN FINANCE COMMITTEE Bishop Leo O’Reilly. Msgr. Liam Kelly. Mrs Joan Quinn. Ms. Carmel Denning V. Rev. Gerard Alwill. Mr Paul Kelly. Mrs. Lauren Tierney. Mr John Boyle. Rev. Donal Kilduff.

Diocesan Finance Officer . Ms. Jennifer O’Reilly Telephone: 049 4375004 ext 7 Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre. Email: [email protected]

Bishop’s Secretary Mrs. Kathleen Conaty Bishop’s House Telephone 049 4331496 fax 4361796 Cullies email. [email protected]

4 | P a g e

PASTORAL

Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre 049-4375004 Director Mr. Sean Coll

ACCORD 049-4375004 Diocesan Director Clare Carolan Chaplain Rev. Paul Casey

Apostolic Society Diocesan President Suzanna Tinnenny 049 9522928 Spiritual Director V. Rev. John McMahon 042-9660112

Communications. Diocesan Director Rev. Donal Kilduff 049-4331496

Diocesan Pastoral Council Chairperson V. Rev. Maurice McMorrow Secretary Mrs. Nancy Shiels 049-4375004

Ecumenism Director V. Rev. Gerard Commisky. 049-8544410

Eucharistic Adoration Chairperson Anna Grogan 049-4331184

Family Ministry Director Rev. Andrew Tully 049-8544410

Knock Pilgrimage Director V. Rev. Anthony Fagan 049-8547307

Legion of Mary Spiritual Director Rev. Martin Gilcreest 049-4362014

Lourdes Pilgrimage Director Rev. Kevin Fay 049-4330018

Marriage Tribunal Director Sr. Elizabeth Fee 049-4375004

Pastoral Services Director Fr. Ultan McGoohan. 049 4375004

Safeguarding. 049-4375004 Chairperson Mr. Christy Dooley Director Sr. Suzie Duffy

Permanent Diaconate Director V. Rev. Gabriel Kelly 028-66348250

5 | P a g e

Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. Diocesan Director. Rev. John Cusack. 071-9644050

Pontifical Mission Societies. Diocesan Director. V. Rev. John McMahon 042-9660112

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society. 049-8547024 Chaplain Rev. Philip Brady Diocesan President Pat Denning.

Travellers Chaplain V. Rev. Sean McDermott 049-4367662

Immigrants Rev. Rafal Siwek 049-4331404

Vocations. Director Rev. John Cusack. 071-9644050

Diocesan website www.kilmorediocese.ie

Glad Tidings, Diocesan Newsletter. Please send articles to : Seán Coll, Director, Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Cullies, Cavan. Tel: 049 4375004 ... Extension 102 . email [email protected]

6 | P a g e

Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2015

CREATING MISSIONARY COMMUNITIES

"Pastoral ministry in a missionary key seeks to abandon the complacent attitude that says: 'We have always done it this way. I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelisation in their respective communities." (EG n. 33)

1. In order for the Pope's dream of a missionary Church to become a reality in the diocese of Kilmore, this pastoral plan will be a challenging document. It cannot be otherwise or the call to transform everything "so that the Church's customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structure can be suitably channelled for the evangelisation of today's world rather than for her self- preservation" will go unheeded. (EG n. 27)

2. The listening survey carried out prior to the Diocesan Assembly expressed a hope for a Church that is closer to the lives of its people. The discussions at the Assembly deepened this insight and, as a result, four broad areas of pastoral action and missionary activity were identified: i. Youth Ministry ii. Sacraments, Liturgy & Prayer iii. Diocesan Structures in light of declining priest numbers iv. Support for Priests

3. Any one of these areas could provide the basis for a whole Pastoral Plan of its own. However, these four areas provide the basis for a thoroughgoing reimagining of life and ministry in Kilmore in the 21st century.

4. The resourcing of youth ministry and liturgical formation will be of vital importance if life is to be breathed into the new structures that emerge. Rather than settle for a list of aspirations which founder on the rock of no resources, this Pastoral Plan suggests a fund-raising strategy be put in place so that an investment is made in the true treasure of the diocese, its Christian faithful. Each parish in the diocese has a Pastoral Council. This Pastoral Plan recognises the work that they do and calls on all Pastoral Councils to be truly missionary in their outlook in order to avoid what the Pope calls "a tomb psychology [which] slowly transforms Christians into mummies in a museum." (EG n. 83). In order that they can achieve this, Pastoral Councils will need on-going training and formation.

5. Parishes should have structures in place to welcome new arrivals as well as engage with those who no longer practice the faith.

6. Pope Francis states "we need to create still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church" (EG n. 103), The Diocese of Kilmore acknowledges the indispensable role of women in the running and functioning of the Church throughout the diocese. In the coming years the role of committed women and men will be even more important in spreading the Good News and keeping the flame of faith alive in our parishes.

7. Many lay people in the diocese of Kilmore have already availed of adult faith development courses and continue to do so. These courses should be continued and expanded to reach as many people as possible. In addition to this, lay people with relevant qualifications in theology and pastoral work should be utilised in more effective ways on both a voluntary and paid basis.

7 | P a g e

YOUTH

"Young people often fail to find responses to their concerns, needs, problems and hurts in the usual [Church] structures." (EG n. 105)

1. The Diocesan Assembly identified ministry to young people as the top priority for the diocese in the coming years. Much good work has already been done with young people over the years and indeed the diocese continues to make significant investment in youth through its involvement in Catholic education.

2. Clearly a more structured and focussed ministry to the young is required at parish level. In order that this can become a reality, it is vital that each parish has an active Youth Officer who can promote initiatives at parish level with the support of the parish pastoral councils. [By the end of 2015]

3. A Diocesan Youth Core Group will be established in order to begin formulating a comprehensive youth ministry strategy for the diocese. [By mid-Summer 2015]

4. This Pastoral Plan recommends that Youth Ministers be employed in the diocese on a regional basis. The Core Group will advise on job description and qualifications. These Youth Ministers will be supported by the Diocesan Director of Pastoral Services. [by end of September 2016] 5. As Pastoral Areas become a more defined and important place of pastoral action, a Pastoral Assistant/Worker can be tasked with ensuring youth ministry is promoted and sustained in each area. The PA/PW will be an important support person for parish Youth Officers and assist the proposed Youth Ministers. This recommendation should be kept in mind in the future when contracts are being drawn up for PA's/PW's so that a youth ministry dimension is reflected therein. [from 2015 onwards] The diocese will support Youth Officers by providing training and resources on an on-going and regular basis. (from Autumn 2015 onwards]

6. The Pope John Paul II Awards were acknowledged at the Assembly as being a worthwhile initiative. Over the next five years every parish in the diocese will be able to participate in the awards. [By 2020]

7. Each parish should organise a youth Mass or liturgy on a regular basis. [by 2016]

8. The diocese will hold a youth day every year that could involve special celebrations in the parishes or a diocesan gathering of young people. [by the end of 2015]

9. The participation of Transition Year students in the diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage has been very successful. The diocese will explore ways of making pilgrimages to World Youth Day, Taize, Knock, Lough Derg or the Camino a regular part of diocesan life. [by end of 2016]

SUMMARY STATEMENT

• A Youth Core Group will be established by the end of summer 2015. • Youth Ministers will be employed on a regional basis in the diocese beginning in 2016. • Training in Youth Ministry skills will be provided to Parish Youth Officers beginning in Autumn 2015. • The John Paul II Awards will be promoted in every parish in the diocese. • More opportunities will be available for young Catholics to participate in pilgrimages from 2016 onwards. • By 2020 the diocese will have a strong youth ministry programme.

8 | P a g e

DIOCESAN STRUCTURES IN LIGHT OF DECLINING PRIEST NUMBERS

"To make this missionary impulse ever more focused, generous and fruitful, I encourage each particular Church to undertake a resolute process of discernment, purification and reform." (EG n. 30)

"Pastoral ministry in a missionary key seeks to abandon the complacent attitude that says: 'We have always done it this way. I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelisation in their respective communities." (EG n. 33)

1. It was made clear at the Diocesan Assembly that the profile of the clergy in Kilmore is declining and aging. This has fundamental implications for the model of Church ministry which has pertained for the last 150 years. This reality also has consequences for how often as well as when and where the Eucharist is celebrated.

2. The diocese already has Pastoral Areas that are due to be reviewed. An ad hoc committee will be established at diocesan level to review parish structures and Pastoral Area configurations in order to ensure that parishes are fit for purpose in the new reality that faces us. Over five years, decisions will be taken in consultation with parishes in view of the figures that were presented at the Diocesan Assembly. [by end of 2015] i) This committee will work in a consultative way with clergy and people throughout the diocese. ii) There will be a review of the use of Church buildings on an on-going basis. iii) In such a process, communication will be key. Therefore the diocese will adopt a comprehensive communications strategy.

3. Training will continue to be key for lay people and clergy in order to deal with the emerging reality of fewer clergy and the need for lay people to take on more leadership roles in pastoral and administrative settings. [from 2016 onwards]

4. The ministry and role of Permanent Deacons is acknowledged as an important development in the missionary outreach of the Church in a changed pastoral context.

5. The Bishop of Kilmore will liaise with the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference to explore the establishment of a commission akin to the one in Brazil under the leadership of Bishop Erwin Krautler and Cardinal Claudio Hummes to study the possibility of ordaining married men to the priesthood as well as appointing women deacons. This is a direct response to Pope Francis' words to Bishop Krautler that " the bishops, the regional bishops' conferences, should make brave, courageous suggestions."

SUMMARY STATEMENT • Fundamental change will take place in diocesan structures and style of ministry in light of the numbers presented at the Diocesan Assembly. • A committee will be established to review Parishes and Pastoral Areas. • Working in a consultative manner, this committee will make proposals regarding the configuration of Parishes and Pastoral Areas. • The skills and expertise of lay people will be further utilised in administrative and pastoral settings. • At national level, the bishop will work with the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference to explore ways of bravely and courageously tackling the issue of declining priest numbers. • By 2020 we will have established a structure which is missionary and sustainable.

9 | P a g e

SUPPORT FOR PRIESTS "On account of this communion in the same priesthood and ministry, the bishop should regard priests as his brothers and friends. As far as in him lies, he should have at heart the material and especially spiritual welfare of his priests." (Presbyterorum Ordinis, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests n.7)

1. The summary statement from the Diocesan Assembly called for a "programme and culture of care for priests as they get older and fewer."

2. The Assembly sought to express its concern that priests in active ministry be supported in times of an increased workload and dwindling human resources.

3. The Care of Priests Committee will be reinvigorated and given the mandate to suggest practical ways in which the spiritual, pastoral, intellectual and human needs of the clergy could be supported and promoted. [by end of 2016]

4. It was clear from the Diocesan Assembly that support of priests is not just something that should be left to clerics. Parishioners have a role in understanding that it will not be possible for one priest to do the work that was previously shared by two or three. [Ongoing]

SUMMARY STATEMENT • Care of priests will be greatly enhanced if the restructuring proposed in the previous section is adopted. • The Care of Priests Committee will be given a renewed mandate. • Lay people will be made aware of their role in supporting the clergy.

SACRAMENTS, LITURGY & PRAYER

"God's word, listened to and celebrated, above all in the Eucharist, nourishes and inwardly strengthens Christians, enabling them to offer an authentic witness to the Gospel in daily life." (EG n. 174)

6. The sacraments of the Church and the liturgy offer a precious source of support for all our people in their daily effort to draw closer to the Lord. The Diocesan Assembly expressed the desire that our celebrations would draw closer to the people, taking them as they find them but not leaving them there, hence the call for sacramental catechesis.

7. This Pastoral Plan suggests a five-year catechetical strategy, which focuses particular attention on the sacraments of initiation.

i) Baptism will be brought in from the shadows and reinserted into the midst of parish life. The semi- private celebration of the sacrament needs to be reconsidered. Instruction for parents needs to consist of more than explaining the symbols but be centered on the question "Why do I want to have my child baptised?" [2016 Programme]

ii) Confirmation will have its fundamental link with baptism reaffirmed and explained. School and parish programmes that have been in use will be re-proposed for use. [2017 Programme]

iii) Eucharist needs to be rediscovered primarily as the means by which the Christian Community becomes most fully itself i.e. the Body of Christ. Why the Sunday Eucharist is important and the Eucharist seen not as "a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak" (EG n. 47) could provoke a powerful yearlong reflection. Sacramental programmes such as 'Do This In Memory of Me' will receive a new impetus in the parishes of the diocese. Within this reflection on the Eucharist, the sacrament of Reconciliation should be rediscovered and re-proposed as a great source of healing in a broken world, particularly to the young, as was suggested at the Diocesan Assembly. Pope Francis' reminder to priests is timely: "the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord's mercy which spurs us on to do our best." (EG n. 44) [2018 Programme] 10 | P a g e

3. Each parish will have a liturgy group, which plans specific liturgies as well as preparing for the major seasons of the Church's year. These groups will receive training in basic liturgical principles as well as looking at ways to make liturgical celebrations welcoming and engaging. They will also be provided with access to resources. Part of their remit will be to accompany and aid those who only attend official liturgies occasionally. [by end of 2017]

4. When it comes to the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist in parishes, it is quality not quantity that should be the fundamental principle. A well-trained and focused liturgy group will be able to work with parish clergy to ensure the joy filled celebration of the Lord's Day. [by end of 2016]

5. Pope Francis has spoken of the importance of popular piety (cf. EG nn. 122-126). Parishes will look at ways of promoting this popular spirituality through pilgrimages, processions, rediscovery of local shrines, saints and holy wells, prayer meetings and the many other ways in which people express their faith and belief. In many instances, the popular piety of a substantial number of our people consists in attending major events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. A strategy that recognises this and seeks to build on these moments will be pursued. [by end of 2018]

6. Groups of lay people will be trained in order to plan and lead liturgical celebrations in the absence of a priest. [by end of 2019]

7. In seeking to build communities of mature Christians, the Pope has alerted us to the need of "personal accompaniment in processes of growth." (EG. nn. 169-173) This will be an important part of our work as faith communities as it seeks to engage with people who may be on the margins of the Church's sacramental life and accompany them on a journey towards the Father. Training people and giving them the confidence and skills to share their own faith with others as well as providing opportunities for spiritual direction will be an important part of our pastoral strategy. [by end of 2020]

SUMMARY STATEMENT

• A five-year catechetical plan will be developed focussing on the sacraments of initiation. • The sacrament of reconciliation will be re-proposed as a tremendous source of healing and mercy to coincide with the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis beginning in December 2015. • By 2020 each parish will have a strong, well-trained liturgy group/team. • The diocese will provide training for these groups. • These groups will seek to engage positively with those who only attend Church on major occasions. • Sound Popular Piety will be fostered and promoted in the diocese. • Lay people will be trained to lead services in the absence of an ordained minister. • Training and participation in Spiritual Direction / Accompaniment will be provided by the diocese.

11 | P a g e

Diocesan Financial Procedures.

1. Mandatory Finance Committee Each parish, in accordance with canon law (c.537), must have a Parish Finance Committee, which will assist and advise the Parish Priest in all areas pertaining to financial management and administration of parish property and goods. The term of office for each Parish Finance Committee and Church Area Finance committee will be 5 years.

2. Parish Finance and Administration In larger parishes a suitably experienced Parish Finance Officer (voluntary or paid) should be appointed. In smaller parishes, where limited resources are available, this is likely to be part time and voluntary. In some parishes a small number of people on the Church Committee may act together to fulfil this role.

3. Annual Parish Budget Each parish should prepare an annual (forward) budget detailing estimated income and expenditure for the forthcoming financial year. (c.1284.par.3).

4. Annual Audit & Auditors Each Parish must keep accurate records of income and expenditure. (c.1284.par.4). All documentation received during a financial year must be retained in the parish office for inspection.

5. External Review on change in Parish Priest At the time of a changeover to a new Parish Priest, The Diocesan Financial Accountant should undertake a review of parish financial affairs. On the appointment of a new Curate, who has the delegated responsibility for a Church Area Finance Committee, the Parish Finance Committee should ensure that all finances of the Church Area Finance Committee are in order.

6. Control over Income and expenditure Parishes should ensure that all business is conducted in accordance with Diocesan Financial Guidelines, as contained in “Kilmore Diocesan Financial Guidelines” revised 2015

7. Collections a) Cash Handling and Counting of Collections All dealings with money must be in accordance with Diocesan Financial Guidelines. b) Offertory Collection In each parish, the offertory collection or other collections fund the running costs of the parish and the maintenance of parochial properties. The money should be carefully noted and lodged into the parish account.

The income must be recorded accurately, in accordance with Diocesan Financial Guidelines. Receipts should be issued for all income received. c) Collections in Church Grounds: Church gate collections should be outside the Church grounds, with the exception of St. Vincent de Paul, Trocaire, and the Apostolic Society, which may collect inside (the church 12 | P a g e

building or church grounds), if a parish pastoral council decides otherwise, then their decision stands.

d) Diocesan Services Collection . The contribution from each parish is 13% of Offertory collection for the previous year. This money coming from the parishes is the principal source of income for the Diocese for the number one account. Including an insert in the parish bulletin in relation to the Diocesan Services Collection has proved helpful in a number of parishes. Some of the payments from this account include:

• Youth ministry. • Cura, the pregnancy counselling service; • ACCORD, the agency for marriage preparation and counselling; • Adult Religious Education and ongoing formation of priests; • Marriage Tribunal which deals with applications for annulments; • The Commissions and Agencies of the Bishops’ Conference.

Diocese of Kilmore : Collections & Payments Schedule Collection Send to Cheque made Payable to Diocesan Advisor Contribution Diocesan Office Kilmore Diocesan Charities No. 1 Account Trocaire Fr Paul Case y Trocaire Diocesan Vocations and Support Diocesan Office Kilmore Diocesan Charities No. 1 Account Services Pope’s Collection The Presbytery Diocesan Collection Account Holy Land Diocesan Office Kilmore Diocesan Charities No. 1 Account Mission Sunday Fr John McMahon Kilmore Mission Account

Repayment of loans should be made to ‘Kilmore Diocesan Charities No 2 Account’

8. Clergy and Staff Salary payments All payments to individuals e.g. cleaners, church helpers should normally be paid through the PAYE & PRSI system. Employment contracts should be issued to all staff and there should be clarity about pension arrangements, if any. Revenue returns (P30’s & P35’s) are to be submitted per revenue requirements. All payroll records to be maintained on file for audit purposes.

8.1 Non salary payments All payments should be made only when supported by a payment request, a supplier invoice or receipt and confirmation of delivery of goods received. With regard to the practice of remunerating parish workers by way of a Christmas‘gift’. This may have tax implications. Gift vouchers, which do not exceed €250 are not liable for tax.

8.2 Major expenditure on capital or major repairs The Parish Priest, in accordance with c.1281-1288, should consult with the Bishop and/or the Diocesan Finance Committee on capital expenditure or repairs above €75,000. Expenditure above €3,000 requires the approval of the Parish Finance Committee.

9. Petty Cash Payments Petty cash payments should be restricted to amounts below €100 where cash payments are required.

13 | P a g e

10. Bank Reconciliation and Online Banking The Parish Office / Church Committee should prepare at least quarterly bank reconciliation and monthly where there are a larger number of transactions for all bank accounts. In the case of online banking limited persons should have access to the parish’s online banking.

11. Bank Accounts The number of parish bank accounts should be kept to a minimum and should be in the name of the parish The Parish Priest should, as part of the annual diocesan returns, formally certify that all bank and deposit account balances, together with all parish income, have been included in the annual accounts and diocesan returns.

12. Assets Every parish will prepare and maintain a Fixed Asset Register (inventory listing) indicating all properties and assets (with a value over €500) owned by the parish, or held in trust on behalf of the parish All assets should be adequately insured and insurance policy retained. A review of the insurance policy should be carried out by the finance committee at the end of year term.

The Asset Register should be maintained on a continuous basis and a physical review of the assets held versus the register should be carried out at the end of each year by the church area finance committee to ensure accuracy. Any assets that have become idle and are not used by the parish should be disposed.

13. Reporting Parish accounts should be prepared at least quarterly. The summary will include the bank and deposit account balances at the end of the quarter. Annual accounts will be prepared and externally audited on an annual basis. The accounting policies and standards to be used in the accounts will be mandated by the diocese so as to enable it to comply with reporting requirements under the appropriate charity legislation.

The Parish Finance Committee should prepare and publish widely within the parish a consolidated and a church area statement of Income and Expenditure. This should include a comparison with the outcome to the previous year and provide explanations of significant changes in either income or expenditure.

14. Insurance The Parish Priest, in consultation with the Parish Finance Committee and under the direction of the Diocesan Insurance Broker and the Diocesan Bishop, is responsible for ensuring that Church property and assets are adequately insured.

15. Tax refund schemes Each parish as part of the Diocese of Kilmore (a registered charity with Revenue) is entitled to claim a refund in respect of donations by an individual (in excess of €250 ROI) in a tax year. Each parish should register with Revenue or HMRC as appropriate and arrange for the necessary documentation (including certificates signed by donors) to be submitted in order to avail of the refund.

14 | P a g e

A report of donations made by individuals during the year should be maintained and should reconcile with receipts documented prior to submitting a claim to Revenue. Where a church area does not have the capabilities to complete the refund process the parish finance committee should facilitate on their behalf when provided with the required information.

16. Parish Fund Raising Decisions to implement fundraising activities, apart from normal collections and church offerings, will be made in consultation with the Parish Finance Committee and should be in compliance with Charity Regulations. All matters relating to Fundraising activities should be conducted in a completely open and transparent manner, leaving no doubt that all funds raised are directed appropriately. Major fundraising campaigns may require pre-authorisation from the diocese.

17. Induction Training An induction-training program should be developed at diocesan level, for all priests and members of Finance Committees. This should cover internal financial controls and related best practice.

18 . Compliance Compliance with the financial procedures and the Charities Act 2009 will be assured through : • Requiring the Parish Priest and Chairperson of the Parish Finance Committee to sign, as part of the Annual Accounts and Diocesan Returns, a statement confirming full compliance with the procedures and highlighting any areas of major non-compliance and the related reasons and action plan to rectify this. • The independent auditor will be required to confirm that the audit has not identified any areas of non-compliance with the Charities Act 2009 and Financial Reporting Standard. Any weaknesses identified by the statutory auditors will be communicated to the Parish/Church area finance committees. • Non-compliance will result in a modified audit opinion being provided by the external auditors, which may indicate on public record that the diocese did not maintain proper books and records. • The Diocesan Bishop, or the Irish Episcopal Conference, will establish procedures and processes to be put in place where there is continued major non-compliance with these procedures.

19. Serious Complaints/Concerns - WHISTLEBLOWING Anyone identifying or suspecting fraud or abuse in the management of parish financial controls or other misconduct, is encouraged to contact the Diocesan Financial Administrator and register, in confidence, a formal complaint. The Diocese has a formal procedure for covering such complaints and the related legal protection. The contact details and process of investigation should be posted to notice boards in each parish church.

15 | P a g e

Process whereby Parish monies are invested in Diocesan Funds.

Since 1974 the Diocese has operated a Co-Operative Scheme under which most Parishes in the Diocese have from time to time lodged surplus monies into a fund controlled by the Diocese. Parishes are entitled to withdraw part or all of the funds belonging to the parish on demand. The purpose of the fund is to encourage the Parishes in the Diocese to pool surplus funds for the benefit of both the Parishes and the Diocese. The benefits are fourfold namely:- • Security and right of easy withdrawal is assured. • Payment to the Investor of interest at the standard deposit bank interest rate. • Loans at low interest rates are available to Parishes in need of funds subject to approval by the Diocesan Financial Council. • All surplus earnings on the funds, over and above the principal monies, and all interest due thereon to the Parishes are applied towards meeting the cost of the services of the Diocese.

16 | P a g e

THIS AGREEMENT made on the

BETWEEN KILMORE DIOCESAN CHARITIES of Bishop’s House, Cullies, Cavan

(hereunder called “The Charity”) of the One Part and

VERY REVEREND ……………………………. of ………………………………… in the

County of ………………………………. Parish Priest of the Parish of ……………………………………………… in the Diocese of Kilmore (hereinafter called “The

Investor”) of the Other Part WITNESSETH:-

1. Since 1974 the Charity has operated a Co-Operative Scheme under which most Parishes in

the Diocese have from time to time lodged surplus monies into a fund controlled by the

Charity.

2. Parishes are entitled to withdraw part or all of the funds belonging to the parish on demand.

3. The purpose of the fund is to encourage the Parishes in the Diocese to pool surplus funds for

the benefit of both the Parishes and the Diocese. The benefits are fourfold namely:-

a) Security and right of easy withdrawal is assured.

b) Payment to the Investor of interest at the standard deposit bank interest rate.

c) Loans at low interest rates are available to Parishes in need of funds subject to approval by

the Diocesan Financial Council.

d) All surplus earnings on the funds, over and above the principal monies, and all

interest due thereon to the Parishes are applied towards meeting the cost of the

services of the Diocese.

17 | P a g e

3. The Charity shall have the right at all times to invest all or any part of its portfolio

in Banks, Building Societies or other secured Financial Institutions or in any

Government Bonds other such sound securities.

4. Kilmore Diocesan Charities will be entitled to vary the terms of return on

investments to take account of changes in the market.

5. An annual audit of the funds shall be carried out by a reputable firm of Auditors

and a copy of the certified figures shall be made available on request to the

Investor.

6. The Charity acknowledges that at the date hereof a sum of € inclusive

of interest is due to the Investor.

Signed on behalf of the Charity

Signed by the Investor

18 | P a g e

Renumeration of Priests.

Priests in Full Time Parish Ministry.

The Priest's Revenue account needs to be balanced as of 31st December. This should be done in early January. The Parish remuneration per priest is €32,000 for Parish Priests and €30,000 for Curates. If there is more money than this in the account then it should be transferred to the Church Account and if there is a deficit it should be topped up from the Church account. This should be done in the first week of January.

Each priest is obliged by law to make a return on self-assessment basis to the Inspector of Taxes, whether or nor he is requested to.

Diocesan Levies. From this, the priests’ revenue fund is liable to pay diocesan levies (½% Cathedraticum, 12% St. Felim’s Sick and Infirm Priests Society) in addition to a voluntary contribution of 2% to the Diocesan Stewardship Fund. The Diocesan Finance Committee has advised that, in the interest of compliance with Income Tax requirements, the priest should pay the 2% voluntary contribution from to the Stewardship Fund personally. Therefore, that component of your salary should be declared as a taxable part of your income.

This means that the payment to Cathedraticum & St. Felim’s Sick and Infirm priests will be 12½ of parish contribution per priest, while the contribution to the Stewardship fund will be reduced to 2% of the salary received.

The table will offer some clarification.

Parish 12.50% Priests 2% Contribution to Contribution Diocesan levies Salary Stewardship Fund

PP €32 ,000 €4,000 €28 ,000 €560

CC €30 ,000 €3,750 €26 ,250 €525

In effect, two cheques are made payable from the Priests Revenue account. One for 12½% of the parish contribution to the priest (€4,000 or €3,750) and another, salary to the priest (€28,000 or €26,250) from which the priest will contribute 2% (€560 or €525) to the Diocesan Stewardship Fund.

A request for this voluntary contribution will be sent to each priest after Easter each year.

Priests on PAYE System. Priests on PAYE are also liable for diocesan levies. If, having made this contribution, their salary after income tax does not reach the figure for a curate’s salary, i.e. €26,250, they will receive a subsidy from the Clerical Fund. Similarly, if, having made these contributions, their salary exceeds €26,250 the balance above that figure is paid into the Clerical Fund (Kilmore Diocesan Charities No 2 a/c).

19 | P a g e

PROPERTY:

Title All property of parishes and agencies of the diocese should be vested in the St. Felim’s Diocesan Trust. This should be done automatically whenever land or property is acquired. The Solicitors for the Trust are John V. Kelly & Co. Church Street Cavan. (Tel. 049 4331988) The three yearly meetings of the Trust are scheduled for the 1 st week in March, the 1 st week in July and the 1 st week in November . A P.P. makes his request in writing. All correspondence is sent to Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Bishop’s House, Cullies, Cavan. It is then put on file for consideration at the next meeting of the Trust.

Proposals coming before the Trust should first be submitted to local parish councils and finance committees whose comments should accompany the proposals.

In relation to leasing or handing over parish halls for cross community purposes, each case should be examined on its merits.

Consent of Board to Sale/Lease of Property from Charities Regulator. Unless the Deed of Trust under which the property is held contains an express power to sale, lease or surrender a lease held on charitable purposes, the prior consent of the Commissioners is required.

Under the 1961 Act, the Board can authorise trustees to make any sale or exchange of charity lands or any lease or surrender of a lease under which any charity lands are held by them, as it may seem expedient to the Board. Application must be made to the Board well in advance of the sale to avoid unnecessary delay in concluding the deal.

Sale of Property The application form for the necessary consent must be signed by two thirds of the Trustees and forwarded to the Commissioners with the following documentation:

- Copy of the Deed vesting the property in the applicants. - Memorandum for the Commissioners setting out the charitable trusts affecting the property. The format of this document is laid out by the Commissioners. The information required in this document is inserted by the acting solicitor upon consultation with the Trust representative. - Map of the property. - Copy of the contract for Sale. - Independent Auctioneers Valuation of the full open market value of the property. - Details of the Trustees proposal’s for the application of the proceeds of sale.

Assuming all matters are in order, the Consent will normally issue thereafter.

Lease of Property A similar application procedure applies in the case of leasing of charity property. However, more and more, we note that various organisations seek Leases of church property for a considerable period of years at a nominal rent.

Generally, speaking, the Commissioners will only consent to a Lease where the Lease is for full market value. In many of these cases, it is proposed by the Trust to lease the premises to the tenant

20 | P a g e at an undervalue. In that case, the Commissioners will only consent to the creation of such lease in either of the following cases:

- The tenant is a registered charity who has registered as such with Revenue Commissioners and have a valid charity Number. - The purpose for which the lease has been created falls within the definition of charitable purpose as defined by Lord MacNaghten in Pemsels Case (Commissioners for Special Purposes of Income Tax .v. Pemsel) [1891]” A.C. 531.

In that case, a Charitable Trust was broadly classified as any purpose falling into 4 different categories which were as follows:- 1. Advancement of religion 2. Advancement of Education 3. Relief of Poverty 4. Some other purpose beneficial to the community not falling under the above heads. There has been considerable case-law in the early 1900’s both side of the Irish Sea casting different interpretations on the meaning of Lord MacNaghten’s definition of charitable purpose. In any event, in the absence of a statutory definition of charity purpose in any Act of the Oireachtas, this exposition by Lord MacNaghten has been broadly accepted as delineating the boundaries of a charity. However, an examination of the case law to date indicates that it is also a requirement that to qualify as charitable, the purpose of the trust must import PUBLIC BENEFIT. In other words, the purpose of the trust must not be restricted to a specified group of persons. There are some exceptions to this requirement which are beyond the scope of this document.

In the eventuality that the purpose of the lease comes within the Pemsel Definition, then it may be possible to procure the consent of the Commissioners to this lease at a nominal rent. However, it is the duty of the proposed tenant to specify how they meet the requirements as set out above.

In the event that this is not possible, then it will be necessary to grant the lease at full market value. In this case, the same considerations apply as would apply to a sale of property.

The copyright in the above section, highlighted in Italics, is the property of Mary McAveety, Solicitor. No part of this may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the written consent of the author. Such written permission must also be obtained before any part of this document is stored in a retrieval system of any nature.

Trustees The College of Consultors, acting as St. Felim’s Diocesan Trust, is the trustee of property. It is a requirement of St Felim's Trust that requests for sale or lease of parish lands are accompanied by letters signed by the chairperson and secretary of both the parish pastoral council and the parish finance committee.

21 | P a g e

APPLICATION FOR SALE/LEASE OF PARISH PROPERTY

Parish Pastoral Council Approval

PARISH OF ______

A meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council was held on the ______.

At this meeting a motion was put to sell / lease ( delete as appropriate ) parish property, namely:

______

To ______

Reason______

______

The motion was passed by the Parish Pastoral Council.

Yours sincerely,

______. (Chairperson)

______.

(Secretary)

22 | P a g e

APPLICATION FOR SALE/LEASE OF PARISH PROPERTY

Parish Finance Committee Approval

PARISH OF ______

A meeting of the Parish Finance Committee was held on the ______.

At this meeting a motion was put to sell / lease ( delete as appropriate ) parish property, namely:

To ______

Reason______

______

The motion was passed by the Parish Finance Committee.

Yours sincerely,

______. (Chairperson)

______. (Secretary)

23 | P a g e

Deeds All agreements, deeds, documents or writings concerning the ownership of the Churches, presbyteries, schools and lands should be kept in a safe place in the parish or forwarded to the Kilmore Diocesan Archives for safe custody.

Professional Consultants: No architect or other Professional Consultant (Surveyor, Engineer or Quantity Surveyor) may be appointed without the approval of the Bishop. It is important that even preliminary discussions with professional consultants should be explicitly conducted in such a fashion that the Bishop is left free to sanction or to refuse sanction for the appointment of any particular Professional Consultant. Where a project is anticipated to cost more that €100,000, the names of three architects must be submitted for consideration by the Bishop.

No architect or other professional consultant will be considered for appointment who does not hold adequate professional indemnity insurance.

Protected Structures. All Parish houses and churches are included on the list of protected structures that the planning authority considers to be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. As such, the parish, as owner or occupier of a protected structure, is legally obliged to prevent it becoming endangered, whether through damage or neglect. As such churches may not be altered without reference to the Local planning authority. In the case of accidental damage there is an onus on the parish to reinstate the structure to its original state.

For more information see http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/building_or_altering_a_home/protected_structures.ht ml

Inspection of Parish Property A qualified engineer / architect should be employed to inspect each parochial house every five years. The VF in each deanery will consult with the priests of the deanery to identify a suitable engineer or architect who will conduct the inspection and submit a report documenting the structural condition and how the house is maintained. All parochial houses (occupied and unoccupied) as well as outhouses should be inspected. Each parish is to pay the cost of the inspection. The report will be given to the Parish Priest, the Parish Finance Committee, and the members of the St. Felim’s Trust.

24 | P a g e

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS

Constitution for the Kilmore Parish Pastoral Councils 1. Membership

a. The pastoral Council is to consist of between 10 and 18 people including the priests of the parish, any religious or lay person involved in part time or full time pastoral work in the parish, the lay people elected by the parishioners, a person or persons who may be co-opted by the priest, in consultation with the Pastoral Council

b. The Parish Pastoral Council is to be representative of each geographical area in the parish, of all social classes, and age groups and men and women. It is recommended that at least two members be under the age of 25.

2. Officers a. The parish priest will preside over meetings of the Pastoral Council. b. The Chairperson is to be elected by the Pastoral Council. His/her main function will be to facilitate the smooth running of the meetings. c. Each council will elect a secretary who will take minutes of each meeting and notify the members at least one week in advance. d. Each Pastoral Council will forward the name, address and telephone number of the secretary to the bishop of the diocese. e. Officers are elected for a one year period though they may be re-elected. All the elected officers will retain their positions for a maximum of three consecutive years.

3. General Functioning of the Pastoral Council • Before each meeting the priest, together with the secretary and chairperson will prepare an agenda for the meeting. • The Pastoral Council will meet a minimum of six times each year. If the parish priest cannot attend, another priest nominated by him will preside. A meeting cannot be held without the priest. • Meetings should not last longer than two hours. • Each meeting is to begin with a period of reflective, Scripture-based prayer and will conclude with a brief prayer. • The term of the Pastoral Council will be three years. A member may serve for two consecutive terms. • Any member failing to attend four consecutive meetings without a reasonable explanation will be deemed to have resigned. Vacancies will be filled by co-opting new members. • A report on the meetings of the Pastoral Council will be made available to the parishioners. • A quorum will consist of half the members of the council. • On-going formation, religious education and skills training will be of vital importance for all members of the Pastoral Council. • The role of the Pastoral Council will be consultative and advisory.

4. Areas of Concern For Pastoral Council • Promoting the prayer life and the faith life of the parish. • Adult Religious Education and promotion of Scripture. • Support for Family Life. • Liturgy (though a separate group may be set up to deal with this).

25 | P a g e

• On-going skills training and formation for those on the Pastoral Council and for others in the parish. • Care of people – the poor, elderly, handicapped, youth, those who live alone etc. • Reaching out to the alienated and the newcomers to a parish. • Working to improve communication throughout the parish especially through the medium of a good, informative and attractively produced parish newsletter. • Dealing with social issues such as alcohol, drugs, housing etc. which affects the life of the parish. • Developing appropriate parish policies regarding matters such as the times and number of Masses. • Developing appropriate parish policies in relation to Child Protection, Safety Statements etc. • Building up good relationships with other Pastoral Councils in the parish, the deanery and the diocese. • Care of the sick, those in hospital, the dying.

26 | P a g e

MARRIAGE. Since 5 November 2007, a couple getting married are required to give notification in person of their intention to marry to a Registrar at least 3 months before the intended date of the marriage. The notification can be given to any Registrar. When they make the appointment with the Registrar couples will be informed what information and documents they need to bring with them.

Leitrim. Cavan Carrick-On-Shannon Civil Registration Service, Civil Registration Service. Community Care Office, Leitrim Road, Gate Lodge, Lisdaran, Cavan. Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Contact: 049 4373272 or 049 4373272 Phone: 071 9650349 [email protected]

Catholic Marriage.

Accord Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Cullies, Cavan Fax : 049 4375004 email. [email protected]

Opening Hours : 9.00am-4.00pm Mon-Fri (Administration). Counselling by appointment

Catchment Area : Diocese of Kilmore

Services Available : • Marriage and Relationship Counselling • Pre-Marriage Courses • Fertility Awareness & Management • Marital Sex Therapy

Preparation • All couples, intending to get married, must partake in marriage preparation. • Ms. Clare Carolan is the Diocesan Director of Accord. • It is the responsibility of the priest of the parish in which the wedding will take place to ensure that this preparation has been undergone and that all the marriage papers are in order. The priest in the parish is to complete the wedding papers, and not a visiting priest from another parish, unless requested to do so.

27 | P a g e

Mixed Marriage • Marriage preparation takes place also by way of the local priest, or by the Accord Interfaith pre- marriage course. http://www.accord.ie/services/marriage-preparation/interchurch-marriage-preparation .

• In the case of a Mixed Marriage, please ask the non-Catholic party for a baptismal certificate and an affidavit, stating that s/he was never married before in a civil or religious ceremony. Fill out the form seeking the permission from the Bishop. Having completed the pre-nuptial inquiry form for the Catholic party, please forward all to the Diocesan Secretary, Bishop’s House, Cullies, Cavan

• The same procedure applies in the case of a Disparity of Cult marriage, with the exception that the non-baptised party includes in his affidavit concerning his freedom to marry and the fact that he was never baptised. In this instance the second kind of wedding ceremony referred to in the booklet applies i.e. wedding ceremony without Mass.

In cases where a permission / dispensation is required, 6 months notice of intention to marry is required by the diocese.

Papers required by the priest in preparation for a marriage.

Every couple marrying in the Catholic Church is required to give a minimum of three months’ notice to their priest and complete a Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form. The form is completed at a meeting with the local priest of each party.

Additional requirements to the Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form include:

1. A recently issued Baptismal Certificate. 2. A recently issued Confirmation Certificate. 3. Proof of freedom to marry (Letters of freedom or Affidavit) 4. Certificate of attendance at an approved Pre-Marriage Course.

Some circumstances require further permission.

28 | P a g e

Inter Church Marriage. If the wedding is to take place in a Catholic Church. Permission for Mixed marriage.

If the wedding is to take place in the church of another denomination. Permission for a mixed-marriage. Dispensation from Canonical Form.

Inter Faith Marriage. When a Catholic wishes to marry a person who is not baptised, or who is a member of another faith, permission must be sought for Dispensation from Disparity of Cult.

In all cases above the form Mixed Marriage Permission, Disparity of Cult , Dispensation from Canonical Form, available on the diocesan website, should be completed and forwarded to the diocesan office 6 months prior to the marriage.

Checklist

Required in all circumstances. Groom Bride Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form. Baptismal Certificate Proof of Confirmation. Proof of Freedom to Marry. Marriage Preparation Complete.

In Exceptional Circumstances. Sought Granted. Permission for a Mixed Marriage

Dispensation from Canonical Form

Dispensation from Disparity of Cult.

Proof of Annulment and Certificate of Divorce

29 | P a g e

Mixed Marriage Permission, Disparity of Cult Dispensation, Dispensation from Canonical form Send in 6 months before the wedding to The Diocesan Secretary. Include affidavit of freedom to marry and baptismal cert. of non -Catholic or affidavit of freedom to marry and letter stating that s/he was never baptised.

Dear Bishop,

I request a Permission / Dispensation for the lawful and valid celebration of the wedding of:

______on ______

The circumstances and the reasons why I recommend this request are:

______

Name of Catholic party: ______Age: _____Parish: ______

Name of Non–Catholic party: ______

Is s/he baptised? Yes: No: If Yes: Denomination: ______

Length of courtship: ______Date of notice of Wedding: ______

Proposed place of marriage ( Highlight in the case of a Protestant church):

______

Is the Catholic party willing to accept and fulfil the moral responsibilities incumbent on all Catholics entering marriage, including those of preserving his / her Catholic faith, and within the unity of their partnership , of doing what he / she can to have all the children baptised and educated as Catholics?

______

Has the other party been helped to understand his / her Catholic partner’s moral responsibilities? Please indicate his / her response .

______

What is the likelihood of the children being baptised and brought up as Catholics ?

______

The required instruction has been given, the Prenuptial Enquiry form has been completed and I have established their freedom to marry. I am satisfied that the ends and essential properties of marriage, particularly its indissolubility , are not being excluded by either party.

Signature of priest: ______Date: ______

Address: ______

30 | P a g e

Re-Marriage • Always establish the person’s freedom to marry. • In the event of a foreign divorce remind the couple that this must be cleared with the Registrar General in Dublin. • In the case of a person with a church annulment, but no divorce, it is not possible to proceed with the wedding. • Be aware of the fact that there may be difficulties with a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic who has previously married in a civil or religious ceremony. The latter may need an annulment from the Catholic Church. • If in doubt please contact the Diocesan Office.

Living Abroad • If a parishioner, who is living in another country, wishes to get married at home, please provide him / her with the following: a baptismal certificate, confirmation certificate, letter of freedom.

• Don’t take on unnecessary work. Remind the couple to go to their local priest in the parish in which they are living. This priest will fill out the necessary papers and forward all to the Chancery / Diocesan office. Any permissions / dispensations that are necessary will be granted there. Once the papers have been processed, they are then forwarded to the following address: Rev. Diocesan Secretary, Bishop’s House, Cullies, Cavan, Co. Cavan, Ireland

• To avoid postal delay, it is important that anyone planning to come home to get married attend to their marriage papers well in advance of the wedding.

• • Couples living abroad, including Northern Ireland, should contact the Registrar of Births Marriages and Deaths to make an appointment. See page 24 above.

31 | P a g e

Getting married abroad.

Civil Requirements.

Marriages of Irish citizens abroad are registered in the country where they occur. Marriages that take place outside the state are not normally registered in Ireland.

A foreign marriage certificate will usually be accepted for official purposes in Ireland where you need to show evidence that you are married.

A Certificate of Freedom to Marry is required to get married in some foreign countries. This may also be called "Certificate de Coutume" or "Certificate of Nulla Osta".

To apply for a Certificate of Freedom to Marry, Irish citizens living abroad should contact their nearest Irish embassy or apply online to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Consular Services 80 St. Stephen’s Green Dublin 2 Ireland

Tel: +353 1 408 2000 Homepage: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/

Canonical requirements

• In the event of a couple wishing to get married abroad, please ensure that all the papers (see checklist on page 21) are sent into the Diocesan office. Having been processed, they are then forwarded to the Chancery office of the diocese in which the marriage will take place.

• In the event of a couple getting married in Rome, it is the responsibility of each couple to make contact with the Irish College, San Silvestro, or the parish in which the wedding will take place to arrange their date. It is important that they themselves acquire an information pack, detailing everything that they need to do. This will include information concerning the “Nulla Osta” which they themselves must get from the Department of Foreign Affairs. While the onus is entirely on the couple to make the necessary arrangements (i.e. choose the location, fix the date, deal with the Department of Foreign Affairs) the following information on Rome weddings may be of interest:

32 | P a g e

The Irish College, Rome

(Via Dei S.S. Quattro 1, 00184, Roma, Italia). Telefax : 0039 06 77263323 .

1) CIVIL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES DOCUMENT OF NO IMPEDIMENT/“NULLA OSTA”. Everybody wishing to marry in Rome must apply for a Certificate of No Impediment, (Nulla Osta) regardless of nationality. A Certificate of No Impediment is a document issued by the civil authorities in the country of which you are a citizen which states that, as far as they are aware, you are free to marry. Weddings in Rome cannot be carried out without this document.

IRISH CITIZENS Irish citizens resident in the Republic of Ireland, or holding an Irish passport should apply to the Dept. of Foreign Affairs in Dublin for a Certificate of No Impediment/Nulla Osta. Irish nationals living abroad, should apply to the Irish Embassy in their country of residence. Both the bride and groom should fill out separate forms for the Certificate . Please note that the forms should be completed at least 12 weeks before the wedding (and should be returned to the office of issue within 10 weeks of the wedding). This is very important. The Irish College questionnaire available from the Irish College should not be returned to the College until the Certificate of No Impediment application has been completed.

Before returning the forms to the Department of Foreign Affairs office of issue, check carefully that each section has been filled in clearly and legibly and, above all, CORRECTLY. It is important to ensure that there are no discrepancies between names and other details on church and civil documents.

BRITISH NATIONALS If one party is British and resides in the U.K. or Northern Ireland, he/she should apply to the Nationality and Treaty Departments in London for a Certificate of No Impediment.

You will be issued with a preliminary certificate of no impediment by your local registrar. This must be forwarded to the British Embassy in Rome, along with passport details, long birth certificates and a fee. Do not keep this certificate and do not forward it to the Irish College.

For further details, please contact the British Embassy, Via XX Settembre 80a, 00187 Rome. Tel: 00390642200001 Fax 0039064873324 e-mail: [email protected] – website www.britain.it. Ask for the person responsible for issuing the Document of No Impediment Nulla Osta.

OTHER NATIONALITIES Information concerning other nationalities can be obtained by writing to the Rector of the Irish College, or by contacting the Dept. of Foreign Affairs in your own country.

N.B. When filling out forms, you will be asked the name of the Church in Rome which is St. John Lateran and also the name of the priest in charge of arrangements in Rome, who is Msgr. Ciaran O’Carroll.

33 | P a g e

2) CHURCH DOCUMENTS: Before a couple can enter a lawful Catholic marriage, they need documentary proof that they are free to marry. These documents are to be obtained by each partner from his/her local parish and should reach us not less than one month before the day of the wedding. Your parish clergy should be notified at least three months before the wedding, to allow banns to be called and the necessary documents to be prepared. The principal documents needed are the following: a) Pre-nuptial enquiry form (a written declaration of your freedom to marry), obtained from your present parish. b) Baptismal certificate, issued from the parish of your baptism and dated within the past six months (thus, an old certificate from your Confirmation days will not do). c) Confirmation certificate issued from the parish of your confirmation and dated within the last six months. d) Permission from the bride’s Parish Priest that she may be married outside her own parish.

When these documents have been gathered for both parties, they should be forwarded by the bride’s parish priest to the diocesan offices, who will forward them to Rome.

In particular circumstances, some extra documents may be required. Your local clergy will say whether these are needed: i Letters of freedom from places where either party has lived for a considerable period since their sixteenth year. ii Mixed marriage dispensation: all the papers for mixed marriage are prepared by the priest of the Catholic partner. iii If either party is a minor, the written consent of the parents is required. iv Where required, a document certifying the cessation of a previous bond, e.g. a death certificate, or a certificate of annulment of marriage. v Where required, a document certifying the dispensation of an impediment.

3 PREPARATION: Attendance at a pre-marriage course is strongly recommended for all couples getting married in Rome. Suitable courses are held regularly under the direction of Accord. Alternatively, a couple might prefer to enrol in an Engaged Encounter weekend. Your local clergy will advise how to go about attending either of these.

4 The College is happy to advise couples on how to obtain tickets for the Papal Audience and the gifts offered by the Holy Father to those who celebrate their weddings in Rome. There is a dress protocol established by the Vatican for couples who wish to be presented to the Holy Father at the audience. This consists of traditional bridal wear for the bride and a suit and tie for the groom . The Papal Audience takes place on Wednesdays, (however, it is occasionally cancelled when the Pope is abroad).

5 A papal blessing parchment will be arranged and forwarded to you after the wedding has taken place.

6 The couple should inform the Irish College of their HOTEL & TRAVEL arrangements as soon as they have made them (space provided on questionnaire). Couples should make hotel booking through their travel agents, since this procedure to be the most reliable. Couples are advised not to make any arrangements until we have confirmed the date of the wedding.

Kindly note that the college does not arrange transport, flowers, hotel reservations or hairdressers.

34 | P a g e

7 A pre-wedding meeting takes place each Sunday in the College (usually after 10.00 Mass). Please contact the College before 3.00pm on the Thursday prior to your wedding, so that we can inform you of the time of the meeting.

8 CIVIL CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. Each wedding is registered by the Italian State and once the registration has been made, we automatically apply for your civil certificate of marriage. (N.B. On the day of your wedding, you are provided immediately with a church certificate.) Please note that it can take anything up to 8 months to obtain the civil certificate of marriage . Once you receive the certificate, it should be kept in a safe place for future use.

9 It is most important that a future address for the couple is supplied so that the certificate and Papal Blessing may be forwarded on. If you know that you may be changing address in the months following your wedding it is advisable to give an address where you can be reached i.e. a relative’s address. Please check the details with us on the day of your wedding.

10 A stipend is requested to meet all the expenses incurred and should be paid to the College after the Ceremony has taken place. This can be paid by Cheque, Bankers Draft or Currency (Euro or Pounds Sterling). Cheques should be made payable to The Irish College, Rome.

To arrange your wedding at the Irish College Telephone 00 39 06 77263501 Fax 00 39 06 77263520 E-mail: [email protected]

You are requested to telephone during office hours only. Mondays to Fridays 8.00 am until 4.00 pm (these are Irish times).

IF, AT ANY TIME, YOU DECIDE NOT TO GO AHEAD WITH YOUR WEDDING, PLEASE NOTIFY THE COLLEGE IMMEDIATELY.

Further information is available from http://www.irishcollege.org/weddings/

San Silvestro in Capite (Pallotines)

The Basilica of San Silvestro was designated as an English language church by Pope Leo XIII and entrusted to the care of the Pallottines, a community founded by St Vincent Pallotti in 1839. The Pallotine Fathers also have houses in Ireland. Telephone (dialled from Ireland) 00 39 06 6797775

St. Patrick’s (Augustinian) St. Patrick's is the Irish National Church in Rome. It is run by the Augustinian Fathers, most of whom are Irish. Address: St. Patrick's Church, Via Boncompagni, 31, 00187, Rome, ITALY. Telephone In Italy: 06 4203 121. Or from Ireland: 00 39 06 4203 121 - 9.30 pm, Irish time.) Fax In Italy: 06 4203 1236. Or from Ireland: 00 39 06 4203 1236 E-mail: [email protected] As soon as you decide that you wish to marry in the Irish College, Rome you should contact the Wedding Office immediately. Please note that receipt of the following information is not a guarantee that the date you wish to marry on is available. Either Fax, phone or E mail [email protected] to see if the date is available. The Vicariate of Rome needs 3 months notice, but sometimes dates are already booked up 10 months in advance. 35 | P a g e

Convalidation of Civil Marriages • The marriage of two Catholics in a registry office, unlike the marriage of two non-Catholics is not seen as a valid marriage in canon law. • However, a civil marriage can be convalidated. The same paperwork is involved as in any Church wedding. The only difference is that the civil certificate is included with the papers and retained in the parish archive. The convalidation has no civil effects. There is therefore no signing of the register.

Annulments. Please encourage couples who have been married before, and who are now in a second relationship to seek a church annulment prior to arranging to get married.

The initial step is to ask the person to contact Sr. Elizabeth Fee, at Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre. Telephone 049-4375004. Email [email protected]

36 | P a g e

Dean

Each Deanery will have a Dean, formerly known as a Vicar Forane.

The office and the responsibilities of the Dean are defined in some detail in Canons 553, 554 and 555 of the Code of Canon Law. The Dean will be responsible especially for the following duties:

a) Providing leadership at deanery level.

b) Promoting the pastoral care of the people in the deanery as a whole.

c) Plan, with the co-operation of priests, religious and lay people, new ways to meet new pastoral needs.

d) To promote the development of deanery structures that will assist the progress of pastoral action in the deanery.

e) To preside at meetings of the deanery (he may or may not be chairman) and pass on to the meetings any communications from the bishop.

f) To ensure that meetings take place to discuss the agenda for the Council of Priests, that the minutes of such meetings are kept, and that the items for inclusion on the Council of Priests agenda are sent to the Diocesan Secretary.

g) In the event the death of a priest in the deanery he is to inform the bishop immediately. In the absence of the V.F., the Dean and the executors are to ensure that the property of the parish and the priest are secure.

h) The Dean will be available to the bishop for consultation on appointments in accordance with Canons 524 and 547.

i) In accordance with the Diocesan Complaints procedure, in what is considered a minor complaint against a priest of the deanery, the Bishop will forward the matter to the Deanery Leader, who will seek to resolve the matter informally and at local level

Appointment

a) The Dean will be appointed by the bishop. b) The term of office of the Dean will be five years.

37 | P a g e

VICAR FORANE Role.

1. The Vicar Forane is a priest who has been placed in charge of a Pastoral Area consisting of a number of adjacent parishes or of a large parish with a number of distinct areas. A Vicar Forane will be appointed in each Pastoral Area to coordinate ministry in that area.

2. Duties.

The duties of the VF's will include the following:

(a) To Promote and co ordinate common pastoral action in the Pastoral Area.

(b) To promote and encourage implementation of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

(c) To be responsible for the employment and oversight of a Pastoral Assistant.

(d) To organize meetings of the clergy and pastoral assistants of the Pastoral Area regularly- usually every two weeks.

(e) To ensure that these meetings have a pre-arranged agenda and that proper minute are taken by the secretary.

(f) To ensure that pulpit exchange weekends are organised at least four times per year.

(g) To liase with the Vicar for Clergy in relation to care of Priests’ issues in the Pastoral Area.

(h) To arrange cover for priests within the Pastoral Area in cases of unforeseen absence, due to illness or any other reason.

(i) To make arrangements for the establishment/renewal of a Pastoral Area Council and co-ordinate its operation.

(j) To ensure that Mass times in the pastoral area are such that the priests of the Pastoral Area can provide adequate cover, even if one of their number is absent.

(k) To ensure that an emergency plan is in place if more than one priest is absent.

(l) To be the cluster contact person for the Dean, Bishop, the Diocesan Office and the Diocesan Pastoral Team.

Appointment.

The Vicars Forane will be appointed by the bishop, in consultation with the Vicar General and Deans. 38 | P a g e

VICAR FOR CLERGY

The Vicar for Clergy assists the bishop of the diocese by providing support to the priests. His role is broadly concerned with the care and wellbeing of priests.

Two Vicars for Clergy will be appointed, one for the Ballinamore and Manorhamilton Deaneries and one by the Bailieborough and Cavan Deaneries.

Duties of the Vicar for Clergy The Vicar for Clergy should: a) Be available to listen to any priest who wishes to talk to him about any concerns he may have. b) Liaise with the bishop on behalf of any priest who requests it. c) Advise the Dean and the bishop if he is aware that a priest is sick. d) Liaise with the committee for the ongoing formation of priests in regard to desirable topics and speakers

Election

Two Vicars for Clergy will be elected, one by the Manorhamilton/Ballinamore Deaneries and one by the Cavan/Bailieborough Deaneries. a) The Vicar for Clergy will be elected by all priests who are in diocesan ministry or who have retired from ministry. b) The election should be by postal ballot. The ballot paper should have a list of all the priests in ministry in the relevant deaneries. c) Each priest votes for two priests in order of preference, marking his preferences 1 and 2. d) A first preference vote is assigned 2 points and a second preference 1 point. The points of each candidate are added up. e) The priest with the most points is asked if he is willing to take the job. If he is, his name is forwarded to the bishop for appointment. If he is unwilling, the one with the second highest total in asked, and so on.

The Vicar for Clergy will have an important role in meeting the needs of the clergy as they emerged in the diocesan Assembly. He must enjoy the trust of the clergy and be confidential and sensitive in his dealings with them. For these reasons I ask you to give careful consideration to whom you elect.

Appointment a) The Vicar for Clergy will be formally appointed by the bishop. b) The appointment will last for five years.

39 | P a g e

St. Felim’s Sick & Infirm Priests Society

1. The Society is responsible for the provision of accommodation and maintenance allowances for retired and sick priests of the diocese.

2. The Society depends totally on income from the priests of the diocese and on donations and bequests to build up a capital fund for the future.

3. The secretary of St. Felim’s Sick and Infirm Priests is Fr. Gerard Alwill.

4. Enrolment of Associates - contact Fr. Gerard Alwill

Council of Priests

(a) The Council of Priests meets at least twice in the Calendar year.

(b) It consists of 16 priests of the Diocese. The Vicar General, and the Diocesan Secretary are “ex officio” members of the Council.

(c) Each of the four deaneries is to elect two priests, one parish priest and one other priest in pastoral ministry.

(d) The priests teaching in schools and those in other non-parish ministry in the diocese are to elect one of their members to represent them on the council.

(e) The Norbertine priests are to select one of their members to represent them on the council.

(f) The Association of Catholic Priests will select one of their members to represent them on the Council.

(g) The Bishop of the Diocese will appoint three members to the Council.

(h) Should an elected representative of a deanery be unable to represent his deanery, his place on the council will be taken by the candidate closest to him in the order of preference in the ballot.

(i) Apart from “ex officio” members, no member may serve more than two consecutive terms on the council (i.e. a total of six years).

(j) Each deanery must hold a meeting at least six weeks before the Council of Priests meet. The meeting should include all the priests in the deanery, whether in parochial or special ministries. Each deanery may forward one motion to the Secretary of the council of Priests for discussion at the council. Immediately after this deanery meeting, the deanery secretary will contact the Diocesan Secretary and let him know the outcome of their meeting.

(k) The Secretary of the council of Priests will then circulate the motions he has received to each of the deanery secretaries in order that they may meet to discuss them in advance of the Council of Priests meeting. To make this process easier, the two deanery meetings in advance of a Council of Priests’ meeting will be scheduled in the Calendar of Events for each year.

(l) Each deanery will elect its own chairman. One of the deanery representatives on the council of priests will be the deanery secretary.

(m) Each deanery to send report of its deliberations after the second deanery meeting to the Diocesan Secretary who will then circulate the findings to the Council of Priests delegates. 40 | P a g e

Meetings to begin at 3pm and to go on as long as necessary. Minutes to include summary of decisions / recommendations at the bottom of the minutes. Bishop Leo to include a letter with the minutes, accepting or rejecting the recommendations.

41 | P a g e

Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.

Telephone Numbers 049 4375004 / 085 8743223

General Email: [email protected]

Website: www.kilmoredpc.ie

Vision Statement Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre has been established by the Catholic Church in the diocese of Kilmore. It is rooted in the values of the Gospels and the teaching of the Church. It aims to be a place of welcome for all, a centre of Christian spirituality, education and growth. It is to be a resource for individuals, groups and parishes in their human and faith development. It strives to promote evangelisation, pastoral renewal and the further development of pastoral ministry practice throughout the diocese.

Board of Management Rev. Ultan McGoohan, Chair Sr. Rita Duignan RSM, Secretary John Breen Very Rev. Ray Brady P.E. Gerard Clarke Kathleen Cornyn Teresa Donnellan Angela Flynn Very Rev. John Phair PP

Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Observer

Staff. Director. Seán Coll. Administration. Anne Clarke.

Caretaker. Pat Smith.

42 | P a g e

Schools.

1. Always ensure that proper procedures are followed. Be guided by the CPSMA (Catholic Primary Schools Management Association) Management Board Members’ Handbook (Revised 2014) . In difficult cases, ask advice and refer to Department guidelines or contact Diocesan Education Secretary, Mrs. Nancy Shiels, Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre. 049- 4375004

2. It is the responsibility of the Chairman of every Board of Management to ensure that claim forms submitted to the Department of Education making applications for capital grants, staff employment grants or for disadvantaged area grants are completed accurately. Where such forms require the identification of the names of employees for whom employment grants are being sought, it is the responsibility of the Chairman of the Board to ensure that the names quoted are those of the staff currently employed.

3. Boards of Management of schools should be aware that capital expenditure on a school requires the approval of the parish priest who is responsible for providing the local contribution.

4. Mrs. Nancy Shiels is the diocesan secretary of the Catholic Primary School Manager’s Association.

5. No teacher may be appointed without prior, written approval by the Patron (Bishop) and sanction of the Minister for Education and Science.

6. In the formation of selection boards for the interview of candidates for teaching posts, the outside assessor should be chosen from the panel of assessors approved by the patron.

43 | P a g e

HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENTS. Priests are allowed one month of vacation annually, which should be taken for their own health and wellbeing. Days of retreat are not included in this total. Additional vacation time must receive the prior permission of the bishop. (C 533) This month should include only 4 weekends away from the parish. If the vacation time is taken in parts, it is to be limited to 30 days total, observing the limit of four weekends away from the parish.

NUMBER AND TIMES OF MASSES

Note: The following guidelines were discussed at the deanery meetings. They were recommended unanimously by the Council of Priests and endorsed by Bishop Leo.

1 A parish with more than one priest should be able to meet its commitments when one priest is away.

2 No priest ought to be saying three Masses on a Sunday as his normal commitment.

3 No priest ought to be saying two vigil Masses as his normal commitment.

4 No priest ought to be saying two weekday Masses as his normal commitment. This would leave him unable to say an additional Mass for a special occasion such as a wedding or funeral - or to help a neighbouring parish whose priest is away.

5 Every effort should be made to arrange Mass times in order to facilitate assistance from one parish to another within the Pastoral Area, in particular, vigil Mass times should be more widely spread.

6 The starting time of Sunday Masses in any parish should be at least one and a half-hours apart.

7 Various factors such as the small size of a Church, or the fact that there are large numbers attending, or that there are several churches in a parish, or that a regular supply priest is available etc., may seem to indicate exceptions to these criteria. Any such exceptions must be agreed by Pastoral Area. It is, after all, the cluster, which will have to provide cover when a priest is away or ill.

44 | P a g e

WILLS / MASSES FOR DECEASED PRIESTS / MASS OFFERINGS

1 Decree No. 325 of the Maynooth Plenary Council 1956 and Decree No. 13 of the Dublin Synod 1927 require that all priests should make a will in the form prescribed by civil law. The Will should be renewed at least every ten years. One of the executors of the Will should be a diocesan priest.

2 Each priest should lodge a copy of his Will at the Bishop’s House. The copy of the Will should be forwarded in a sealed envelope on the outside of which are written the names and addresses of the Executors appointed, so that the envelope, still sealed, can be handed to the Executors.

3 Masses For Deceased Priests All priests of the Diocese are obliged to offer Mass for any deceased priest who served in the Diocese until his death, or until his resignation through some just cause. The Mass is offered for the repose of his soul.

In the case of the Vicar General, two Masses are to be offered; for the Vicar Forane, priests of the deanery are obliged to offer two Masses, and for the Bishop, all priests are obliged to offer three Masses.

4 Mass Offerings The sources of the Church’s teaching and regulations in regard to Mass-offerings are the following:

4.1 Pope Paul VI’s apostolic letter, Firma In Traditione (1974), in Vatican Council 11, The Conciliar And Post Conciliar Documents ed. Flannery), pp277-80. 4.2 Code Of Canon Law (1983), Can. 945-958). 4.3 Decree on multi-intentional or collective Mass offerings issued by the Congregation for the Clergy on 22 nd February 1991, 4.4 Mos Iugiter In The Furrow 42 (1991), pp 387-9).

These sources reflect the great care to be taken in relation to Mass offerings. Priests who binate or trinate within the Diocese of Kilmore may apply these Masses for offerings received, but the offerings must be sent to Kilmore Diocesan Charities (Diocesan Office). The diocesan stipend is €20.00. The diocesan stipend determines how many Masses should be offered when requested in a will.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION / RETREATS

1. Fr. Mark Noonan CM. and Sr. Noeleen Reilly offer Spiritual Direction in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre throughout the year. Dates are published on the Diocesan Calendar.

2. The Annual Retreat takes place in Dromantine, Co. Down in June each year.

3. Days of Recollection are organised by Fr. Tom McKiernan.

4. Msgr. Michael Cooke has responsibility for the Jesus Caritas fraternity in the Diocese.

45 | P a g e

Clarification on what expenses priests may claim from the parish

1. Telephone Priests may claim the rental (including broadband) and 75% of the telephone call charges. Priests may claim 75% of mobile telephone charges where they use their mobile phone for parish business.

2. Electricity The priest continues to pay all the electricity charges.

3. Heating The priests pay all the heating costs.

4. Housekeeping Priest pays his housekeeper 50% of the wages and the parish pays 50%. The priest pays the employer PSRI.

5. Burglar Alarm The parish pays installation, maintenance and monitoring.

6. Maintenance Parochial House and grounds are to be maintained at the parish expense: guttering, painting, repairs, hedges and lawns.

7. Priest may claim 50% of the cost of the theology course from parish funds.

8. Parochial House Furniture There is a clear distinction between personal and parish furniture. An inventory is to be maintained of all parochial furniture. This inventory should be updated when an item is bought or disposed of. The inventory should include office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners, modems and photocopiers. Copies of the inventory are to be kept in the parish safe and given to the Parish Finance Committee and to the VF.

9. Office expenses : postage, stationery, Local property tax, maintenance and service contracts are to be paid by the parish.

All claims should be supported by invoices or receipts.

46 | P a g e