ACP’s annual meeting is in a fortnight’s time
UPCOMING EVENTS of ACP and ACI
Tuesday, 29 October
The AGM of the ACP will take place in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on the last Tuesday in October, from 2pm to 6 pm (the day after October bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland, during the mid-term break). This is an important meeting, marking three years of the existence of the Association, looking at possible new directions, and bringing new people on to the leadership. There will be ample opportunity for contributions from the floor.
Friday 15 November
A joint ACP/ACI gathering in the Regency Hotel, Dublin, featuring an address by Robert Mickens, Tablet correspondent in Rome. Robert will speak about the possibilities of renewal in the Church during the pontificate of Pope Francis.
ALSO:
Another event, not specifically organised by either the ACP or ACI, but working from a very similar agenda, will take place in the Ard Ri Hotel, Tuam, on Saturday 12 October:
THE CHALLENGES OF FAITH : REFLECTIONS ON BEING A CATHOLIC TODAY
Speakers: Monica Morley (Mid-West Radio ‘Faith Alive’) and Fr Pat Donnellan PP Islandeady Castlebar
Saturday October 12th 2.00pm – 5.00pm at the Ard Ri Hotel Tuam (on the N17)
ALL WELCOME
I am sad to see that the same format as the last meeting in the Regency Hotel, is not planned for the meeting on November 15th next.Last year we met on the Friday night, and many excellent people addressed the gathering. We then got the chance of meeting face to face many people, whom we did get to know through this website. Saturday morning was again a special day with more ideas and comments from both Religous and laity. What appears to be planned for November 15th next is an address by Robert Midkenes, which probably will not take more than a couple of hours. For people like myself living far away from Dublin, it may seem too far to travel. Any chance of reverting to the 2012 format?
I will be travelling from Edinburgh and I share Ger’s disappointment, if indeed it is only to be a Friday evening event. However, I will still make the turas. Perhaps we could have a social gathering as well this year of this community of friends who contribute to this site.
Ger and others, I will be coming down from Armagh and staying overnight so I am sure we will get a chance to meet on the Friday afternoon and/or the Saturday morning. Great to see that Paddy Ferry is making the ‘turas’ from Edinburgh! Face-to-face contact is so important and I am sure other “virtual” friends/commentators will want to meet up in the foyer as we did last year. It would be good to talk about what is happening in our own parishes and to exchange words of encouragement and the odd challenging word too! Life is short and many of us may soon be tottering off into senility so let us make the most of it and raise a glass and a smile or two! 🙂
NORTHERN STAGECOACH HELD UP FOR PAST 10 DAYS AT BALLYGAWLEY ROUNDABOUT. WOULD THE LEAD POSTILLION UNHARNESS HIS MOUNT AND CONVEY POST-HASTE URGENT GARVAGHEY INN DISPATCHES TO NEAREST ACP STAGING POST BEFORE WINTER SETS IN. THE WORLD AND FRANCIS AWAIT NEWS OF ACP-NORTH.
Yes, Eddie, I have been awaiting news as well.
I would like to see more on the agenda of ACP and on this website about practical matters in churches. The Vatican doesn’t cause every problem. For instance, read today’s paper about a falling out over between a parish priest and a parishoner about a song. A sign among many of poor leadership and poor communication.
I also would appreciate the chance to meet and listen to the people who contribute to this website and – since we’ve been talking of the need for greater involvement, perhaps we could agree on this website that those of us who want to will have a chance to meet/discuss/share a glass – on the Saturday if Friday is going to be too crowded. I don’t know if it’s just me but I’m feeling a certain lack of clarity at the minute about where we’re going and I’d like to discuss more; my sense is that the decision to separate out ACP and ACI membership may have been taken – has it? but I’m not absolutely clear and to be honest – I can’t even make out whether the meeting in Athlone is for priests only or for laity as well. I’ve asked a few people and I’ve got different answers. Maybe after the AGM, there will be greater clarity – that will help matters I think – if there is fuzziness about essentials, my great fear is that people will slowly abandon the entire ACP/ACI idea and that would be an awful shame. I think myself (but I’m only putting this up for discussion) that if the decision has been taken that there is going to be priests-only activities or meetings, we should say so clearly (and indeed the arguments which led people to make that decision) and then people know where they stand. Otherwise we’re in danger (in my view) of replacing secrecy and lack of understanding of actions of others with ….something very close to secrecy and lack of understanding of actions of others —–??????? I should say though, that I’m saying all this as someone who was blown away by the feeling of togetherness that I got in the first Regency meeting and I am still hankering after the glorious unity of that day and the hope that we can replicate it on future occasions.