The first two of our trainee Parish Pastoral Workers Sean & Hannah moved to their new assignments in early January'09. The third, Geraldine moved to pastures new after Easter '09 & returned shortly afterwards in July'09. Sean & Hannah arrived at the beginning of October last and during their relatively short period they have endeared themselves to our Priests and Parishioners. Some of the projects they worked on were: the Mass for Deceased Parishioners, Christmas Carol Service and the Penitential Rites Service. If you see them around the Church you may like to thank them for their good work during their training period in our parish & wish them well in their future careers. Sean's new assignment is to Greystones Parish & Hannah has been assigned to Kilcullen Parish.

Geraldine also arrived in Ballinteer in early January 2009 and her time with us seemed to go very fast. She was actively involved in the setting up of the Funeral Liturgy Team. She continued with the ministry of welcome set up by Hannah and also facilitated the Lectio Divinia course when Fr Jim was unable to do so because of illness.

We were delighted that Geraldine remained with us until her retirement in July 2013.

All three would like very much to thank everyone for the help & encouragement they received during their time with us. They say it has been a great experience working in Ballinteer and meeting so many wonderful and committed people. They also believe that there is a great spirit of friendship and openness in the Parish and they feel very lucky to have been sent to Ballinteer for their first experience of Parish Ministry.
They also wish to thank Fr Richard for his guidance, encouragement & friendship during their time with us.

Parish Pastoral Workers
During his address at the assembly of Parish Pastoral Councils in Saint Laurence O’Toole Church, Kilmacud, on 27th April 2008, Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland said he had written to parishes regarding candidates for training lay people who wish, on a full-time basis, to enrich our pastoral service through their specific charism as lay persons. These pastoral workers will form a fellowship in ministry, serving in different roles focusing on liturgical formation, on catechetics and pastoral animation, either working in an individual parish or providing a specialist support to a number of parishes.

Ballinteer Parish was chosen to train Lay Pastoral workers for ministry in the Diocese. The first two chosen to train in Ballinteer were Sean & Hannah who arrived at the beginning of October and will move to their new assignments in mid January.

Below is a short resume of their careers to date:

     Sean O'Rourke
Seán is a native of Co. Offaly but has lived in Rathfarnham for over 26 years. Married with four children he has a wealth of pastoral experience to bring to the table. A secondary School teacher and school Guidance Councillor for twenty years, he also worked in young adult ministry for eight years. He has recently completed a masters in Spirituality at the Milltown Institute and also trained in Spiritual Guidance and accompaniment at Manresa, the Jesuit Centre of Spirituality in Dollymount, Dublin. Sean is delighted to be working in Ballinteer and hopes he can make a meaningful contribution to the life of the parish over the four months.

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     Hannah Evans
Hannah is originally from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and lives in Dunboyne. She began her theological studies in St. Patrick's Pontifical College, Maynooth. Whilst there she supplemented her religious studies with a degree in Music, which was primarily focuses on Singing performance. Following this she studied at the University of Limerick where she obtained a Graduate Diploma in Music Education. Her teaching practice at this time was spent in St. Finians's college, Mullingar. Further studies proved too tempting and she returned once again to Maynooth where she has recently obtained a Masters in Church Music. Her dissertation during this time was focused upon "The Role of the Singing Cantor in the Modern Irish Church". Much of Hannah's pastoral experience is within the music of the church. As a member of five choirs include Fuamiaoí (St. Theresa's Church, Clarendon Street), Anuna, Schola Gregoriana, Cathedral of Christ the King Choir she is bound to have much to contribute to the life of any parish. Hannah is excited about her new position within the parish and looks forward to putting much of her studies and experience into action in assisting the community of Ballinteer.

     Geraldine O'Keeffe

Geraldine is a native of Dublin. She lived within walking distance of the Liberties. She has been living in Marley Grange, Rathfarnham for the past 36 years. She has two daughters and four grandchildren. Geraldine returned to full time study in 1998 to explore her own faith as an adult. She completed her BA in Pastoral Theology in 2001.

In 2002 to 2004 she completed a Masters Program in Applied Spirituality at The Mater Dei Institute, in Milltown. In 2004 to 2006 she did a two-year training course in Spiritual Guidance and accompaniment, at The Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, in Clontarf. Which she says was a wonderful experience as it enriched her own personal faith, beliefs and understanding of God.

Geraldine was very pleased to have been assigned to work in St. John The Evangelist Parish, Ballinteer. Geraldine was very happy in Ballinteer and she hopes that she made some contribution to the life and the work of the parish during her time here with us.

Geraldine left us at Easter 2009 after her training period. Following her commissioning she was assigned as a Parish Pastoral Worker in Ballinteer on 6th July 2009 and was with us until her retirement in July 2013.

To all three we pray that God will bless them in their Ministry.

Click on "Geraldine PPW" below to read more about Geraldine.
Geraldine PPW