Since the decision last May to shelve ( at least for the time being ) any further investigation into the future of Diocesan Re-organisation, the neighbouring Dioceses of Tuam Killala and Achonry, and Limerick Killaloe and Ardfert took the initiative to sit down together to see whether there may be any merit in sharing various events and projects.
Representatives from these Dioceses met several times and came to the conclusion that, at certain levels of diocesan life, there would indeed be mutual benefit in engaging in several joint ventures.
The first of these was a Joint Quiet Day for Clergy and Readers which was held during March 2017.
The Quiet Day was held in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam. Bishop Richard Henderson was invited to lead the day and over 50 participants from across the Dioceses attended.
The tone was set right at the beginning with the Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Rooke. From there Bishop Henderson guided our thoughts in his own inimitable reflective way on the broad theme of ‘Wilderness’. Using a mixture of scripture, poetry and personal insight, listening flowed into contemplation. Silence was observed throughout apart from the time spent at the lunch tables in the Cathedral Synod Hall.
The day ended with a cup of coffee and words of appreciation by both Bishop Rooke and Bishop Kearon and an overall expression that this had been a most welcome day of ‘time-out’ for quietness and reflection during the season of Lent. It was, moreover, enthusiastically agreed by all that the experience of fellowship occasioned by this being a shared time with friends and neighbours from another diocese added a refreshing depth to our Quiet Day.