Diocese of Cashel & Ossory

Children...Children's Ministry

Greetings to you from Co. Waterford! My name is Isobel Jackson and I am the Diocesan's Children's Ministry Officer

My husband Norman and our three children Ian, Leah and Paul live in Stradbally, Co. Waterford where I work in the Lismore Group of parishes and share half my time with the Diocese's Children’s Ministry Office.

In appointing a children's ministry officer back in 2005, our diocese showed its commitment to children and their value in the worship of the church today.

How important life is especially in its early years! Those who work with children are dealing with real lives, laying foundations, forming habits, character and personalities - indeed building lives.

Aspects of Children's work include

Information: getting information on all relevant groups, people and activities; keeping it up to date and coherent; making it available; briefing, publicizing and promoting.
Assistance and Advice: helping and liaising with Clergy and others to set up and organize children's groups and activities; developing and advising on policy, goals, approaches and pitfalls.
Organization: personally setting up and running groups and activities.

Children's Ministry Officer's Role connects with schools and parishes:

Schools

Visiting schools, meeting with teachers and the children, also sharing new available resources.
Working on a practical level with the children preparing them to take part in various liturgical services.
Meeting with the clergy linked with primary schools.

Parishes

Sunday School Teacher training and helping with the setting up new Sunday Schools.
Involvement with the BB & GFS.
All age worship events in parishes.
Sourcing, advising and providing resources throughout the diocese according to the specific needs.

Teacher Training Events

Annually we run a Diocesan training event for Sunday School teachers and those interested or involved in children's ministry. A blog site is available for participating teachers to share ideas. You can visit the blog at www.candosunschool.blogspot.com.

Summer Holiday Clubs

Every summer there are week long holiday clubs held in a number of parishes. 60 teenagers went on weekend away to Ovoca Manor, Co. Wicklow in March and have met for a practical training day each month preparing to help at these clubs; socializing and learning new skills in a fun environment.

Brainarama Table Quiz

Brainarama is our annual fun table quiz. Expectant teams from around the dioceses compete for the Bishop's Cup and medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams. All diocesan Sunday school children from third to sixth class are invited to take part in this activity. A separate sibling's programme runs concurrently for the younger children who come along on the day.

2010 Brainarama will take place on February 28th in Kilkenny College at 3pm. We look forward to another exciting afternoon of fun!

The Children's Officer is available to offer resources, advice and practical help to clergy and others on setting up and organising children's groups, activities and trainings at parish and diocesan level.

To contact me you can
Phone: 051 293129 or Mobile: 087 7435424
Post: The Rectory, Church Lane, Stradbally, Co. Waterford or you can just call in..... (when you are passing!)