In recent days the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE) has published its Strategic Regional Report on the Post-Primary Review (PPR) Process which includes recommendations for the various project areas in the Diocese of Derry.

Over the past year or so, in conversations with Primary and Post-Primary Principals in the Derry City area, Bishop Hegarty and I have been encouraged to bring fresh ideas to the table which might help to inspire further discussion and analysis on the future shape of post-primary education in this area. In considering this request, we studied carefully the many responses which were received to the 2010 PPR consultation document. We are grateful to all those pupils, parents, staff members, governors and others who responded on an individual basis. We also thank the Boards of Governors and other educational and community groups who made corporate responses. Our conclusion was that it is timely and important to move the discussion forward for the sake of our children and young people.

I am therefore pleased to announce the publication of Together Towards Tomorrow - a Discussion Paper which offers the Senior Trustees’ strategic vision for Post-Primary Education in the Derry City Project Area. The Discussion Paper may be downloaded here www.derrydiocese.org (9MB)

This Discussion Paper explains the opportunities offered in a ‘partnership’ model and sets out a vision for what it called the Le Chéile Partnership of Catholic Post-Primary Schools. It proposes a phased transition away from the use of academic selection as an admissions criterion and the possibility of substantive change to the shape of post-16 education in the Project Area. Anticipating the possibility of ‘bilateral’ status in the short term for the City’s current grammar schools, the Paper commends a move to co-education for all and makes suggestions about future admissions criteria for schools.

In publishing this Discussion Paper, I wish to acknowledge once again, on behalf of the Trustees, your outstanding work and that of all those who contribute to the life of our Catholic schools. In seeking to build on the strengths that already exist in our schools, the Senior Trustees would welcome analysis, comment and feedback on these proposals by 31st May 2012. Please send feedback to me, marked Together Towards Tomorrow, at the above address.

Yours sincerely

Monsignor Eamon Martin

Diocesan Administrator

Download complete discussion paper - (9MB)

John Paul II Awards, 2012 The Pope John Paul II Award is dedicated to the memory of the late Pope John Paul II whose love of young people was so profound. The Award was launched by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland His Excellency Most Rev Dr Giuseppe Lazzarotto on 7th November 2006 in the Diocese of Derry, Ireland. 5th Annual Award Ceremony for The Pope John Paul II Awards The 5th Annual Pope John Paul II Awards ceremony for the Tyrone Deanery took place on Tuesday 7th February in the Millennium Forum, Derry. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, retired Archbishop of Westminster, presented the awards. To receive the award, it was required that the recipients of the Pope John Paul II Award spend a period of time serving their local parish and also taking part in community or charity work. For further information on the awards, please contact Anne Marie Hickey of the Pope John Paul II Award Committee [028] 71264087, as soon as possible.

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RETREAT FOR MUSIC MINISTERS 12 – 19 July 2012. Pontifical Irish College, Rome. This retreat will offer an opportunity for those involved in music ministry to reflect and pray together. It will be directed by Fr Liam Lawton. Further information can be accessed on www.irishcollege.org

TIME FOR PRIESTS Retreat from 11 – 21 September 2012. Pontifical Irish College, Rome. This retreat will focus on The Priest and the new Evangelisation. This reflects the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the 2012 Synod of Bishops. For further information please log on to www.irishcollege.org

Derry Eucharistic Conference will take place in Thornhill College on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 April. Theme:‘Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord’. Speaker: Denis McBride CSSR. More information will follow.

Lenten Retreat from Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 February in Ards Friary. Directed by Fr. SilvesterO’Flynn and Fr. Kieran Shorten OFM Capuchin. Theme: Journey with the Lord through Lent. Commences at 9.30am and concludes after lunch. Cost 85 Euro residential/60 Euro non-residential. To book contact Ards Friary 00353 749138909 or info@ardsfriary.

	Derry Diocesan Vocations Council The Derry Diocesan Vocations Council is made up of married people, single people, Religious and Priests. The function of the Council is to increase awareness in the Church of each one's calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, acknowledging that there are different ways in which this call can be lived out. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” … Matthew 4:19 “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people” … Luke 5:10 “Rabbi, where are you staying?” “Come and see” … John 1:38: 39 Ever since the call of the first disciples of Jesus, as described in the gospels, every generation has witnessed people leaving their ‘nets’ and following the Lord in a particular way through priesthood and religious life. They have come from different backgrounds, professions, and places as the Spirit of God has moved them to make a commitment to spreading the ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ to a world that is constantly in need of the joy of the presence of God.
	Crossroads 2012 : Youth – Journey - Discovery Crossroads is a new vibrant event organised by the Ulster Diocesan youth offices. The event is for youth...from all over Ulster to journey and discover faith through prayer, music, talks, workshops and much more. This event is a step towards the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in April and then the International Eucharistic Congress in June 2012. Our day together will culminate with a Celebration of the Eucharist, celebrated by His Eminence Séan Cardinal Brady and concelebrated by the Diocesan Bishops and International Eucharistic Congress Diocesan representatives. IT’s FREE - Come along and enjoy the fun...(a collection will be taken up during the Celebration of the Eucharist and if you can make a small donation to help defer costs it will be greatly appreciated!) When: Sunday 26th February 2012 – 10.00a.m. – 8.00p.m. (7.00p.m. Leaving Mass) Where: St. Ciaran’s Ballygawley, County Tyrone (The Centre of Ulster) WHO: The event is for all youth aged 15 – 25 from Armagh, Clogher, Derry, Down & Connor, Dromore, Kilmore & Raphoe Dioceses.
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International Eucharistic Congress - This year’s International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin from 10th –17th June, the first time the event has been held in this country since 1932. The high point of the many Masses, liturgies and events of the Congress will be the final Mass which will be celebrated in Croke Park on Sunday, 17th June. Admission to the Mass is by ticket only and the tickets are now available. There are only 1600 for all of the Diocese of Derry, 60 of which have been allocated to the Parish of Melmount. Application forms for tickets are available from the Parish Office and should be completed and returned to the Derry Diocesan IEC Office, 55 St. Patrick’s Street, Draperstown, Magherafelt, Co. Derry, BT45 7AJ. Please include £10 with your application form. Cheques should be made payable to Fr Seamus Kelly. In the event that you are not successful with your application your money will be refunded. Fr Michael McCaughey in Derry has agreed to organise buses for those who prefer that means of transport and will give more details later. Details of places and times of departure as well as cost, including refreshments will be made available at a later time. Please mark on form your interest in travelling by bus.

Preparing for International Congress: Fr. Kelly and Colette Furlong will speak in the Thornhill Centre on Saturday 25 February from 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Light refreshments will be served. Cost £5.00 per person. To book telephone 79628248 or email derrydioceseies@btinternet.com.

International Eucharistic Congress - There is a bus available for those who wish to go to Fr. Seamus Kelly’s talk on preparation for the Eucharistic Congress on Saturday 25 February in the Thornhill Centre, Derry. Please contact Margo Doherty on 71883453 for more information and booking.

www.iec2012.ie/pastoral

(left to right) are: Mgr. Joseph Donnelly, Mgr. Bryan McCanny, Fr. Patrick McGoldrick, Fr. Michael Canny,
Mgr. Eamon Martin (Diocesan Administrator), Fr. John Farren, Fr. Francis Bradley, Fr. John Cargan.

MGR. EAMON MARTIN ELECTED AS DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR

FOR THE DIOCESE OF DERRY