Welcome to the website of the Office of Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry in the Archdiocese of Armagh.

Go Into My Vineyard is a Theology course run by the Office of Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry in conjunction with Mater Dei Institute and Edgehill College.  We have just completed a two year Certificate course in Armagh. To follow on from this, we will be hoping to offer the Certificate course in Dromantine, Newry in September 2012. For more information on how to apply click here.

Do you have a bit of spare time? Ever thought about taking an online course?  Boston College are offering short online courses, for more information click here.

Thinking of having a school retreat?  Then click here to see an alternative.

Congratulations to our own Tony Hanna, who has just released a new book called 'Dear James Anthony'.  For a look at the front cover of the book click here. Wishing you every success.

The Armagh Diocesan Pastoral Council which has been in existence for one year will reconvene its work on October 22nd. The Council has spent some time looking at the new constitution and it has recommended some amendments which will be voted on shortly. The main brief of the Council is to advise the Cardinal on how best to care for the pastoral needs of the diocese. They have been looking at the new pastoral areas, the eight commissions, and the new context in which the Church is currently operating. The Council will elect a Chairperson later this year and it intends to publish a list of all its members so that individual parishioners can contact a local representative if there is an issue that they are concerned about. Read more.

Learning about the development of pastoral areas in New Zealand was a very fruitful experience that we had in the summer. You can read all about it by clicking here.  You may hear more of our reflections in time.

Br Sofield's address (in four parts) to parish pastoral councils is available on the Armagh Archdiocese YouTube site.  More Loughlin Sofield videos on the work and role of parish pastoral councils are available here. A review of Loughlan and Carroll's recent book, Facing Forgiveness, can be found here.

Interested in enriching your marriage? Click here for more information. You can find a weekly marriage moment and parenting pointer on this website. Both can be found in the family section. A new one is offered each Monday.