Pastoral council makes urgent appeal

AN appeal has been launched to raise funds towards the building of a pastoral centre in a Northside parish. The cost of the new facility in the parish of St Francis of Assisi, Priorswood, is

?¬435,000.

While most of the money has been raised so far, there is still a shortfall of

?¬52,000, which must be raised by Priorswood Pastoral Council.

The Dublin Diocese and Dublin City Council have generously provided most of the funding to date.

Currently, there is no meeting place for the many groups active in the community. Meetings are usually held in the living room of the Capuchin Parish House.

In October 2014, Priorswood Pastoral Council launched a year-long fundraising campaign to get the project underway. Fundraising events are taking place on a monthly basis.

To date, through donations and fundraising, the pastoral council’s members have raised

?¬23,000 but the

?¬52,000 shortfall needs to be raised before December.

When completed, the new facility will provide a meeting place for all groups in the parish; a morning

‘Drop-In’ for tea, coffee and a chat, which will help to reduce social isolation; Parent & Toddler mornings for mothers/fathers/carers with young children; and an information resource with relevant contact details for referral organisations.

Dublin City Council will also hold a clinic for a half day, once a week in the new centre.

The parish secretary, who is currently working in the parochial house, will operate the parish office in the new centre from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

Gerry Charles, a spokesman for Priorswood Pastoral Council, said:

“We feel that there is an urgency to get diggers on site before costs increase again. The cost has already increased by

?¬25,000 since last year.

“We have the support of our entire community who so badly want this facility to be built as soon as possible.

“It would be a great boost to our campaign if we could raise some funds from the people of our parish and surrounding areas.

?

Mr Charles said when the centre is built, it would be a welcoming place for the entire community.

“The centre will be self-financing once it is constructed,

? he added.

Priorswood Pastoral Council is appealing to individuals and businesses to support the campaign. It said any contribution would be gratefully received and acknowledged.

Upcoming fundraising events will include a car boot sale in Priorswood Church grounds on Saturday, June 27 from 10am to 4pm (cars

?¬15 vans

?¬20), a Private Members’ Draw (tickets on sale from July), a Gospel Choir Concert and bingo.

For further information contact the secretary, Claire, on 086-1624539.

Meanwhile, if you would like to make a donation, cheques can be made out to: St Francis Parish, Priorswood No. 3 Account, Parochial House, Clonshaugh Drive, Dublin 17.

Bank A/C details: AIB Bank, St Brigid’s Road, Artane. Sort Code: 93-21-91 Acc Number: 12567-742.