Cashel, Ferns and Ossory Committee for Social Affairs invite clergy and people concerned for rural Ireland to a day conference.

“Caring for Rural Communities in Times of Change: A Church of Ireland Response” takes place on Saturday, 12th October 2013 at Horse and Jockey, Co Tipperary. A very strong line up of speakers will, it is hoped, inform and enable those who attend, and send them away with ideas for their own parishes. It is particularly hoped that Mothers’ Union branches, who have a special concern for families, homes, and communities, will be strongly represented.

The conference timetable is:

1030 Coffee

Morning Session: Rural Challenges
1050 Opening reflection
1100 Matt Dempsey – Irish Farmers’ Journal
1140 Kieran Stafford – National Vice-President, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
1220 Bernie Caroll/Louise Ryan – National Office for Suicide Prevention

1300 Lunch

Afternoon session: Rural Responses
1345 Kathleen Lynch TD – Minister of State for Disability, Equality and Mental Health
1425 Charles Smith, Chief Executive, Farming Community Network UK
1505 John Evoy, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Men’s Sheds Association
1545 Closing reflections

The conference is free for anyone who wishes to attend, but places must be booked to facilitate catering. Please contact Ian Poulton at:

ianpoulton@gmail.com

or at:

The Rectory, Portlaoise Road, Mountrath, Co Laois,

not later than Saturday, 5th October, if you hope to attend.