The Archdiocese has launched a new set of pastoral resources to help reflect on the fruits of the Diocesan Synodal Congress on Youth, Family and Faith

The resources follow Archbishop Eamon Martin’s recent pastoral letter, Go, Rebuild My Church, which was read at Masses throughout the Archdiocese on 3 and 4 October 2026.  They are designed to help parishes and schools begin shaping the next steps in the renewal of the Church.

Together, the pastoral letter and two new documents, Pathways and Proposals Table 2026–2032: What We Heard and What Comes Next and Go, Rebuild My Church: Guide to Reflection on the Pathways Table, invite the whole diocesan family to continue the work of listening, prayer and discernment, and to consider how the hopes expressed during the Congress might begin to take shape in parish and community life.

From Listening and Discernment to Pastoral Action

The Diocesan Synodal Congress, held in Armagh from 20 to 22 March 2026, brought together clergy, religious, young people, parents, teachers and parish representatives to reflect on the future of faith, family and parish life.

Building on more than five years of listening and discernment, the Congress considered how the Church might respond more faithfully and creatively to the changing realities of people’s lives, while recognising the gifts and contributions of the whole People of God.

The fruits of those conversations have now been gathered into five missionary pathways, offering a shared direction for renewal across the Archdiocese between 2026 and 2032.

Under the image of FLAME, these pathways are:

  • Formation: Helping children, young people and adults deepen their faith and grow in confidence in living and sharing the Gospel.
  • Liturgy: Renewing our experience of worship, welcome, participation and belonging within parish communities.
  • Accompaniment: Strengthening the relationships between families, schools and parishes, with particular attention to young people after Confirmation and to young adults.
  • Mission: Finding new ways to communicate, invite and share the Good News, including through digital evangelisation and outreach.
  • Encounter: Creating opportunities for prayer, spiritual renewal and a deeper personal and communal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Pathways and Proposals Table brings together the recommendations of the Congress and identifies possible pastoral actions, including renewed approaches to faith formation, stronger parish hospitality, support for families and young people, and greater cooperation between neighbouring parishes.

These proposals do not constitute a programme that every parish must undertake. Rather, they offer possibilities for communities to explore according to their own circumstances, needs and available resources.

“We Begin Again from Christ”

In his pastoral letter, Archbishop Eamon draws inspiration from Saint Francis of Assisi, who heard Christ’s invitation to “Go, rebuild my Church.”

What Francis first understood as a call to repair a building became a much deeper invitation to renew his own life in Christ and to live the Gospel with courage, humility and love.

Archbishop Eamon reminds us that this same invitation speaks to the Church today:

“We are not being asked simply to devise new programmes or to maintain existing structures, but, like young St Francis, we are being invited to encounter Jesus Christ, who heals what has been wounded, gathers what has become scattered and sends us out to be a people of hope, reconciliation and mission. We begin again from Christ.”

He also reminds us that this work belongs to everyone:

“The renewal and ‘rebuilding’ of our Church is the shared responsibility of the whole People of God here in the Archdiocese of Armagh.”

An Invitation to Every Parish and Community

To support this next stage, the Archdiocese has prepared a Guide to Reflection on the Pathways Table, designed for use by Parish Pastoral Councils, Finance Councils, Congress delegates, schools, young people, families and other interested parishioners.

The guide provides a simple framework for prayerful reflection and discussion, helping communities consider what they have heard, where they already see signs of hope and what practical steps might be possible locally.

Parishes are encouraged to begin by reflecting on the pastoral letter and the five pathways, asking what speaks most directly to their own circumstances.

The invitation is not to do everything, or to have every answer, but to identify one or two realistic steps that could make a difference in the life of the local Church.

The guide also encourages the use of Conversation in the Spirit, creating space for prayer, attentive listening and shared discernment.

The fruits of these local conversations will help shape five regional gatherings planned for November 2026, where representatives from across the Archdiocese will consider emerging priorities, practical possibilities and the support communities may need as they move towards implementation.

Further regional gatherings are envisaged for February 2027.

Particular attention will be given to ensuring that young people and families continue to have a voice in shaping the future of parish life, building on the experiences, hopes and concerns they shared throughout the Congress process.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE FRUITS OF THE CONGRESS TABLE
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE REFLECTION GUIDE 

A People Called to Shine, Sent to Serve

The publication of these resources marks another step in responding to the Congress invitation to become A People Called to Shine, Sent to Serve.

The image of FLAME reminds us of the fire of Pentecost and of the Holy Spirit, whose gifts we receive in Baptism and whose presence strengthens us in Confirmation.

The renewal of our Church will not come about through documents or programmes alone. It will grow through the faith, prayer, generosity and participation of people in our parishes, schools, homes and communities.

Every parish has something to offer. Every community has its own gifts and challenges. And every baptised person has a part to play.

As Archbishop Eamon writes:

“In a fragmented world, Christ gathers. In a weary Church, Christ calls us: ‘Go, rebuild my Church.’”

The invitation now is to read, reflect, listen and discern together, trusting that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church and calls each of us to take part in its renewal.

Access the New Diocesan Resources

Parishes, schools and community groups are encouraged to make use of the following resources in preparation for the November regional gatherings:

1. Pathways and Proposals Table 2026–2032: What We Heard and What Comes Next
An overview of the five missionary pathways, the recommendations emerging from the Synodal Congress and possible actions for pastoral renewal.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

2. Go, Rebuild My Church: Guide to Reflection on the Pathways Table
A practical guide to support prayer, conversation and communal discernment within parishes, schools and local groups.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

3. Archbishop Eamon Martin’s Pastoral Letter: Go, Rebuild My Church
The Archbishop’s invitation to the whole Archdiocese to embrace the call to renewed faith, shared responsibility and mission.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

4. Parish Reflection Video
A short video introducing the invitation to renewal and encouraging communities to reflect on how they might respond.
Watch the Parish Reflection Video

The Archdiocese encourages parishes to share these resources with Parish Pastoral Councils, clergy, school communities, young people, families and all who wish to contribute to the future of the Church.

Go, rebuild my Church. Together, a people called to shine and sent to serve.