Welcome to our web page!

INTRODUCTION

Our growing club network seeks to contribute to the joy and wellbeing of children in 3rd, 4th and 5th class, and to that of children between the ages of 8 and 11 who are being home-schooled.

Each club’s primary objective is to support participating children develop their personal relationship with God in age-appropriate, friendly and fun ways.  Our secondary objective is to support the children grow in friendship with one another.

HOST PARISHES

During the 2026 / 2027 school year clubs will run in Ballintubber-Ballymoe, Ballymote, Boyle, Croghan, Elphin, Kiltimagh, Swinford and Tulsk parishes (individual club contact details below).  All clubs are welcoming of children of neighbouring parishes.
We also welcome enquiries from parishes of our dioceses interested in joining in establishing clubs.

A TYPICAL MEETING

Club meetings, which take place during school-term, and which typically last between fifty minutes and one hour, comprise three elements:

• social and settling-in time, which may include games
• bible story exploration which may include singing, listening, talking together and praying, and
• fun activities.

BACKGROUND TO THE EMERGENCE OF OUR CLUB NETWORK

It has long been recognised that children  nurtured by family, school and community flourish when they are cared for, respected, and supported to grow.  This is especially true when it comes to their spiritual development.

Today,  and mostly because of cultural and societal changes to which we, as Church, are just beginning to respond,  committed Catholic families, clergy and other parishioners are coming to appreciate the need to complement the traditional means by which children come into the Catholic Faith.

In 2023 a small group of women and men, laity and clergy of the Achonry and Elphin dioceses, greatly encouraged by Bishop Kevin Doran,  came together around the question, ‘How can we and others best complement the efforts of committed parents and teachers?’   Their research led them to developments in Ardglass, Co. Down, Galway city and county, and in Rathdowney, Co. Laois that were drawing on a French children’s initiative spanning more than thirty years.  This French initiative is underpinned by a pedagogical method and programme called ‘Come, Follow Me’ developed by the Notre Dame de Vie Institute.   Click here  (https://www.dominicansisters.net/cfm) to read more about this.

This method and programme underpins the workings of each of our clubs, and we are particularly grateful to the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph, Lymington, England, experts in children’s catechesis, for providing our leaders with initial formation and training.  We also appreciate their willingness to provide ongoing in-service to all our clubs.

OUR EXPERIENCE THUS FAR

Our older clubs (Ballintubber-Ballymoe, Croghan and Tulsk) and others in Ireland (e.g. Ardglass, Ballinasloe, Galway City & Rathdowney) have all  confirmed that the ‘Come, Follow Me’ approach and content:

• is very child-friendly
  Children and parents / guardians and leaders are enjoying it.
• encourages children to learn
• complements the ‘Grow in Love’ Religious Education programme approved for use in our Catholic Schools
• is very adaptable

It can be used with very small groups of children in family homes, and with full classes in church and community-based settings

• can be supported locally by adults who don’t have a formal qualification in children’s catechetics
  Some training and being part of a club network is essential.
• is highly participatory and leads to fun
• seeks to foster each child’s personal relationship with God, Our Lady, the Saints and the Church
• uses visual aids and child-friendly activities that are very effective.

OUR CLUBS AND THE SACRAMENTAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH

In terms of our dioceses, the preparation of children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation remain the responsibility of  each parish in partnership with parents and teachers.

Our club sessions do set out to enrich children’s understanding and participation in these sacraments but preparation of children for reception of these sacraments is beyond the scope of each club.

DIOCESAN GET TOGETHERS

We (network) look forward to hosting two shared gatherings for club members and their families during the course of the year.  These will be primarily recreational in nature, and we are hopeful that they will include a celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Kevin Doran or another senior priest of our dioceses.

SAFEGUARDING

All club volunteers are Garda vetted and all clubs adhere to the safeguarding and children protection policies and procedures of the Achonry and Elphin dioceses.

CLUB CONTACT PERSONS

The following club leaders are happy to receive enquiries from interested parents and guardians and children.

Ballintubber-Ballymoe
Caroline
086 3201123

Ballymote
Phil
087 9781325

Boyle
Marie
086 1675219

Croghan
Helen
087 2185705

Elphin
Barbara
086 8269211

Kiltimagh
Ciara
086 3715608

Swinford
Sinead
087 7445713

Tulsk
Patricia
086 3856248

FURTHER INFORMATION / QUERIES IN RELATION TO FORMATION OF NEW CLUBS

Please contact:

Justin Harkin
Pastoral & Faith Development Services
087 6171526
justin@elphindiocese.ie

Updated:  25th August 2026