Dreaming a New Dream: Conversations on the Future of the Church in Ireland

with a Foreword by Julieann Moran

‘accessible, informative, and challenging’. Intercom

‘urges people to give thought, not to the glorious past, but to the fresh possibilities of the future’. The Irish Catholic

Pope Francis has said that we are not only in an era of change, but also in a change of era. The Church in Ireland is facing fundamental and immediate change and we need to face into this reality and discern God’s will by engaging with and listening to each other. This aligns with the Pope’s call for a synodal Church, where we find ourselves as companions on a journey together using the synodal method of ‘Conversation in the Spirit’.

Dreaming a New Dream offers a series of succinctly written ‘conversations’, addressing relevant issues facing the Church in Ireland. Each of its 15 conversations is designed to inform and challenge the reader. Three questions come at the end of each conversation which can be used either individually or in groups to further the conversation and deepen the insights.

Drawing on the author’s personal experience of working in pastoral ministry in dioceses, parishes and communities all over Ireland during the last 15 years, this book could be a resource for anyone searching for a way to become more synodal in their parish or community.

Jim Deeds is a poet, author and  retreat giver and works in Pastoral Ministry across Ireland and beyond. This is his first title with Messenger Publications, although he has co-authored a number of books with Brendan McManus SJ including  the award-winning Finding God in the Mess trilogy of books  as well as Discover God Daily: Seven Life-Changing Moments from the Journey of St Ignatius.