Clustering means the sharing of resources between parishes.  For example, this could  mean arranging Mass-schedules in a way that makes it possible for all Masses in the cluster to be catered for in the event of one, or more, of the priests being absent for holidays or because of illness. Clustering in this minimal sense also involves planning for Masses and other liturgies to be catered for when the number of priests in the cluster diminishes.

Clustering at a more advanced level could mean looking at the full reality of pastoral life in the area, with a view to finding ways in which talents, gifts and abilities of priests, and of lay people as well, can be shared across the cluster.

Ballinahown is part of Leamonaghan parish. Our parish is one of six parishes in the Clonmacnois Deanery of the diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois. There are two clusters in the Clonmacnois Deanery. One cluster involves the parishes of Athlone and Moate. The other cluster includes the parishes of Leamonaghan, Clonmacnois, Ferbane and Cloghan/Banagher. Across these four parishes, seven priests administer to a population of approximately 10,000 people.