History & Background :

In February 1975 a joint commission of Limerick Diocesan Laity Commission and the Council of Priests set up a working group to explore ways in which the spiritual mission of the Church could be furthered. Reporting in May 1976, they spoke of the need for formation of lay people under the headings of Prayer and Liturgy, Thought and Education, Christian Community Action and the creation of a Christian environment.

At the time, a group of priests submitted a report on youth and among their proposals was one for a catholic formation Centre to resource the work being done in parishes. At this time many programmes were being initiated for young people; programmes which developed in the void that had grown between the Church and young people. Through the development of programmes such as Discovery, groups like Young Christian Workers and Muintearas Íosa, the opening of Baile Mhuire in Foynes as a house of welcome for young people, the preparations for the papal visit to Ireland in 1979 and the appointment of a Youth Director, Youth Ministry has developed. The Diocese of Limerick has been one of the pioneers in Youth Ministry over the years through the Limerick Youth Apostolate, which was based at Baile Mhuire.

In 1993 these two tracks began to converge through the wishes of Bishop Jeremiah Newman to develop a pastoral initiative in the Diocese of Limerick. From this plans were made to put a new Centre in place from where pastoral work in the diocese would operate. In November 1994 the Pastoral Centre began to function from its purpose-built location in Limerick city with the brief of being involved in assisting the formation, training and education of adults, young adults, priests and religious of the diocese.