Chaplaincy

We are the chaplaincy team for the YMCAs in Ireland. In the autumn of 2020, we launched our new Chaplaincy Programme seeking to support our Dublin, Cork, and Newcastle centres.

We are piloting a new training programme to place volunteer chaplains in our centres. We started training participants with the below sessions running October through February. We have accepted our first set of volunteer chaplains and they began their new role in March 2021.

We look forward to this new role helping to further support our staff, volunteers, young people, service users and local communities.

Get in touch with Anne Baenziger, our National Coordinating Chaplain at coordinatingchaplain@ymca-ireland.net

Training Programme

Chaplaincy Everywhere Training Sessions*

1. Caught Up in the Mission of God
2. As Christ in the World
3. The Spirit of Chaplaincy
4. The Cloak of Chaplaincy
5. What Chaplains Do 
6. Chaplaincy in Today’s World

*learn more about the Chaplaincy Everywhere course here.

Practical Skills Sessions

1. Listening Skills facilitated by Dianne Morris, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Supervisor
2. Bereavement & Boundaries facilitated by Joan Singleton, Irish Bible Institute Tutor, Pastoral Care and Ministry & Personal Development Programme Supervisor
3. Mental Health First Aid facilitated by Tom Tate, Counsellor, Psychotherapist & Workshop Facilitator at WhyMind
4. Coaching and Facilitation skills facilitated by Sam Moore and Ann Marie Kerr, Leadership Development Trainers at Innovista Ireland

Team

We are the YMCA’s volunteer team of chaplains in Ireland. (tap or hover to see bio)

Dublin Chaplains

• Anne Baenziger (anne.baenziger@ymca-ireland.net)
• Mark Reilly (mark.reilly@ymca-ireland.net)
• Dan Edewor (daniel.edewor@ymca-ireland.net)

Cork Chaplains

• Miryam Lightbody (miryam.lightbody@ymca-ireland.net)
• Jennifer Kiernan (jennifer.kiernan@ymca-ireland.net)

Greenhill/Newcastle Chaplain

• Gareth Bell (gareth.bell@ymca-ireland.net)

Anne Baenziger

National Coordinating Chaplain

Anne moved to Dublin from the States in 2013. She's been leading Breathe, a pioneer ministry of the Methodist Church in Ireland & from 2013-2020 she coordinated a youth leadership programme in Dublin schools with Innovista Ireland. Since June 2020, she has taken on this new role to develop our chaplaincy programme. She's based in Dublin where you will find her cycling, drinking coffee, & watching movies.

Mark Reilly

Dublin Chaplain

Mark was born in New York City but has spent many years travelling, living & working in the US, Asia & Europe. He has worked in the youth-development & spiritual support field for the past 20 years and is currently halfway through a Masters in Chaplaincy Studies and Pastoral Work at DCU. With fond memories of attending the YMCA in New York City as a child, Mark is excited to connect once again here in Ireland, the land of his ancestral roots. Currently living in Meath, Mark enjoys intercultural conversation, immersive walks in Nature and spending time with animals.

Dan Edewor

Dublin Chaplain

Dan was born and bred in South Dublin. He’s served on multiple youth camps and teams and has a passion for young people. He loves sports, movies, good food and socialising. He has just finished his BA in Applied Theology from the Irish Bible Institute and is eager to see young people access their full potential to live life to the full. He serves as a chaplain here at YMCA Dublin Aungier St. & is always up for a good conversation and banter.

Gareth Bell

Greenhill/Newcastle Chaplain

"Gareth describes himself as a: Doubtful Believer, Straight Talking Stutterer, Ignatian Explorer, Passionate Introvert, Coffachocaholic, Thoughtful Troublemaker. He's worked in various sectors & when he’s not studying or creating courses for developing others, you'll find him watching Netflix, reading or asking the question “would you like to see a magic trick?” If you're passing Mauds, his favourite ice-cream is Belgian Chocolate."

Miryam Lightbody

Cork Chaplain

Miryam lives and studies in Cork. She received her BA Hons. in Applied Psychology in 2018 and began work with faith charity ‘Alpha Ireland’ that same year; she is currently in training to become a counsellor. She loves having conversations with people about faith and meaning and asking life’s big questions. She will be serving as a YMCA Chaplain based in Cork.

Jenny Kiernan

Cork Chaplain

Jenny comes originally from Co. Longford but moved to Cork in August of 2020. She has a BA in Theology & Anthropology & most recently graduated with a Masters in Scripture from St. Patrick's College Maynooth. She has been a college tutor & an ELF (English as a Foreign Language) teacher. Jenny is passionate in helping & supporting people in all walks of life, especially young people. She's known for having a big sweet tooth.