Dominican Fathers Newry Trustees, report The Trustees of the Domlnlcan Fathers Newry present their annual report and non-ststutory financial statenEnts for the year ended 31 December 2023. Prlnclpal actlvttle8 The Dominican Fathers Newry is a Community of Friars living in Dominic Street, Newry and having a Priory Church that is Open to the publlc for participation in religious services or quiet prayer or reflection. The Dominican Fathers Newry Is part of the Irish Provin of the Dominic8ns (Order of Friars Preachers). The DominicAns were founded by St Dominic de Guzman in 1216 wfth the purpose of preaching the Gospels. The princip81 activity of the Dominican Fathers Newry is the advancement of rellglon and education to the public in Northern Ireland. The Dominlcan Fathérs Newry achieve this objective by adapting to tre needs of the Christian CoMmunY in ordér to raise wwareness and understsnding of religious beliefs and practices. Communlty m?mbèrs are invofv•d in a broad spectrum of religious and social activity induding Chaplalncy, missionary work, teaching. and litefary work Such as writing, publishing and research. Comunity members participate In Chantable work3 and groupg, and are available to indtvSdual members of the public who wish to consult them on matters of faith, spiritual life or Social issues. In this way the Domlnican Fathers Newry en3ure a real religic+us, 1¢XI81 and educatronal benefit to a broad range of people. Publlc bonafft A dtrect Public benefrt comes from the Charlty to the spiritual, physical and menlal wellbeing of the Catholic and wider Communities in tha Newry area. Public benefrt is supported and served by the Dominlcan Fathers who conduct R81igious 8ep4ices such a5 ftwsses and other worship, with a 8peclal emphasis on the promotion of Confession, and Religious Educatton through retreats, novenas, bible medltation and other courses or18Ctures. Members of the public we encouraged to participate in dally masses, Eucharisbc adoration, bible studi6s in the newty built Lectio centre and v8ri0us prayer groups. The Community is mindful of those unable to attend Church through age, infirmlty or LIng away from Newry and their involvement is facilitated by an "on-line" broadSt of Church rOnIeS. The DominieAn Fathers Newry can also facilitate public through individual Religious ceremonies such as baptisms, marriages and funerals. Members of the Corrmunity are available to a person in need of moral support or comfort to deal with lrfe's difficulties in bereavement, illness or misfortune. The importance of the Charity within Newry is evident from the number of people willing to volunteer their time and partlcipate in R8ligiou8 practice, and octive Involvement is to everyone's benefiL The Domlnican Fathers Newry hold a charitable objective and In addition to invofvement in soci818nd other works make or organise significant donaiions to a number of good causes locally and abroad. These irKlude holding a special collection each Monday for a nominated chary. and regular donations to worthy causes. Flnanclal revlew The statement of financial activities for 2023 1$ cJ)ntained on page 9. This discloseg income of the Charity at £483.689 (2022.. £439.802). Expenditure in 2023 totalled £426,699 {2022." £543,389). The balance sheet for the DominirAn Fathers Newry is on page 10. This discloses a financial basa, largely comprising bank accounts, investrnents and propety. The Charity's reserves amount to £844,804 (2022." £753,292J.
Dominican Fathers Newry Trustees, report (continued) The Dominican Fathers use these serveS to 5UPPOrt the furtherance of their mission to preach the Gospel by lunding its charitable. preaching. educab"on, care and other obhgations. Stalement that the Trustees have had regard to the Charlty Commbslon for Northern Ireland public requlrement ststutory guidance The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 4(6> of the Charities Act {Northern Ireland) 2008 to have due r8g8rd to the public benefit guidance published by Charities Commission for Norihem Ireland in determining the activities undertaken by the Charity. Throughout this Annual Report th8 Ttustses Seek to derfK)n8trate that the aim8 and objectives of the Dominican Fathe[5 Newry a for the public benefit Structure. governanca and management The operations of the Dominican Fathers Newry are overseén by thé Trustee Board. Trusttts are appointed by the Community of Friars in Newry and Provincialate of the Dominican Order in Ireland. Trustees are Dominican Friars and recruitment Is based upon thelr knowledge, skllls and experience necessary for overseeing the affairs ol the Charity to ensure il 18 solvent, well run and achteves the purposes for whlch it was eslablished. Rl•k managemont The Twste8 808rd 8Ctively review8 all major strategic and operational rlsks to which the Charity is exposed and confirms these hav6 been revlawed and that strategles and systems are established to manage 8XPOSUlP to these risks. The main risk areas for the Dominican Fathar8 Nthvry comwise- Compliance with He8tth and Safety and listed bullding8 legi81ation Saf8guarding Maintaining Church Income in tho modern Sactety Reduction in reseries due to maintenance of buildings Impact of aging in Community Merr*ership and congregations Safeguardlng The Dorninican Fathers NoNry adheres lo best wactice child protection and VUIrable adult safeguardlng practices which is overseen by the safeguarding office of the Dominican Order in Ireland. This safeguardirvJ office is managed by a lay Fer8on WIK) is 8 qualth'ed and eXrIenCed social worker. The role of the safeguarding office is to dèvelop, implement and oversee best practice children and vulnerable adult safeguarding procedu frjr the Province which includes the Dominican Fathers Newry. This is done in aco)rdance wilh the National Board fix Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland's (NBSCCCI) Standards and Guldanca document Futura plan• The Dominican Fathers Newry will continue the activilies detailed already in this report and seek to develop further, particularly prfxvK)ting invotroement in Lectio Devina. The Community has property. namety the Church. Priw, Lectio Centre and other ancillary buildwigs. These need reful maintenance due to their 8ge, htstorical sunIfiCan and availability for worship to the general public. A lundraising Committee continues valuable work on raising funds for essential renovab'ons. In a relats'vety shcyt time perK)d, substsntial monies have been raise(I without which renovations would be impossible. Our thanks to all persons contributing to the fundraising and the volunteers on Ihe Committee for their d1rtiOn.
Dominican Fathers Newry Trustees, report (continued) Per¥ons Involved wlth th• Charlty The Dominican Fathers Newry acknowledges wilh gratitude the support of the people of NvNry who rrftan so much to our Community. It would be very difkult to continue our Mission in Newry without the many people who give their time in such a variety of ways to the Chafity and to our dedicated Staff whose input to the Chanty is so important and valued. Dlscloguro of Information to Audltor Each person who is a trustee at the date ol approval of Ihis report confirms that. there 18 no relevant audit information (infom)ation needj by the charity'8 auditor in connecoon with preparing the auditovs report) of whh the chanty's auditor 1$ unaware, and the trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken 8s trustees in ord8r to m8k8 themselves aware of any relevant audit infomHts'on and to establigh that the charity's auditor is aware of that information. proved and authorised for issue by the Trustee8 on 2 and signed on its behalf by: C12LLLI Truslee Trustee