Preparing for Parishes in Communion for Mission Meetings

21 January 2011

Next month Bishop Declan begins hosting meetings in each of the four counties in our diocese, to explore how ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ is going in your parish.  Today (21 January) we hear from our Parishes in Communion for Mission Coordinator Father Michael McAndrew.

Father Michael recently wrote to our parish priest ahead of the meeting which begins on Tuesday 1 February.

The meetings are the next step as we continue to implement ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ the current stage of 'Called to be a People of Hope', our pastoral guidelines. 

The meetings details are below.
Tuesday 1 February at St Bernadette’s, Whitchurch, Bristol
Tuesday 8 February at St Peter’s, Swindon
Tuesday 22 February at St Patrick’s, Brockworth, Gloucester
Tuesday 1 March at St George’s, Taunton

The meetings will run from 7.00 pm until 8.30 pm.

Father Michael wrote: “It is hoped that all priests will attend one of these meetings along with their parish councils.

“The evenings are intended to be an opportunity for us all to gain a greater understanding of how the proposals in ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ are being implemented. We’ll also seek to understand what support might be needed as we continue to move forward and realise our vision for the future organisation of our parishes.

“In preparation for the meetings you and your parish council might like to consider the following questions: How has ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ been received in your parish/deanery?  What is already happening in your parish/deanery to implement ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’?  What opportunities does the implementation present? What anxieties are there about the process? What support is needed?”

You can download your copy of ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ from the multimedia panel on the right.

You can hear Father Michael explain more about the meeting in the podcast in the multimedia panel on the right.