Called to be a People of Hope Publications

This page brings together the background to our pastoral guidelines 'Called to be a People of Hope' and many of the publications which are part of our positive planning for thefuture.

The presentation of our pastoral guidelines 'Called to be a People of Hope' took place throughout the diocese in November 2008. 

Discussions about the pastoral guidelines for the diocese began in December 2006. Since then all parishes, schools and other groups in the diocese have taken part in the consultation 'Seeking the Face of Christ', with over 1500 people coming to the various gatherings around the diocese.

Draft proposals were issued in early 2008 initiating a further round of consultation, leading to the presentation of the pastoral guidelines for our diocese ‘Called to be a People of Hope’.  All were welcome to the presentation events.  Many peple who couldn't make it to the gathering closest to them, attended another presentation.  They took place in Bristol, Stroud, Salisbury, Swindon and Taunton.  A 'Called to be a People of Hope' podcast was been publshed to talk about the presentation of our diocesan pastoral guidelines.  More details on the 'Seeking the Face of Christ' consultation that led to 'Called to be a People of Hope' are still online.

'Called to be a People of Hope' prayer cards proved popular.  You can still get them in the multimedia panel on the right.

The other 'Called to be a People of Hope' publications are collated on this page.  You can download them in both print quality and lower resolution in the multimedia panel on the right. 

The launch of our Guide to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) took place in September 2009.

In summer 2009, and as promised in ‘Called to be a People of Hope’, a Marraige and Family Life Coordinator for our diocese was appointed.

Our ‘Pastoral Councils Implementation Guide’ is also in the multimedia panel on the right. It was launched at a meeting of our Diocesan Pastoral Council in October 2009.

Bishop Declan  launched ‘Called to be a People of Hope - An Implementation Guide for Schools’ during our headteachers conference in October 2009.

Our vision for the future organisation of parishes - ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ - was launched on 23 June 2010 when hundreds of people came to the Cathedral, to be among the first to obtain copies of the booklet.  ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ and our popular prayercard is available in the multimedia panel on the right.

‘Making it work in your parish - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults’ was published in October 2010.

You can still email your questions about 'Called to be a People of Hope'.