Diocesan Guidelines Consultation in Cheltenham
Sacred Hearts parish in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham saw the largest
crowd yet to a ‘Seeking the Face of Christ Gathering’. The listened to
Bishop Declan talk about the process of consultation to produce new
diocesan guidelines.
Over 180 people attended the meeting which began with prayer. Bishop Declan then shared his views on the need for guidelines. He went to explain that he preferred guidelines rather than a plan, explaining that although guidelines would set direction and priorities for the diocese they would be less prescriptive than a plan where everyone has to do exactly the same thing. Guidelines would allow each deanery to adapt them to their unique situation.
After the four parts of the consultation document had been put forward the meeting broke into groups so that each parish represented could discuss how to take the process further and have more people from their own areas involved in the consultation.
People at the meeting commented; “the sense of moving forward together as a diocese was wonderful” and “the focusing of our minds on the essentials of our faith was really helpful.”
Many people present specifically praised Bishop Declan commenting that his presence was “a real draw to get people there,” and that the Bishop came across as “very human and enthusiastic.”
There were two criticisms of the meeting firstly the more serious one that there wasn’t enough time to digest all the information and capitalise on the enthusiasm shown. One person commenting that the only negative thing was that “the meeting had to end at one!”
The steering group realise that there is a lot of information to take in but the hope is that these meetings are seen only the initial stage, and they will be followed up by meetings in parishes which will allow more time for discussion. The second criticism was that the queue for the ladies was too long!
One of the ideas suggested was that there should be more communication between parishes so that good practice could be shared. The Bishop ended the gathering by expressing his thanks to the parish team at Charlton Kings for their hospitality and hard work in getting the hall ready and the whole event was concluded with people praying our diocesan prayer.
Ann Fowler
Useful URL : http://www.cliftondiocese.com/seeking.php
Over 180 people attended the meeting which began with prayer. Bishop Declan then shared his views on the need for guidelines. He went to explain that he preferred guidelines rather than a plan, explaining that although guidelines would set direction and priorities for the diocese they would be less prescriptive than a plan where everyone has to do exactly the same thing. Guidelines would allow each deanery to adapt them to their unique situation.
After the four parts of the consultation document had been put forward the meeting broke into groups so that each parish represented could discuss how to take the process further and have more people from their own areas involved in the consultation.
People at the meeting commented; “the sense of moving forward together as a diocese was wonderful” and “the focusing of our minds on the essentials of our faith was really helpful.”
Many people present specifically praised Bishop Declan commenting that his presence was “a real draw to get people there,” and that the Bishop came across as “very human and enthusiastic.”
There were two criticisms of the meeting firstly the more serious one that there wasn’t enough time to digest all the information and capitalise on the enthusiasm shown. One person commenting that the only negative thing was that “the meeting had to end at one!”
The steering group realise that there is a lot of information to take in but the hope is that these meetings are seen only the initial stage, and they will be followed up by meetings in parishes which will allow more time for discussion. The second criticism was that the queue for the ladies was too long!
One of the ideas suggested was that there should be more communication between parishes so that good practice could be shared. The Bishop ended the gathering by expressing his thanks to the parish team at Charlton Kings for their hospitality and hard work in getting the hall ready and the whole event was concluded with people praying our diocesan prayer.
Ann Fowler
Useful URL : http://www.cliftondiocese.com/seeking.php
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