Parishes in Communion for Mission Launched Tonight

23 June 2010

Hundreds of people came to the Cathedral tonight (23 June) accepting Bishop Declan’s invitation to the launch of ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ - our vision for the future organisation of parishes.

The liturgy took people through the journey of our comprehensive consultation which is rooted in our diocesan pastoral guidelines ‘Called to be a People of Hope’.

Father Christopher Whitehead, the Director of our Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation, reminded us of the process that has led to people gathering this special evening.  In the past four years there has been a period of consultation,  beginning with ‘Seeking the Face of Christ’,  which led to our diocesan pastoral guidelines ‘Called to be a People of Hope’.   It is from this document that ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ has developed.  You can listen to what Father Christopher said in the multimedia panel on the right.

Canon Bernard Massey chaired the committee that led the consultation.  He spoke about the process that has led to ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’.  It is the fruit of prayer, consultation and much discussion and review. It was presented to the diocese, deaneries and parishes as a way of moving forward together in faith and hope as we work together to reveal the face of Christ in our communities.  You can listen to Canon Bernard's words in the multimedia panel on the right.

Copies of ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ were presented to deanery representatives.  Two representatives from each of our 13 deaneries - a lay person and a priest came forward to receive the documents from Bishop Declan.

Bishop Declan then led the congregation in prayer, saying:
God our Father
through the waters of Baptism
you have called us to be a people of hope.

May Mary inspire us
to be generous in prayer
and obedient to your Word.

May Peter teach us to strengthen
the bonds of love which unite your Church.

May Paul lead us in giving our lives
in the service of others
for the good of your world.

Send your Holy Spirit upon us
so that walking faithfully
in the footsteps of the saints
your Kingdom will grow among us.

We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.    
Amen.

You can listen to Bishop Declan's homily in the multimedia panel on the right.

Following the conclusion of the liturgy, Bishop Declan spoke about the launch.  He said: “This evening was a wonderful diocesan celebration with representatives, both laity and clergy, from all 13 deaneries and many of our parishes.  There was a clear sense of hope and enthusiasm as people were wanting to celebrate, live and share their faith in Jesus Christ.

“There was certain hesitancy about the future with new challenges, but there was a belief that with the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can face the future together with confidence.  We will achieve things, which as St Paul said, we would not dare to ask or imagine if it were not for the presence of God.  There was a real wish for our diocese to be parishes in communion for mission.”

‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ features the striking image of Pope Benedict XVI and Bishop Declan pointing to the Clifton Diocese on an atlas on the cover.  Hundreds of copies were given out at the launch to anyone who wanted.  It's also available in the multimedia panel on the right.  Along with the booklet you can also download the ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ prayercard.

You can listen to our podcast report from the launch in the multimedia panel on the right.  Father Christopher Whitehead talks us through the night's occasion.

Photographs from the launch are can be seen in the image gallery on the right.  Just click on the small images for the bigger picture. 

You can find out more about the background to ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ in our podcast from yesterday (23 June).  Canon Bernard Massey talks about the purpose of ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’, how so many people contributed to it and how our vision for the future organisation of parishes is the positive springboard for the future.

Bishop Declan has written a pastoral letter for the weekend of 3 and 4 July.  The pastoral letter will focus on 'Parishes in Communion for Mission', and will be read and made available in all our churches and chapels on the fourteenth Sunday of ordinary time. Bishop Declan's letter will be available in the ‘Bishop Declan’ section of this website - just click in ‘Pastoral Letters’.

More about our diocesan pastoral guidelines in the ‘Called to be a People of Hope’ section.