Diocesan Family Day - 30 June 2018

Parishioner Annette Wells was one of our parishioners that attended our Diocesan Family Day which was held at St Brendan’s College in Bristol on Saturday.  The day was well-attended and Annette has provided us with a write-up of the day.  It was, by all accounts, a great day.  Perhaps next year we’ll think about organising a coach trip so that more parishioners can attend…  If you are interested in Annette’s thoughts and ideas, please contact our Outreach Worker - Caroline Williams on 01722 502503.

Annette writes:

In the morning session the Diocesan Mission and the call of successive popes to evangelise were discussed.  We were challenged to come up with ideas to fulfil this mission. It was suggested that as parishes we could be more welcoming.  However to evangelise properly we have to reach out to those who will not even come near the door of our churches.

Hannah Vaughn-Spruce who has been involved with the Portsmouth Diocese was a keynote speaker and in her work they have been asking lapsed Catholics why they no longer attend church.  Interestingly – almost none of the responses were hostile, they simply did not feel engaged and so had ‘dropped out’.

Reflections on the Day

Jesus never sat and waited for people to come to Him.  He went out among the crowds but neither did he ‘knock on doors’. He encountered people in the public places. Could we have a “Listen and Pray” tent in public place so that we could reach out to people who have worries, simply sitting and listening or praying with or for them as they are most comfortable?

If lack of engagement is a reason that people fall away perhaps it might be an idea to provide more faith formation and discernment training for those who already come to church.

Questions

What is God’s mission and purpose for me?

What am I meant to be?

If I don’t know what my mission is, how can I discern it?

Have I not actually looked for it in case it is not what I want to do?

How can I discern my mission and purpose so that I can best contribute to the Church’s mission and purpose?

I need to be fully engaged to have the courage and the will to evangelise.

Should we consider a weekend mission/retreat on discernment to give the parishes a foundation and direction to look at our personal mission and purpose and consider how this could enrich the mission of the Parish?

With thanks to Annette for sharing her thoughts with us.  If you’re interested in joining with Annette to promote any of ideas above or have ideas of your own that you’d like to share, please contact us.