Diocesan Formation Day - Saturday 11 October

The Clifton Diocesan Annual Formation Day

Aug 20, 2025 | News

The Clifton Diocesan Annual Formation Day will take place on 11 October at St. Brendan’s College, Brislington, with Mgr John Armitage (Parish Priest, Former Rector of the National Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham and Master of the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom) as our keynote speaker. Anyone who has heard Mgr John speak before knows what an inspiring and gifted priest and speaker he is. He will be reflecting on the theme of ‘Being an Evangelist Today: the tools required to be a joyful witness of Jesus’.  

The Timetable for the day is:

9.30am            Arrivals and Refreshments

10am               Welcome and Opening Prayer (Theatre)

10.20am           Opening Talk – Mgr. John Armitage (Theatre)

11am               Refreshments

11.25am           Workshop 1

12.10pm          Move to Mass 

12.15pm          Mass (Theatre)

1pm                 Lunch (Café) – please bring a packed lunch for the day

1.45pm            Workshop 2

3pm                 Plenary and Closing Prayer (Theatre)

3.30pm            Departures

In addition, there will be several workshop options for people to attend. You can choose a session for Workshop 1 (morning) and a session for Workshop 2 (afternoon) when booking your tickets. The Workshop options are:

Make Level Paths: Catechesis for People with Additional Needs       Sr Carino Hodder OP

What guidance does the Church give us for adapting sacramental preparation for people with additional needs and disabilities? What skills do I already have as a catechist to accompany a person with additional needs on their journey of faith, and where can I go to equip myself further? These questions and more will be answered in this workshop, which is for anyone with an interest in helping people with additional needs – whether they are family members, friends, or fellow parishioners – to go deeper into their journey of Christian discipleship through the sacraments.        

Act Justly: Formation for Mission       Raymond Friel

In this workshop, Raymond Friel, the CEO of Caritas Social Action Network, will explore what the Directory for Catechesis calls, Catechesis and Social Engagement. The Directory reminds us that, ‘an integral part of the journey of the exploration of the faith is the development of a social and political vision attentive to the elimination of injustices, to the building up of peace and the safeguarding of creation’ (#389). With practical examples from the Catholic social action network, Raymond will explore this theme with discussion and the sharing of experience.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd       Melinda Whitehead

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a unique way of helping our young children to develop a deep and authentic relationship with Jesus, our Good Shepherd.  CGS responds to the innate capacity of the child for religious formation using carefully crafted resources that make the Scripture and the Liturgy of the Church accessible. The sessions are held in a specially prepared space for the children called the atrium. In this workshop Melinda will introduce participants to the work of CSG and how it can be applied at various levels of a child’s development and in a variety of circumstances.

Youth Ministry – engaging young people in catechesis       Nohil D’Souza

Confirmation is a choice, but often young people, with parental or peer pressure, feel they have no choice. How can we enable our young people to feel free to choose and embrace a life of faith.

Diaconate – Formation for service       Deacon Steve Boughton

At the very heart of the Ministry of the Permanent Deacon is the call to serve. In this workshop, deacon Steve will explore what this means for those called to Holy Orders and for those who by virtue of their baptism, have a role to play in supporting and assisting them in their ministry.

Helping Parents to help their children grow in faith       Sr Lucy Cahil OP

The first teachers of the faith are a child’s parents. Sr Lucy will help us to understand how we can help parents take responsibility for the catechesis children receive and how important their role is in helping their children to grow in a love of Jesus.

Accompanying Couples to live their Vocation to Marriage when Life is a Struggle       James & Sharon Westby, Retrouvaille Co-ordinators England and Wales

Marriage is meant to be for life, but couples often encounter difficulties along the way. Retrouvaille is a Catholic organisation that actively engages with couples to enable them to move from a place of hurt to healing. As communities of faith, we are encouraged to support family life. Often, we do not know how to. This workshop will help us to see what is possible and how we can be effective in accompanying couples in their married life.

Engaging Parents in Catechesis for Baptism        Debbie Hartstone

Debbie will share with you how her Parish work with parents to prepare them for what it means to have your child baptised.

To register for the Annual Diocesan Formation Day, please follow the Eventbrite link here:  https://diocesanformationday.eventbrite.co.uk