'A new experience of parish'

An 'Instruction' from the Vatican's Congregation of the Clergy might not be your usual holiday reading. But one came out last week which really is worth the effort: we highlight at the top of this issue of Grapevine.

It takes a fresh look at the parish in the 2020s. The parish, it finds, is challenged by today's digital culture, but renewed by a call to offer 'new forms of accompaniment and closeness'. Rather than becoming 'self-referential and fossilised' it encourages us to dream of a parish which 'exudes that spiritual dynamic of evangelisation':

'The Parish community is called truly to master the “art of accompaniment”. If deep roots are planted, the Parish will become a place where solitude is overcome, which has affected so many lives, as well as being “a sanctuary where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey and a centre of constant missionary outreach”'

We know all about solitude in these days of social distancing. But now is a time for imagination. In September we'll be issuing a survey of lay people in the diocese, asking for your experiences of Church during the pandemic, and your dream for its future.

Meanwhile join us in August for one of the online Imagine... workshops for Caritas advertised below. We'll explore what it might mean to build 'centres of constant missionary outreach' that are 'inclusive, evangelising and attentive to the poor'.

Paul (Programme Leader for Social Action)
Diane (Adult Formation Administrator)

Paul adds: We're deeply sorry to be losing Diane Williams from the team. Diane has been Adult Formation Administrator for nearly seven years and probably knows more people in the diocese than anyone else! But our loss is East Nottingham Parishes' gain. Diane is moving to be Community Co-ordinator in the new partnership of parishes. God bless, Diane!

In this issue

The Pastoral conversion of the Parish community - Vatican document
Maintenance to Mission - resource
Preparing the future: workshops on outreach, in Covid and beyond
Minecraft Competition

Please feel free to forward this email to fellow parishioners,
or include content in your parish bulletin.

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Parish at the service of Evangelisation

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy has released a new document to help guide the reform of parish communities. It is entitled “The pastoral conversion of the Parish community in the service of the evangelising mission of the Church.”
Read the full document here and a handy summary here.

Maintenance to Mission

Fr James Mallon's book brings exciting ideas to parishes looking to move from Maintenance to Mission callenging us to think about how parishes are run using collaborative ministry.

Release your faith into action

Here in Nottingham Diocese we are joining the global Caritas network—and if you are a parishioner here, you will be part of it too. In Caritas everyone is invited to share in realising the Kingdom of God in these unprecedented times.

Join our next online Imagine... workshop. We'll seek out opportunities for mission in the county where you live, during the pandemic and beyond. We'll map what Catholics are already doing, and plan new forms of outreach across six themes:

Building communities of missionary disciples
The environment and global responsibility
Poverty, homelessness and human dignity
Support for refugees and asylum seekers
Tackling modern slavery and human trafficking
Overcoming social isolation

Join by telephone or video-conference on the relevant date below:

Leicestershire and Rutland: Friday 14 August at 2.30 p.m.
Nottinghamshire: Monday 17 August at 11.30 a.m.
Lincolnshire: Thursday 20 August at 7.30 pm.
Derbyshire, High Peak and Burton: Monday 24 August at 7.30 p.m.

Click here to book your place

Preparing the future

Thirty-two parishioners from around the diocese met online on 22 July to explore two of those themes which are looming large: overcoming poverty and social isolation. We took up Pope Francis' challenge to 'prepare the future' by making our parishes into places of welcome, listening and hope for our local communities.

Sian Rigby from Together Leicester and Julia Terry from Faith Action Nottingham introduced us to Places of Welcome, a simple model of service which any church with a kitchen can offer - once the coast is clear of Covid-19.

With many more people now experiencing financial, domestic or personal difficulties, we heard how Catholic parishes in Europe run 'listening centres'. Anyone in need can drop in, be listened to deeply, find help to make sense of their situation, and navigate the support that's available. Helpers at the listening centre are ordinary people like us. But they offer the crucial gift of time and attention.

Pope Francis encourages us to 'welcome this time of trial as an opportunity to prepare for our collective future, a future for all without discarding anyone'. If you missed the workshop and would like to hear about the next one in September, send us an email and we'll keep you in touch.

The Diocese of Nottingham is privileged to be working with the Padley Group, and the homeless and vulnerable people they support in Derby.

Thanks to the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, those housed during lockdown at the city's Holiday Inn are being given these meal vouchers, so they don't go hungry as their crisis accommodation closes.

Padley was founded by Sisters of Mercy. They are seeking new Catholic trustees to keep this historic link alive. Read our last edition if you'd like to find out more.

When Christ appears we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is
(1 Jn 3:2)

The feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord takes place on 6 August

Bible Story Minecraft Competition 2020

Take a look at previous winners on the Minecraft competition and have a go, or forward the link to someone you know who enjoys using their imagintaion and creativity to tell your favourite Bible story. Closing Date 24th August 2020.

Competition Details