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Brentwood: Bishop Alan launches lay consultation initiative


After in-depth discussions with the clergy, Bishop Alan Williams sm has invited lay people within the Diocese of Brentwood to put themselves forward to play an important role in shaping its future. The idea is that these 'stewards of the gospel' would volunteer their time and their talents to work closely with clergy, parishes and schools as part of the diocesan planning process.

Appointed in each parish, a steward would, with local clergy and parishioners, assess the resources available in the parish and locally to maximise the opportunities for evangelisation and sacramental provision. He or she would encourage discussion and be an advocate for their fellow parishioners, communicating their ideas, thoughts and concerns to the Diocesan Strategic Planning Group.

Bishop Alan outlined the plan in his pastoral letter for the first Sunday of Lent. "I am very much in favour of collaboration," he says. "It is 'our diocese' not 'my diocese'. We have to steer a course forward together for our common future and I would much rather do it in dialogue with people than present it as a fait accompli. Hence I want to invite people to discern, together and with me, a way of going forward as Catholic Christians. That discernment involves respectful listening, sharing information, being in tune with the issues and needs of our community and a willingness to be open to God's will."

He adds: "In all that we do we need to work closely with the laity of the Diocese. Following the Synod on the Vocation and Mission of the Laity, Pope Saint John Paul II talked of the need to develop 'dialogue and discernment... consultation and collaboration with the lay faithful, women and men'. This remains an invitation and a challenge in our diocesan journey together."

The Diocese is particularly looking for volunteers who have knowledge of the local area and its issues, are good communicators, have experience of working in teams and on change agendas and have good IT skills. The appointments will be made for two years initially and formation and training will be provided.
At the recent installation of a Diocesan Chapter of Canons, Bishop Alan affirmed his desire to consult and collaborate both with clergy and lay people in the Diocese. "All of us need to learn how to listen to each other, to look to almighty God and discern the signs of our times and ways forward, and, with great confidence, go forward together."

Bishop Alan's Pastoral Letter follows:

My Dear People,

Moses addressed the people, "My father was a wandering Aramaean..." These words we heard in the first reading became a formula that the people regularly recited in the temple, a shared story, perhaps the oldest part of the Old Testament. It tells how the Lord accompanied his people on a journey and was always with them through change and challenge until he brought them to a new land.

This theme of the closeness of God is taken up in the second reading. "The word is very near to you, it is on your lips and in your heart."

Discerning together the future of our diocese involves storytelling and listening. We need to listen to each other's stories of how God has worked in our lives; and is still accompanying us. In sharing our stories we then begin to write together a new narrative.

Moses' words united the people. He articulated what they all held in common, - Faith in God who had always been with them. Jesus, too, filled with the Holy Spirit, was led on a journey by the Spirit, through trials and temptations but he, like Moses, knew that God was with him.

Next year, 2017, our diocese will mark its 100th anniversary. We have a shared story, which we will be retelling in various ways as part of the celebrations. And like the people of God who have gone before us, we can't stay still! Society and the world around us has changed; we have changed. The Gospel story stays the same but where and how we re-tell it brings new and exciting challenges.

After the Synod on the Vocation and Mission of the Laity some years ago Pope Saint John Paul II talked of the need to develop, "Dialogue and discernment... consultation and collaboration with the lay faithful, women and men". The Diocesan Strategic Planning Group was formed last year to begin to address this.

The Brentwood Roman Catholic Diocese Trustee (Company Number: 00450897) (Registered in England at the above address) The Brentwood Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust (Registered Charity Number 234092)Now we would like to appoint "Stewards of the Gospel", one individual in each parish, who together with parishioners and local clergy, will listen to the people and then be part of the collaboration between clergy and laity in writing the next chapter of the story of the Diocese.

They will assess the resources available at local level in order to maximise opportunities for evangelisation and sacramental provision. The intention is that these individuals would volunteer their time and their talents to work closely with the clergy and parishes as part of the diocesan planning process. Comprehensive training and support will be made available to the Stewards in order to prepare them for their important role in their parishes.

What Will It Involve? The Stewards will:
 Form a parish consultation group with the support of the Parish Priest - Listening to people's stories

 Assess the resources of the parish in association with the consultation group and clergy

 Liaise with the diocesan planning group on the outcomes of the parish group meetings

 With the priest and people, form a vision and plan for the future of their parish, - the writing of the next chapter.

Who Should Volunteer? A job description is on the flyer inserted in your newsletter. If you meet most or all of the criteria and would like to know more, please speak to your Parish Priest.

We have just begun a wonderful "Season of great grace" and I wish you all a happy and holy Lent.

With all good wishes,

Bishop of Brentwood

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