Summary of Conversations in Deaneries

SUMMARY OF CONVERSATIONS IN DEANERIES

CONTENTS

1.	Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Kevin			p.1.
2.	Deanery Responses			p.3.
		Growing in Communion		p.4.
			Key Themes	p.14.
		Reaching out in Mission		p.15.
			Key Themes	p.23.
		Facing the Future		p.24.
			Key Themes	p.35.

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PASTORAL LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP KEVIN

My dear people,

In 2006 I published a document called Towards a Vision for the Diocese in which I proposed a process of reflection on the future of the Diocese. A year later I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed so generously and enthusiastically to this process. We have considered together three issues that are central to the life of the Church today: Growing in Communion, Reaching Out in Mission, and Facing the Future. Clergy discussions took place as well as discussions among the laity. These came together in deanery meetings in which a composite report was prepared, drawing the fruits of the conversations together. I know this involved a lot of work and I would like to express appreciation to all those who gave their time and talents to it. The next stage was for the reports from the deaneries to be collated so that we could get a picture of what was said through the diocese as a whole. This process has now been completed and I offer for your consideration a summary of what was said in response to the invitation to reflect together. Some copies will be available in parishes and it can be accessed online (www.rcsouthwark.co.uk). It is important that people feel they have been heard and I hope you will find that your thoughts and ideas figure in the summary. Not included in this present publication are submissions from other groups but I wish to acknowledge them and to offer assurance that the fruits of their deliberations will be taken forward to the next stage of the process. It is important to acknowledge that this process has already borne fruit in the life and work of some parishes and deaneries that have engaged with it. This document should help to further that development. But more work has to be done at diocesan level.

So, where do we go from here? Before Christmas I will be having two important meetings. One is with the heads of diocesan agencies who do great work for our diocese. The purpose of this meeting will be for them to “receive” the fruits of the deanery meetings, identify priorities and seek to develop a shared vision for the future. The report contains helpful indications for the future of the diocese, including the work and priorities of our agencies. The other meeting is one with the deans at which, in the light of what has emerged so far, we will begin to look at issues of practical implementation especially in relation to Facing the Future. In my initial document I mentioned the fact that in Southwark we are in a different position from some dioceses where the British and Irish communities, who were the traditional back-bone of the parishes, are now severely depleted and drastic decisions about closures, amalgamations, and new pastoral areas, have to be made. Of course, we have suffered from reduced attendance at Mass, too, but our congregations in many parts of the diocese have been swelled and enhanced by the arrival of Catholics from overseas. Our overall Mass attendance is stable. Our diocese is complex and diverse and there can be no one-size-fits all solution for the challenges we now face. At this stage, it seems to me that the deanery, not in isolation but in collaboration with neighbouring deaneries, is the most obvious framework for discerning and implementing the changes that will be necessary over the next few years.

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It is my hope and intention, therefore that a Vision statement for the future will emerge next year. But we must take things step by step and a number of issues will need to be considered, such as the question of what expertise or what special groups we may need to take things further.

It is not possible or, indeed, appropriate to summarise the report in this letter but I would like to highlight a few themes from the consultation as a whole that struck me as particularly important for our future work.

In first place there was the centrality of the Eucharist and the importance of building up community around it, an open inclusive community characterised by a real spirit of welcome; the need for groups, like Parish Pastoral Councils, but also groups where people can pray and break open the Word of God together. In terms of outreach and mission there was a clear sense that this is a complex and multi-faceted task which involves dialogue with those outside the Church and outreach to the marginalised and those in need. Looking to the future there were real fears but also a desire to prepare constructively. There was also a strongly felt need for coordinated adult formation that is accessible and, indeed, for a good theology of the laity. Likewise there was a strong call for a real drive to discern and foster vocations to the priesthood and diaconate. The question of supporting our young people figured significantly as did a desire for greater integration of schools and parishes in the one communion of the Church. As well as concern that clergy should be more free of administrative burdens, there was a recognition that our lay people are also under pressure and not always able to give as much time to parish work as they would wish. And there were many other things that were said and proposed in a very positive and constructive way. Of course, it goes without saying that future plans and projects will be fully in accordance with the teaching, practice, and discipline of the Church. But there is scope for creativity and development and I commend this report for your reflection and prayer.

Once again, I appeal to you to bring this whole matter before God in prayer. The Liturgy Commission is preparing some resources for use in Advent when we open ourselves afresh to the action of God in our lives and in the Church.

Let us be open to the Holy Spirit in these days and have real hope in all that the Lord is doing in our times. As in my first Vision statement, I invite you to turn confidently to the Lord and particularly to the Cross where blood and water still flow from the side of Christ to give life to the Church and the World.

With my blessing and the assurance of my prayers.

Archbishop of Southwark

Given at St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark,

on 1st October 2007,

the Memorial of St. Thérése of the Child Jesus

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DEANERY RESPONSES

The following pages contain the summary of the deanery reports presented to area bishops through May and June 2007.

Thousands of people participated in this important initiative. Their responses, borne out of the prayer, reflection and discussions on the questions posed, were recorded in parishes and summarised into deanery reports. These reports have been collated here to form a working document for future planning and development.

The aim of this stage in the Towards a Vision process is to collate and present the collective thinking in the diocese. There is now the opportunity for parishes, deaneries and diocesan agencies to consider the content of this document and reflect on the lessons it offers for the future.

Aspects of parish, deanery and diocesan life that were frequently mentioned are printed in bold type.

There is some repetition. This is inevitable as the questions were set down as part of a process and discussions evolved through Growing in Communion and Reaching Out in Mission through to focusing on Facing the Future. The repetition is included here to more faithfully represent the documents presented to the area bishops and to give the sense of the organic nature of this process.

Some key themes have been listed at the end of each of the three sections to stimulate further discussion. These lists are not exhaustive. Different people will inevitably focus on different aspects of this summary depending on interests, locality and circumstances.

This document is one stage in an ongoing conversation across the diocese. Everyone is invited to continue to participate in any practical responses to enable growth and development in parishes, deaneries and the diocese.

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GROWING IN COMMUNION

Building Up the Life of the Church

1 What do we already do really well in our parish community?

LITURGY

Recognise and celebrate the Eucharist at the centre of our community

Have lively, inclusive liturgies

Have the opportunity to attend Mass daily

Sunday Mass is celebrated in different styles appropriate for different groups of people

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Preaching relevant to life today

Eucharistic adoration

Opportunities for prayer and devotions

Our church is always open for prayer

Parish Missions

Deanery Corpus Christi procession

SACRAMENTS

Preparation to receive sacraments

All catechetical programmes

RCIA – Journey in Faith

Deanery Marriage Preparation, RCIA and Confirmation Programmes

WELCOME

Friendly and welcoming parish

Welcome newcomers

Welcome to migrants

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RELATIONSHIPS

Clergy – we have dedicated clergy, excellent relationships between clergy and laity, clergy empower laity, priests from overseas contribute to life of community

Parish – committed laity , generosity of spirit, offerings, time and talents, great range of people involved, good tradition of volunteering

Schools – excellent relationship with our local schools

Local churches – good ecumenical links, participation in Churches Together activities

Other Faiths – seek conversations with those of other faiths

COMMUNITY

We have a sense of community

We love our own parish

Parish is recognised as the place where we first identify with the Church

Celebrate contribution by young people

Youth Council

Excellent youth group

Involvement of young children

Participation of uniformed groups

Social events

We celebrate diversity

Inclusion of those from minority ethnic groups

Good access for those with disabilities

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SUPPORT FOR OTHERS

Justice & Peace Groups

St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)

Ministry to the sick, housebound and those in need

Ministry to bereaved

Pastoral Care groups

Twinned with parish in developing world

Additional notes

Parish must be centred on a personal relationship with Christ and the Mass

Catholic Bookshop

Ethnic chaplaincies contribute much but we need to maintain unity as well as celebrate diversity

Since Vatican II we have moved from a fortress mentality to inclusion and participation in the local community

2 What needs to be developed in our parish community at this time?

ONGOING FORMATION FOR ADULTS

All deaneries called for structured, flexible easily accessed programmes, information and publications for formation in faith for adults.

Knowledge of the Catechism

Opportunities for spiritual development

CaFE and Alpha have been helpful but more is needed.

This formation is vital so that catechetical programmes can be sustained and developed.

Opportunities for parents to become more informed about scripture and Church teaching to pass on to their children

More diocesan events e.g. Day on the Eucharist at Aylesford in 2005

An understanding of the role of a Permanent Deacon

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LAITY INVOLVEMENT

Need to raise awareness that through Baptism and Confirmation we are called to serve God and the Church

Collaboration between clergy and laity needs further development

Laity can be involved in all areas of parish life including preaching

Need strategies to enable people to identify gifts and use them

All ages can contribute

Ways to enable laity to take responsibility

Need to explore ways of unburdening priests from parish administration

Priests need to let go

J & P, CAFOD, Life, Churches Together , Integrity of Creation etc often left to a few enthusiasts – a deanery approach could help here

Greater sharing in the deanery

Involvement of the elderly as prayer partners etc

YOUNG PEOPLE

Need to develop the whole area of Youth Ministry

How are we listening to young people?

How do we enable our young people to participate in PPCs, SVP, social life etc?

Young people are part of our family not an add on

Involve the Southwark Catholic Youth Service (SCYS) more