Llysfasi Residential Spirituality Workshop - 12-29 August

Llysfasi will be hosting a transformative workshop at the Loreto Spirituality Centre in Llandudno from 12 - 29 Aug, 2024. This workshop offers a creative experiential journey rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Participants will engage in prayer, personal reflection, contemplative listening, discernment, and retreat experiences, all aimed at deepening their spirituality and capacity for accompaniment. Spaces are limited, so apply soon by contacting Mary Rose Fitzsimmons HHS at maryrosefitzsimmons@btinternet.com or visit llysfasi-spirituality-workshop.org.uk for more information and application forms. More info is in the leaflet attached below. Please feel free to download and review.

Archdiocese Synodal Council Report 2023

120 people gathered on Saturday 25th November for the 1st meeting of the Archdiocesan Synodal Council (ASC). We gathered a month after the end of the first part of the Vatican Synod. Its method of working – small groups around tables, listening, discerning and significant periods of silence influenced our way of gathering. This was part of what enabled the very first ASC to have a special character and to develop the valuable lessons we had learnt on our own Diocesan Synodal journey.

 

Bishop Bev Mason, Anglican Bishop of Warrington, set a positive tone for the day in her opening reflection encouraging and affirming us. She said: It's upon your firm foundations of enduring Presence, hospitality, faithful witness and service, of generosity — and of keeping the nerve when everyone around you may be losing theirs, that you're now seeking to build upon ... and be more of a visible and proactive presence in the name of Christ. This is so very exciting ... it's our Lord's own ministry that you're seeking to intensify, And you couldn't be doing this at a more crucial time! Don't be afraid! You know, the biggest blockage to mission and outreach, is us and our own self-consciousness and confidence. Remember who it is who calls you. And remember He is with you!

 

The main task of the ASC was to hear what had happened to implement the Pastoral Plan since its publication in November 2021 and under the 6 Pastoral Plan Areas to suggest priorities for the Diocese for the next 12 months. This report gives the priorities that have, after discernment, emerged, and a flavour of what was said in each of the Areas. 

 

The suggested priorities are shown in bullet points below.

 

Becoming a church that honours the vocation of all the baptised

• Establish a continually developing plan to empower/enable all the baptised to develop confidence in living out and sharing their baptismal vocation.

• Bring together models across the Diocese of good catechesis and create ways in which good practice can be shared across the parishes.

• Draw up a plan and a strategy to begin the implementation of the employment of lay pastoral workers.

 

The responses suggested in this part of the Pastoral Plan hold firm the tension of doing things in the Church and of living out our baptismal calling in the day-to-day living of our lives. The way we hold that tension forms the struggle of trying to suggest priorities. Do not limit ministry to things we do in the Church or for the Church. The vast majority of Church members are lay people! If we had a thorough audit of skills we would be encouraged. The need for evangelisation and formation were stated many times, as was the need to be committed to paid pastoral staff on the ground. An invitation to a personal relationship with Christ must be at the heart of our understanding of responding to our baptismal calling.

 

Becoming a church that accompanies people through life

• Clarify what is meant (and not meant) by accompaniment and how this relates to synodality and communicate this to all parishes, plus a structure and plan to implement accompaniment across the archdiocese.

• Develop programmes to identify the different accompaniment needs of various specific groups (e.g. parents with young children, marriage preparation, the elderly, those in mixed faith marriages, those freshly graduated, catechists, social action groups, sick, disabled, divorced & separated, LGBTQ+, bereaved, single parents, those struggling with cost of living, prisoners and their families, families with children or adults with special needs, supporting Catholic children in special schools or in non-Catholic schools, teachers, etc)

 

Many of the comments in this Area put at the heart of accompaniment a renewed encounter with Christ and a need to be formed in different areas of spirituality (spirituality network etc.). The importance of formation looms large, especially for those entrusted with ministries – catechists being just one example. The lack of a director in the Pastoral Department was felt to be a serious weakness. A comment raised a question for reflection: Why would anyone want to be accompanied by us?

 

Becoming a church where synodality is embedded

• Commit to looking at governance structures across the archdiocese ensuring transparency at all levels.

• Ensure and develop support for effective working of the DSCs.

• Develop a strategy to better communicate the path the archdiocese is following in implementing the Pastoral Plan.

 

How do we ensure that all parishes and all archdiocesan structures are embracing our Pastoral Plan commitment to synodality? It was clear from the responses made that some are worried about places where there is no engagement for varied reasons. There was a realisation that we had not clearly communicated the path on which we are walking.

 

If we are going to set up new structures, we must support those who give of their time and energy to enable these to work effectively. We must not be afraid of giving the time needed – but we must also not be afraid to move on!

 

Becoming a church that renews its organisational structures and administers its property to serve its mission

• Equip all in the Families of Parishes to capture and share the vision involved in their development, particularly in relation to our use of resources and our environmental responsibilities.

• Review how we are operating synodaly in every level of archdiocesan life and work.

 

It is clear that many people felt that we are trying to talk the talk, but not walking the walk! We are not being as bold and creative as we have been encouraged to be.  Formation is called for to enable this. Are buildings more important than people and mission? There is a commitment to making Families of Parishes work – but many questions about the support needed to make this happen. What is our mission? What is the reason we do all we are doing? We are being called to make this clear for everyone.

 

Becoming a church where young people and young adults flourish

• The Youth Synodal Council must be established as an urgent priority

• Support schools pastorally in developing chaplaincy with particular reference to the Catholic life of the school and links with its local parishes and communities. 

 

We must not leave the future to chance. What is the place of the parish in ministry to, and with, young people? An easy answer is Catholic Youth Workers – but in what way?  The work of Animate is seen as important but there needs to be a re-focusing on the links with parishes and young people and young adults.

 

Becoming a church that cares for its priests

• Develop a system of mentoring and pastoral accompaniment for all the priests of the archdiocese, taking special note of the way this is communicated.

• Find new ways of providing support for priests in administration, finance, building management and maintenance in order to free them for their specifically priestly ministry.

 

“It’s a team game” and “don’t play your striker in goal.” There is both a realistic and unrealistic expectation of the ministry of priests. Well-being for ‘staff’ is key in all business, no less so for priests. There was concern shown for priests who are getting older with no reduction in workload and pastoral demands. Again, as in the Synod, it was made clear that there is a great affection for and concern for the priests of the archdiocese whose work in valued and appreciated.

 

A supplementary document will be made available on the archdiocesan website. This document will ensure that we have a record of all the points that were made in the submissions that were received. 

 

The next ASC gathering is on Saturday 9th November 2024.

Catholic Multi Academy Trusts

Schools in the Archdiocese's have been invited to consider becoming an academy. More information on this is shown in the document below. The updated list of locations and dates is shown below and replaces that on the document shown in the window.

• 09/11/23 at 6pm at St John Fisher Parish Hall, Widnes (WA8 3JA)
• 11/11/23 at 9:30am at St Benedict’s Parish Centre, Warrington (WA2 7QE)
• 14/11/23 at 6pm at St Teresa of Avila Parish Centre, St Helens (WA10 4X)
• 16/11/23 at 10am at St Teresa of Avila Parish Centre, St Helens (WA10 4X)
• 22/11/23 at 2pm at St Anne’s Parish Centre, Ormskirk (L39 4TG)
• 22/11/23 at 6pm at St Richards, Skelmersdale (WN8 8BX)

Vatican II Constitutions lecture & seminar series- book now! 

The Vatican II Constitutions lecture & seminars is a series of events with Liverpool Hope University in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Liverpool. These events are in advance of the Year of Prayer 2024, inpreparation for the Jubilee Year in 2025. 

These events are free and are available to everyone, but places are limited so it is essential to book tickets in advance.  

The dates and speakers are as follows:  

• Wednesday 17 January: Peter McGrail (Sacrosanctum Concilium) 

• Wednesday 28 February: Pat Jones (Gaudium et Spes) 

 

Both the seminars and lectures will take place at Liverpool Hope University and are open to anyone, however they will focus on discussions about pastoral ministries and are therefore ideal for pastoral ministers including priests, deacons, chaplains, readers, catechists and liturgists.  The seminars will run from 3pm - 4:30pm.  After an hour's break for refreshments, the lectures will start at 5.30pm – 7pm. 

For those who can’t attend in person, a link can be sent for you to view the lecture online. The best way to do this is to log in to Liverpool Hope's online store ahead of time and register. Instructions on how to do this are attached to this email.

If you would like to sign up for either the seminars and/or lectures, click here: Distinguished Lecture and Seminar Series on the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council | Liverpool Hope University Online Store

Journey into Prayer Course

There are many different ways of praying, but many of us stay with the few methods we learned years ago. It is good to try other ways as they may lift us out of the ry place we sometimes find ourselves in. the Journey Into Prayer course aims to give a taste of a variety ways of praying, not just by talking about them but by giving us space to experience them.

 

The course, which will cost £160, will begin at The Cennacle on 16th January 2024 and continue for 12 sessions through to July, with a break for Easter. The closing date for applications id 1st December 2023. 

 

For more information, and the application form, please see the PDF below which can also be downloaded.

A new cathedral!

Today it has been announced that the Church of Saint Mary of the Isle, Isle of Man has been granted Cathedral status by Pope Francis and will be a co-cathedral for the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

 

Please click here and you will find more information on the Archdiocese website.

Scam emails about Ukraine

We have been alerted to an email entitled ‘FINANCIAL REQUEST FOR THE EMERGENCY MASS STIPENDS FOR PRIEST FOR THE EXARCHATE OF DONETSK UKRAINE’ being sent to people in our archdiocese. We have checked this with Bishop Gregory in Ukraine and he confirmed that this correspondence is a scam email so please do not respond to the email or send any funds.

 

Please do be vigilant if you receive any emails on this subject matter.

 

If you would like to make any donations to Ukraine, please do so via our #Liverpool4Ukraine appeal as this is a safe and secure way to get your funds directly to the people of Ukraine.

New Bishop for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

 

This week,  His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Rt Rev. Stephen Wright as the Fifteenth Bishop of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

More information can be found here: Appointment of a new Bishop for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle - Catholic Bishops' Conference (cbcew.org.uk)