Evangelisation in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle 2005-2011
Vision
To work towards vibrant, alive communities of Welcome, Worship, Witness and Outreach at every level – parish, deanery and area - thus creating an evangelising diocese based on communion (of groups and parishes) and mission (outreach to others)
Steps towards realisation of this vision:
Formation of Co-ordinating team – meeting monthly, praying together, sharing, being formed, discerning. A forum for exchange of ideas. Largely advisory, supportive and on-going. Feb 2005
b) Formation of Core Groups as need arises for planning and implementation of
particular aspects
We started with 5 Evangelisation Made Easy days held in the 5 Episcopal Areas April-July 2006
- to raise awareness, allay fears and affirm people in what they are already doing
- to inspire, equip and offer creative ways of evangelising
- to share our stories and see how God is active in the lives of all
As a result of feed-back from these days, a 3-year diocesan programme was drawn up. People had asked for a) a deeper spirituality b) scriptural formation c) some help in meeting the challenges of our contemporary culture. This led to:
Stage 1: Spirituality for Evangelisers: Time Apart – days of prayer and empowerment
in three parts of the dioceseStage 2: Scriptural Formation: How Jesus Evangelised and the power of the Word held in north and south of the diocese Feb ‘07
Stage 3: Connecting with our Culture – a day on the challenge of evangelising the society we live in. Led by Kevin Higham of Blowing Your Cover at Ushaw ;May ‘07 These diocesan events brought us into contact with about 1000 people.
A two-year intensive programme for a selected deanery (Sunderland) – a pilot scheme ( to be repeated in other deaneries )
Part 1: Formation: a whole deanery approach stressing personal evangelisation
Part 2: Invitation and Calling Forth. Priests would invite individuals to be part of the team
Part 3: Training, resourcing and supporting of the team for Reaching Out to Others.The process followed the Church’s Year and the next year was repeated in South Tyneside Deanery – 11 parishes.
The two deaneries (Sunderland and South Tyneside)came together for a day on Awakening Faith based on Outreach to Non-Practising Catholics. This ended in a Commissioning Service and the establishment of two deanery evangelisation teams to work separately in their areas but with support from the Diocesan Team.
This was completed by Feb 2010.
Worked towards establishing a Diocesan Mission Team to be facilitated by the Diocesan Evangelisation Team
Composed and trialled a booklet Take Another Look for a small group of parishioners to use with returning Catholics
Pentecost Celebration facilitated by the Sunderland Deanery Team to welcome new members into the Church and introduce them to ministries in the parishes.
Presentation of a diocesan day on Cardinal Newman Lead Kindly Light with an emphasis on evangelisation
Used beatification of Newman for catechesis
Full use of the Pope’s visit for evangelisation and catechesis
Celebration in the Cathedral Be Lights of the World when parishes received a candle and picture blessed by the Pope Organised by the Diocesan Evangelisation Team.
Welcome Back Campaign from Feb – June culminating in Welcome Back Sunday on Pentecost Sunday (to be held every year in the diocese from 2011). Parish packs with relevant material sent to parishes and Bishop to write a pastoral letter.