Contents
1. Foreword
2. Preface
3. A Diocesan Vision - Expanded
4. Liturgy
5. Acknowledgements
1.Foreward
We
are a pilgrim people, on our journey to the kingdom of God. From time
to time, we need to look up from the path we are on and check that
it leads to the place we want to reach.
A vision
challenges us to look afresh at ourselves, our lives and our world.
For a moment we see the possibilities, our hopes and dreams, fully
realized, before we return once more to the here and now.
As
a diocese having a shared vision is
difficult. But sharing in a discussion of our individual hopes for
the future of the Church – our
future together – inspires all involved to see that they are needed
if the kingdom of God is to be realized. And as people feel needed
and listened to they grow in commitment and fellowship.
This has been the great success of the process that has eventually led to the publication of A Diocesan Vision. Indeed, this sharing and collaborative process, which has involved so many people in our diocese, should inspire us all as we begin the more important task of building in reality our future together.
2. Preface
A Diocesan Vision: Our Future Together has its roots in the document My Dream of The Church, written by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths, not long after his arrival in Hexham and Newcastle and circulated to the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Association of Religious, Council of Laity and all priests.
In October 1997 the document was used as a focus for work with the Council of Laity, led by Mr. Michael Knox, a layman of the Edinburgh Archdiocese. At the end of this session, ‘Vision into Action’, the Council of Laity proposed that the Diocesan Pastoral Council should prepare a Diocesan Pastoral Plan, which would help the diocese move towards a realization of the thoughts embodied in My Dream of the Church. This was endorsed by the Council of Priests.
Having studied and discussed My Dream of the Church, the Diocesan Pastoral council perceived the need for our Diocese to have a common vision and to work collaboratively at all levels. In order to develop this process, it recommended that all groups in the diocese should reflect on the document and share their reflections with each other.
There followed wide discussion of the Dream by diocesan groups, pastoral areas and at parish level. The document and responses were published in the Northern Cross diocesan newspaper. After the discussion and consultation process was completed, the detailed responses were collated and the ideas incorporated into a revised version which is at the heart of the current publication. In addition, a shorter version has been produced (click here to read) which will be distributed to everyone in our diocese.
It is hoped the A Diocesan Vision: Our Future Together will be a vision that is not just the bishop’s dream but an understanding of the task that faces our diocese, a vision that can be shared and lived by all.
3. The Expanded Vision
"I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” Jn. 10:10
As the people of God in the diocese of Hexham & Newcastle, we believe ourselves called to this fullness of life. We recognize that we are responsible for building up his church. We also acknowledge our responsibility for the wider community in which we live, in which God’s Kingdom is also built. We look at ourselves first. But we are aware that we are part of a divided Christian world and that an ecumenical concern must permeate our life and work; that we must work within the partial unity already achieved; and strive towards full unity in Christ.
This work of faith depends on the guidance and transforming power of the Holy Spirit. It rests upon the conviction that Jesus is the Son of God and the source of the new life with which we are gifted. It is He who redeems us from self-centredness and so enables God to build his city on earth. It is in this spirit of humble trust that we address our task.
God became man, sending his Son into our world of time and change. So change is an inevitable fact in our faith. Continuity is a fact also, for “the truth of God remains for ever”. We are a Pilgrim Church confident in God’s unfailing call and in his grace; yet adaptable in changing times and circumstances. This exciting challenge makes faith a joy and not a burden.
The diocese, the local Church becomes real and vigorous only when it can draw life from parishes which flourish and which co-operate with each other. Parishes must be communities of love in the spirit of the gospel; open-hearted and welcoming to all. This setting enables and empowers each member to realize that calling which our baptism and the other sacraments has begun. It is a call to use our rich and varied gifts to the glory of God and in the service of all whose lives we touch.
The Parish has a leader in the priest who is there to teach the faith, to be a focus of unity and an important link with the bishop and the universal church. Among his priorities must be prayer and study. These prepare him to celebrate an authentic liturgy, to teach the faith and to support people in the recognition and development of their gifts and in their Christian lives. But priests come and go. They may be deflected from their priorities by the numerous jobs necessary if parish life is to thrive. It is the people who are always there; it is they who form the parish. Through them it can survive and thrive even without a resident priest. Baptism gives the strength and responsibility for the work of the church to be undertaken by the whole people of God.
A good parish fulfils three major tasks:
- It is a worshipping community, building up and sharing a liturgy which is alive and which inspires. In a common ministry, priests and laity must each discover and realize their distinctive roles.
- It is a witnessing community; making the gospel visible first of all in its common life, in forgiveness, respect for persons, warmth and affection.
- It is a community in which the gifts of all serve a common purpose; in which no one is rejected, in which the needs of each are recognized and met. It is conscious and supportive of the needs of the local community.
These are three essential characteristics of the life and work of a parish, which may be summed up:
“God is worshipped – the truth is spoken – people’s needs are met”.
God is worshipped -The Prayer of the Church
“They
recognized him in the breaking of bread”
Luke 24:35
The celebration of Mass and the other liturgies of the Church are at the heart of the life of any parish. The liturgy must be carried out in a dignified and unhurried way, to reflect that sense of the sacred, which we all seek. he whole community should be fully involved so that the liturgy embraces the content of our lives.
Our entire liturgy should strive to be inclusive. Those who are unable to come to it because of age or illness should be made present in spirit as special members of the worshipping community. Those who plan the liturgy must make sure that its form does not seem alien to some because of age, education or disability. Ways must be found of welcoming effectively those who feel excluded because the circumstances of their marriage are at odds with Church law. The attitudes and needs of young people must be understood and met in the liturgy. Although our liturgy comes from the past in its rites and symbols, its rhythms and seasons, we today celebrate God’s grace in our present life and embody it in our hope for the future.
Lay people, (priests too) often express a need and a desire for further education and formation in liturgy. It has from earliest times, been a source of evangelisation (deepening faith itself) and catechesis (faith seeking understanding). All of us need these, however old we get. The liturgy is part of a living tradition. Its spirit must neither be stifled by nostalgia nor led astray by a thirst for novelty. The liturgical education, which is already available in the diocese, directed mainly towards baptism, confirmation, first Communion, and marriage should be supported and extended.
Just as you cannot make an omelette without good eggs, so we cannot celebrate a good liturgy without a conscious faith that we are children of God in Christ, through the power of the Spirit. Personal prayer nourishes this awareness. So too, do Catholic devotions such as Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the Rosary. Small groups in which Christians reflect on the Scriptures and share their experience are a great force for deepening and enlightening faith. They provide a firm foundation on which the liturgy can stand, live and speak.
The truth is spoken - Faith as Witness
“Go out to the whole world: proclaim the good news to all creation” Mark 16:16
Jesus called his followers to be outward looking; to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We the Church affirm our faith that our calling is to be a light for the nations. A witness gives compelling testimony to the truth. We are called to witness to God’s presence in the world and the truth of the gospel: to the task of Evangelisation.
A parish witnesses to these truths by its vitality and energy, by a warm and welcoming acceptance, which mirrors the Lord’s gentleness. A parish is a community built around the Eucharist, which forms the character of its common life. his cannot stop short at the committed. It must reach out to touch and draw in the marginalized, non-practicing Catholics and those searching for truth and purpose. The quality of community life is a more powerful witness than reasoned argument. That has its place; but it is easy to win arguments and yet lose hearts.
Both as individual followers of Christ and as a Church community, we are called to play an active part in public life. We are influenced by the culture in which we live but we must also bring our faith to bear upon it. In this way we can influence the principles and attitudes which mould our society in these times of rapid change. The gospel requires us to be in the world, to feel and show a solidarity with the joys and hopes, fears and anxieties of our times. It also demands that we bring to bear a distinctive voice and sometimes a critical one on those ethical questions, which are at the heart of many social problems and changes. We should make a firm stand on what is necessary, respect freedom where things are uncertain and proceed with charity always. We must strive to make all our work in the forum of public life an ecumenical endeavour.
Jesus commanded his followers to spread the faith. That is not like selling package holidays or explaining how a computer works. It depends on the strength and depth of our own faith. It depends also on how well that faith is grasped and made part of our understanding of life. To evangelise others requires us to deepen our own faith and broaden our understanding of it. This is especially true at present. The assumptions of the world we live in are mainly secular and do not support religious faith. We live in that world and especially through the power of the media we are deeply influenced by its values. Parishes must address this challenge and meet it by a thorough education and formation in faith. We should look for better ways of presenting our faith to those who do not share it, ways which respect their position but do not water down the truth.
Our schools offer children the chance to develop faith in God and a sense of membership of the Church, as part of their growing understanding of the world and preparation for adult life. Many schools successfully draw parents into this process, touching their own faith or lack of it, as part of their concern for the children’s well-being. This evangelising aspect of the work of our schools should be recognised, encouraged and developed.
Adult Christian education is one of our most urgent needs in the present age. For some this would include a degree in theology so that they in their turn can become a resource for others. For all, some form of adult Christian education should be available. It should aim at some awareness, even a simple one, of the heritage of Catholic tradition; woven of the Church’s liturgy and doctrine, its interaction with human history, the main lines of development, its triumphs and failures. We do not learn this as we would learn a date, a fact or a skill. Rather, understanding enables us to become part of it, leads to a personal grasp, which enlightens our commitment and lends confidence to faith.
Adult Christian education must be upheld by continuing evangelisation – the deepening of faith itself. The liturgy and devotion of the Church help us to grow in faith and holiness. We must try to use this potential more thoughtfully and make them more effective. Priests must give a lead in helping others to grow in faith, while recognising and accepting their own need to be evangelised. Spirituality – a journey of faith, which draws on our rich traditions of spiritual wisdom – is already a way, which draws many believers. It should be made more accessible.
These questions – the character of faith in the modern world, the need for evangelisation and the need for education – are both challenges and opportunities. They come together when we consider the matter of preparation for the sacraments. These often coincide with important turning points in life and bring it into a different focus. They are moments of great potential, truly times of grace. In the sacraments Christ is present to us in the concrete circumstances of our lives. These vary greatly, from a remote connection through family loyalty to a deep personal commitment. Those who ask for the sacraments of initiation stand at a threshold. Preparation for the sacrament must help them to move forward in their journey of faith. Catechists who lead it must themselves have strong faith, some skill in sharing it and be alert to the human reality of the candidates' lives. Sacraments cannot be laid over nothing. They require a degree of faith and openness to God. But we should not be too demanding; rather we should be aware of our own fragility and careful “not to break the bruised reed”. Sacraments should not be refused though pastoral judgement may sometimes dictate that they should be postponed.
Peoples’ needs are met - Faith as Service
“Give
and there will be gifts for you;
a full measure, pressed down and running over will be poured into your
lap;
because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given
back”.
Luke 6:36
Within our parish communities themselves, peoples’ needs are many and varied. They are not always obvious but in these times we can and must be always aware of them. No one should feel excluded. Each should have the feeling that his or her life and gifts are precious to God and to the whole community. The needs of the single and the married are different. Both are important. The young and the old have distinct but real problems and expectations. The gospel gives a special and privileged place to people who are poor, sick, have special needs or who are in any way marginalised. A serious effort to include them in parish life is a test of faith. Some parishes are poor and have few resources. They ought to be able to rely on the help of richer ones.
The place of women in the church today raises questions, as indeed it does for the world at large. The contribution of women to the life and work of the church is very great and it should be recognised, in justice, with respect and in gratitude, that it is central to the Church’s mission.
Family life is under many pressures and often it is a hard struggle to maintain ideals. Our diocese and our parishes should offer all the help they can. Groups in which married people and others share their experience and support each other spiritually and practically must be affirmed and their work developed.
Failure in relationships and elsewhere in life, must never be met with criticism or rejection. God is the only reliable judge. Forgiveness underpins the Church’s life and should be the air which people breathe there. Often it is in the very brokenness of our lives that we are most open to grace; and out of it we can speak most effectively to others.
Everyone has something to offer. Many respond well to a call for help in practical matters. This is especially true of young people. We should support them, give them their own space and encourage them to develop a sense of responsibility. Practical involvement breeds a sense of belonging and this leads to a growth of faith in other ways.
The Church does not live its life, bear witness to the truth and work for God’s kingdom in a vacuum, but at a particular time and in a particular place. Here in North-East England, as elsewhere, times are changing rapidly as technology and communication alter the structures of life. Although much progress has been made we have not arrived at a perfect world. The benefits of progress are spread unevenly. The gap between “haves” and “have-nots” grows greater rather than less. The gospel command that followers of Jesus should stand on the side of the poor speaks to us as urgently as ever.
In history, Catholics have always worked to help the literally poor, those who lack the necessities of life; through for example, religious orders, missionaries, the St Vincent de Paul Society. Today, people who need help are most often to be found in specific groups; among single mothers, the homeless, asylum seekers and those who suffer from addictions. Sometimes it is not so obvious. The young are often at risk, the old sometimes abandoned. There are also those who have discovered painfully that wealth does not bring happiness and whose lives are meaningless and empty.
Many Catholics are personally committed to helping the poor and disadvantaged. They should have the support of the whole community and the assurance that what they do is part of God’s kingdom in which the poor are pre-eminent. The church community as a whole, our diocese and our parishes, must also take the part of the poor. It is true that nowadays, social services reach many of those in need. But some fall through this net. The Church also may bring a character and quality of service, which has value. We must collaborate generously with our fellow Christians and with all who serve the poor, in a spirit, which is not partisan but which stems from the gospel.
It is part of our calling to be alert to, and strive to change the causes of poverty and injustice in our society and in the wider world. Justice and Peace groups and groups which promote Catholic social teaching take a lead in these tasks. They should not be discouraged when their work seems to have little effect. Altering public opinion is slow and cumulative. Our society is becoming increasingly multicultural. We need to learn how to work well with those who come from different cultures and belong to other world faiths. We must give our best efforts to promoting racial harmony.
Our greatest resource is that we have the chance to stand, in solidarity, in love and concern with those who suffer; and by co-operating with others we can achieve so much more.
Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus
In our times, when the world is changing so fast, in the decades following the Second Vatican Council, which altered Church life and Catholic attitudes, it is easy to become discouraged. It is, some have said, a “desert time”; like the years God’s people spent in the desert searching for their own country, or like the days of Jesus in the wilderness. Out of these times came growth. We must be expectant in our faith and in each other; recognising the good signs of the times rather than bewailing those, which are painful and puzzling. We need to let go of attitudes which are no longer appropriate. Priests and laity need to be open and trustful with each other. Lay ministry and lay leadership must be developed and the difficulties involved in this addressed. We must learn from each other and look for, and share, examples of good pastoral practice. We need to affirm each other and be positive. Growth does not take place without warmth and nourishment. We are rightly concerned about our own life and faith. But we must be outward looking also, it is God’s work to which we are committed, that is the building up the Church for the sake of the kingdom.
Father may your kingdom come according to your will, not ours; on this earth which you have given us to make into a true mirror of your perfect order.
Liturgy
We begin our service by singing the hymn:
Be thou my vision
The Bishop prays the Collect:
Let us pray.
Lord God,
you continually renew the Church
and inspire us with a new vision of your glory.
Give courage and wisdom to your people as we strive in the service of
the Gospel.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
You together are Christ's body - but each of you is a different part. 12.12-21, 24b-27
Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink.
Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. If the foot were to say, 'I am not a hand and so 1 do not belong to the body', would that mean that it stopped being part of the body? If the ear were to say, 'I am not an eye, and so I do not belong to the body,' would that mean that it was not a part of the body? If your whole body was just one eye, how would you hear anything? If it was just one ear, how would you smell anything?
Instead of that, God put all the separate parts into the body on purpose. If all the parts were the same, how could it be a body? As it is, the parts are many but the body is one. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you,' nor can the head say to the feet, 'I do not need you.'
God has arranged the body so that more dignity is given to the parts which are without it, and so that there may not be disagreements inside the body, but that each part may be equally concerned for all the others. If one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it. If one part is given special honour, all parts enjoy it. Now you together are Christ's body; but each of you is a different part of it.
This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Presentation of A Diocesan Vision for the Parishes
The Bishop says:
Each of us has a part to play within the Body of Christ, and we must
each resolve to make our contribution to the life of our diocese.
I invite you as representatives of the parishes in this area to receive
this Vision of our future and fulfil your part by lives of love and service.
One person from each parish group comes forward with the resolutions that have been written down on pieces of paper by the other representatives from the parish. They place them in the receptacle at the front of the sanctuary and receive from the Bishop a copy of the Vision to be taken back and presented to the parish.
During this we sing:
The light of Christ has come into the world
Act of Commitment and Blessing
Dear friends in Christ, we have been entrusted with taking this Vision to our hearts so that our diocese may journey on its pilgrim way. With faith in God and in the future he will unfold for us, I ask you to commit yourselves to this work.
You must be examples of faith, bearers of hope and heralds of love. Remember that the Lord will be with you to give you and your parishes the inspiration and strength that you need.
As sharers in this work, be therefore especially observant of the Lord's invitation to serve. For when the hour of his glory drew near, he said, 'The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Will you commit yourselves to make this Vision our own so that we may be inspired to help in the building up of the Church?
All: I will.
Will you commit yourselves to the resolutions you have made in response to this Vision and do all that you can to play your part in the life of God's holy people?
All: I will.
Will you commit yourselves to journey in the footsteps of Christ and be friend and companion to those you encounter on the way?
All: I will.
Dear friends in Christ, let us pray with confidence to the Father; let us ask him to bestow his blessing upon us and our diocese.
There is a pause for silent prayer.
Almighty God,
you are the light that lets us see,
radiance making our vision clear.
As we strive to discover your will
help us to reveal your truth
so that all may be drawn to the brightness of your glory .
Bless + these our brothers and sisters
as they commit themselves to your service;
may they give true and faithful witness
and work humbly with others.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Our celebration is ended,
be light for all the world
and walk with God in peace.
All: Thanks be to God.
We sing the final hymn:
I, the Lord of sea and sky
Acknowledgements
Our thanks to the many contributors who have helped to develop the Bishop’s 'My Dream of the Church' into our 'Diocesan Vision':
Individuals correspondents from around the diocese
Respondents to the Northern Cross questionnaire
Parishes
Pastoral Areas
Schools and Universities
School Chaplains
Ecumenical Commission
Marriage and Family Life
Justice and Peace Commission
St Vincent's Diocesan Office
Society of St Vincent de Paul
Catholic Women's Network
Council of Laity
Association of Religious
Council of Priests
Vicars General
Consultors
Diocesan Pastoral Council
and with special thanks to Monsignor Kevin Nichols for his help and advice in pulling the strands together for the final version