In 2003 Bishop Kevin McDonald initiated a process of strategic consultation and planning which was named "Build My Church".

 

Groups in parishes were asked to discuss numerous questions under the major headings of "Being a Catholic today" and "Being a Catholic tomorrow", and a wide range of responses was obtained.

 

The process was delayed because of his translation to the Archbishopric of Southwark later that year, but work continued to be done during the interregnum. At the instigation of Bishop Peter Doyle, the Pastoral Strategy Group concluded the work of Build My Church with an informative leaflet outlining the work of the process. This was distributed to all parishes.Bishop Peter also announced a Diocesan gathering to be held at the RE Centre, Milton Keynes on 8th December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 2007. Our Blessed Lady Immaculate is one of the Diocesan patrons.

 
At that meeting he shared with us his vision for the Diocese. He explained that he drew inspiration from the prophet Micah, whose admonition to "act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8) was incorporated in his episcopal crest. Reviewing the history and challenges of the Diocese, he spoke of the need for "Three C's" - Confidence in God, our faith, and ourselves, Conversation with God, with each other and with the world, and Connections, the outworking of "love God and love your neighbour" whereby the Church engages with its members and with the world.

 

In practical terms, he said he wanted to see three "streams of effort and energy" developing.

 

One would be an ongoing process of human and spiritual formation for Diocesan clergy.

 

The second would be the development of a parallel programme of education and formation for lay people.

 

The third would be the establishment of a multi-skilled group of clergy and laity to think strategically and practically about the future of the Diocese. Their remit would be to consult with deaneries and prepare "groundplans" for the life and mission of the Church in local areas.

 

The text of Bishop Peter's address at that meeting is available as a download from here - search "Stream 3 Current" in the dropdown categories menu.

 

Stream One
There are several formational sessions for priests in the course of a year. The major focus last year was on a single event in May 2009, when many of the priests and deacons went to Ars for a week, to reflect on the "Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood". 
A Day of Recollection for clergy was held on 2nd December, and a Clergy Study Day on "Catholic Social Teaching" on 21st January 2010. There was a Clergy Gathering/retreat in early June 2010 at Hothorpe Hall and there will be another Retreat in mid-October at Boards Hill, Oxford. Watch this space for further developments.
For deacons, there are annual study days when wives are welcome. The next such event will be on 16th January 2011.  

 

Stream Two
Progress in this area has taken longer than anticipated. This was because its delivery would, of necessity, involve the existing agencies of NORES and NYMO, both of which were under formal independent review for much of the time since the Walking Humbly process was launched. The Reports were delivered to the Trustees of the Diocese who have considered them and acted upon them. There are active conversations now taking place about the possibilities for the kind of work contemplated by the Bishop as a "Stream Two" function, and senior clergy were nominated to take the necessary steps at the February meeting of the College of Comsultors. A highly fruitful gathering of the agencies and individuals involved in lay formation took place on 23rd April. Watch this space for more news.

 

Stream Three
A team was brought together at the invitation of the Bishop and has met twenty-three times since April 2008.The Team conducted a series of consultation meetings with Diocesan bodies and the Deanery Pastoral Councils,from November 2008 into early March 2009. Summaries of its first few discussions may be downloaded here - just search for "Stream 3 Archives" in the Categories drop-down menu. It has now completed its work as the Area Groundplans, which it was set up to assist, have mostly been delivered to the Bishop by 28th May - on time !  

 

 The Stream Three Team met for the last time with Bishop Peter on 28th May at Bishop's House. L-R: Mark Davis, Philip Pugh, Mgr Sean Healy, Frances Image, Brin Dunsire, Canon Kevin O'Driscoll, Sr Marion Connaughty, Alex Heath, Tim Redding, Bishop Peter. Avril Baigent was not able to be there on this occasion.

 

 

Click here to read about the Lent and Advent DVD resources produced last year.

Click here for information about the Pastoral Areas (and to download a Map), and the next stages of the process happening in the next few months.