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 have been several formational sessions for priests - one on the "Three C’s" in February 08 led by Mark Davis, one with Fr Peter Burrows at a retreat in May 2008, one in June with David Burns on "Motivation in Ministry", and a Retreat in March 09 led by Fr Kevin O'Connell. These have been fairly well supported. 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. 
Watch this space for further developments.
For deacons, there are annual study days when wives are welcome. The most recent such event was on 16th January 2010.  

 

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 Report has been delivered to the Trustees of the Diocese who have considered it and acted upon it. 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. Watch this space.

 

Stream Three
A team was brought together at the invitation of the Bishop and has now met twenty 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. 

 

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

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

 

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The members of the group are: Bishop Peter: Rev.Mgr. Provost Séan Healy ; Rev. Canon Kevin O’Driscoll; Rev. Deacon Philip Pugh ; Sr.Marion Connaughty SND ; Avril Baigent, Mark Davis (facilitator), Brin Dunsire, Alex Heath, Tim Redding.