The Adult Formation Committee of St Joseph’s Parish, Stokesley, are delighted to have secured an evening with John Battle - newly retired Member of Parliament for Leeds West and committed Catholic.

In order to provide a larger venue they are holding the event in the hall of St Mary’s Cathedral, Middlesbrough.

Those who heard John speak during Lent at York will appreciate how articulate, insightful and awe-inspiring he is – and will surely want to hear much more!

For those who haven’t heard him this is a great opportunity to gain new insight into aspects of Catholic Social Teaching – especially relating to social justice, war and peace, and international development. He has an wonderful ability to apply Scripture, Church Teaching and personal faith to the myriad of social issues he encountered as an MP.

At present we are awaiting the precise title of John Battle’s talk – but in the meanwhile please put the evening of Wednesday 13th October in your diary. Further details will appear here in due course.

CATECHISTS RENEWAL DAY – SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER 2010

“To know me is to know the Father”

The annual Renewal Day for all Catechists in the Middlesbrough Diocese, is entitled “To know me is to know the Father”. We hope it will offer good opportunities for learning, worship, reflection, and sharing good practice and experience.

We are delighted that the day will be led by Paddy Rylands – an extremely gifted and experienced practitioner, author and speaker on many aspects of parish catechesis. Her latest book is entitled “Becoming Confident Catechists” and will provide the context to some of the day’s input.

The entire day is intended to be of relevance to all engaged in parish catechesis – whether helping prepare parents, children, young people or adult enquirers for any of the Sacraments of Initiation, or leading Children’s Liturgy of the Word, or engaged in marriage preparation.

An invitation is extended to all  Catechists – whether novices or experienced, commissioned or non-commissioned.

The renewal day will be held at English Martyrs’, Dalton Terrace, York, YO24 4DA, on Saturday 9 October 2010, commencing at 10:30am (with coffee served from 10am) and concluding by 3.30pm.

Participants are asked to bring a packed lunch and a donation of £5 towards helping defray costs. Booking is essential, either by e-mail  or by phone with Sue Paterson on Reception at the Curial Office, by 1 October.

Everyone is warmly welcome to a single session  which introduces the context, character and special themes of the Gospel of St Matthew (the Gospel of Year A, which commences in Advent 2010).

We will meet in the parish hall at St Mary & St Leonard, Malton, at 7pm on Monday 15th November. The session will be led by Jane Cook.

Everyone is warmly welcome to a single session  which introduces the context, character and special themes of the Gospel of St Matthew (the Gospel of Year A, which commences in Advent 2010).

We will meet in the parish hall at English Martyrs’ on Dalton Terrace, York, at 7.30pm on Friday 10th September. The session will be led by Jane Cook.

Bearing Much Fruit

From collaboration to co-responsibility

A Strategic Plan for Adult Formation and Evangelisation in the Diocese of Middlesbrough 2010 – 2014

The Bishop’s Council for Evangelisation and Adult Formation has produced a new five year Strategic Plan,  entitled “Bearing Much Fruit”. The document has been distributed to all Diocesan Priests and to Parish Lay Adult Formation Contacts.

The full text is also available to read by clicking here.

The plan looks at the needs and challenges the Church faces today and sets out a strategy for the future.

Needs and Challenges – Key Issues

• Catholic demographic trends show numerical decline in key areas of Catholic life, with fewer active priests and smaller, ageing congregations. These trends look set to continue and will present many challenges and opportunities for parishes.
• The demographics point to the urgent need for evangelisation especially with young people and young families. There has been a dramatic decline in the number of people marrying in the Church, and consequently the number of baptisms.
• A sign of growing co-responsibility between Clergy and Laity is demonstrated by the large number of people active in various Lay ministries throughout the Diocese.
• The creation of an Adult Formation Department has made a significant impact in raising awareness of lifelong discipleship, offering new courses, responding to need, developing networks of contacts and supporting parish and Diocesan initiatives.

A Strategy for the Future – some Key Proposals

• Addressing issues of change and transition.
• Developing a Diocesan strategy for Evangelisation.
• Developing a Diocesan strategy for Marriage and Family Life.
• Developing a systematic programme for catechesis.
• Consolidation and expansion of the Adult Formation Team.
• Developing specific formation programmes for the Lay faithful.
• Establish working in partnership wherever it is feasible.
• The challenges for the coming decade and beyond face the whole Church – Clergy and Laity  - and require a collaborative response. It is proposed therefore to develop programmes of collaborative formation wherever appropriate and possible.

The Council invites your Feedback!

Work is still to be done to flesh out in detail some of these proposals and your constructive comment is welcomed. In consultation with your Parish Priest and Lay Adult Formation Contact  you may wish to discuss and address especially these two questions:

• What are your/parish priorities for Adult Formation in the future?

• Any specific thoughts on issues/concerns to be addressed under any of the above Key Proposals?

Please write or email (before 10th September) to:

Adult Formation Department, Diocese of Middlesbrough, 50a The Avenue, Middlesbrough.  TS5 6QT

adultformation@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk

Thank you

The fouteenth session of the Diocesan Catechists’ Foundation Course takes place at 7pm on Thursday 30th June at English Martyrs’, Dalton Terrace, York. The topic for the session is “Catechesis with Young People”

The thirteenth session of the Diocesan Catechists’ Foundation Course takes place at 7pm on Thursday 16th June at English Martyrs’, Dalton Terrace, York. The topic for the session is “Children’s Liturgy of the Word”

The twelth session of the Diocesan Catechists’ Foundation Course takes place at 7pm on Thursday 26th May at English Martyrs’, Dalton Terrace, York. The topic for the session is “Marriage and Holy Orders”

The eleventh session of the Diocesan Catechists’ Foundation Course takes place at 7pm on Thursday 12th May at English Martyrs’, Dalton Terrace, York. The topic for the session is “Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Sick”

The tenth session of the Diocesan Catechists’ Foundation Course takes place at 7pm on Thursday 31st March at English Martyrs’, Dalton Terrace, York. The topic for the session is “Eucharist and First Holy Communion”