Southwark Report Internals final single

At regular instances in 2021, the Agency made
intelligent use of technology and the increased
comfort that people developed in terms of online
access. One such instance was the Masterclasses
series where celebrated authors introduced themes
from a recent book and participants were offered
discounts to allow them to continue their learning.
These included sessions on Evangelising Catechesis,
Discipleship Parenting, the new Directory for
Catechesis and more.
SHARING THE FAITH
One of the central questions the Agency explored
in 2021 is whether people would return to church
post-pandemic. A priests’ survey on the kind of
support parishes required, in this vein, led to a
webinar series entitled Parish Communications Post-
Pandemic: From Isolation to Evangelisation, which saw
sixty-six registrants and the development of fresh
and helpful resources.
During Advent 2021, the Agency provided a number
of resources to help parishes encourage nonchurchgoing
to return to Mass. The initiative, COME
HOME, had four facets and was an invitation to
parishes to both see what might be possible and to
activate those who had already returned. The four
elements included invitation cards to be distributed
by parishioners ahead of Christmas, print resources
on building an evangelising welcome ministry;
preaching notes and webinar for a kerygmatic
homily at Christmas and 40000 copies of The
Ultimate Relationship booklet for distribution, as a
gift, to those who came to Christmas Masses.
The Agency was delighted to be able to support
the Diocesan Charismatic Service Team in the
preparation and delivery of the Life in the Spirit
Seminars after Easter 2021. Over 170 participants
heard from excellent speakers and joined small
group discussions online. The seminars are expected
to repeat in 2022 with an in-person retreat at The
Friars, Aylesford.
ECHOING THE FAITH
The main development in support of catechetical
work in the diocese was the successful launch of the
new Archbishop’s Certificate in October 2021. The
ArchCert is the fruit of a thoroughgoing revamp of
the Diocesan Catechetical Certificate to reflect the needs
of Some Definite Service. Intended not just for catechists
but all involved in evangelisation and formation, the
twelve units of this course have been redesigned,
including incorporating the proposed lectionary
translations (ESV and Abbey Psalter). Students are making
use of a new Moodle platform, hosted by the diocese,
and are supported by a team of five highly-trained and
experienced tutors. Forty-five participants are registered
for 2021-23 course, including a deacon and students
from outside of Southwark (e.g. Diocese of Westminster
and the Bishop’s Conference secretariat).
Direct parish support continued, in terms of catechesis
and the Liturgy of the Word for Children, online, inperson
and via resources accessed via the website (more
details can be found in the Agency’s 2021 Highlights
document). Additionally, two diocesan catechetical
gatherings were held online, in lieu of the traditional
diocesan Day for Catechists, with dozens of parishes
represented.
The Agency’s 2021 Highlights
document can be found here:
https://rcaos.org.uk/vocations/
SYNOD 2021-2023
Pope Francis has invited the whole Church to prayerfully
reflect on how we might grow together in communion,
deepen our participation in the life of the Church and
how we can become more effective missionary disciples
in the world. Participants, in this ‘Synodal Process’, are
being encouraged to share with honesty and openness
about their real-life experiences, and to reflect on what
the Holy Spirit might be revealing to the Church.
The Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis was
tasked, by Archbishop John Wilson, with the production
of resources for parishes, to coordinate the growing
number of parish synod delegates and to convene
listening sessions as part of the Synodal Process. The
diocesan phase of the Synodal Process to due to close
in April 2022 and a synthesis of parish, individual
and corporate submissions will be produced by a
representative group of women and men, lay people
and clergy. It is intended that the synthesis will provide
something of a roadmap for parishes and diocesan
departments’ work over the coming months and years.
14