Southwark Report 2020_NEW final -Single pages

IMPACT
REPORT
Centre hosted an event with André Regnier, the
founder of Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO).
This proved to be start of an ongoing relationship
with CCO which has supported the changes to a
new model for ‘grassroots’ support of our parishes
in terms of evangelisation, catechesis and adult
formation.
Part 2 APRIL to AUGUST 2020
As the pandemic crisis deepened, changes that
were in their infancy came to term. Over the spring
and summer months, a review and consultation
on a new model and structure took place. This
model, entitled Some Definite Service, proposed
a shift from geographical responsibility for the
diocesan advisors to three portfolio positions
(Evangelisation, Catechesis and Formation). It
also highlighted the benefit of bespoke parish
plans, supported by the Agency, and a volunteer
missionary network characterised by intentional
accompaniment, training and support.
Although the majority of the team were on
furlough in this period, a series of webinars were
hosted, on evangelisation and catechesis in
lockdown, as well as individualised parish support.
The Diocese also entered into a partnership
arrangement with the Catechetical Institute
(Franciscan University Steubenville) through the
Centre for Catholic Formation.
Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic,
the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training
programme was concluded during the summer
with potential for 15 new ‘atriums’ for children
throughout Southwark and the surrounding
dioceses.
The trustees made the painful decision to close the
Centre for Catholic Formation, a part of diocesan
life for over half a century, and established a
new Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis
which will implement the positive vision and plan
contained in Some Definite Service.
https://youtu.be/v3BLlU3OaSM
Part 3 SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER 2020
With the advent of the new academic year, the official
announcement of the new Agency for Evangelisation
and Catechesis was made. The new posts proposed in
Some Definite Service were advertised and filled, and
the new team started the twin processes of contacting
parishes to offer concrete support and putting the
foundations in place for the new volunteer network
(featuring Deanery Mentors and Parish Leads).
https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/
With the ongoing challenges facing parishes, a variety
of courses were offered using video conferencing. In
support of Holy Innocents parish, the Agency provided
practical assistance for a Scripture series with Fr
Nicholas King SJ. Again, mindful of the Bishops’
Conference Scripture initiative, ‘The God Who
Speaks’, the Agency collaborated with Come and See
Ministry’s Bible Timeline course which garnered over
2000 registered participants over its seven weeks.
Disruption in the delivery of a typical RCIA process,
led the Agency to offer an online Evangelium course
with over 180 registered participants. The CCRS was
moved to online delivery with a fresh set of students.
At the request of our parishes, regular resources for
parish faith-sharing and devotion, which can be used
online, have been produced and circulated every week
since September 2020.
To support all of this and to provide a strong
foundation for the future, a new website and social
media channels were developed and the year
culminated in the filming of a video: Some Definite
Service. All of this will showcase the purpose and
mission of the new Agency, in support of Archbishop
John Wilson’s vision for an outward focused,
missionary and evangelising Archdiocese.
The task of the Universal Church and, as the particular
Church in South London and Kent, the Archdiocese
of Southwark is the communication of the Good
News of Jesus Christ. The Agency’s role is one of
training, support and articulation of this task; assisting
parishes and other parts of the diocesan family to help
those we meet to accept, understand and share in a
relationship with Jesus.
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