Southwark Report 2020_NEW final -Single pages
The Archdiocese of Southwark is pleased to publish an updated version of the Annual Report and Accounts for 2020. This version was revised after correcting a technical error and was re-submitted to the Charity Commission in December 2022.
The Archdiocese of Southwark is pleased to publish an updated version of the Annual Report and Accounts for 2020. This version was revised after correcting a technical error and was re-submitted to the Charity Commission in December 2022.
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IMPACT<br />
REPORT<br />
Centre hosted an event with André Regnier, the<br />
founder of Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO).<br />
This proved to be start of an ongoing relationship<br />
with CCO which has supported the changes to a<br />
new model for ‘grassroots’ support of our parishes<br />
in terms of evangelisation, catechesis and adult<br />
formation.<br />
Part 2 APRIL to AUGUST <strong>2020</strong><br />
As the pandemic crisis deepened, changes that<br />
were in their infancy came to term. Over the spring<br />
and summer months, a review and consultation<br />
on a new model and structure took place. This<br />
model, entitled Some Definite Service, proposed<br />
a shift from geographical responsibility for the<br />
diocesan advisors to three portfolio positions<br />
(Evangelisation, Catechesis and Formation). It<br />
also highlighted the benefit of bespoke parish<br />
plans, supported by the Agency, and a volunteer<br />
missionary network characterised by intentional<br />
accompaniment, training and support.<br />
Although the majority of the team were on<br />
furlough in this period, a series of webinars were<br />
hosted, on evangelisation and catechesis in<br />
lockdown, as well as individualised parish support.<br />
The Diocese also entered into a partnership<br />
arrangement with the Catechetical Institute<br />
(Franciscan University Steubenville) through the<br />
Centre for Catholic Formation.<br />
Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic,<br />
the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training<br />
programme was concluded during the summer<br />
with potential for 15 new ‘atriums’ for children<br />
throughout <strong>Southwark</strong> and the surrounding<br />
dioceses.<br />
The trustees made the painful decision to close the<br />
Centre for Catholic Formation, a part of diocesan<br />
life for over half a century, and established a<br />
new Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis<br />
which will implement the positive vision and plan<br />
contained in Some Definite Service.<br />
https://youtu.be/v3BLlU3OaSM<br />
Part 3 SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER <strong>2020</strong><br />
With the advent of the new academic year, the official<br />
announcement of the new Agency for Evangelisation<br />
and Catechesis was made. The new posts proposed in<br />
Some Definite Service were advertised and filled, and<br />
the new team started the twin processes of contacting<br />
parishes to offer concrete support and putting the<br />
foundations in place for the new volunteer network<br />
(featuring Deanery Mentors and Parish Leads).<br />
https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/<br />
With the ongoing challenges facing parishes, a variety<br />
of courses were offered using video conferencing. In<br />
support of Holy Innocents parish, the Agency provided<br />
practical assistance for a Scripture series with Fr<br />
Nicholas King SJ. Again, mindful of the Bishops’<br />
Conference Scripture initiative, ‘The God Who<br />
Speaks’, the Agency collaborated with Come and See<br />
Ministry’s Bible Timeline course which garnered over<br />
2000 registered participants over its seven weeks.<br />
Disruption in the delivery of a typical RCIA process,<br />
led the Agency to offer an online Evangelium course<br />
with over 180 registered participants. The CCRS was<br />
moved to online delivery with a fresh set of students.<br />
At the request of our parishes, regular resources for<br />
parish faith-sharing and devotion, which can be used<br />
online, have been produced and circulated every week<br />
since September <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
To support all of this and to provide a strong<br />
foundation for the future, a new website and social<br />
media channels were developed and the year<br />
culminated in the filming of a video: Some Definite<br />
Service. All of this will showcase the purpose and<br />
mission of the new Agency, in support of Archbishop<br />
John Wilson’s vision for an outward focused,<br />
missionary and evangelising Archdiocese.<br />
The task of the Universal Church and, as the particular<br />
Church in South London and Kent, the Archdiocese<br />
of <strong>Southwark</strong> is the communication of the Good<br />
News of Jesus Christ. The Agency’s role is one of<br />
training, support and articulation of this task; assisting<br />
parishes and other parts of the diocesan family to help<br />
those we meet to accept, understand and share in a<br />
relationship with Jesus.<br />
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