Visitation - more detailed information
Visitation
“…a moment in which a parish community reflects on its own life in Christ and receives the affirmation and direction of the bishop or his appointed representative.”
The twofold invitation given to us by Christ:
1 Communion: The life of God we share in Christ
“We seek… to live more closely to Christ, to be aware everyday of his presence and of his unfailing love for us,” sharing in his divine life, the life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although this communion is best expressed in receiving his Body and Blood in holy communion, it lasts every minute of the day. We come together as a parish community, a “ ‘community in Christ’ and of the Church as the family of God.” We will always be seeking a “greater closeness to the Lord in the Community of faith”. The ‘communion’ of a parish community, therefore, comprises all those activities which seek to foster and strengthen the life of faith and Christian fellowship within its members.
2 Mission: The task we receive of proclaiming our faith in society.
“..We seek to show our faith to others by the way we live,” and by sharing the mission of Christ that all people may “know, love and serve God and to open for them the way to the Father.” At the same time displaying a “readiness to show our faith to others by the way we speak and act.” The ‘mission’ of a parish community comprises all those ways in which we encourage the proclamation of the Catholic faith, in word and deed, to those who have never heard it or are neglecting it.
During the visitation process ‘we shall look together ’(and share with other parishes “to affirm the importance of the deanery” ):
How the parish and the deanery can help to :
-deepen our communion of life in Christ
-help us to put faith into practice each day
Sharing our strengths and achievements
-with a view to making best use of our resources
-through enthusiasm and strength of faith
Help to give a greater sense of unity within the diocese
-“and the role of the ‘Episcopal Areas.’”
Plans for preparation - (learning about Communion and Mission).
a) Form an advisory group who will help to compose the parish profile , that can “articulate” (i.e. speak as a representative group of the parish, probably between 6 or 9 people, that are a strength and balance).
b) Address the three questions i. Where are we?
ii. What are we about?
iii. What are we going to do?
Looking at the life of the parish
c) Consider how to draw up a parish profile from the parish perspective (Parish have to ‘own’ it.)
d) Draw up a 3 minute presentation summary (about 450 words - 1 sheet of paper)
What should the profile contain?
a) Accurate and up to date parish statistics: including parish and history, social and cultural background, area, etc.
b) Strengths and celebrations of the parish in terms of ‘communion’ (What do we do?)
c) How do we encourage the proclamation of the Catholic faith, in word and deed in terms of ‘mission’?
d) The parish’s priorities and future plans including suggested areas for future collaboration.
e) Other topics such as future planning for schooling, local authority plans, etc., to include anything that would help the diocese in its planning.
How do we involve the parish (keep informed).
a) Display boards at the back of church
b) Newsletter updates
c) Prayers: for “an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we may be faithful to the truth of both this communion and mission.”
d) Prepare a deanery candle (with one for the Archbishop and the Episcopal Vicar) for each parish, for lighting during the deanery visitation, and as a possible point of reference ‘in homilies and talks.’
What are the possible “spin offs” for the parish?
a) It can be a tremendously affirming procedure, “…an occasion of grace and growth for us all in our shared life in Christ.”
b) The possibilities for co-operation with other parishes. “Parishes do not live in isolation; links and co-operation with neighbouring parishes in the deanery can be a source of strength and encouragement.”
Time table
i.) Deanery clergy meet to discuss planning of Visitation on 6th May 2003.
ii.) PP to call together those who are going to draw up the parish profile say by end of May 2003
iii.) Meeting of deanery clergy to share the parish profiles say in month of June.
iv.) Parish profiles have to be submitted to the Dean by each PP by say one month prior to submission date, e.g. 24th July 2003.
v.) Decide the three suggested areas for future collaboration to be submitted to the Episcopal Vicar one month ahead of the Closing Deanery Meeting (at deanery meeting on 11th November 2003), with a view to highlighting and deepening the sense of communion and mission within the deanery.
vi.) Dean to send off to the Episcopal Vicar the parish profile and the deanery profile one month ahead of the Initial Deanery Meeting : 24th August 2003
vii.) Initial deanery meeting of the clergy and teams of parish workers (with liturgy/prayers) where 3 minute profiles are read out by a member of the parish September 24th 2003.
viii.) Visitation weekend in each parish where the Visitator will preach at all masses between October 4th & November 23rd 2003.
ix.) Visitator will meet with parish advisory group (discuss profile, etc.)[same w/e].
x.) Visitator will meet with the people of the parish at a public meeting [same w/e].
xi.) Closing deanery meeting of the clergy and teams of parish workers, plus those who wish to attend, where conclusions may be discussed. Any trends? Perhaps each parish will have focused on three topics of concern? 10th December 2003.
xii.) Follow up meeting of deanery clergy and teams of workers from each parish to appraise the Visitation process, discuss how to implement the agreed areas for collaboration within the deanery, and arrange another meeting in May 2004 to assess progress.
Suggested question that may be asked of a parish group or organisation:
COMMUNION:
What is the group’s reflection on its contribution to the unity of the parish?
Reaching out to all within parish; Inc. those who do not receive the sacraments
Reaching out to all age groups; those preparing to receive sacraments
Reaching out to lapsed Catholics, non Mass attenders, other denominations
House masses, prayer groups
Parish facilities such as rooms to let, parish shop
Parish debt and provision to manage it, fund raising
Organising parish events; family events, church cleaning
Provision of spiritual & social opportunities for all
Adoration; Benediction; Divine Office
Supporting those with physical and learning difficulties
Encouraging above to take active roll in the Church
Taking the Gospel in different ways to various groups; Children’s liturgy
Living Gospel through every day lives
Encouraging others to offer themselves into ministries within parish
Visiting parishioners in their homes; sick and housebound
Visits and links to local schools
Child protection arrangements and education
How to cope with adverse publicity and difficult issues
MISSION:
What is the group’s reflection on its contribution to the world outside the parish?
Collecting boxes for organisations; CAFOD, Fr Hudson’s Homes, APF
Working through larger organisations; Deanery, Diocese, Life, SPUC, CHF
Training people up to go out of the parish; as catechists to other parishes
Encouraging people to go out of the parish to do good works
Promoting the faith through group activities, locally and world wide
Wider Christian Community - encouraging links through social contact
Wider Christian Community - encouraging links through prayer activities
Muslim and other non Christian faiths contact
Opening of church facilities to wider community
Unity of clergy within the deanery
Pilgrimages and devotional visits
Links through Internet enquirers
(These notes from Deacon Chris Blackman)
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