Our call to Mission

Saturday 19th May 2018

Bishop John has called on us all to continue “building that sense of mission and purpose” within our diocese to strengthen our parishes and our connection with the wider community.

In a Pastoral Letter to mark the feast of Pentecost, the Bishop reminded us that God has a plan but we all have our part to play to but that plan into action:

Pope Francis, in all of his letters to us, most particularly in his most recent “Gaudete et Exsultate” (Rejoice and be Glad) reminds us of our personal involvement in making Christ present in our world and continuing His work through our personal holiness and action.

I am very pleased and grateful to see how the people of this Diocese are responding to that invitation. Our pastoral project “Hope in the Future” is being interpreted in so many different and exciting ways in our parishes and we are certainly building that sense of mission and purpose which not only strengthens our parish communities but also has an impact on our wider neighbourhoods, particularly for the benefit of the poor, the marginalised and the isolated.

He went on to say:

The call to mission, throughout the centuries, has always meant the need to change and to step out into the unknown. But we must also remember that much remains the same in all that we believe and understand that we are called to be and to do.

Bishop John also highlighted the new Feast (21st May) for Mary, Mother of the Church encouraging us to celebrate syaing:

The Lord has told us that He remains with us always. So does Mary, the most faithful of His disciples.

The Pastoral letter can be read here and listened to here.