Dear All,

Thanks to those who were able to attend the meeting last week and to those who sent apologies. I am not sending this to anyone who did not respond to the invite. If you know that anyone who would like to attend, please feel free to forward the attached notes- thanks to Fionnuala- and to invite them.

Best wishes

Kevan

Emerging Pastoral Ministries Group: Continuing to Journeytogether to serve and lead.

What is Formation?

Personal spiritual andacademic learning in preparation for your mission of discipleship, followingthe life and teaching of Jesus Christ.

What is Pastoral Ministry?

A response to the HolySpirit’s gifts to each of us to build the Kingdom of God in our ordinary lives.

 

On Friday 6 June 2025, there was a meeting at the PastoralCentre of a small band of people called the Emerging Pastoral Ministries Group.The members are those who have undertaken some Formation development in recentyears and want to extend and develop their mission within the diocese.

For the past few years, the diocese has sponsored someplaces on a Pastoral Ministry course being run jointly by Loyola University,Chicago, and Liverpool Archdiocese. Participants have studied on-line over 2years, ten modules covering such topics as What is Pastoral Ministry; God whoReveals: Looking at the Old Testament; Christ and his disciples: Looking at theNew Testament; Missionary Disciples: The Story of the Church in Britain; Visionof the Church: Vatican II; Building a Fairer World: Catholic Social Teaching;Holiness and Wholeness: How we grow as a people of faith; Catechesis: BuildingParish Communities; Serving and Leading: Skills for Ministry.

If these topics sound interesting to you, you might like toconsider signing up for the new version of this Formation course, this timebeing run by Liverpool Hope University. https://www.hope.ac.uk/postgraduate/postgraduatecourses/catholicpastoralleadershippgcert/

Meanwhile, those who have completed all or some of thecourse are beginning to gather to think about what and how to develop theirmission in the light of what they have learned and how we can help each otherwith that.  This month we met in hybridformat, with some people coming to the Pastoral Centre to meet in person andsome joining us on-line. It was interesting to hear from each person about whattheir ministry is at the moment. People also reported being interested andinspired by hearing from each other about what was going on in differentparishes.

 

1.     The Meeting Format

Opening the meeting with prayer, reflection and sharing.

Over the course of the development of Synodality in thediocese, we have learned the value of beginning the meeting by opening the doorto the Holy Spirit. We begin with a brief reading from scripture, a period ofreflection and an invitation to share what we feel moved to share according tothe prompting of the Spirit. The discernment of what and when to share isobviously for the individual to decide, but if after due reflection they chooseto share, the group listens respectfully and ponders what is offered, notengaging in debate or questioning it, but accepting it as a gift.

 

2.     Synodality.

In May 2025, a letter came from Cardinal Grech of the SynodOffice in Rome, to notify us that the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and ParticipatoryBodies is to be celebrated in Rome from October 24-26 2025. Cardinal Grech urgesus to walk the path shown to us by the Holy Father Leo XIV, who called us “tobe a synodal Church, a Church that moves forward, a Church that always seekspeace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close above all tothose who are suffering” (First Blessing “Urbi et Orbi”, 8 May 2025).

Kevan Grady and Fionnuala  Frances, Coordinators for Formation andMission, have led the Synod Team in Hallam Diocese. There seems now to be agood opportunity to expand the team and the Emerging Pastoral Ministries Groupmembers are encouraged to consider joining the team or in any case, learningabout the method of synodality by undertaking some of the courses anddiscussions that are available on-line. We particularly recommend that everyonetakes the 4 week School for Synodality Course, which is exceptionallyinteresting as the people delivering the talks were actually participantsthemselves in the Synod in Rome, so they have unique and fascinating personal insightsinto the process. What stood out from all of them was a certain degree ofsurprise that they themselves had encountered when engaging in theConversations of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit seemed to emerge in theseconversations in unexpected ways.

Fionnuala and Kevan have been visiting some Parish CouncilMeetings to reflect with these groups on how the Synodal method might behelpful to enrich meetings. Though it is not always appropriate for allmeetings, where there are different points of view being expressed anddecisions needing to be made, the Synodal Method can prove fruitful. Indeed, itis a way of respectful listening that was evident in many of the meetings weattended. While the ultimate decision-maker is acknowledged to be the ParishPriest who has responsibility for the Parish, the People of God seemed happy toargue different points of view and reflect on each other’s ideas and thoughts. Weplan some more visits and invitations are welcome.

 

3.     Diocesan Pastoral Council

There was much interest in the progress of the new DiocesanPastoral Council, established at the behest of the Final Document of the Synod2024. There was however little to report, beyond what was already known. Therehave been two meetings already and another is scheduled for 17 June 2025. It ishoped that the minutes of these meetings will be made available, but the groupis at an early stage of co-creating its own remit, ‘feeling our way’. BishopRalph has appointed  Fr Desmond Sextonand Fr Mark McManus as the designated priests on the group, by virtue of theirroles in the diocese as vicars general. We look forward to further news onthis.  

4.     Safeguarding

One of the group has been led in the direction of being oneof the parish Safeguarding representatives. There is some support for the rolefrom the diocesan safeguarding team, but it might be helpful for parish reps.across the diocese to come together and share their experiences, undertake somecontinuing professional development on the role and support each other in thisimportant mission.

 

5.     Ongoing opportunities for formation

Many of the group are involved in catechesis in various waysand the question was raised about what next after RCIA. Ongoing Bible Studygroups was one suggestion. This led to a discussion of the various programmesavailable for parishes. Some have been pleased with Divine Renovation,Sycamore, Dare to Say were all mentioned, and a request was made forsuggestions of speakers who could present opportunities for learning andreflection on various themes. Any suggestions are welcome and Formation andMission will try to compile a list of likely speakers.

6.     Ecumenism

Churches Together in Sheffield does not seem to be currentlyactive in the diocese, but there may be some movement in that domain, and wewould welcome news of any ecumenical initiatives currently ongoing.

7.     Spirituality

One ecumenical strand that is growing is the involvement ofthe Spirituality Group in collaborating in the development of an ecumenical SpiritualGrowth and Development course alongside the Conversations in the Spirit Coursewhich took place in the diocese some weeks ago. The next course onConversations in the Spirit begins in September so watch out for news on how toapply.

8.     Pilgrimages

There is lots of activity in the diocese as parishesundertake pilgrimages to Holy Places as part of this Jubilee year. Pilgrim’sPassports are available in each parish and the dates posted on th