What's this all about ..... ?    Well, recently the Cardinal asked the priests of Westminster and other clergy working amongst us to consider a plan for our spiritual and pastoral renewal.  It was given the name "At your word, Lord...."

Since then, initial feedback has been good, although limited.  It's available to review at the Westminster Diocese website.. click HERE.

The closing date for comments the first time around was 31st May 2002, but it's clear that the whole feedback process will be an ongoing one anyway.   This page on our website is designed to allow you to make your comments directly to the Cardinal's office.

In advance, the Cardinal is thanking us for the part that we play in our Diocese and for the contribution which we make to the successful completion of this important and exciting venture, and for which he asks for our continued prayers.

These are some of the points raised in Pope John Paul II's recent document Novo Millennio Ineunte, (At the Beginning of the New Millennium).  The full document in english can be accessed via the website of the Holy See at the Vatican..  click HERE

Jesus invited Peter and his companions to "put out into the deep" for a catch: "Duc in altum" (Luke 5: 4) after they had laboured in vain. Peter responds with trust and enthusiasm: "At your word, Lord..."

Much awaits us, and for this reason we must set about drawing up an effective post-Jubilee pastoral plan.

"What must we do?" (Acts 2: 37). The programme already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition, it is the same as ever... But it must be translated into pastoral initiatives adapted to circumstances of each community... It is in the local churches that the specific features of a detailed pastoral plan can be identified - goals and methods, formation and enrichment of the people involved, the search for the necessary resources.

All pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness: "all the Christian faithful, of whatever state or rank, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity". This training in holiness calls for a Christian life distinguished above all in the art of prayer... above all in the liturgy, the summit and source of the Church's life.

It is, therefore, essential that education in prayer should become in some way a key point of all pastoral planning. This primacy of holiness and prayer is inconceivable without a renewed listening to the word of God. A new apostolic outreach is needed, which will be lived as the everyday commitment of Christian communities and groups. We need to promote a spirituality of communion, making it the guiding principle of education wherever individuals and Christians are formed. Such a vision of communion is closely knit to the Christian communities' ability to make room for all the gifts of the Spirit. The unity of the Church is not uniformity, but an organic blending of legitimate diversities. It is the reality of many members joined in a single body, the one body of Christ. 

Let us go forward in hope!

To save your time, we've made this form as quick and as easy to fill in as we possibly could (we hope!!!).   The more you complete, the better it is for us.  On the other hand, if there are questions which you'd rather not answer, you're under no obligation

Privacy ....   We will acknowledge submission of your form, but we promise that you will NOT receive unsolicited mail, nor will we pass on your details to any other party other than Westminster diocese. 

In advance, many thanks on behalf of the Cardinal for taking the time to help us help the diocese.

To continue, please click QUESTIONS or simply scroll down the page.  Alternatively, if you'd rather not proceed, then just click on Home in the menu on the left hand side to return to the main Ss Alban & Stephen website. 

Firstly, are you a parishioner of Ss Alban & Stephen, and if so which Mass centre do you attend?


Ss Alban & Stephen ChurchMarshalswickMarylandThe AbbeyI'm housebound---------------I'm not from this parishI'm not a CatholicI'd rather not say
 

1.  Do you agree that we need a process of spiritual renewal in our Diocese?



 

2.  What signs do you see that we are in need of (or are searching for) spiritual renewal?



 

3.  Following your reflections on the document Novo Millennio Ineunte, what do you believe shoudl be our priorities for renewal?



 

Any additional comments you may wish to make can be placed in the space below.

© Ss Alban & Stephen Catholic Church, 2002