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HomeNewsVicariate for Faith & Mission Update (December 2022)

Vicariate for Faith & Mission Update (December 2022)

December 1 2022

Update from the Vicariate

As we journey through Advent, I want to share with you the fantastic resource created by volunteers, clergy, religious and laity, from our Diocese. The Seasonal Reflections publication is the third Advent publication of its kind for the Diocese, and I know they are well received by many as they pray through the season. I’m very grateful to the many gifted writers who contribute to this publication and for all the prayers and thinking that goes into the creation. See below for more details.

As we continue on our journey as a synodal Church, you may be interested to read the Continental Stage of the Synod synthesis, you can access it here. There is a synergy to the voices being heard around the world as all the people of God come together to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Checkout the diocesan webpage for updates as they are released. We continue to pray for a deeper sense of discernment as Church and to respond where we can in bringing Christ’s message to those we meet.

Amy Cameron, Coordinator for the Vicariate for Faith & Mission.

Evangelisation

The Joy of the Gospel

“Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive nature.” (#7).

Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel, looks at the new evangelisation for the transmission of the faith and has chapters on the following subjects:

  • The Church’s Missionary Transformation
  • The Crisis of Communal Commitment
  • The Proclamation of the Gospel
  • The Social Dimension of Evangelization
  • Spirit-Filled Evangelizers

The full text of Evangelii Gaudium can be downloaded here.

Quick Link: Sharing the Faith.

Liturgy

The Diocesan Church Music Association (DCMA)

Calling all parish musicians

The DCMA are currently planning their programme for 2023 – 2024 and would find it helpful to have an overview of music ministries across the Diocese, their capabilities and how they may have been impacted by the pandemic. If you are involved in the music ministry within your parish, it would be appreciated if you could take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire by 31 January 2023.

Music for Communion Workshop

On Sunday 25 September 2022 the DCMA held its first event since the pandemic. This music workshop explored Communion songs from a recently published book by Nick Baty. Entitled ‘We come to your table’, the book is a collection of songs to accompany the Communion Procession. Visit here to find out more about this successful event.

Association of the Eucharist

All are welcome to attend the monthly Holy Hour on the first Sunday of each month between 2.00pm and 3.00pm, held at St Andrew’s Church, Worswick Street, Newcastle. The next Holy Hour will be held on Sunday 4 December. Organised by the Association of the Eucharist, we invite you to spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament as part of our Advent journey. Refreshments are served afterwards.

Seasonal Reflections

Advent is when the Church re-sets the calendar of our remembering and celebrating the saving work of Christ. This Advent is more challenging due to the threats and challenges facing us. Our usual distraction with gifts and cards seems more distant this year. We’re aware of people’s worries over food and fuel, safety and health. To support you on your journey through Advent, a series of reflections on the daily readings has been produced. Written by members of the Diocesan Clergy, Religious and Laity, we hope that the reflections will provide a moment of daily quiet in a busy world.

Visit the Seasonal Reflections webpage to download the reflections for the first two weeks of Advent. The reflections for the final weeks of Advent will be available shortly.

In addition to the written reflections, this year we are providing audio versions of the Sunday Gospel and reflections, which will be available to listen to on the Seasonal Reflections and on the Diocesan Facebook page.

Blue Christmas Liturgies

Christmas can be a difficult time for many people for all sorts of reasons; bereavement, unemployment, being far away from family and so on. A Blue Christmas liturgy offers a way of acknowledging that and hopefully, finding the hope that will help them to get through Christmas. These liturgies are available to use as an individual or a group.

Quick Link: Liturgy & Prayer.

New for Advent 2022 – Sycamore

During this Advent season, as we prepare for birth of Christ, why not take a little time out and explore Prayer.

Prayer is an incredible adventure. It is also a big challenge. Sometimes it’s hard to make the time, or we can’t find the ‘right‘ words, or it doesn’t seem to be working. Despite the title, these sessions are not a ‘How to Pray Guide‘. There are so many different ways to pray and certainly no one right way. Rather it’s an opportunity to meet other people, share your ideas and experiences and explore this aspect of your spiritual life. It is for those who are beginning and those who have been praying for a long time.

The sessions will take place on Zoom and are as follows;

  • The Power of Prayer – 27 November
  • The Bible – 4 December
  • The Holy Eucharist – 11 December
  • How to Pray – 18 December

I invite you to join me on a journey this Advent season. We will gather online each Sunday from 27 November at 4.00pm and each session will last no more than 90 minutes. Why not invite a friend to come along too? You’re welcome to join us for all, one or more sessions.

Register Online or email adminfaith.mission@diocesehn.org.uk for further information.

Mike Weetman, Vicariate Coordinator for Sycamore.

Charismatic Diocesan Service of Communion (CDSC)

Drawing on our experience of working in partnership with the Bethany prayer group, we look forward to working with new partners as we plan our next event in the Northumberland Vicariate. If you are in the Northumberland Vicariate, involved with Charismatic Renewal, and would like to contribute to the planning please let us know on charis@diocesehn.org.uk Please pray for the success of this next event.

Save the date.

Following this year’s experience of hosting a Mass for Pentecost at St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Pentecostal Mass next year at the Cathedral on Saturday 13 May 2023 at 1.00pm. More details nearer the time.

Our third newsletter will be shared shortly to our contact group and posted to the Diocesan website. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact us on charis@diocesehn.org.uk

We continue to add to the Diocesan website details of prayer groups and other opportunities to come together in worship with communities of faith in our Diocese. This link takes you to our place on the website.

Another date to save.

On Saturday 4 March 2023, the Emmanuel Catholic Charismatic Community will be hosting Michelle Moran. Michelle has played a key role in the creation of CHARIS and will share the original dream, hopes for the future and our call to bring it to fruition. Michelle plans to present on the theme of ‘Fruitfulness for the Kingdom‘.

John Wheeler, Co-ordinator Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Service of Communion.

Email: charis@diocesehn.org.uk

Quick Link: CHARIS

Bereavement Support

Whilst bereavement is extremely hard at any time, the time spent in lockdown when funerals had to take place in very restricted circumstances have taken their toll on so many. Whilst family and friends can be immensely supportive, sometimes a bereaved person wants to talk to someone outside of their immediate circle. The Emmaus Bereavement Support Team, trained in the Ministry of Consolation, is available to support those who wish to talk about their loss. Due to current restrictions, such conversations will most likely take place on the phone, but we hope as restrictions ease, it may be possible for people to meet face-to-face again.

Since the launch of this service, there have been a number of requests for support, and several of our listeners have been able to accompany others on their journey of loss and bereavement.

The Emmaus Bereavement Support Service number is 07732 980740 a member of the team will contact you promptly.

Quick Link: Accompaniment in Difficult Times.

Reflections

Father Sean Hall continues to offer his weekly reflections on the Sunday Readings and Pat Kennedy her monthly reflections, both available to read online or download in the Prayer Resources section.

Contact Us

Contact the Vicariate of Faith & Mission by email: adminfaith.mission@diocesehn.org.uk or by telephone 0191 243 3316 / 07375 934713 during office hours.

Visit our Vicariate for Faith & Mission News page here.