Vicariate for Faith & Mission Update (January 2022)

Happy 2022, this new calendar year brings with it a continuation of our theme of the Year of the Eucharist and our Diocesan phase on the Universal Synod. Both of these occasions are an opportunity for us as Church to stop and consider what it means to be the people of God, a Eucharistic people in a Eucharistic Community. The pandemic has brought this to forefront and the Synod gives us a great opportunity to talk and pray about our future directions.

Some of the latest resources that you might find helpful for both Synod and Year of the Eucharist are now available:

• Bishop Robert’s Reflection for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
• Bishop Robert’s Reflection for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
• A reflection booklet on understanding the Mass
• Amy Cameron’s video on ‘What is a Synod?’
• Fr Sean Hall’s Synod video on Peter and Cornelius and the role of the Apostles.

Our launch events on 16 October 2021 & 13 November 2021 gave us a blessed opportunity to meet with around 100 brothers and sisters from across the Diocese, learn how the Holy Spirit is already at work and hear how the Diocesan Service of Communion can help the Diocese move forward with the three priorities of CHARIS:

1. To help deepen and promote the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit throughout the Church
2. To promote the ecumenical dimension of Catholic Charismatic Renewal and foster the commitment to serving the unity of all Christians
3. To promote service of the poor and social action through Catholic Charismatic Renewal

We are now in the process of identifying themes from the group discussions and look forward, as a team, to discerning how we can facilitate what we heard people are hoping to see happening through 2022 and beyond.

The new Diocesan Website currently provides information on our team along with links to the national team and other information on CHARIS here.

We are currently gathering details for a new section of our page for charismatic communities and realities. This will also include details of charismatic prayer groups in the Diocese.

The launch events gave us an opportunity to create a contact group for people who would like to hear from the team. One way we believe we can be of service to the Holy Spirit is by being a channel of communication for communities and realities to share with each other, for us to communicate nationally how the Holy Spirit is at work in our Diocese, and for us to share what’s happening beyond the Diocese. If you have not already given us contact details and would like to be added to this contact group, please email the Vicariate for Faith and Mission.

Finally, we are currently producing our first newsletter for sharing in the New Year which will be sent to the contact group and made available from our page on the Diocesan website.

Save the date: As part of the year of the Eucharist, a date has been set for a Charismatic Mass – 6:30pm on Sunday 12 June 2022.

The theme for Holocaust Memorial 2022 is ‘One Day’. Interreligious has engaged Holocaust survivor Hanneke Dye to speak at the following commemorations. Find out more about the event via the button opposite.

Save the date: The annual Christian Muslim Prayer Gathering for women and young children is provisionally booked for Saturday 25 June. The Christian Muslim Prayer Gathering will take place at th  historic Lady Chapel in Jesmond Dene. More details to follow in the New Year.

Whilst bereavement is extremely hard at any time, these last months of lockdown have been particularly difficult, whilst funerals that have 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 earlier this year, 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.

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

Visit our vicariate homepage here.