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A PARISH LINKS SCHEME - one parish as an example
Inspired by the missionary example of St Augustine of Canterbury, we decided as a parish family to reach out more positively and fruitfully to all Catholics (especially those who do not regularly come to Mass) and to those other people of our town who have yet to respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ, or who are in special need (the poor, the lonely, the sick, the bereaved, etc). We have established a simple skeleton structure of small neighbourhood groupings or `clusters' across the whole parish which are open to development according to the needs and wishes of each local area.- All known Catholic homes in the parish are allocated to local neighbourhood `clusters', ideally between 10 - 15 homes in each. This is to be an informal and flexible structure, a living expression of communion and pastoral care which is in no way intended to be intrusive or threatening.
- In each cluster area, we try to find one or two people (perhaps a married couple) suitable to be Parish Link People. Their role is to get to know the Catholic households in their clusters, providing personal points of contact between the parish centre and each household in an appropriately sensitive way, carefully respecting the wishes of each person or family.
- An annual meeting of these Link People provides a valuable forum for discussion on the state and future of the parish. This usually takes place after an evening Mass at which all Link People are renewed in their commissioning.
- It is recognised that putting this project into operation will be patchy and slow. It will work in some areas, but perhaps not in others. It may not be possible to find Link People for every area. Patience and perseverance will be required.
A PARISH LINKS SCHEME - one parish as an example  |
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