Evangelisation Team

Our Vision Statement
To spread the love of God through our words and actions and to become a parish of missionary disciples.
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​For more information please contact
Peter Dimambro
mdimambro@hotmail.co.uk  01926 428399

For General Parish leaflet see:-
2019.doc

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 Contents
1) FORMATION
2) DIVINE RENOVATION
3) SHARING MY FAITH JOURNEY
​4) MINUTES OF RECENT MEETINGS
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                                      1) FORMATION 

St Peter’s Parish Evangelisation Team, Leamington Spa came about after a training day on evangelisation in St Chad’s Birmingham in 2009. It was suggested that all parishes should have a Team.
 
Although evangelisation is basically bringing the Good News of Christ to others, it covers many areas such as sacramental preparation and support, social activities, parish missions and retreats, welcoming new parishioners, etc. The main methods of evangelisation include witness of life, preaching, liturgy of the Word, the mass media, personal contact and the Sacraments. All Catholics have a duty to evangelise and it is a task not just for the Clergy or the Team. 
 
The purpose of the Team is to promote evangelisation by:-
a) praying for the evangelisation work of the parish,
b) suggesting creative ways for the parish to reach out to the local community,
c) developing their understanding of Church teaching on evangelisation, and
d) ensuring that evangelisation enjoys a high profile within the parish so that all can be involved to some extent.
 
We are basically a small planning team and have identified many areas of evangelisation and undertake parish visiting, promote RCIA sessions for interested non-Catholics and encourage all parishioners to be more active in helping non-churchgoing Catholics back to our community. In line with our Archbishop’s suggestion for a priority focus on non-churchgoing Catholics, we also see this as the main area to concentrate on. We have been involved in a number of initiatives over the years - see our notes of meetings below. Together with the support of the Evangelisation Fieldworker from Maryvale, Birmingham and our Parish Priest, we continually discern the way the Holy Spirit wants us to proceed.

The Team has expanded to include the parishes of the Warwick deanery so we are now known as the Warwick Deanery Evangelisation Team. We meet every other month in St Peter’s parish centre. If you feel drawn to help us, or just want to come and see, please contact Peter Dimambro. 

 



                                      

                                                    2) DIVINE RENOVATION
A two day conference called Divine Renovation 19 was held in West Bromwich in 2019. There were several hundred people there, including laity, Priests and Bishops from around the UK (including Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David McGough). Three representatives from the Catholic Leamington Evangelisation team were among those who attended.
 
Divine Renovation is, with the grace of God,  designed to radically transform parishes from maintenance to mission. It grew out of the experience of St Benedict's Parish in Nova Scotia, Canada where Fr James Mallon had a vision for his parish to be filled with faith-filled Catholics, who would naturally go out and share the Good News with those around them. He shares his experience in the Book 'Divine Renovation - Bringing your parish from maintenance to mission.' An easy to read and informative book. 
 
Pope Francis in The Joy of the Gospel said that through their Baptism, all Catholics are called to be missionary disciples. He describes how the Church must “go forth,” boldly taking the first step to draw near to those who do not know or live the Gospel, by building bridges, supporting others, taking on the “smell of the sheep” and patiently seeking to accompany them on their journey. True missionary disciples have the desire and heart to serve the parish and the wider community and are so in love with God that they are  not frightened to speak about Him to others.
 
The conference drew on the experience of some of the parishes in the UK who have already started the process. Their testimonies were very encouraging, particularly the Parish Priests who had found new zeal and purpose in their ministry. They had started by gathering a small faith-filled team around them to pray and draw up a vision statement for the parish. This small team then worked with the Priest to drive the process forward.
 
When he arrived at St Benedict's parish Fr Mallon found that many people were not fully evangelised and had never had the opportunity to personally accept the Good News of the Gospel and so they did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This meant that they did not have a missionary outlook that wanted to share the Good News with others. The best tool that the Canadians found to help people both inside and outside the church to full conversion is the Alpha Course, which when run properly gives people a personal encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit and this transforms their  lives. Many people, including Deacon David and June Palmer can testify to this 
 
God is the vine and we are the branches and He asks us to be fruitful by taking his love to others. Parishes can be so busy serving their parishioners that they have no time for evangelising. The culture of a parish should be outward looking, going out to the wider community to draw people in. Events and ministries should be designed  to attract those outside the Church, who would be welcomed and supported.
As it was said at the conference, “Remember, Jesus told us to go out into the deep to catch fish, not to sit around on the quayside waiting for the fish to  jump into our boat!"
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                    3) SHARING MY FAITH JOURNEY
 HAVE YOU DRAWN UP YOUR JOURNEY OF FAITH YET?

            testimony_faith_journey_oct_2018_________________.pdf PARISH TRANSFORMATION
                                               The Text is also below
Sharing your faith journey (also called a testimony)  is a simple sharing of a part of your journey of faith, to give witness to Christ. 
Things to consider:-
What has God done in your life, in the past?
How is God present in your life today?
Why are you a Catholic?
What does your faith mean to you personally?
Answering one of these, or similar questions, will give you an outline to share your faith journey.                                                   It is powerful because it demonstrates to others that God is real and that he cares about our lives.
Sharing our journey of faith is something that we can all do. ​
For guidance on how to get started please see below.

                                          
Sharing your faith journey (also called a testimony) is a simple sharing of a part of your journey of faith, to give witness to Christ.
Consider:-
What has God done in your life, in the past?
How is God present in your life today?
Why are you a Catholic?
What does your faith mean to you personally?
Answering one of these, or similar questions, will give you an outline to share your faith journey. It is powerful because it demonstrates to others that God is real and that he cares about our lives.
                               It is also something that we can, and really should, do.
                     So, to begin.......
Before you start take time to still yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to gently lead you down memory lane to see where God has helped you over the years.
Using the following outline, reflect upon your own faith story and pick out significant stages in your life from childhood to present. Write it down for you to keep and update as needed.
Select one significant event and reflect on the change God brought about in your life.
Consider the following possibilities:
From
Fear, Hatred, Weakness, Despair, Sickness, Anxiety, Aimlessness, Loneliness
To
Courage, Love, Strength, Hope, Health, Peace, Purpose, Community
Arrange into three parts:-
Beginning – Set the scene and share briefly what was your life was like before this event.
Middle – How did God intervene?
End – What has your life been like since?
Remember to focus on God rather than yourself
If you are not able to recall a significant event, consider some of those gradual steps where God has helped your faith journey.
        Top Ten Tips for sharing your faith journey – Speaking about faith, in your own words.
1) Become increasingly aware of ‘moments of encounter’ with God
We know that God is with us, but how often do we pause in the day to actively become aware of God’s closeness? Some people have dramatic stories of personal conversion, but, for most of us, God is present in the ordinariness of our daily lives, such as an answered prayer, or experiencing a moment of peace in the midst of anxiety. God speaks to us through a timely word of wisdom, or encouragement, from a loved one, or through the sacraments of the Church. It may help to keep a prayer journal and at the end of each day to write a few lines about how you encountered God throughout that day.

2) Be open to the Holy Spirit
We can pray each morning for an opportunity to share our faith with someone in the day ahead. Pray also, that in that moment you will be given the right words to speak. Through prayer, when we are talking with someone, we may feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit to share a particular part of our story at a particular time. It is amazing what the Holy Spirit can bring to mind, that can be of great help to someone.

3) Consider who you are speaking to and use simple words
Are they a Christian, or a Catholic, or not? If not, then try to avoid very religious words and phrases that they may not understand, such as: The parish, the sacraments, and conversion. If you do need to use religious words, try to explain what you mean by them. Talk personally and avoid telling others what to do. We do not all have the same faith experience and people are at different stages in their journey. So, respect this and try to avoid ‘preaching’ to others about what they must do, as this can make people feel defensive. Stick to talking about your own story and leave them with something to think about. Avoid arguments. Sharing faith is about winning hearts, not winning arguments.

4) Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable
It is hard to relate to someone whose life appears to be perfect and without struggles. As Pope Francis put it so beautifully; “The thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful.....I see the church as a field hospital after battle." 
Let’s be honest, we all have our struggles. When appropriate, sharing how God has helped you, or is helping you, through a difficulty (perhaps facing an illness, or a financial or relationship crisis) can bring great consolation and hope to people in their own struggles. Often in times of difficulty people are most open and aware of their need of God.

5) Take responsibility for your level of sharing
Don’t share something deeply personal if you are uncomfortable about doing so and avoid sharing something about someone else without their permission. There is a time for sharing from the depths of our souls, but usually in close relationships, or if you have been asked to speak to a specific group of people about a specific topic. Once again, keep it simple and ordinary.
6) Be aware of the response of the other person
Notice if they seem engaged and keen to know more, or if they seem distracted, or perhaps need to get to an appointment somewhere else. If that’s the case, they may not be ready to receive your testimony so, out of respect for them, bring your sharing to a close.

7) Be yourself and speak naturally
We are different and God uses us to reach out to different people in different ways. There is nothing more off-putting than insincerity, so just be yourself and share from your heart.

8) Listen
Yes, this is about sharing your faith but the word 'sharing' is important. If you want to have genuine communication with another person, let them speak too. Let them ask questions, or even disagree with you. People have a real need to be heard and listening is an act of charity.

9) Be a witness to the Joy of the Gospel
There may be things about the Church, or our parish priest, or another member of the parish that we find difficult. But avoid moaning or complaining about your faith. A joyful person is much more attractive than a moaner! And we can always find something to be joyful and thankful about. As Pope Francis says: “An evangeliser must never look like they have just come back from a funeral”. Let your love for Jesus show in your face, in your words and in your genuine care for the person with whom you are speaking.

10) Keep Praying
Remember to keep the person in your prayers. We may never know the impact of sharing our faith and telling our story, but, when we do, it has the power to change hearts!
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                            Some final points to note when sharing with others
Please do: Trust God, be natural and yourself, speak of relationships, share positive benefits, use language that will relate to others, beware of jargon and be interesting, but
Please do not: Preach or lecture, generalize all is perfect, give travelogues, get too bogged down with detail speak negatively, labour past sins or exaggerate...........
Try to keep to only three minutes!! 

                        4) MINUTES OF RECENT MEETINGS

                         Minutes of meeting 7.30pm Monday 11th May 2020 by Zoom
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Prayer to the Holy Spirit
1 Welcome and apologies
Present: Peter Dimambro, Aidrie Felix, Deacon David Palmer and June Palmer.
Apologies: Paul Northam, Evangelisation Fieldworker (furloughed).
Peter Shiels and Jenny Warr (no computers).
2 Matters arising from last meeting/ Coronavirus effects
a) General
A number of events and activities had been postponed or cancelled including:-
Updating some parish leaflets, Lent sessions [Listen to the God who speaks], Nurturing the Seed follow-up, parish visiting and the Welcoming Group. June said that the youth group of around 20 are meeting weekly by Zoom. Other groups are meeting by Skype or Zoom.
Those without access to the internet can now phone 01642 130120 to hear 10am Mass for the previous Sunday at Middlesborough cathedral. Calls are charged at local rate and free if in one’s included minutes. (For newsletter).
b) Non-churchgoers/families of baptised children
Peter had been in contact with these regarding parish visiting. He had emailed the parish newsletter for Holy Week and given information on live streaming of Mass. Others who had volunteered their phone numbers can be contacted and Peter will keep Fr. John informed. It was accepted that delivering to homes would not be allowed due to the risk of spreading the virus.
c) RCIA
Margaret Dimambro said that she was willing to do RCIA on-line from September and will be looking at suitable resources.
3 Current resources
The Team discussed the wealth of information and resources advised by Paul (see earlier notes for meeting). Many initiatives had already been taken up. Items for Peter to follow-up:-
a) ‘Evangelisation Chat’
Paul talks about the ways in which some parishes are using this time to increase their missionary activity and to continue to bring Good News to families and homes.
i) Homilies of priest recorded for parishioners to reflect on (For newsletter and website) ii) Starting a parish Whats App group (For newsletter).
b) Useful links
Word on Fire: Engage - Parish communication tool with lots of formation resources from Bishop Robert Barron (Free trial). Tool for evangelisation by sending videos with mini courses to parishioners.
Peter is to look into the resources to see if they can be used by the parish.
Alone Together - How to pray and thrive in isolation, with monk, Fr. Christopher Jameson. Online resources to help people live through the coronavirus pandemic (For newsletter and website).
The Word Among Us (wau.org) – daily scripture readings (For newsletter and website)                                                                                                       
4 Divine Renovation
a) Webinars
Peter had been on the following and the notes had been sent to the Team and Fr. John:- 31st March Taking church on line
15th April Could this crisis change our parishes forever?
Peter had signed up for:-
14th May Engaging Seekers, Reaching the unchurched
With Sherry Weddell, Fr. James Mallon and Hannah Vaughan-Spruce. ‘Exploring innovative ways we can reach people right now’. Notes will be sent to the Team for their views and then pass any recommendations to Fr. John.
b) Toolkit – Helping Catholic dioceses and parishes respond well to COVID-19
Fr. John had been sent the document and is taking notes.
At the end of live streamed Mass it was most important for the priest to highlight any ways they can encourage and connect viewers with the parish throughout the week (Small Groups: RCIA, etc.)
5 Towards a Diocesan Vision: Unfolding God’s Plan
​Evangelisation, Formation, Worship & Sacramental Life, Charity and Social Outreach
(Article from the Sower magazine Advent 2019)
Deacon David said that there are working groups on each theme although planning is moving more slowly at present.
6 AOB
a) End of coronavirus pandemic shutdown
Planning will be important.
One possible approach could be that spare laptops, smart phones and tablets could be given to parishioners without computer access. They would need training on usage. This will be considered at a later meeting.
Next meetings (probably virtual) 7.30pm 6th July, 7th September and 2nd November
Closing prayers
Our Lady of Fatima – Pray for us
Saint Cardinal John Newman – Pray for us
Blessed Dominic Barberi – Pray for us

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Minutes of meeting Monday 2nd March 2020 7.30pm St Peter’s Parish Centre
Prayers to the Holy Spirit and for Non-churchgoing Catholics
1 Welcome and apologies
Present: Peter Dimambro, Aidrie Felix, Paul Northam, Deacon David Palmer and June Palmer. Apologies: Jenny Warr.
2 Matters arising from last meeting
a) Meeting with Fr. John and Peter 19th February
See notes of the meeting, topics discussed as following:- b) Leaflets
i) For Non-Catholics ‘What is the Catholic Faith?’
Further to the last meeting June suggested a number of changes, which will entail a major revision of the leaflet, and these are to be considered.
ii) For Churchgoing Catholics ‘Sharing the Joy of the Gospel’
There are about 1,000 leaflets in St Peter’s sacristy (bottom of cupboard behind the inner sanctuary door). They are for parishioners in Catholic Leamington and Warwick deanery parishes to encourage evangelisation. Paul Northam is also passing them around the archdiocese. Fr. John said their distribution would need explanation. The proposed notice for the clergy for weekend Masses and the newsletter entry was agreed. Peter will ask Fr. John if he could take leaflets to the next Warwick Deanery meeting on 10th March. Deacon David thought that the item could be on the agenda for the deanery meeting but would not be able to attend. See also 8 d).
iii) For non-churchgoers ‘Why come back? An invitation’.
Peter Jeyasekar printed out a large supply of the leaflet some months ago but the box was missing at the presbytery office. If not found Peter will ask him to print off another large supply (1,000) for Catholic Leamington. The intention is that all churchgoing parishioners would take a few to give to non-churchgoers when they share the Good News and encourage them back to our community. Deacon David thought it would be good for the leaflet to be on the church pews at baptisms and be available at baptism preparation sessions.
3 ALPHA
It is hoped that the next ALPHA for Leamington/Warwick area could start in January 2021 with a focus on non-churchgoing Catholics and non-Catholics. Peter to seek approval from Fr. John and then planning could begin at the next Team meeting.
Running ALPHA in Our Lady and St Wulstan Southam parish was a possibility and Paul gave information about training for ALPHA leaders to Aidrie to follow-up.
Fr. Arul Samy, the parish priest of Southam, wants to set up a new Christian Life Community group in Southam in May and planning has started with a possible information event in mid May. Christians from other local churches will be invited and Aidrie is to trace the church contacts for Peter to follow-up.
4 Nurturing the Seed
The last session took place on 19th February. Average attendance was 9 including the two leaders who led the two sharing groups. The attendees found them inspiring. They are invited to the Lent sessions. Finally there is to be an information event on 22nd April at St Peter’s parish centre with the hope of starting a new Christian Life Community group.
5 Lent 2020
Fr. Chris Greaney and Margaret are planning sessions “Listen to the God who speaks”: an opportunity to reflect on the Lent Sunday readings and hear how God is speaking to you. These are on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in St Peter’s parish centre.
Lent Sessions started on 27th February and Thursdays at Our Lady and St Wulstan Southam.
Lent Sessions at Our Lady’s Lillington are on Tuesday evenings
6 Evangelisation Fieldworker Paul Northam
Paul provided information on:-
Building Disciples for Mission, February
Spirit Filled Evangelisers, 6th to 8th March CCRS Module in Evangelisation, 3rd to 5th July                                             Behold 2020 - Rededication of England to Our Lady, 29th March
Year of the Word: The God Who Speaks
The Year of the Word and St Chad’s Flower Festival, 12th to 14th June
Corpus Christi Event Birmingham,12th to 14th June
International Eucharistic Congress, Hungary Aug/Sept
Catholic Christian Outreach from Canada, more help for evangelization.
Message from the archbishop – ‘Towards a Diocesan Vision: Unfolding God’s Plan’. This will have a big impact on the archdiocese with the increasing need for co-responsibility between clergy and parishioners. Our response will be sought (handout provided for reflection and will be emailed).
7 Reports from parishes/churches.
a) St Peter’s Leamington– i) RCIA
​As minutes of last meeting.
ii) Visiting Team
Peter had contacted a number of parishioners to help with parish visiting and three had volunteered. Visiting is being restarted to families who have had their children baptised at St Peter’s up to 2017. Letters advising of a proposed visit have been delivered and confirmation is awaited before a visit is made. Jenny will list those baptised in 2018 from the parish records.
iii) Welcoming Group
Three new parishioners had registered since the last meeting, two were cleared by phone and letter with one awaiting action. Fr. John had approved a new form where a home blessing was requested.
b) Our Lady’s Lillington
The house group will probably be re-convened after Easter. The children’s liturgy is going well. There is a large first Holy Communion group this year and perhaps the leaflet ‘Why come back? An invitation’ can go on the church pews.
d) Our Lady and St Wulstan Southam
Aidrie said that they are doing the Sycamore course.
There is a regular bible study group on Monday evenings using Gerard Hughes’ book ‘Oh God Why?’ Lent lunches are on Tuesdays. There are 12 candidates on the confirmation classes which have just started.
8 AOB
a) Dowry of Mary 29th March
Our Lady’s parish has a supply of the booklet ‘33 Days to Morning Glory’ by Michael E Gaitley. Fr. John said that these are for distribution. There are a number of ways that the parish may celebrate the rededication of England to Our Lady: - a) by registering to be part of the main event on 29th March, b) to join the archdiocese pilgrimage to Walsingham on 9th May, c) by holding an event in May at Our Lady’s church, and d) a possible Catholic Leamington pilgrimage to Walsingham later in the year.
b) Divine Renovation
Peter is on their email circulation and is kept in touch with events. See minutes of last meeting.
Peter and Margaret are visiting Nova Scotia, Canada in July and hope to make contact with DR events in Halifax and Dartmouth.
c) Archbishop’s visitation 22nd/23rd February
Peter read out and gave a written report to the archbishop about the Team, Visiting Team, Welcoming Group and RCIA over the last few years. The archbishop showed his interest especially in the links with the Team and Paul and wished success in our ventures. The archbishop’s report will be at St Francis Kenilworth on 31st March at 7pm.
d) Catholic Leamington – monthly newsletter
There is a new A3 sized newsletter. It was agreed to publicise information about what the Team is doing on a regular basis and to increase the knowledge and general involvement of all parishioners about evangelisation. Suggestions for the next publication were discussed and Peter will send this to the Team to consider.
Next meeting - Davenport Room 7.30pm 11th May
Future meetings:- 6th July, 7th September and 2nd November 
Closing prayers
Our Lady of Fatima – Pray for us
Saint Cardinal John Newman – Pray for us
​Blessed Dominic Barberi – Pray for us

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
end