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) MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
3) DIVINE RENOVATION
4) SHARING MY FAITH JOURNEY
                                      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) MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
​​Warwick Deanery Evangelisation Team
Minutes of meeting Monday 6th January 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, Paul Northam and Peter Shiels. Apologies:
{Subsequent to meeting - Deacon David and June Palmer}

2 Matters arising from last meeting
a) Leaflets ‘Catholic Faith Life-Long Saver’ and ‘What is the Catholic Faith?’
This new revised leaflet ‘What is the Catholic Faith?’ is for non-Catholics.
Peter had changed some of the pictures and after further discussion the new leaflet was accepted. It can now go to Fr. John for approval. Peter will then ask Peter Jeyasekar if he can arrange printing. It will replace the current leaflet at the back of St Peter’s church. A supply can then go to Paul for distribution to parishes of the archdiocese. An email of the leaflet will also be available as it can be adapted for individual parish use as required.
3 ALPHA
The last session at Trinity School took place on 12th December.
Attendance averaged around 25 with a few more at the beginning of the course and a few less at the end. There were two adult groups and one junior group.
People arrived for 7.30pm for refreshments and chat with the DVD starting at 8pm led by Deacon David who also led one of the adult groups and June the other adult group. Emma Rayment led the junior group with others assisting. Several attendees were from Southam parish with Fr. Arul Samy. All attendees were Catholic. The venue and facilities were not considered ideal and all equipment to show the DVDs, together with other refreshments needs, had to be brought in.
A social get-together in January is to be arranged.
For the next ALPHA in the Leamington/Warwick area, Margaret Dimambro thought that the best time to start would be January 2021 so that those interested in the Catholic faith could then go on the following RCIA series in September. Starting ALPHA after Easter would mean it going into the summer holidays (especially when Easter is late) so that would not be good. Promoting ALPHA at the Christmas Masses could also be most effective. Paul thought that starting ALPHA at the winter half term and ending at the spring half term would be a possibility, although this would need a break over Easter. Planning and considering a different venue is for future meetings.
4 Nurturing the Seed
As a follow-up, the first of seven sessions is to start on 8th January at 7.30pm at St Peter’s parish centre. Invitations were given out at the last ALPHA meeting and it has also been advertised in the Catholic Leamington parishes. Peter and Margaret are to run the course. To date seven had booked.
5 Lent 2020
a) Year of the Word, The God who speaks
There is a booklet explaining the venture and the websites are:- Birmingham Archdiocese-developed resourceshttps://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/gws-resources
Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/the-god-who-speaks/
See separate extracts of information and also an explanation sheet for:- How to do Lectio Divina (Holy Reading).
The booklet at page 11 gives examples of a number of activities and events that might be undertaken in a parish, school or community. One possibility is that parishioners be invited to sign up for one of these and see what the response would be. Paul said that the contact person Fleur Dorrell may be able to send further supplies of the circular prayer card (see page 5) and the booklet if needed, if available. There is a Corpus Christi 2020 event in Birmingham.
Peter said that a meeting with Fr. John is to be arranged.
6 Evangelisation Fieldworker Paul Northam
Paul said there was not much in addition to what he reported on from the last Team meeting. Our leaflet ‘Sharing the joy of the Gospel’ is now being used in some parishes of the archdiocese.
He had received a private enquiry. This was discussed and action agreed. Fr. John will be informed.
7 Reports from parishes/churches.
a) St Peter’s Leamington– i) RCIA
Those who were received into the church last Easter are invited to monthly meetings to build on their experience of being a catholic. Margaret hopes to run the next RCIA series in September. ii) Visiting Team
Peter had delivered Christmas leaflets to a number of known non-churchgoers and given posters to hotels, guesthouses and the information centre. He is still on the lookout for others to join the team.
iii) Welcoming Group
Two new parishioners had been noted since the last meeting and were cleared by letter. A new form is being devised if a home blessing was requested.
b) Our Lady’s Lillington
No report
c) St Francis Kenilworth
Peter S said that as part of the diocesan review Bishop Kenny visited the parish and it was very encouraging. News of SVP, acts of kindness were very important. The parish council were meeting that evening.
Some parishioners were only just able to attend, due to great demand, in Coventry a second showing of the film Love and Mercy about St Faustina on the Divine Mercy. The film was most moving and powerfully spiritual
d) Other Warwick Deanery parishes
No reports
8 AOB                                                                                                                                                                                                                a) Dowry of Mary 29th March
The websites with information are:- www.behold2020.com  and dowrytour.org.uk
​Paul said there was nothing further from the archdiocese.
Parishes are invited to take part by registering and become a host.
The process is: 1) Sign up – 2) Plan – 3) Invite and Prepare – 4) The Dedication.
Peter S had obtained the booklet:- ’33 Days to Morning Glory – A do-it-yourself retreat. In preparation for Marian Consecration’ by Michael E. Gaitley. [Beginning 21st February and ending 25th March]. They can be ordered.
A meeting with Fr. John is to be arranged
b) Divine Renovation
Peter is on their email circulation and is kept in touch with events. Paul said that the 15-minute interviews with Fr. James Mallon were most inspiring - see Utube. He will send Peter the questions relating to the interviews.
Next meeting - Davenport Room 7.30pm 2nd March,
Future meetings:-11th May, 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

 



                                      

                                                    3) 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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                                 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.

                                             4) Sharing my faith journey
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!! 


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