Our Vision Statement
To spread the love of God through our words and actions and to become a parish of missionary disciples.

  

​OUTREACH TEAM

St Peter's and
Our Lady's

                                  

​For more  information please contact
​Peter Dimambro
catholicleamington.
​[email protected]
01926 428399

​
                                                 

     1 Welcoming New Parishioners (See Welcoming Group)

    2 Visiting Homes, Contacting non-churchgoers and
                               Baptism Follow-up

                Catholic Leamington includes three parishes: St Peter’s, Our Lady’s and St Joseph’s. 
                                      The following relates to St Peter’s and Our Lady’s...
 
                                                 OUTREACH TEAM
                                                    Notes of first meeting
                   7.30pm 21st June 2024 (56 Princes Drive, Leamington)
 
Present: Peter Dimambro, Freya East, Anna Godwin and Sicilia bl de Rozari.
Apologies: Jenny Hayden, Carol Sweeney and Giovanna Yanez 
 
1 Setting up a new Outreach Team
Peter opened the meeting and, after giving some background, referred to the entry in the Catholic Leamington newsletter of 16th June. He explained that this new Team had come about following the Walking Together process and in particular the recent Volunteering Exercise. 
He said that it now seemed appropriate to merge into one Team to follow-up: 
 a) Welcoming new parishioners (by using the paper registration form or via the   
 Catholic Leamington website),
 b) Families who have had their children baptised in either church, and
 c) Contacting non-churchgoers. 
The previous Evangelisation Team and Visiting Team were now closed and the entries in the Catholic Leamington website had been updated to reflect the changes.
 
2 Previous action
Peter explained how parishioners in these areas had been contacted from records held and, when appropriate, had been seen either at home, St Peter’s parish centre or another arrangement. 
As only about two a year of a) end up being visited, most of the action of the Team would be of b). There was a degree of interest.
 
3 Outcome
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks need to be done. Peter has confirmation and other Team members were asked to obtain theirs too. 
Peter will send the notes of meeting to those not present. He will inform them of the outcome, the need to obtain DBS checks (as appropriate) and, if willing, to assist with meeting up with parishioners.
Team members will need to advise of availability. Two members of the Team are essential when visiting homes.
 
No further meetings were planned at this stage.
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                                     There are a number of aspects of visiting:-
1) Home to home visiting - Census
All homes are visited and records of Catholics and others interested in the Catholic faith are noted. 
 i) Churchgoing Catholics are given further opportunities to become more involved in the parish.
 ii) Non-churchgoing Catholics are encouraged to return to the Catholic community. Repeat visits are made as appropriate to support and encourage spiritual growth.
 ii) Non-Catholics are offered an invitation to learn about the Catholic faith.
 
2) Follow-up visiting
After census visiting, non-churchgoing Catholics are, where possible, given leaflets about the Christmas and Easter services, taking any opportunity to engage about anything appropriate spiritually. 
 
Non-Catholics are seen again to enquire if they still wish to be invited to the sessions on the Catholic faith (RCIA).
 
3) Baptism follow-up visiting
Currently, families who have had their children baptised in recent years (currently mainly at St Peter’s) are sent a letter proposing a visit. The letter says: “We feel it is most important to keep in touch and to share with you the activities in the parish and help you in any way with your task of bringing your child up as a Catholic in today’s world.”  
At the visit they give information about Catholic schools, mother and toddler groups, children’s liturgies at the local Catholic churches and where to find religious literature to help them and their child in the spiritual life. Leaflets on baptism for their family’s spiritual growth and one on Catholic Leamington are given. If the visit is declined, communication is made by letter. Follow- up visiting is undertaken where possible where there is non-churchgoing.
 
Other general information
All homes are visited so that “the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus” are proclaimed as urged by our Church (Evangelii Nuntiandi 22). We reach people who may not have heard of the Good News by any other way because Jesus asks, “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
 
We are spiritually supported by our parish prayer groups and other prayer initiatives. We experience the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit as we share the Good News either at the doorstep or inside homes if we are invited in. 
 
Jesus said to them: “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now….”(Luke10:2) This is the continuing plea from the Outreach Team.
 
Our prayer is: “Lord Jesus, I want to be an effective witness to you. I want to proclaim your love to the world today. Pour out your Holy Spirit into my heart that I may do so with creativity, compassion and understanding.”
 
Do you think God is calling YOU to join our team? There is always a great need for more people to share the Good News in this way. 
Please contact Peter Dimambro  01926 428399 or Email: [email protected]  if you are interested in joining us.
​
​                                            BACKGROUND of OUTREACH TEAM and Other Resources
A) FORMATION
B) DIVINE RENOVATION
C) SHARING MY FAITH JOURNEY

​                                           A) FORMATION 
St Peter’s Parish Evangelisation Team came about after a training day on evangelisation in St Chad’s Birmingham in May 2009. It was suggested that all parishes should have a Team.
 
Our Vision Statement
To spread the love of God through our words and actions and to become a parish of missionary disciples.
 
The purpose of an evangelisation 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.
 
There are many areas of evangelisation: parish visiting (as above), promote RCIA sessions for interested non Catholics, encourage all parishioners to be more active in helping non-churchgoing Catholics back to our community and see this as a priority. 
 
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. 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 a team.  
 
The Team has been involved in a number of initiatives over the years .
Due to Catholic Leamington's involvement with the 2021-3 Synod and the post Synod follow-up process, an OUTREACH TEAM has now been set up to link various aspects of evangelisation

There is a leaflet, “Everyday Evangelising for.....Everyday Catholics” in the display stand on the table opposite St Peter’s piety shop.  This is essential reading for all Catholics.
     
Contact T/No. Peter 01926 428399
Or Email:  [email protected]
​
                                                                      B) DIVINE RENOVATION
 
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.

 Divine Renovation UK        Contact is: Hannah Vaughan​

                                                 C) SHARING MY FAITH JOURNEY
 
HAVE YOU DRAWN UP YOUR JOURNEY OF FAITH YET?

            testimony_faith_journey_oct_2018_________________.pdf 
                                                                     
                                                   Or this text is 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.

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!
​
                            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!!