The Interim Parish Pastoral Council was set up by Fr Anthony on Maundy Thursday 2024, by washing of the feet of twelve council members this year.
We have built on how we used to function pastorally through the leadership of Fr Anthony inviting us to work in a new collaborative way.
There are 12 of us plus Fr Anthony and Deacon Paul, each responsible for an area of Church activity or particular population such as children or youth. We have met as a whole three times so far and our first task has been to put together a pastoral plan which includes a sub-plan for each Ministry group. Each Minister has set themselves one to three objectives, bearing in mind these are new things, and each Minister will go at their own pace.
This plan is written in complete alignment with three things:
1. Pope Francis’ clear instruction for synodality – which basically means that laity take more responsibility to work from grassroots with their clergy for change. (See the Pope talking about this in the video below).
2. The Portsmouth Diocesan Plan “You will be my witnesses” where Bishop Philip asks us to bring people to Christ by
- To be a Christ-centred church
- To be a missionary community
- To be prudent stewards
3. The Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan approach focused on youth.
The KEY OBJECTIVES for the Pastoral Year 2024 – 2025
- To form teams within each parish ministry, a minimum of six members to be able to plan, collaborate and coordinate with the PPC.
- To promote an active participation of young people within the life of the Parish.
- To offer systematic proposals for evangelisation, catechesis and formation to all parishioners.
Please take time to read the plan:
It includes more about how and why we are doing this as well as giving contact details of each PPC Member, a summary of the Ministry and key initiatives.
There are dozens of OLSD parishioners who are working hard each week doing all of the many jobs needed to get everything done. We need everyone’s help. We all have gifts to share in the harvest of the Lord. Coming to Mass is for many a big step on its own – but if you believe in the message of the Gospel – you will realise that joining in wholeheartedly and actively in the OLSD community you will be rewarded in so many ways.
Parish AGM – Sunday 1st December 2024 – 1.30 pm
We will be holding a parish AGM on Sunday, December 1st at 1.30 pm when you will have an opportunity to discuss the plan and the life of the parish with Fr Anthony and the PPC Members and each other. Please put it in your diary.
May our Parish Pastoral Plan inspire growth, spiritual vitality and union-communion with our priest.
