Education Forum Meeting at Ushaw June 2008

Members of some key groups in the diocese met with the members of the Education Forum at a gathering at Ushaw on June 5th 2008. Members of the former Council of Priests, the former Council of Laity and the Youth Council joined the Diocesan Education Forum for a meeting focusing on a review of the Guidelines for the Sacraments of Initiation.

Fr Sean Hall, the Chairman of the Board of Education in the Diocese, welcomed the participants and Canon Seamus Cunningham, the Diocesan Administrator, gave an introduction. Jenny Pate, the Deputy Director of Education, spoke about the context and purpose of the meeting. It was, she said, a time of conversation and dialogue; not a time for decision making, but a time for continued reflection and thinking about sacramental initiation, continuing the process originally started by Bishop Kevin to develop the sacramental life of the diocese.

Jenny spoke about the present culture and the changing expectations and lifestyle of parents, children, community and family life, and perceptions of religion. "We live in a world where there is a greater variety of religious thinking and attitudes," she said.

"What we want you to do tonight," Jenny said, "is to ask, in the context of the present world, what will best serve the Diocese?"

Four possible options were outlined, ranging from a more prescriptive and uniform practice through a more flexible common practice with defined protocols, to a guided practice, and lastly a very flexible practice but with recommendations, giving examples of what is already working well in the diocese.

Br Brendan Geary, a Marist Brother who is a trained facilitator and staff member of Ushaw College, led the evening's process of conversation, feedback, dialogue and reflection.

Four groups - Laity Council, Youth Council, Council of Priests, and Education Forum members - went to separate conference rooms for conversation in smaller groups. Each small group was asked to talk together, reflect and give an indication of which of the four options of guidance format given for sacramental initiation they would prefer.

When all the participants met back together in the lecture theatre Brendan invited a representative from each small group to give a very short spoken summary and feedback to the main group on what the group thought and which of the four options outlined above they might choose. This feedback was all recorded, and there followed an opportunity for any participant who wished, to make any further comment.

After a short break for informal discussion each person in the gathering was asked to come forward and indicate on charts which of the four options (or none of them) they would choose.

At the end of the evening a further opportunity for people to give input on aspects of sacramental initiation and, if they wished, to make written comment, was given in a questionnaire which participants were invited to complete.

Finally, after thanking everybody for their participation, Jenny said: "The conversation will continue around the diocese in the journey ahead."

After a closing prayer the gathering ended.

 

 

• What is the Forum?
• Oct 08 Forum Meeting
• Diocesan Calendar