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The Organisation of Pastoral Areas
| "We are about discerning how we can become
more effective disciples of the Lord and what we need to do so
that the Gospel can be more powerfully proclaimed."
(Bishop Crispian's Pastoral Letter January 2006) |
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AREAS and COMMUNITIES
A Pastoral Area is a geographical area of the diocese within which resources and efforts are shared so as to enable us to proclaim more effectively the Good News in the world in which we live. The Pastoral Area is the level at which pastoral needs are discerned and addressed and all pastoral activity is planned. For example, the Area might take on a particular outreach project in the local community, such as supporting a drop-in centre; preparation for the celebration of sacraments could be coordinated and perhaps offered at Area level; training for readers, catechists and other ministers could take place at Area level or across two Areas.
WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY A worshipping community is a group of people who gather regularly to celebrate the Eucharist in a particular place e.g. church, chaplaincy, prison, school.
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PEOPLE
Each priest has responsibility for certain worshipping communities and for building up a close relationship with these. The allocation of pastoral responsibilities within the Area will be decided by the clergy (priests and deacons) together. This will include the celebration of Mass, but may also include weddings, funerals, baptisms, the sacraments of reconciliation, anointing of the sick, and other pastoral matters. Through ordination, a bond is formed between the bishop and priest – and therefore between the priests themselves. The Pastoral Area provides a means of that unity being lived out by each priest for the good of the people they are ordained to serve and supports them in that service.
COORDINATING PASTOR The Coordinating Pastor directs the pastoral action of the Area and is responsible for it to the bishop. He is entrusted with the pastoral care of the priests and deacons within the Area, together with the task of discerning and enabling the use of their many gifts. With the other clergy he fosters and encourages lay leadership at all levels within the Area. The advantage of his particular role is that it enables him to keep an overview of the pastoral life of the Area – for the good of the people in that part of the diocese, as well as his brother priests and deacons.
DEACON A deacon is part of the Leadership Team of the Area, and works closely with the priests of the Area. The deacon shares in the pastoral responsibilities within the Area and also maintains specific links with particular worshipping communities.
LEADERSHIP TEAM The Leadership Team consists of priests, deacons and lay people, and is led and chaired by the Coordinating Pastor. In the light of the Diocesan Plan, ‘Go Out and Bear Fruit’, the Leadership Team is responsible for
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COUNCILS
The Area Pastoral Council works with the Leadership Team to implement ‘Go Out and Bear Fruit’ by discerning the pastoral needs of the Area. The Pastoral Council advises and supports the Leadership Team in addressing those needs, drawing on the wisdom and experience of the worshipping communities in the Area.
WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY PASTORAL GROUP
Where appropriate, a Pastoral Group may be formed for a worshipping community, or an existing pastoral council developed in the light of the new situation. It is hoped that existing pastoral councils will play a key role in helping worshipping communities to become part of their Pastoral Area. The Pastoral Group works closely with the Leadership Team and the Area Pastoral Council in discerning and addressing the particular needs of the worshipping community within the context of the Area and the wider community.
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