In November 2018, the Bishop wrote a letter to be read out at all Masses. In his letter, Bishop Patrick outlined his three-fold vision for the next three years: ENCOUNTER, DISCIPLESHIP and MSSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP.
ENCOUNTER: Bishop Patrick would like to ensure that people of all ages in our parishes, schools, and chaplaincies are helped to discover, or discover more deeply, the importance of a personal ENCOUNTER with Christ; so that they can become convinced that they are each loved by God and are invited to grow in their relationship with him. In particular Bishop Patrick would like to see the development of times of Eucharistic Adoration in our parishes, schools and chaplaincies.
DISCIPLESHIP: With the personal encounter with Christ, Bishop Patrick would like to encourage each of us to hear and respond to his invitation to be his DISCIPLES, to follow him more closely, and to seek to serve him generously in our daily lives.
MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP: With a greater recognition of, and openness to, the help, guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can all become MISSIONARY DISCIPLES; faith-filled, joyful and outward-looking Christians who are growing in confidence to speak humbly of the difference that knowing Christ makes to our lives, and who bear witness to His love in our service of our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need.The service to which Christ calls us is always the action of the Holy Spirit working in us.
Each year, over the next three years, we will try to deepen our understanding of, and our response to, these core spiritual themes. Bishop Patrick is keen to emphasise that this is not just another diocesan plan. These themes remind us of what Jesus asks of his disciples, “Go, make disciples of all nations; they remind us that the Church is called to be missionary.
The theme of ‘Encounter’ will be explored during Advent and Christmas, ‘Discipleship’ during Lent (Spring term), and ‘Missionary Discipleship’ from Easter to Pentecost (Summer term).
At BRW, these spiritual themes will become more and more a living reality in school life and the faith journey of our children. Please speak to your children about them and how we are making the Bishop’s vision come alive in our school.
