Feedback from Lewisham Deanery Clergy

Towards a Vision - Lewisham Clergy Report
Summary Sheet

Growing In Communion:
1 Without a priest, there is no parish. Parishioners could take more responsibility with encouragement, training and formation. Financial remuneration must be faced.
2 There is a lack of morale among clergy due to; (a) the dichotomy between official Church and real life, (b) many parishioners may believe but no longer belong to the community, (c) the Church is no longer at the centre of people’s lives and (d) other groups are more proactive i.e. at targeting and recruiting young Catholics.
3 The challenge of communion may be addressed by (a) fostering a culture of welcome, (b) preaching the Gospel positively, (c) discerning and engaging the gifts of the community.
Three key concepts emerged: collaboration, cooperation and formation.
The Deanery to foster a network of catechists for (a) youth ministry (b) adult formation
(c) marriage preparation.


Reaching Out In Mission
1 Families are a great priority. Encourage and support parents as the first and most important educators. Simple practices of prayer at morning, evening and meal times, creating a sacred space in the home, all help to sow Gospel seeds.
2 All clergy are not skilled administrators. Parish maintenance, finance and management absorb quality time that should be given to the mission of the parish. Parish financial difficulties can paralyse or enliven a community. But it seems the priest must lead. Guidelines on appropriate financial contributions should be promulgated by the Diocese.
3 Our cultural diversity is recognised, valued and celebrated in special liturgies across the deanery. The engagement and integration of so many different people remains a constant challenge.
4 Reaching out to other faiths and offering friendship is important. Silent prayer could be a way for attendees to pray together.



Facing the Future / Possibilities for Pastoral Provision
1 Concern was expressed about how the future vision for the diocese would unfold. What will happen to all the data submitted? There is a real fear that nothing will happen. There is a fear that, as clergy decline, administration will simply escalate. Financial implications are real at parish level. Laity require training, formation and fair financial remuneration.
2 Collaboration works well with marriage preparation and penitential services. There are impressive numbers at Youth 2000. Parish amalgamation for First Communion / Confirmation preparation is possible – but something is inevitably lost in your own parish.
A paid Deanery catechist, however, would be able to train and network other catechists in the Deanery. Mass provision (if a priest is absent in one parish) puts further burden on already overstretched priests. A parish community needs to be prepared for the absence of a priest.

3 Lewisham Hospital Chaplaincy and the University Chaplaincy will be difficult to cover if priests were not assigned there. Trained lay people could be valuable in the hospital, but would they get quality access to the sick?
4 Some countries have many vocations to the priesthood. Why can’t we encourage people to come forward here? There was a suggestion that this clergy report be shared with the people of the parishes. It is hoped that this evaluation exercise will empower the laity into leadership roles in parishes.

March 2007