Reaching Out – an overview

In April twenty individuals attended one or both sessions of our  parish initiative,  “Reaching Out”. The informal atmosphere allowed for reflection and discussion on how we pass on our faith a theme developed from our diocesan vision of a celebrating, caring, learning and living church.

Using the scriptures and other reference material Canon Kenneth introduced the first evening on how Jesus provided advice to his apostles when on their travels spreading the gospel and how family life has always been a challenge in living out our faith. Michelle gave a personal testimony about how she keeps her faith alive whilst not being able to receive the Holy Sacraments. For those unable to receive the Eucharist the importance of spiritual communion was highlighted.  Together we shared our understanding of being in communion and acknowledged the vulnerabilities of those who no longer actively practice their faith, as well as those who come to church but who may feel isolated.

On the second session Chris read a poem to reflect his own return to the Church as a lapsed catholic. Again Canon Kenneth introduced for discussion how we realise our baptism in life. This was explored further as we considered how we share our faith in the home, at work, in church or in other day to day circumstances.

The impression expressed by many of those who attended the evenings was that in sharing our faith and life experiences together we would, gradually, be better able to live out our own individual calling and be better able to relate to one another in a catholic way. We anticipate further sessions will be organised in the future.