ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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1.
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MAKING WELCOME
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· Newcomers |
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Sign outside church |
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Leaflets |
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Welcome pack |
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Welcome card |
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Visit from Parish Priest |
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House blessing |
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Social event(s) |
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· Welcome to Sunday Mass |
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Welcomers |
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Ushers |
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Hospitality |
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Celebrating the Liturgy |
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Church ambience |
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· Welcome after Sunday Mass |
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Refreshments |
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Priest greeting at door |
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· Social Events |
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Range of events |
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Social Events Committee |
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· Network of Committees |
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· Welcome less active Catholics |
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Adapt Diocesan leaflet for parish |
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Distribute newsletter |
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Send Easter/Christmas cards |
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Publish ‘Welcome’ in local papers |
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Organise “Come and See” events |
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Nominate parishioners for Diocesan training sessions (e.g.Landings)
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· Welcoming Strangers |
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Provide scripture readings/prayers in appropriate foreign language |
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Provide readings in other languages |
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Place “Welcome to our Church” sign outside the Church |
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Organise English language classes |
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A special annual event, and songs from district communities |
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· Welcoming People with Disabilities |
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Identify representatives for Disability Discrimination Act (1995) |
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Conduct a full audit |
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Make reasonable adjustments to make access to the liturgy/community of the Church more accessible |
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Involve disabled parishioners and seek to eliminate barriers for them |
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· The Sick, Elderly and Housebound |
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Home visits |
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Holy Communion |
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Parish newsletter/magazine |
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Diocesan newspapers |
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Tape of Masses |
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Social events |
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· Children and Young People |
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Involve in Sunday Mass |
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Altar Servers |
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Youth Masses |
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Youth Activities: |
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Local/Diocesan |
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National |
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International |
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· Welcome Single people, the separated and divorced |
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· Welcome the widowed and bereaved (adult and child) |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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2
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CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED “It is diocesan policy that every parish community should be involved in some practical way in care for the poor and needy of their locality”
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Every parish should discern with care and with prayer the greatest needs of the local community. It should be active in its commitment to the poor and needy - both locally and overseas.
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SVP group to be encouraged and supported. |
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Care for and visiting the sick |
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Support for the bereaved |
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Hospital (and prison) visiting |
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Practical care, in partnership with others, for the homeless |
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NB No prison located in parish.
Information on hospital chaplains/contact numbers regularly publicised in newsletter.
ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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3
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WORKING FOR JUSICE AND PEACE “It is diocesan policy that every parish should be actively involved in some way in work for Justice and Peace. This could be co-ordinated by a group (eg Justice and Peace Group, Human Rights Group) but the whole parish should be involved as fully as possible.” |
· Permanent Deacons have a particular part to play in the furthering of work for justice and peace in our diocese, as a key dimension of the “ministry of charity” which has a priority in their call to serve.
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· Support the work of the national charity “LIFE” and its centres in East Anglia. |
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· Support other pro-life charities on the July "Day for Life" |
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· Support |
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CAFOD |
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Traidcraft |
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Aid to the Church in Need |
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Asylum seekers and refugees |
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Jubilee Campaign and Jubilee Action |
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Environmental issues |
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Building Bridges |
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(i) Cambodia |
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(ii) Holy Land |
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Parish Projects |
ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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4
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COMMUNICATING THE GOOD NEWS “Every parish is to appoint a Parish Communications Officer. He or she will be responsible for pro-active contact with local media (especially local newspaper) in order to achieve coverage for “good news” parish events.
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· Appoint Parish Communications Officer (PCO) |
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· Diocesan Communications Officer will organise training for PCO |
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· Develop pro-active relationships with local radio and TV |
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· Develop parish website |
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· Introduce "What's On" guide (eg Church contacts and Mass times etc) to |
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Local papers |
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Hotels/B&Bs |
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Local directories |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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5
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ONE PARISH TOGETHER“A fundamental principle is that there are to be no “priest-less” parishes in our Diocese. However we organise our diocese in the future, developing lay leadership of local Catholic communities and enhancing the role played by permanent deacons, every community will be entrusted to the servant leadership of a priest appointed by the bishop as ‘canonical pastor’.
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· Within, or sometimes across deanery boundaries, two or more nearby parishes are to be “clustered” to share resources and prepare for a future with fewer priests.
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· Parishes in such "clusters" are asked to examine the number and times of Masses at weekends to enable cross cover when required |
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· Parish priests of clustered parishes could "swap" parish occasionally |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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6
(1)
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PARISHES WORKING TOGETHER |
· The Deanery remains a key structure for strengthening the co-operation and “communion” of the local clergy and lay ministers.
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(2) |
WORKING TOGETHER AS A DEANERY |
· Each Deanery is to have both clergy and lay representation on |
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The Diocesan Youth Group |
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The Diocesan Commission for Dialogue and Unity |
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· Each Deanery is to have a lay representation on the renewed Diocesan Commission for Marriage and Family Life |
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· Deans are encouraged to "exchange" with parish priests in their deanery |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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7
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DEVELOPING WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP “It is diocesan policy that we develop different forms of lay leadership in every parish and across the Diocese.” |
· Before anyone is invited to offer their gifts and talents, each parish community must first explore what forms of ministry and service are most needed for the development of its life, liturgy and mission. (A “Needs Audit” should precede a “Skills Audit”.)
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· Provide training for specific roles (eg Readers/Eucharistic Ministers)
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· Consider “Parish Opportunities Fair” as part of annual social event.
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· Every parish to have a co-ordinating Catechist. |
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· Informal faith-sharing and scripture study groups in parishes are encouraged.
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· Days of recollection, retreats and missions are encouraged.
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· Develop local ecumenical partnerships |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No. |
Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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8
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LAY PARTICIPATIONInvolving lay people in decision-making. “It is diocesan policy that every parish has an established public forum of some kind to enable lay consultation in parish pastoral life and planning”. |
§ Diocesan Council of Laity will be established with one lay representative from each canonical parish.
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§ Occasional diocesan meetings will be held to discuss specific issues.
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§ Every Deanery will have a forum (or fora) for lay discussion within every deanery.
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· Parishes to organise public forum to enable lay consultation. |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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9
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RITE OF THE CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS It is diocesan policy that the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults is the normative process for welcoming unbaptised adults as well as baptised adults seeking reception into full communion with the Catholic Church. The Rite allows for flexibility in special circumstances, but every parish or cluster should have an RCIA programme in place. |
· To decide on a suitable course to cover the teaching of the Catholic Church.
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· To identify and find volunteers from parishioners to join a team with the Parish Priest and RE Co-ordinator |
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· Dates and venue to be decided |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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10.
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BAPTISING CHILDRENIt is diocesan policy that every parish provides a full and adequate preparation programme for infant baptism and that attendance be required for parents having their first child baptised, as well as for others when appropriate. Godparents should also attend where possible. Baptism always involves welcome into the community of the Church and this communal aspect of baptism must be celebrated in some way. |
· A programme of preparation to be set up for parents and godparents.
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· Catechists to attend Diocesan training day |
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· Baptism to be administered during any weekend Mass or on first Sunday of the month when the parish community has been invited |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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11
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CONFIRMATION
It is diocesan policy that Confirmation will always be administered by the Bishop, except in danger of death, or when the faculty has been given to a priest to receive a person into full communion with the Catholic church or to confirm for some other special reason.
It is also Diocesan policy that, except in the danger of death, Confirmation will be administered in secondary school Year 10 (the school year in which a young person reaches the age of 15) or above. |
· Confirmation Preparation
Should take full account of the Diocesan Confirmation Pack provided to all parishes.
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The Bishop would welcome the opportunity to meet candidates for Confirmation during time of preparation |
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The Bishop is happy to visit parishes no matter how small the group of candidates. Alternatively, confirmation celebrations could be organised with neighbouring parishes. |
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Celebration of Confirmation. All Confirmation Masses should be organised using the norms issued by the Bishop in July 2003 |
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There will be an annual Mass in the Diocese (usually on Pentecost Sunday) for the confirmation of adults. This will take place. |
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Follow up to confirmation: a post confirmation group an anniversary card a first anniversary reunion Mass |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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12
(1)
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THE EUCHARIST
“Because of this community aspect of Sunday Mass, and our preparation for an imminent future with fewer priests, it is diocesan policy that there should only be as many places of worship and celebrations of Mass in each parish as are really needed rather than preferred.”
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· Priests may only say one Mass each day, and no more than three* Masses on any day without permission from the Bishop. (*NB With Sunday beginning on Saturday evening.) |
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· Redemptionis Sacramentum does not encourage regular weekday “celebrations of the Word and Communion”
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· Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must attend parish training and a Diocesan commissioning day |
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· Music plays a very important part in the celebration of Mass |
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(2) |
“It is diocesan policy that First Holy Communion should be received in primary school Year 3 (the school year in which a child reaches the age of 8) or above. A child’s readiness for First Holy Communion will be decided by parents, child, priests and catechists together”.
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· Catechists involved with First Confession and First Communion preparation are encouraged to explore the range of programmes and materials available. |
In place |
Catechists |
As required |
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· Parents should be involved as fully as possible in their children's preparation for these sacraments |
In place |
RE Co-ordinator/Parish Priest |
As required |
ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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13
(1)
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ORDINATION
Ordination at the Cathedral. “It is diocesan policy that all priestly and diaconal ordinations take place at the Cathedral unless there is a very strong pastoral or personal reason for another venue”. |
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(2) |
Ongoing renewal and formation of priests and deacons |
· All ordained ministers need ongoing spiritual renewal and formation throughout their time of service |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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14
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FINANCE “It is diocesan policy that there be full openness and transparency about finances at every level (parish, diocese, etc).
Canon Law requires every parish to have a Finance Committee” |
· Every Parish to have a Finance Committee (Canon Law)
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· Requirements of the Charities Act 1993 to be complied with |
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· Management of Parish Accounts |
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· Independent Audit |
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· Financial Records |
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· Gift Aid and Standing Orders |
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· Parish Fundraising |
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· Financial obligations in respect of church buildings |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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15
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NEW CHURCHES “Any new or replacement churches to be built in the diocese will require the building to be large enough to accommodate the entire Mass attendance at a single Mass, with room for projected growth
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· The future of Sacred Heart Church and the potential for a new larger church to be considered when the new town of Northstowe reaches an appropriate stage, and when the Catholic population in the parish signals the need for a new Mass centre. |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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16 |
ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL“It is our policy to develop throughout the diocese a sense of the cathedral being our Mother Church. More use will be made of the cathedral in diocesan life.”
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· St John’s Cathedral in Norwich is the Catholic Cathedral for all of East Anglia, for every parish and for every Catholic. |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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17 |
BUILDING BRIDGES“Our diocesan “twinnings” with the Apostolic Prefecture of Battomang in Cambodia, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, are integral to our diocesan life as we move “Forward and Together”. |
· Parish twinned with Aboud
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· Cambodia |
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ST IVES PARISH PLAN - TO DELIVER DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN (2004)
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No.
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Diocesan Policy |
Action Points |
Parish Outcomes |
Lead Responsibility |
Review |
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18. |
PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST “East Anglia is mission territory, and the Church of Christ is by nature missionary. Whatever else we do and develop in our diocese, our God-given mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone in our region must remain our first priority.” |
· Together as a parish community, we need to find ways to be more publicly and openly the “living Gospel for all to hear”. (DPP P.22)
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· As a diocese and in our parishes we should explore the possibility of training lay evangelists
(See points 5,6, and 7 on P.22 of the DPP re: public life and resources) |
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