0806-Case Newsletter III v7:Layout 1 25/8/09 21:21 Page 1

Fanning The Flames – The Tour Continues Following the enthusiastic reception of our spring and autumn Sr Michael Lee from the Hexham and evangelisation training days, we have already started taking bookings Newcastle Diocesan Evangelisation Team for ‘Fanning the Flames: Part Two’. If your area missed out the first said: ‘The turnout was marvellous and everyone who came… time around, do contact us to arrange a training date. Please see was equipped to implement the setting up of a dedicated team… www.caseresources.org.uk/whatcanido/1Fanning_the_Flames.htm If you’re still thinking about attending a forthcoming day, do go. CASE Notes for more details. You won’t be disappointed.’ Issue 16: Case Notes: Sept 2009 - 2010

Most Holy Trinity, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. The Churches’ Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation Flood my soul with Your Spirit and Life. Olympics Shine through me, so that every soul I come in contact with may Launch feel Your presence in my soul. Home Mission CASE Highlights AMEN Mgr Keith Barltrop ‘More Than Gold’,the churches’ 2012 Olympics and Paralympics charity, Sunday 2009 finished his time at A prayer adapted from the writings of the hosted its Games Engagement Conference at Wembley Stadium recently. CASE in March 2009 Venerable John Henry Newman and recited ‘They will know Him by the to begin working daily by The Missionaries of Charity. Around 300 Christian leaders from every denomination, Christian agency and missionary as the National organisation gathered to start the task of working together to mobilise volunteers, good works that you do.’ Coordinator of the hospitality, community festivals, prayer, performing arts, chaplaincy and sports We all know someone who needs to ‘Flame-Filled’ visit of the Relics of mission in the lead up to and during the 2012 Games. hear the Good News that God loves and Training St Thérèse of Lisieux. The day was opened by Lord Brian Mawhinney, Chairman of both the Football League forgives them. Home Mission Sunday Emily Davis will be speaking at God’s Plan and‘More Than Gold’.He invited the Christian community to‘reach out and serve’. (20 September 2009) provides Catholic More than 700 people from all parts of for You in Weybridge, looking at vocation A number of Catholic representatives were also present at the event including CASE. parishes, communities, families and England and Wales have taken part in the and mission. individuals the opportunity to reflect, For further information, please visit morethangold.org.uk or contact the 2012 Catholic first ever national evangelisation training pray and be resourced to share their faith. Clare Ford has contributed sessions on Coordinator, James Parker, on 07930 119831 or at [email protected]. tour. So far, 10‘Fanning the Flames’ events Prayer evangelisation to an Ecclesiology and This year’s theme is‘They will know Him by have taken place, jointly led by members Ministry Course at Ushaw Seminary. the good works that you do,’and has been of the CASE team and a representative of the Catholic Evangelisation Services The focus of a recent CASE-led evangelisation day was how to reach Spirituality – to support all groups in the such as Liturgy, chosen in prayerful response to the content Clare Ward addressed Catholic prison (the producers of the CaFE DVD resources). out to people living in the seaside towns of Cleethorpes and Grimsby. Readers and Eucharistic Ministers. of the Scripture readings for the day and chaplains at their annual training the current economic climate. Parishes and Each day has been designed to help meeting at the Prison Service In the run up to the May event, a core team of five – six people Evangelisation – to encourage people to be aware and develop individuals are being invited to consider how people unpack a Catholic understanding Training College near Rugby. modelled what it means to be a parish evangelisation team through mission in everything that they do. they can evangelise by showing their faith of evangelisation, and to ensure that they are prayer, discussion, planning, setting priorities and inviting others in the through loving support and service to those equipped and resourced to do it, specifically deanery to join them in mission. Around 40 people came to the day A Way Back - to invite and help‘resting’Catholics to return to parish life. in need at this time. They are reminded by setting up parish evangelisation teams. and several positive outcomes have already evolved, including the Seasonal Outreach to use the opportunities that present People from local evangelisation initiatives development of the following groups: themselves to explain the reason for their have provided snapshots of how they reach CASE resources an initiative actions as being found in Christ (1 Peter 3:15). out to people. A resources table was set up called 'Come Home for Christmas’.Working in It is the task of every parish and baptised so that individuals and teams had easy access partnership with others, the person to open up the meaning of Jesus’ to the support outreach materials. team helps to resource story for others by witnessing to their faith Seaside Mission One participant enthused: ‘It was brilliant parishes and individuals to reach out to through loving service. There is a strong to hear the ideas that other people have resting (lapsed) Catholics during the link between evangelisation and charitable already found successful; we’re definitely Christmas and New Year period. works. Home Mission Sunday challenges going to set up an evangelisation team ‘Alpha’Welcomes Catholic Bishops From Around The World us to take a fresh look at how we can show in our parish and try the same!’ Another If you feel like taking the plunge and forming the face of God through our good works, spoke of how: ‘It was reassuring to find a small group to invite people back to church, whether small or large, that we carry out Our regular ecumenical feature takes The English and Welsh Catholic delegation that we had similar concerns, most of we can supply you with posters, invitations day-to-day. I encourage you to celebrate as its focus the International Alpha was led by Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop To find out more about the Catholic which lessened over the day.’ and leaflets. You might also be interested in evangelisation resources available it and to take part in the planned‘little’ setting up a‘home visiting’ team. Please visit Conference held in London in June 2009. of Brentwood, who said: ‘Alpha is the most Upcoming dates include Newmarket on in England and Wales please see week of evangelistic service. the downloads page on the CASE website marvellous tool for evangelisation. Alpha 17 October, Birkenhead on 24 October and www.comehomeforchristmas.co.uk This year’s Alpha International Conference serves to bring faith alive, and to me, that is CASE’s Evangelisation Directory at: For more information see: and additional events have been requested for more information on our resources. was attended by over 1,500 delegates from the most important thing in the world, www.caseresources.org/case/Main.aspx. www.homemissionsunday.co.uk for 2010 in the Archdiocese of Liverpool and 100 countries; amongst these were over and please do support the optional because if a person’s faith and belief in Jesus in the Diocese of Northampton. Please see twenty Catholic Bishops. For the first time collection that will be taken in parishes becomes “real”as opposed to “notional” the back page if you are interested in having in the history of the event, such was the for CASE’s vital work. then you see the whole of life differently.’ an evangelisation training day in your area, size of the Episcopal presence that a or contact CASE (ring 020 7901 4863; What is CASE? special Bishops’Stream was hosted by the Rt Rev Kieran Conry CASE works closely with the Alpha for Catholics e-mail [email protected]) CASE is an Agency of the Anglican Bishop of London. Bishop of Arundel and Brighton to book places on an existing event. (AfC) team and supported a reception for Chairman of the Bishops’ Department Bishops’Conference of the attending Bishops at Archbishop’s House, Rt Rev John Rawsthorne () contributing to a discussion Alpha is one of the most well-known for Evangelisation and Catechesis group at the 'Fanning the Flames' event in Mackworth, near Derby. England and Wales. evangelisation programmes in England Westminster. AfC provides support and Through a wide variety and Wales. The course aims to provide information to parishes to enable the course of resources and training, an introduction to the Christian faith and, to be run successfully in a Catholic context. its remit is to enthuse, so far 13 million people have attended For more information about Alpha for engage and equip the course in over 160 countries. Catholics see: www.alpha.org/catholics all tiers of the Church in the urgent task CONTACT DETAILS of evangelisation. Address: 39 Eccleston Square, London. SW1V 1BX. Tel: 020 7901 4863. E-mail: [email protected] Registered in England & Wales. Registered Charity Number: 1097482. Catholic Trust for England & Wales. Company Number: 4734592.

Illustration by Elizabeth Wang,‘Through our smallest words and actions Christ shows out His love to other people’,© Radiant Light 2009, www.radiantlight.org.uk 0806-Case Newsletter III v7:Layout 1 25/8/09 21:21 Page 3

No Shortage of Spiritual Seekers Huge Press Interest in the Relics’ Visit The visit of the Relics of St Thérèse of praying for redemption, help may soon be at CASE runs the Catholic Enquiry Office which offers a question and answer service about Lisieux to England and Wales presents an hand from“The greatest saint of modern times.”’ evangelisation opportunity and there has Meanwhile, The Independent reported that the Faith, free information packs and an introductory website: www.life4seekers.co.uk been a lot of press interest already. the public veneration could be reminiscent * of that witnessed when Princess Diana died. Michelle recently wrote in asking: Each year, the Office is contacted by thousands ‘Frequently Asked Questions’online area. The Guardian, The Independent and Radio 4’s PM ‘I am in my twenties and at the of individuals who are looking for advice, programme all featured the story of her visit to For more see: www.catholicrelics.co.uk.CASE age of 16 had an abortion. My information and guidance. This is a strong Wormwood Scrubs. The Guardian reported:‘For has contributed video files and PowerPoint

partner and I would now like indication that there is no shortage of spiritual inmates at London’s Wormwood Scrubs prison presentations to support this mission work. © Office Central de Lisieux. to get married... Do you know seekers and of resting (lapsed) Catholics if it is allowed?…Iamtoo wanting to be reconciled. embarrassed to make contact Year for Priests Most recently, we have tried to respond to the with my local parish.’ The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI declared a‘Year for Priests’beginning on spiritual needs of those affected by the 19 June, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering Meanwhile Matthew* emailed: recession by launching a dedicated web page: of priests in June 2010. The National Office for Vocation will be following events ‘I am at the enquiry stage about www.life4seekers.co.uk/uncertainty Some around the dioceses of England and Wales, as well as using this opportunity to the … and don't of the other projects being developed include: pray for our priests and to affirm their vocation. Resources are available on the know where to start… Your an in-depth Catechism layer to the website national website for diocesan priesthood www.ukpriest.org/yearforpriests.html thoughts and advice would called the ‘Wisdom Well’; a PowerPoint entitled *Names have been changed to If you are priest or are involved in priest formation, do also contact the be so welcome.’ ‘What is a Catholic?’; and an expanded protect identity CASE office for more information about the evangelisation-themed reflection and training days that we offer. Pause For Thought ‘You know well enough that Our Lord Faith and Culture: Sacramental Church does not look so much at the greatness Good News About Those Who Give Good News of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, It’s good to remind ourselves that reflection on faith and culture. but at the love with which we do them.’ reflection is absolutely essential: on a The National Board of Catholic Women (NBCW) CASE was recently invited to affirm and support The dialogue is beginning with a reflection on human level, we have a need to take stock recently celebrated its 70th anniversary at its members by writing a reflection on the St Thérèse of Lisieux the implications for culturally relevant mission, of where we’ve been and what we’ve done Liverpool Cathedral. The Board is engaged in a contribution that women make to contemporary of being a sacramental Church. How does in life in order to effectively move forward. wide variety of works in service of mission and evangelisation. Please visit: www.nbcw.org. a culture steeped in relativism, for example, provides a forum for Catholic women in New Resources Catalogue On a spiritual level, ‘taking stock’is also about respond to the Sacraments? What does it England and Wales to come together to share The new CASE catalogue discerning the voice of God, and, as St John mean to be a sacramental presence in a world their views and concerns at diocesan and is a guide to the available reminds us in the Book of Revelation, it is in which many people would never have cause national level. It is a consultative body to the resources to support also about lending an ear to what the to enter our church buildings? How and when Bishops' Conference and also has consultative dioceses, parishes, families Spirit is saying to the Churches. do we help people who are alienated from status with the United Nations (ECOSOC). and individuals in the task organised religion to move from hearing an As a means of facilitating the reflective and of evangelisation. It features initial proclamation of the Gospel to the Members work nationally and internationally printed and online materials, listening processes, CASE has co-ordinated Lord’s table at the Eucharist? to challenge discrimination and to promote training opportunities and outreach a Symposium – a dialogue between more effectively engage with Home Mission. justice. Amongst other activities, the Board also resources which are easy-to-use and representatives of the New Expressions of We hope that by offering space for these The fruits of the dialogues on these themes will actively promotes the presence, participation are distributed at cost price. Do request be widely available from mid October 2009 Mission in the Church, including the New questions to be aired and examined, CASE will and responsibilities of Catholic women in the acopytoseehowCASEmightbeable at: www.caseresources.org.uk/culturetalk. Movements, and those engaged in academic support the Church in England and Wales to Church and in society. to support mission in your area. Rome Hosts‘Proclamation’Gathering Recently, delegates from across Europe gathered in Rome for the European Symposium on the‘First Announcement’. Little Way Week Over four days, a series of papers were presented, beginning with a definition of ‘First Proclamation’; this proved to be a complex task given the breadth of cultures and countries represented. Amongst others, Fr Michael Paul Gallagher SJ, from the Pontifical Gregorian University, delivered 18 – 24 October 2009 a challenging and thought-provoking paper on contemporary culture titled: ‘Crossroads… a New Approach in First Announcement’. The English and Welsh Bishops’Conference was represented at the event by a CASE team member and a delegate from the Leeds Diocese. CASE has launched an initiative called‘Little Parishes, communities, families It was very encouraging to note that no other country had a resource agency like CASE, making it most rewarding to be able to celebrate Way Week’which coincides with the end of the and individuals are invited to: and to share what is happening in the UK. tour of the Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux in England and Wales (18 - 24 October 2009). As • Decide on seven small daily actions a follow up to Home Mission Sunday and, as a for a week – to witness to their faith way of reaching out to others with the love through service. of Jesus Christ, every baptised person is invited to get involved for a week by doing • Come together at the end of the at least one‘little’daily service activity. week as a community to celebrate and share their experiences. St Thérèse is the universal Patroness of the Missions and received a teaching • Consider volunteering to work with a which has been called the‘Little Way’; Catholic charitable organisation. the saint lived by this pathway which is a commitment to do small tasks everyday You can receive daily‘Little Way’ideas with love. It is not about seeking greatness by text message. These cost 25p per SMS, or gratitude; it is about selflessness and plus your standard network charge. service and is a way of witnessing to the For more information, please visit: love of God and neighbour. www.littlewayweek.org.uk