As we begin our Year of Communion we will focus on a Spirituality of Communion and how we are called and saved, not as individuals but as God’s people. We will build upon existing ways in which parishes collaborate with each other and will encourage the work that has already begun.
OUR BISHOP’S VISION
The Church of Clifton is called to be a people who believe in Christ, who celebrate Christ, and who live the way of Christ.
The Church is created by God to live, not for itself, but for others; to be a people who share in the mission of Christ, to proclaim the Kingdom and to make disciples so that the world will be transformed according to God’s plan.
Our Parishes and Communities should be places where Christ is celebrated, shared, proclaimed and lived, where everyone is welcomed and valued, and all have a sense of responsibility for the life of the community and the world.
We are called to be disciples who not only know about Jesus but also come to know him in prayer. Our liturgies should be celebrated in such a way that Christ’s word is heard, his presence known, and which are so connected to our lives that we joyfully take up the command ‘Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life’.
Bishop Declan launched the Year of Communion at Clifton Cathedral on Friday 22 November 2019
Isolation during the Year of Communion:
As we journey through the Year of Communion we hear from people around the diocese and beyond about their experience of living in isolation during this time of COVID-19.
Our Director of Adult Education and Evangelisation, Sarah Adams, introduces the series of audio reflections.
Our first reflection comes from Rev. Steve Boughton, a permanent deacon for the parish of St. Aldhelm in Malmesbury.
Reflection 2: Marguerite is married to Eric and is a mother of three, now adult, children. Marguerite is a very active member of her parish giving her time especially to supporting the music ministry and youth ministry of the parish at Holy Rood in Swindon.
Reflection 3: Michael is Headteacher of St Edward’s, a joint Catholic-Anglican secondary School Poole in the Diocese of Plymouth. He has a keen interest in Catholic spirituality, is an avid reader and enjoys travelling to different parts of the world with his family.
Reflection 4: Anna Motylova is from Slovakia and is currently studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A-level in Bath, hopefully finishing with good grades this summer to go to University to study Biological Sciences.
Reflection 5: Lucas is a parishioner of St. John’s in Bath. Lucas is Argentinian, lives with his wife and, since he sent us his reflection has become the father to a beautiful little girl.
Reflection 6: Rod is a nurse working on the Respiratory Assessment Unit at the RUH in Bath. He is also a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Bath.
Reflection 7: Tabitha is a Year 8 student at St. Augustine’s Catholic School in Trowbridge
Reflection 8: This prayerful, meditative reflection comes from Fr James Hanvey SJ, former Master of Campion Hall, Oxford and currently serving in Rome at the Jesuit Curia.
It’s a thought-provoking piece for these times of uncertainty and anxiety as we look to arrest the global spread of COVID-19.
Reflection 9: Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ is a Sister of the Congregation of God
Reflection 10: Mgr Bernard Massey VG, Parish Priest at St George and St Teresa of Lisieux in Taunton
Listen to all the Reflections on our Communion page: cliftondiocese.com/communion
Reflection 11: Kimberly Rodrigues is a parishioner of Holy Rood Church Swindon and identifies herself as an introvert but through these difficult times has realised the importance of socialising and human connections. When she’s not studying, she’s usually writing poems or reading a book!
Reflection 12: Deacon David Hebbes is a Deacon at St Peter’s Church in Gloucester, and he shares with us his lock-down experience
Reflection 13: Ruth FitzJohn is a Trustee of the Diocese and is a busy retiree following a career as a leader in the NHS and the cooperative movement. She and her family are parishioners at Sacred Hearts in Cheltenham.
Reflection 14: My name is Karen and I am blessed with two amazing children. We worship at St John the Evangelist in BATH. I work for a Charity. As with many parents/single parents, I am navigating the new territory of home schooling, (thankfully) work and isolation. This is where pressing into our Faith and joyfully into Jesus becomes our survival mode
Reflection 15: I am Avlon Albuquerque, a parishioner of Holy Rood Church, Swindon. I have been teaching for the past 5 years and enjoyed doing so. I spend my leisure time reading, singing and painting
Reflection 16: Cathy is a parishioner at Sacred Hearts, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham where for many years she has been part of the Welcoming team at weekend Masses, to help parishioners and visitors feel welcome and valued. She is married to Paul and has one grown up daughter.
Resources
Here are some of the resources to start the Year of Communion. As we go through the year we will add further resources so keep checking the page
Here are some of the resources to start the Year of Communion
Fr James Hanvey S.J. – Approaching the Year of Communion
On Saturday 19 October we gathered at St Brendan’s College where Fr. James Hanvey SJ, helped us reflect upon A life lived in Communion.
You can see the full video opposite and also the questions and answer session that followed the talk.
Resources for Schools & Youth Ministry
Here are some of the resources for the Year of Communion that have been prepared by our Diocesan Youth Ministry team
Session for a Year of Communion Mock Synod
Stephen K Amos meets The Pope
Greta Thunberg EU speech
Cafod care for our common home
Malala Yousafzai Nobel Peace Prize
Sadako Sasaki
Sadako was a Japanese girl who was two years old during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Sasaki, who survived, became one of the most widely known hibakusha – a Japanese term meaning “bombaffected person”. She is remembered through the story of the one thousand origami cranes she folded before her death, and is to this day a symbol of the innocent victims of nuclear warfare.
In the Year of Communion we encourage schools, youth groups, Confirmation groups to explore the effects we have on our world using Laudato Si and inspirational people like Sadako.
Use the presentation to learn more about Sadako and pray for peace in our world using the Cranes in a symbolic act of worship
The Story of the Sadako Year of Communion
