The Living Church project and this weekend's Diocesan Congress provides a graced opportunity to celebrate, renew and confirm our faith commitment, says Bishop Noel Treanor
WHEN I became Bishop of Down and Connor in July 2008 I made a commitment to work together with my brother priests, religious and parishioners in order that we would decipher with prayer, study, analysis and imagination how the Gospel of Christ could best be proclaimed in our time.
In discussion with the Council of Priests, the Living Church project began to emerge.
It became apparent that this process should begin by listening to the concerns and hopes of those throughout the diocese.
This listening process aimed at giving a voice to the people of God concerning the ways we celebrate, pray and live the Christian faith.
I pay tribute to the 47 people who facilitated this listening exercise and to those who engaged in this important process.
On the basis of this listening process, five pastoral priorities were identified and working committees were established to determine concrete targets to meet these priorities.
The Congress that we celebrate this weekend is both the fruition of this work and the impetus to begin its implementation.
The Diocesan Congress begins tomorrow with a celebration of around 1,800 children confirmed over the past year gathering with their teachers to reflect on the theme of 'giftedness'.
With the development of a youth programme throughout the diocese I would encourage every parish to find new ways to engage our young people in the life and mission of the Church.
Saturday will concentrate upon the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, with around 1,700 delegates in attendance.
I am particularly pleased to welcome our keynote speaker Breda O'Brien who will reflect upon the challenges facing the Irish Church and society today.
The afternoon will continue with various workshops examining in more detail the principles behind the Pastoral Plan, namely the integration of faith and justice, passing on the faith, the themes of reconciliation and ecumenical dialogue, the development of an open, welcoming Church and the theme of pastoral co-responsibility.
Again, I pay tribute to the work of the Living Church office under Fr Alan McGuckian and his skilled staff in facilitating and bringing this vision of the Living Church to fruition.
The journey towards the Congress has provided great insights for all of us - clergy, religious and laity.
Over the past few years, I have seen the Living Church already present within the Diocese of Down and Connor.
There are so many committed volunteers who share a vitality and vibrancy of faith and a deep love for the Gospel and their brothers and sisters.
I have been inspired by the authenticity of their faith, as they work quietly in our parishes whether through the work of St Vincent de Paul, the Legion of Mary, bereavement counselling, altar societies, parish councils, music, safeguarding, liturgy or with our youth.
It is this truly Living Church that the Diocesan Pastoral Plan wishes to support and fortify.
The voluntary mission of these thousands of lay people is the organic life source of the pastoral mission of our local Church.
Since becoming Bishop of Down and Connor, I have also been humbled and saddened by the hurt and pain experienced by so many in our Church; by those who have been abused and those who have been marginalised.
Despite such difficult experiences, many have remained heroically committed in their faith relationship with God and have sought out healing and rightly challenged the Church to renewal and reform.
In this context, the pastoral priority of establishing an open, welcoming Church is immensely important as we seek new ways to engage all in our parishes and Diocese.
The Living Church project has also demonstrated the wealth of pastoral experience and prayerful guidance displayed by our local priests.
Support for their ministry and formation in an ever changing and challenging world is a central priority for the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
As we explore new ways to engage with parishioners guided by the principles of co-responsibility and collaboration, I am conscious of the pressures they experience as they meet the demands of parish life.
I commend their tireless work and have been greatly supported by their sense of fraternity.
Faith and Worship is the fourth priority of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
The life of faith engages us all in a dynamic not only of understanding and living our faith but also of celebrating that faith within our community.
Carefully planned liturgies assist us in encountering God through Word and sacrament.
The Diocesan Pastoral Plan recognises the need to support this celebration of faith; graced moments in the sacramental life of all parishioners.
Passing on the Faith is the fifth priority of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
Perhaps this is the most challenging dimension of the Living Church project because it will compel us all to find a new language to dialogue with those who need to hear the Gospel.
I pay tribute to the many catechists in our diocese; from our teachers and schools to the numerous adult faith programmes.
This weekend at the Congress the Diocesan Pastoral Plan will be presented.
It will develop upon these pastoral priorities and outline concrete targets to assist in the enrichment of this Living Church.
To ensure the effectiveness of this Pastoral Plan, a monitoring and review process will be integral to its success.
As such, the Congress does not mark the end of a process - it is a beginning.
Review of these priorities will be our shared task in the years to come so that we ensure their implementation.
It is entirely appropriate that the Congress will end with a Celebration of Faith both on the Saturday evening, displaying the talents of those in our local Church, and also on Sunday, within each parish throughout the diocese.
Reflecting on the necessity for constructive reform of the Church both in attitude and in organisational structure in an interview with America magazine last week, Pope Francis affirmed that "discernment takes time... time to lay the foundations for real, effective change".
It is my prayer that this Diocesan Congress will show forth the vitality of our faith and that this will mark an important step in the ongoing life of this diocese.
Dr Noel Treanor is Bishop of Down and Connor. Bishop Treanor has agreed to give The Irish News an interview soon after the congress to discuss the Living Church initiative and pastoral plan, as well as other challenges in the diocese, Ireland and beyond.