In 2022, Clifton Diocese both engaged in the global Synod on Synodality and joined the Caritas Social Action Network. These two decisions share a common theme: to work together and to live the mission of the Church. Their Diocesan Caritas will pursue peace with an ethos of charity, formed especially by our diocesan synodal experience. Listening to one another and listening to the Cry of the Poor and the Cry of the Earth, is the way they will invite the Holy Spirit to guide us on Christ’s path.
To mark the beginning of Advent, Caritas Clifton have created an ‘Advent Mission Calendar’ to help parishioners prepare for the coming of the Lord. It is inspired by the Feeding of the 5000 (John 6:1-14), and the nameless young boy who offers the loaves and the fish to Jesus. That boy trusted in Jesus when he offered his bread and fish, and Clifton encourages everyone to trust Jesus in the same way. In addition to this, they held an online Prison Ministry event in conjunction with Caritas Plymouth, with speakers from Pact, (two other CSAN Members) to highlight the importance of this ministry. And in Clifton Cathedral, St John of God Hospitaller Services, presented its Homes for Ukraine project to emphasise the continued need for support and sponsors for Ukrainian refugees.
In 2023, Clifton intends to expand the number of events and the kinds of support they can offer to parishes. They are excited to help people in their diocese develop their lives of prayer, to engage with Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching, to help build listening communities oriented specifically to Mission, to reach out beyond the walls of the parish, and to respond to the Cry of the Poor and the Cry of the Earth with patience, courage, and love.
Clifton has found it extremely helpful, and enjoyable, to meet with other Caritas Members and to learn from their experiences and programmes already throughout 2022. The support which CSAN has provided has already helped to build a strong sense of the Church in England and Wales and has provided a great deal of inspiration for what 2023 and beyond can bring.
To get in touch with Caritas Clifton, email Jason Charewicz, Caritas and Environmental Officer, at Jason.Charewicz@cliftondiocese.com.
To download and share Clifton’s Advent Mission Calendar, please visit https://cliftondiocese.com/news/advent-mission-calendar/.
Clifton Diocese is the Catholic diocese covering the West of England and includes the City and County of Bristol, the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and Northeast Somerset. There are 107 parishes within 13 deaneries serving a Catholic population of around 190,000. Around 33,000 people attend Mass around the diocese every weekend. More than 2,000 people are actively involved in Catholic associations in the diocese. For more information, visit www.cliftondiocese.com.
