engage in our community

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis on Evangelii Gaudium  states; “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aid”. He goes on to admonish the Christian Church as follows; “In all places and circumstances, Christians, with the help of their pastors, are called to hear the cry of the poor. Seeing their poverty, hearing their cries and knowing their sufferings, we are scandalised because we know that there is enough food for everyone and that hunger is the result of a poor distribution of goods and income”.

Please read more on these institutions and events via the links below to understand our commitments as a Parish towards responding to this clarion call for care, love and compassion for the less privileged in our society.

3. Support for Refugees

4. Support for other Parishes in Africa

5. Donation to Charity

6. Bed for a night

taking care of gods creation

The Pope echos the reflection of numerous scientists, philosophers, theologians, civic groups, all of which have enriched the Church’s thinking on the concern the world is facing and challenges us to reflect on these issues which all of us find disturbing. The Holy Father appeals to us to accept the challenge of protecting our common home as an immediate priority and bring the the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development to protect God’s creation.

We share this vision in our Parish and have adopted measures that will constantly remind of us of the duty we owe ourselves, our fellow beings and the world at large towards making the world a better place to live. Our focus is to key in to the suggestions made by the beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as highlighted by our Holy Father the Pope on “LAUDATO SI”. Bartholomew urges us to replace consumption with sacrifice, greed with generosity, wastefulness with  a spirit of sharing, and asceticism which entails learning to give and not simply give up. It is a way of loving, of moving gradually away from what I want to what God’s world needs. It is liberation from fear, greed and compulsion.

Please read more on how the Church is taking a leadership role in this initiative to support this vision in line the activities we have undertaken as listed below;

1. “LAUDATO SI” Action group and its monthly publications on how to care for our common home”.

The first campaign focused on reducing plastics kicked off in October 2018 and will be followed by other lofty initiatives rolled out on monthly basis.

Discipleship

Our Parish has now signed up to Divine Renovation Association which offers podcasts and regular coaching for our leadership Team and Parish EST group.

Fr John and a group will be attending the Divine Renovation conference in Birmingham on 7^th– 8^th February 2019. Establishing a community of joyful and missionary disciples of Jesus is very essential as we seek to to spread the Gospel to various corners of the earth as Christ commands us to do. (Mark 16: 15-16). We encourage our parishioners and other interested volunteers to be missionary focused and also urge everyone to bring people closer to Jesus Christ through His Church.

There are various events and activities the Church has instituted to promote this vision. Details are available via the links below.

1. Alpha
2. Connect group
3. Name Badge Sunday: An initiative aimed at creating a sense of belonging, to strength the bond in the community so that parishioners will know each other by name.
4. Come back for Christmas.

Bring people closer to Christ

The ultimate goal for us Christians is to maintain a healthy and good relationship with Christ. Relationship with Christ entails, accepting Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour. Knowing that Christ is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6), it is important therefore for the Church of Christ to serve as an avenue through which people can be united and reunited with Christ, our personal Lord and Saviour.

According Bishop Philip (Bishop of the Porthsmouth Diocese, UK) on the Portsmouth People Magazine, July – September 2018 edition; “ Each person, each School and every Ministry within the Dioceses is called to [help Catholics] develop life-long discipleship, spiritual growth and a living relationship with Jesus Christ, above all, in the Holy Eucharist” unquote.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Ephesian 4: 13) and in His presence, there is Joy and fullness of redemption (Psalm 16: 11).

Please read more on the events organized by the Parish in support of this vision below;

1. Alpha Course: This is a significant event that is aimed at moving practicing Catholics into a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to supporting them in responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
2. Connect Groups: This is an ongoing initiative aimed at forming small intentional communities led by 2-3 leaders to support people in journey of faith.
3. The Homily: Fr John our Parish priest usually reflects with us on the Sunday Gospel and then moves on to share some insights  and exhortation in line with the Vision and Strategy for change in the Parish.

eucharist celebration

As a Parish, we are committed to providing our Parishioners the needed support to commune with the Lord through the celebration of our daily and Sunday masses, and we encourage all Christians, (Catholics and non-Catholics alike) to celebrate the Eucharist with us during the daily mass celebration. As a measure of support, the Parish continues to promote this vision through the propagation of the good news about the Living Bread (Eucharist) John 6:58-59 and we encourage everyone to be involved through these activities;

• Preparation for Holy Communion: 

Discern your talents

As St. Paul puts it in Romans 12:5-8 “ in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully”

The Parish therefore encourages her members to go through a self-discovery process, that will help us in our continuous search for self identity, self acknowledgement, self-development and self actualization. The following programmes are therefore accessible to our Church members and other interested members of the public who are eager to know about their identity in God’s Kingdom here on earth and in heaven and are willing to do their best to help God’s creature using their God’s given talents.

1. Senior Leadership Team: This is the decision-making team, focused on excellence and transforming lives.
2. Parish Evangelisation Strategy Team (The Parish Council): This group consists of 12 members and meets each month with focus on strategic planning for the long term and they try to discern what is the will of the Holy Spirit for the Parish and identify programmes (internal and external) that our members can attend to help discern their personal gifts and talents.

Called and Gifted is a process that helps people to understand better what God wants them to do with their life. It helps people grow in their personal relationship with Christ through discerning their personal charism that they have been given for the service of others. A charism is a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit to give us power to represent Christ and to be a channel of God’s goodness to others.

Called and Gifted has three stages:

FIRST STAGE: Teaching.

SECOND STAGE: One-to-One Spiritual Conversations.

THIRD STAGE: Launch Meeting, First small group, Second small group, Third small group, Take Stock, and What next meeting.

If you would like to know more about Called and Gifted please visit the Diocesan website at;

Website: www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/calledandgifted

Email:  [email protected]