Spotlight On: Adult Formation For Mission

Tell us a bit about your role as ‘Director of Adult Formation for Mission’?  

In short, it’s my dream job! I am passionate about helping people come to know Jesus and grow in their faith. Our faith is a beautiful gift that has the power to enrich our hearts, our minds, our souls, and our communities. My job is to help parishes unlock that [gift], to be more confident in exploring and then sharing their faith. I love it! It has also been great having Helen join the ‘Adult Formation for Team’ this year. As she works across a number of departments, it has opened up more possibilities to work much more closely together as a curial team.

You took on this role during 2020, what did you set out to do?  

In the midst of the pandemic, with all its restrictions, 2020 was not an ideal time to start a new job and never mind one that is focused on trying to bring people together. I began by trying to get to know what was happening in parishes, how they were adapting to lockdowns and to understand where parishes felt they needed help. I wanted to learn what we could do as a department to help parishes still enable encounters with Christ, grow disciples and send out missionary disciples, even in the midst of COVID-19. It was great to be able to bring people together from across the diocese via virtual means to reflect on and actually do this.  

What have been some of the highlights over the last two years in post?  

There have been so many! The online Carol Service was amazing. Not only was it great to bring people together, but it was also a testament to the fact that we can still share the Good News that Jesus came to live among us, even if can’t access our usual places of worship and facilities. It has been great to get the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies back up and running. I’ve taught the New Testament module and it is wonderful to see people so eager to know more about their faith. I’ve also had the great joy of supporting parishes in their desire for renewal. I’ve helped them ask questions about how they can be proactively and intentionally reach out to people, rather than waiting for people to come to us. It has been a great joy to partner with the Vocations Team, working with Fr Neil and Fr Liam to establishing the ‘Christus Vivit’ Young Adult Ministry. It gives hope seeing so many young adults come together each month to pray, to learn more about their faith and to socialise with other Catholics their own age. It is a great environment to welcome new people into and I am delighted that after a successful launch in Nottingham last year, we are starting a second group in Derby this semester. Similarly, the small steps we are taking to develop women’s and men’s ministries, might be embryonic but I hope they are a sign of great opportunities to come.  Though, I have to say, my highlight of the last year has been the series of events we put on for the World Meeting of Families. With online talks and a great day in Lincoln with families coming together for Mass and celebrations it really was a fantastic celebration and renewal of family ministry in the diocese.

What are some of your hopes and plans for the coming year?  

I am very excited about a new Catechist formation course that we have been working on. It is aimed at those who are thinking about becoming a catechist, those wanting to develop their knowledge as Catechists and those seeking to expand the catechetical programmes on offer in their parish. Watch out for more details on this in the new year. I’m hoping to be able to offer more retreats for men and women, and also to facilitate some online gatherings to highlight and share different resources with catechists. We have also started working closely with the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph, who are based in the New Forest. They have just launched a new apostolate to support adult formation, offering helpful course for evangelists, catechists and opportunities for individuals and groups to explore the Catholic faith. You can find out more information here: lightoftruth.uk Finally, we will be assisting with the plans and preparation for World Youth Day in Lisbon next year, as we hope to take a group of young adults for this unique experience of the Universal Church with Pope Francis.  

Any last words?

Please pray for us and our work, there is much to do!  

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You can contact Joe at:

joe.hopkins@dioceseofnottingham.uk

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