On March 19 due to COVID Bishop Bill issued his Pastoral Letter in which he suspended the preparation for and celebration of Confirmation and First Communion for the duration of 2020. He invited the community to observe a ‘fallow year’ to reflect on their current practice.
At the end of June, the DLC provided parishes with a resource to support their fallow year reflections. Entitled ‘Sacraments of Initiation: A fallow year reflection resource’, the document is available on the diocesan website. To read more about that resource click here.
Since then communities have had time to engage with the ‘Fallow Year Resource’ and to pray with and reflect on the meaning and celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.
The ‘Fallow Year Resource’ provides the context for the review of the ‘Pastoral Guidance for Confirmation’. Information about and the process for the review is found in the Confirmation section of the ‘Fallow Year resource’ on p. 43-44.
Hopefully parish leaders, sacramental teams and other members of the parish community have engaged in their own review of the Confirmation document and resources, and are now ready to participate in a wider process of listening and dialogue.
We all benefit from listening to the wisdom and insights of others. This is an important aspect of the mix of gatherings to which the DLC is inviting you. The cross-parish sharing of wisdom, insights and questions is as important as the revision of the current Pastoral Guidance documents and resources.
We are looking forward to multiple online and physical opportunities for deep listening and rich dialogue. Click here for all review details including registrations.
In preparation let us pray …
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love
Pentecost Sunday Gospel acclamation.