Diocesan Day for Catechists - 30 September 2023

On behalf of the Archbishop, we invite you to attend the annual Diocesan Day for Catechists. This day is for all the catechists of the diocese, including those involved in Liturgy of the Word for Children and the RCIA process. 

Where: Amigo Hall, St George’s Cathedral, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HR

When: Saturday 30 September 2023

Start: 10:00am finishing with Mass at 4:00pm

Please book online as soon as possible. Last year the event was fully booked. 

Please do not turn up on the day without booking first to enable us to make all necessary arrangements.

Your parish office will receive an email confirming each booking, as the parish is encouraged to pay the £10 attendance fee but you need to register individually!

** Please register by 27 September**

*This year we are asking you to register individually*

Timetable

10:00am Arrivals, registrations and tea/coffee 

11:00am Welcome and practical notices by the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis Director 

11:05am Keynote Address: ‘How God speaks to us today through the Church and through the Scriptures’, Fr John Hemer MHM (Scripture scholar and lecturer at Allen Hall Seminary) 

12noon Session 1 (Intentional Accompaniment workshop - choice of workshop)

1:00pm Lunch and Bookstalls (AEC Firesale, Word on Fire stall, CTS stall, First Saturday stall)

1:45pm Session 2 (choice of workshop) 

2:45pm Session 3 (choice of workshop) 

4:00pm Commissioning Mass to be celebrated by Canon Gerard Bradley, followed by graduation ceremony for students. 

Practicalities

Tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring a packed lunch. There will be four stalls (see above). Cash, card, cheque and invoice are acceptable means of payment. This will be an opportunity to add to your parish resources.  

Street parking is available in local streets, but you are advised to use public transport where possible. The nearest tube stations are Elephant & Castle and Lambeth North. The nearest railway stations are Elephant & Castle, Waterloo and Waterloo East and various buses serve the area. 

Both the Cathedral and the Amigo Hall are fully accessible.  If you have any special requirements, please contact the Agency as soon as possible. 

Please book online as soon as possible. Last year the event was fully booked.  Please do not turn up on the day without booking first to enable us to make all necessary arrangements. Your parish office will receive an email confirming each booking, as the parish is encouraged to pay the £10 attendance fee.  

Choice of workshops

Session 1

Please select one on the online booking form. 

A) Baptism Catechesis – what does Intentional Accompaniment look like?   
by Fr Mark Wharton and JJ Hussem 

B) First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation Catechesis - what does Intentional Accompaniment look like?  
by Ingrid La Trobe and Isabel Fawcett 

C) Confirmation Catechesis - what does Intentional Accompaniment look like?  
by Lissette Jeannet and Fr Marcus Holden 

D) RCIA Catechesis - what does Intentional Accompaniment look like?  
by Dr Karen North and Dr Mark Nash 

Session 2

Please select one on the online registration form. 

 A) ‘Wheels within wheels’ - God’s Gyroscope - Understanding the Spiritual Sense of Scripture from the Fathers of the Church  
by Fr Marcus Holden, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and Catechesis 

B) What has the new translation of the Lectionary got to do with catechesis? - Scripture is at the heart of catechesis and the Lectionary is at the heart of how the Church presents scripture. The New Lectionary, which includes the scripture readings for Mass and the sacraments, will affect us all and will come into use in Catholic parishes in England and Wales from Advent 2024  
by Martin Foster, Director of the Liturgy Office of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales   

C) The Biblical Names of Jesus - We can often prioritise particular aspects of Jesus’ character in catechesis, a closer look at the names attributed to our Lord can help us broaden our understanding and improve how we catechise 
by Isabel Fawcett, AEC Local Leadership and Resource Co-ordinator 

D) The Eucharist in the Bible - This study of John 6, and other relevant biblical passages, will illuminate the Catholic Church’s teachings on the Eucharist. This session will enable attendees to echo why this teaching is central to every single sacrament  
by Lissette Jeannet, AEC Adult Formation and Missionary Discipleship Advisor 

Session 3  

Please select one on the online registration form. 

 A) ‘His testimony is true’ - The Historicity and Reliability of the Gospels for Catechesis  
by Fr Marcus Holden, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and Catechesis 

B) Using Lectio Divina and Visio Divina in your catechesis - Helping others prayerfully encounter Christ in Scripture and Art 
by Ingrid La Trobe, AEC Family, Child and Youth Catechesis Advisor and Dr Mark Nash, Director of Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis 

C) The Catechumenal Pathway Documents - How the Church sees preparation and celebration of the Sacraments in light of the Catechumenal Model 
Pierpaolo Finaldi - CEO and Publisher of the Catholic Truth Society 

D) Contemporary Concerns: Controversial, Challenging but Crucial Conversations - Today, we face numerous difficult issues in our families, churches and society; clarity with charity is more needed than ever. Identity, lifestyle and sexuality dominate thought and conversation, and our pastoral and ministry responses require consistency and courage, in truth. by JJ Hussem, AEC Evangelisation and Outreach Advisor and Fr Mark Wharton, University Chaplain