Fundraising Consultative Phase Update

Released on Wednesday 17th October 2023

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Previous Updates

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‍Released on Wednesday 29th March 2023

A message from Bishop Patrick

Our vision for the Diocese of Nottingham is to become a more outward-looking missionary Catholic community. After much consultation, we have revised our deanery pattern, and are now in the process of reorganising and sometimes amalgamating our parishes. To ensure our faith communities are well served and supported in mission-focused initiatives, we have also launched our Mission Enabling Programme.

Looking to the future, we must now develop the most effective financial plan, one that is well informed and meets our needs. To achieve this, we are commencing a new three-month consultative phase which will begin shortly after Easter Sunday. With the help of professional support, we will gather opinions from clergy, laity and parishioners to help shape our funding strategies. If you are asked, I would greatly appreciate your participation and the sharing of your insights either through a one-to-one conversation or an at-Mass survey.

I look forward to beginning this consultation process and to updating you on a regular basis. In the meantime, I ask that you please pray for our mission and for this journey of discernment, that it will bear fruit and enable us to assist our communities in their discipleship and to equip them with tools to share the love and message of Christ with others more widely.

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Released on 12th September 2023

Update from Bishop Patrick for all parishioners with regard to the consultation that took place across the diocese just before the school holidays

I want to update you on the recent consultative phase we conducted across the Diocese. I was so pleased that we received a fairly high level of participation. Over 2,100 opinions were gathered through one-to-one conversations, the at-Mass questionnaires and the e-survey.

Thank you so much to parishioners and clergy who took the time and interest to share their thoughts. I was encouraged by the overall reaction, and I recognise from your feedback that, while there is recognition that diocesan communication has greatly improved over the past year or so, there needs to be more regular communication across the diocese. Feedback also suggested that work needs to be done on simplifying how we convey our spiritual themes, encounter, discipleship and missionary discipleship. I am currently working on this. There was also an understanding of the financial needs across our diocese, especially prioritising parishes, and the feedback indicated that parishioners and clergy are willing to be supportive of a fundraising initiative.

The Diocesan leadership is currently considering the feedback and the next steps. In October, I will provide you with a more detailed summary.

But, in the meantime, I would greatly appreciate your prayers that, in the light of the feedback received, I, and those who advise me, will be guided by the Holy Spirit to make the best decisions for the future sustainability and growth of our vibrant and hope-filled diocesan family.

With gratitude and prayer,

+Patrick

Rt Rev Patrick McKinney

Bishop of Nottingham

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