The Bishop’s Vision
At St. Margaret Clitherow Academy, we are fully committed to live out Bishop Patrick’s vision for the Nottingham Diocese. In his Pastoral Letter (4th November 2018), Bishop Patrick explained his desire for our Diocese to become more outward looking and missionary in its sense of purpose. Bishop Patrick explained his vision in three clear parts:
“The spiritual foundation for the diocese that I would like to see put firmly in place over the next three years is three-fold: ENCOUNTER, DISCIPLESHIP and MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP.
ENCOUNTER
I would like to ensure that people of all ages in our parishes, schools, and chaplaincies are helped to discover, or discover more deeply, the importance of a personal ENCOUNTER with Christ; so that they can become convinced that they are each loved by God and are invited to grow in their relationship with him. In particular I would like to see the development of times of Eucharistic Adoration in our parishes, schools and chaplaincies.
DISCIPLESHIP
Because of that personal encounter with Christ, I would like to encourage each of us to hear and respond to his invitation to be his DISCIPLES, to follow him more closely, and to seek to serve him generously in our daily lives.
MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP
With a greater recognition of, and openness to, the help, guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can all become MISSIONARY DISCIPLES; faith-filled, joyful and outward-looking Christians who are growing in confidence to speak humbly of the difference that knowing Christ makes to our lives, and who bear witness to His love in our service of our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need. The service to which Christ calls us is always the action of the Holy Spirit working in us”.
(Bishop Patrick, Pastoral Letter. November 2018)
At St. Margaret Clitherow Academy, we are working hard to develop children’s understanding of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as well as providing opportunities for all stakeholders to Encounter Christ in our school.
The theme of ‘Encounter’ will be explored during Advent and Christmas, ‘Discipleship’ during Lent (Spring term), and ‘Missionary Discipleship’ from Easter to Pentecost (Summer term).
At St Margaret Clitherow, these spiritual themes will become more and more a living reality in school life and the faith journey of our children. Please speak to your children about them and how we are making the Bishop’s vision come alive in our school.
