ACC hosts workshop on Pastoral Letter

taken from Catholic News August 5, 2007 page 15

Some 50 representatives from the five vicariates, North, Suburban, Central, South and East, completed a workshop geared to start dialogue on the recent Pastoral Letter – “Deepening the Spirit of Solidarity in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain”. 

The workshop was hosted by the Archdiocesan Commission for Communications (ACC) at the Tunapuna RC Church Parish Hall on July 21, 2007.

Tricia Andrew of the La Romaine Parish reports on behalf of her discussion group

Participants at the workshop to facilitate dialogue on the call to Solidarity at Tunapuna Parish Hall

The workshop included an address by the Vicar for Administration Fr Jason Gordon, a DVD presentation identifying the various formats in which the Letter is available and group discussion of the document.  

In his presentation, Fr Jason gave the background to the Letter, indicated some of the elements that gave it shape and gave a brief overview of the document. He shared that the Letter was the fruit of the 2003 and 2005 Synods and the deliberations of the Church’s various Commissions and departments. He said it indicated in a particular way Archbishop Edward Gilbert’s commitment to dialogue.

In the plenary session which followed the group reflection, groups shared on the importance of relationships – of living in communion with others. Their action plan to facilitate parish dialogue on the Letter included a first meeting with leaders in their communities - priests, administrators and heads of parish groups.

They also plan to disseminate the Pastoral Letter in its various forms, DVDs, CD, PowerPoint and print.

Organising discussion groups for reflection on the Letter and making recommendations for a “new springtime” through continuous conversion and communion were also part of their plans.

Over the past five months – March to July – the ACC conducted a programme, entitled “Communicating for Success”, aimed at establishing communication teams in parishes. Some100 representatives from over 30 parishes attended the sessions. 

The programmes were held in Curepe, Tunapuna, San Fernando and Sangre Grande.