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One hundred catechists from Sussex and Surrey journeyed to Worth School in Crawley on Saturday for “A Day of Prayer and Reflection” organised by diocesan Spirituality Adviser, Jon Harman, Youth Adviser, Lizzie Wakeling, and members of the diocesan Formation Team.

Catechists play a vital role in bringing members of our church communities into a closer relationship with Jesus, preparing candidates and their families to receive the sacraments, and enabling people of all ages to gain a greater understanding of the Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Writing in his 2024 Pastoral Plan The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission, Bishop Richard highlighted the importance of members of our faith family receiving catechesis and life-long formation noting that: “the journey to closer conformity to Christ is the very purpose of our lives.”

Supporting the mission and vision of the Plan, Saturday’s programme centred on the four pillars of formation - human, pastoral, intellectual and spiritual - with each theme explored by one of four subject experts: Dom Mark Barrett OSB, teacher, author and Abbott of Worth; Kathy Quint, BACP Counsellor and Cruse National Trainer; Fr Kevin Dring, diocesan priest, seminary lecturer and former missionary; and Sr Hyacinthe Defos du Rau OP (pictured), a doctoral student with an ecclesiastical licence in Catechetics. Commenting on the day, one attendee said:

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“I thought the speakers were exceptional; thought-provoking, engaging, and extremely knowledgeable. It was a highly enjoyable and informative day.”

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Reflecting after the event, Jon Harman said:

“‘It was wonderful to welcome our speakers and many catechists to Worth School. The theme for the day aimed to enable catechists to explore their personal formation in preparation for a new season of catechetical parish ministry, providing important opportunities to explore, reflect and ask questions. We would like to thank all those that attended and contributed.”

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Slides from the day will be circulated to attendees shortly, with lecture audio recordings uploaded to the diocesan website in due course. To see photographs please click on the button below.