numbers at Mass are down: a symptom of a Church in decline?
In a strange way the culture that forces the Church to the margins and flirts with its extinctions, of its nature, indeed its redeemed nature, unable to diminish itself in such a debilitating way. The "kingdom" is at the heart of culture.
The Church in England and Wales, the Church in our western world is experiencing kenosis, self-emptying. As such it images Christ more accurately. In so far as it images Christ more closely it becomes a humble, yet a more confi
dent, embodiment of the Gospel.
Encouraging each other not to be afraid is the work of every parish and every parish is trying to take this task seriously.
It is the work of all members of the parish, particularly as we improve our ability to assume coresponsibility, and work and pray along side each other.
The Catholic Missionary Society has accompanied parishes in this task for many decades. Its way of achieving this have changed
as the insights and emphases of the Church have changed. Yet still today its help is much sought after.
Most of the work its members do is concerned with preparing and celebrating Parish Missions, Retreats, School Missions, and addressing other diocesan and ongoing formation needs.
It makes a distinctive and important contribution to the Church in our countries, and on Home Mission Sunday asks for your prayers and support.