Pastoral Development

Growing in faith, together

The Pastoral Development Department works alongside the local Church to resource and support its mission.

Formation
Sacraments
Vatican II
Catholic Social Action
Care for Creation
Animate
The Irenaeus Project
Events

What we do

Our department resources and supports the mission of local parishes and deaneries.

We work to enable local pastoral planning, development, formation, training, transition, adaptation and change.

Work that we support

Mission Development | Enabling development of local mission plans by parishes and deaneries within the parameters of the Pastoral Plan and Church's mission.

Catechesis | Development of catechetical strategies, procurement of resources, training of catechists.

Ordained Ministry Development | Supporting the vicariate for clergy, vocations and the ongoing formation of priests.

Laity Development | Adult formation and training ranging from subject-relevant skills and knowledge to spirituality, networking and personal development.

Catholic Social Action | Co-ordinating the work of the Archdiocese relating to social justice and environmental issues compatible with Catholic Social Teaching, in keeping with Pope Francis’ encyclical 'Laudato Si’.

Stewardship | Helping the local Church to plan for a sustainable future by harnessing the gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Upcoming events & courses

Event
January 14, 2024

Peace Sunday Mass and Lecture "The challenges of non-violence in 2024: being non-violent in a violent world

11:00AM

Join Archbishop Malcolm and Pax Christi Liverpool for solemn mass at 11AM to mark Peace Sunday. This will be followed by the Liverpool Archdiocese Justice and Peace commission’s annual memorial lecture at 1:30 PM in the Gibberd room at the Cathedral. Andrew Jackson CEO of Pax Christi England and Wales will speak on ‘The challenges of non-violence in 2024: being non-violent in a violent world.’ For more details contact p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk

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Talk
February 7, 2024

Homes, Housing and Land

7:00PM -8:30PM

Hear from Housing People Building Communities on their refit of 2 disused Archdiocesan churches, and discuss the current housing shortage affecting refugees. This event is online. More information to follow.

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Course
December 13, 2023
St Joseph, Wrightington

RCIA Workshop

6:30PM - 8:00PM

Following the feedback from our previous series of workshops, we have arranged a second list of meetings for anyone who coordinates or helps at RCIA meetings to come together for a catch up, training and sharing of resources meeting. This will be a continuation of the discussion we began in September, but if you were unable to attend previously, you’re very welcome to join us now. To book your place, please email rcia@rcaol.org.uk

St Joseph, Wrightington

Crow Orchard Lane

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Wrightington

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WN6 9PA

Course
December 11, 2023
St Bede, Widnes

RCIA Workshop

6:30PM -8:00PM

Following the feedback from our previous series of workshops, we have arranged a second list of meetings for anyone who coordinates or helps at RCIA meetings to come together for a catch up, training and sharing of resources meeting. This will be a continuation of the discussion we began in September, but if you were unable to attend previously, you’re very welcome to join us now. To book your place, please email rcia@rcaol.org.uk

St Bede, Widnes

Leigh Avenue

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WA8 6EL

Talk
February 28, 2024
AJB 059, Hope University

Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Seminar

3PM - 4:30PM

The fourth event of the Vatican II Constitutions Lecture and Seminar Series will take place in December at Liverpool Hope University. This can be also be viewed online. The speaker will be Pat Jones, who will be giving a talk on Gaudium et Spes. The day starts with a seminar, then refreshments, before ending with a lecture. Please use the link below to book your place.

AJB 059, Hope University

AJB 059, Hope Park, Taggart Avenue, L16 9JD

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Talk
February 28, 2024
FML 014, Hope University

Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Lecture

5:30PM - 7PM

The fourth event of the Vatican II Constitutions Lecture and Seminar Series will take place in December at Liverpool Hope University. This can be also be viewed online. The speaker will be Pat Jones, who will be giving a talk on Gaudium et Spes. The day starts with a seminar, then refreshments, before ending with a lecture. Please use the link below to book your place.

FML 014, Hope University

FML 014, Hope Park, Taggart Avenue, L16 9JD

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Talk
January 17, 2024
AJB 059, Hope University

Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Seminar

3PM - 4:30PM

The third event of the Vatican II Constitutions Lecture and Seminar Series will take place in December at Liverpool Hope University, this can also be viewed online. This can also be viewed online. The speaker will be Peter McGrail, who will be giving a talk on Sacrosanctum Concilium. The day starts with a seminar, then refreshments, before ending with a lecture. Use the link below to book your place.

AJB 059, Hope University

AJB 059, Hope Park, Taggart Avenue, L16 9JD

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Talk
December 7, 2023
AJB 059, Hope University

Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Seminar

3PM - 4:30PM

The second event of the Vatican II Constitutions Lecture and Seminar Series will take place in December at Liverpool Hope University. This can also be viewed online. The speaker will be Paul McPartlan, who will be giving a talk on Lumen Gentium. The day starts with a seminar, then refreshments, before ending with a lecture. Please book your place below.

AJB 059, Hope University

AJB 059, Hope Park, Taggart Avenue, L16 9JD

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Talk
December 7, 2023
FML 014, Hope University

Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lecture

5:30PM - 7:00PM

The second event of the Vatican II Constitutions Lecture and Seminar Series will take place in December at Liverpool Hope University. This can also be viewed online. The speaker will be Paul McPartlan, who will be giving a talk on Lumen Gentium. The day starts with a seminar, then refreshments, before ending with a lecture. Please book your place below.

FML 014, Hope University

FML 014, Hope Park, Taggart Avenue, L16 9JD

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Event
March 9, 2024

Care for Creation: Commitments, Actions and Participation

10:00AM - 3:30PM

Providing input on the latest environmental initiatives across the Archdiocese, and Care for Creation leadership training. Speakers on the day include Bishop John Arnold, the current Environmental Lead for the Bishop's Conference of England and Wales. More information can be found below.

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Talk
January 17, 2024
FML 014, Hope University

Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Lecture

5:30PM - 7:00PM

The third event of the Vatican II Constitutions Lecture and Seminar Series will take place in December at Liverpool Hope University, this can also be viewed online. This can also be viewed online. The speaker will be Peter McGrail, who will be giving a talk on Sacrosanctum Concilium. The day starts with a seminar, then refreshments, before ending with a lecture. Use the link below to book your place.

FML 014, Hope University

FML 014, Hope Park, Taggart Avenue, L16 9JD

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Formation

We offer a variety of formation and training opportunities to support your ministry or your personal growth in faith.

Loyola University Certificate in Pastoral Ministry

Are you involved in ministry in your parish? The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry is a bespoke, online learning experience for those seeking to develop their ministry in the UK parish and community context.

Sacraments

The Sacraments are actions of the Holy Spirit working through the Church and are tangible ways in which God continues to minister to His people.

Catholic social action

Connect with the charities and organisations active in our archdiocese, from Nugent to Caritas, CAFOD, to Feeding Liverpool.

Animate Youth Ministry

Our resident team of young people who minister to other young people through retreats, events and formation.

The Irenaeus Project

This project exists to help people to grow in their spiritual life and to come to see God at work in thier lives - they are based in a retreat centre in Crosby.

Synod Resources

These resources are here to equip anyone interested in the synod and to help all involved to approach the synodal process with an open disposition.

Deaf community

If you would like to join in a Mass with BSL Signing, please contact Fr Martin Kershaw in St Helens. The Deaf and Sign Community Service at Caritas in Nugent offers specialised support in Merseyside including BSL sign language classes, an arts and drama group, interpretation service, health awareness services and support in all areas of spiritual and pastoral life for people who are Deaf.

Dementia support

Dementia friendly activities from the Irenaeus Project include ‘Songs we remember’, a sing-along and Dementia awareness sessions. Please contact Sr Moira Meeghan at Irenaeus to find out more.

LGBTQ+

For Masses and community support, please contact Fr Steve Maloney. Masses and meetings are normally held at St Richard’s, Mayfield Street, Atherton, M46 0AQ.

Connect with us

WhatsApp

Would you like to get the Pastoral Development bulletin directly or keep up with our events? Be amongst the first to hear by joining the our WhatsApp group. This group exists to disseminate information, just pure news curatedby our team.

To join, please send the message ‘JOIN PD NEWS’ with your name and parish to 07449 633 977. Please note that your number may be visible to others in the group. Data is kept in accordance with GDPR regulations.

Our bulletin

Our bulletin offers a wealth of information, tips and resources that may be of help or interest to those who work in pastoral ministry or those wish to develop their faith. We promote events that are open to everyone, either in-person or via Zoom/Teams/YouTube, etc.

Contact our
department

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Sr
Lynne
Baron
Sr Lynne Baron
Role
Archbishop’s delegate for CSA
Department
Pastoral Development
Sub-department
Social Action
Status
Parish
at
Parish
at
at
Rev
Gerard
Callacher
Rev Gerard Callacher
Staff
Priest
Role
Episcopal Vicar for Parish Development
Department
Pastoral Development
Sub-department
Status
Serving
Parish
Priest
at
Parish
Priest
at
at
Pablo
Guidi
Pablo Guidi
Staff
Role
Department
Pastoral Development
Sub-department
Social Action
Status
Parish
at
Parish
at
at
Jonathan
McGuirk
Jonathan McGuirk
Staff
Role
Department
Pastoral Development
Sub-department
Status
Parish
at
Parish
at
at
Elizabeth
Parsons
Elizabeth Parsons
Staff
Role
Training Coordinator
Department
Pastoral Development
Sub-department
Status
Parish
at
Parish
at
at