Chris Higgins, the Archdiocesan parish and deanery development adviser, shines a light on the Parish Development Strategy and the shared mission that it aims to spur.

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The Archdiocese of Liverpool is embarking on a bold and hopeful journey through its Parish Development Strategy (PDS)—a process designed not only to respond to pressing challenges, but to renew our commitment to the mission of the Church: proclaiming Christ, nurturing believers, and serving communities, especially the poor.

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Why change?
Archbishop John Sherrington tells us: “The Church exists to proclaim Jesus Christ to all peoples. This is her mission. Christ loves us, has saved us, walks with us and offers the hope of eternal life.”

To fulfil this mission today, there is a compelling case for altering our approach. Several realities are shaping this new direction:

• A deep desire to live out our missionary purpose: to proclaim Christ, worship, evangelise and serve.

• The hope for greater co-operation between parishes and deaneries to strengthen our mission and support one another.

• A sobering truth: the number of diocesan priests will fall from 100 today to fewer than 60 within seven years.

• The aspirations for a vibrant future for our children and young people.

• The flourishing life of Catholic schools and families.

• The urgent need to attract more vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

• The call for all the baptised to actively serve the mission of the Church.

• The financial strain of maintaining too many buildings, leading to years of overspending.

• The burden of stewardship falling on fewer priests and parishioners.

• The challenge of engaging those who are indifferent or hostile to the Church.

Reflecting on the above points, Archbishop Sherrington adds: “We are ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ who wish to share the hope of Jesus Christ with others. The mission today, for tomorrow, needs realistic and forward-looking structures because people have moved, the cost of maintaining too many buildings is prohibitive and the number of clergy has reduced.”

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The vision: A Church renewed

The Parish Development Strategy has been put in place to allow us to embrace new possibilities. It calls us to walk together and shape a vibrant, mission-focused, healthy, and sustainable Church for today and tomorrow. This requires courage, creativity and, above all, faith.

The pastoral plan offers four signposts for the future:

• Be immersed in the joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties of humanity today;

• Be brave and creative in renewing local structures;

• Develop leadership to attend to changing needs;

• Embed synodality in every aspect of archdiocesan life.

These are not abstract ideals, but rather practical invitations to every parish to reimagine its life and mission.

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How is it happening?

This process is being carried out at local level, deanery by deanery. A pilot began last year in the three Sefton deaneries: Sefton Coast North, Sefton Coast South and Sefton Inland. They are currently at stage two of a four-stage journey:

Stage 1: Review the current situation – each parish will conduct its own review at all levels, including clergy, ministers, liturgical provision, mission activity, finance buildings, demographics, consulting widely.

Stage 2: Discern future priorities – parishes and families of parishes will identify priorities and share findings at deanery synodal council level.

Stage 3: Making plans – local churches will create plans based on these priorities and present them to the Archbishop.

Stage 4: Action – agreed plans will be implemented within a set timeframe.

This process will be embedded in prayer. Every stage will be underpinned by discernment and openness to the Holy Spirit. As Archbishop Sherrington reminds us: “We ask the help of the Holy Spirit to be with us and the prayer of Mary, Star of Evangelisation.”

The deaneries of Warrington & Widnes and Liverpool South (phase two)   have started their parish reviews (stage one) last month and will begin their discernment process (stage two) after Easter. We hope that later in the year another two deaneries will begin the process, marking phase three.

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A truly Synodal Church

The PDS is a call to journey together. Every voice matters. Every parishioner has a role to play. This is not a top-down directive—it is a shared mission, rooted in listening, dialogue, and collaboration.

The following quotes, drawn from members of the pilot steering groups in Sefton, offer a reflection of that.

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Voices from Sefton

“Using the synodal process of discernment has been empowering and a privilege to listen to others involved.”

“The process has been rewarding. To evaluate where Christ’s example is strong within the deanery and the good practice that has been shared gives hope for the future of the Church.”

“It’s very positive how common themes have emerged from many parishes through this process. And enlightening to listen to other parishes proposals and ideas.”

“This process has energised us to focus in on our true mission and purpose as a Christ-centred community ready for the opportunities to come. We welcome the responsibility to be an active part of this process.”

“As a pilot, there have been some glitches along the way but overall, it has been a fantastic process and essential to the future of our Church in Liverpool.”

“This process presents challenges in terms of facing the future for our Archdiocese head on. A wonderful opportunity to work in a collaborative way to develop a new and refreshing vision. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us in the light of Christ.”

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What’s next?

Look out for information in your parish about how you can participate in the process when your deanery begins this process. The full strategy document is available to view at here.

For further information or queries, please contact our parish and deanery development adviser, Chris Higgins on the following email: c.higgins@rcaol.org.uk.

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