As Advent approaches, we look forward to a new Liturgical year with all its possibilities. As with all beginnings, there is a closing of the old and a launching out into the new. This Advent marks the official conclusion of our diocesan process for renewal, Come & See. It leaves a legacy of lasting fruit to be celebrated and built upon.

In the past five years there have been a variety of events, resources and training taken up by groups and individuals within the diocese. Parishioners and teachers, together with clergy and religious gathered with the Bishop each year, to hear inspiring speakers, to meet and to talk with people from across our diocese. In our parishes prayer groups, study groups and evangelisation groups have been established. The children in our primary and secondary schools have participated in liturgies on the theme of each year and been encouraged in their faith.

So what follows Come & See? Although the formal five year process has concluded, evangelisation is still a top priority. On the feast of Ss Peter and Paul this year, Pope Benedict announced the creation of a new Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation. During his homily delivered in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome he said that the new Council has '..the specific task of promoting a renewed evangelisation in countries where the first proclamation of the faith already resounded, and where Churches are present of ancient foundation, but which are going through a progressive secularisation of society and a sort of "eclipse of the sense of God," which constitutes a challenge to find the appropriate means to propose again the perennial truth of the Gospel of Christ.'

In our diocese, we aim to keep evangelisation in the forefront of our thoughts by continuing our annual gatherings with opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers and share our experience with one another. The various Come & See groups in parishes will be a key vehicle in building on the valuable work they have been doing in their localities. Centrally, Fr John Wilson, Mrs Josephine Stow and Mrs Linda Pennington, who make up the Office for Evangelisation and Catechesis, hope to work with people in their local area (deanery) to promote, encourage and plan for continued growth in faith into the future.

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