The five year plan offers a process of diocesan renewal that seeks to be spiritual, simple, and flexible.

• The initiatives are specifically designed not to impose excessive burdens on either parish or school communities.

• The process does require openness and willingness, but will be resourced and organised through the Vicariate for Evangelisation in conjunction with the other Vicariates and diocesan agencies.

The five year plan offers broad themes to orientate and harness the initiatives and events within each particular year. There is also cumulative development across the years so that each year builds on what has gone before. From the outset a missionary and evangelising dynamic underpins the whole endeavour.

The process is aligned with the liturgical year such that Advent, Lent and Eastertide are key times. Each year has specific aims and rationale. In the important areas of spirituality and formation in faith it is hoped that the overall themes will provide direction for many existing activities and incentive for new ventures. In no sense does this impose a rigid programme to be followed slavishly. On the contrary, it offers a means for coherence and co-ordination across the diocese, open to interpretation and adaptation by particular communities and groups. One example of this will be integration with Listening 2004 through Family Life Ministry.

There will be specific resources produced for parish, home, and school (primary and secondary) to support each of the themes during each of the years.

The title for the renewal process – “Come and see” - captures Jesus’ call to his first disciples (cf. Jn 1:35-39). The five year plan is a fresh invitation for our Diocese to “come and see” Jesus, to renew our faith in Him that, through the Holy Spirit, we might grow in love and service.

“On the following day John was standing there again with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and said, ‘There is the Lamb of God.’ On hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. He turned and saw them following, and he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi (which means Master), where are you staying?” Jesus said, ‘Come and see.’ So they went and saw where he stayed and spent the rest of that day with him.” (Jn 1:35-39)