In a year marked by both profound loss and renewed purpose, Jesuit parishes across England and Scotland are inviting parishioners and the wider community to participate in a series of meetings this spring. The sessions, taking place throughout May and June, offer a unique opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and collective discernment on the parish’s mission in today’s world.

Titled Accompanying in Hope, these gatherings focus on accompaniment and collective discernment, inviting participants to share their thoughts and help shape the direction of future parish initiatives. Exercises and discussions will centre around how participants can grow as accompaniers and Pilgrims of Hope, with a focus on the next steps for the parish’s mission in this Jubilee Year.

Facilitated by community organiser Danny Curtin and Jesuit brother Ken Vance SJ, Delegate of Pastoral Ministries for the Jesuits in Britain, each session will invite participants to reflect on their personal and shared faith journeys through the lens of five core principles of spiritual accompaniment: deep listening, empathy, shared purpose, engagement, and spiritual support.

Br Ken Vance SJ shared: "As we prepare for the Jesuit Parishes Conference in November, it’s essential that we come together as a community to explore how we can strengthen our parish life. Pope Francis called us to listen, learn, and discern God’s will together. These workshops are a step towards that vision, helping us build stronger, more collaborative and synodal parishes that walk together in faith and mission."

The sessions are a key part of the journey towards the Jesuit Parish Conference 2025, taking place from 12–14 November. They will help shape the themes and direction of the conference, with regional meetings in the autumn continuing the dialogue and building on the insights gathered at the parish level.

Everyone is warmly invited to these sessions. Whether you’re deeply involved in parish life or simply curious to explore your place in the Church, your presence and perspective are welcome.

To further guide and inspire you, please watch these two videos:

Walking Together: The Call to Spiritual Accompaniment in Today’s Church

Danny Curtin Invites You to Take Part in the Jesuit Parish Visits

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Join a parish workshop near you

May

Tuesday 6 May – Farm Street Church, Central London

Monday 12 May – St Wilfrid’s, Preston

Tuesday 13 May – St Peter’s Church, Stonyhurst

Tuesday 27 May – St Anselm’s, Southall

June

Thursday 5 June – St Ignatius Church, Stamford Hill, London

Saturday 14 June – St Aloysius’ Church, Glasgow

Monday 16 June – Sacred Heart, Edinburgh

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To attend, please contact your parish directly:

Farm Street Church, London – farmstreetoffice@rcdow.org.uk | 020 7529 4829

St Anselm’s, Southall – southall@rcdow.org.uk | 020 8574 3300

St Wilfrid’s, Preston – stwilfridspa@gmail.com | 01772 554396

St Peter's Church, Stonyhurst – stpeterschurchstonyhurst@btinternet.com | 01254 826268

St Aloysius' Church, Glasgow – staloysius.garnethill@rcag.org.uk | 0141 332 3039

Sacred Heart, Edinburgh – ejc@jesuit.org.uk | 07935 855 175

St Ignatius Church, Stamford Hill – stamfordhill@rcdow.org.uk | 020 8800 2121

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Come, share your voice, and walk with us in hope.

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Photo courtesy of Unsplash