Written by The Adventurous Accompaniment weekend began on Friday 10th October in the evening, with a prayer led by Margaret, featuring the Psalm 139. Eighteen women attended the opening session, with the group expanding to nineteen participants and two facilitators on Saturday.
The Saturday sessions were led by Kate and Anita from Million Minutes, who introduced the concept of accompaniment as described by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium: “Everyone must be initiated into the art of accompaniment.” Their engaging and reflective approach helped participants explore what it truly means to walk alongside others in faith.
The four models of accompaniment were modeled unforgettably in a video feature David Wells, encouraging reflection and discussion:
- Directive: “I’ve been there and I can show you the way.”
- Passive: “Let’s sit together and look at the view.”
- Purposeful: “We are going on a pilgrimage.”
- Adventurous: “I’ll join you on this adventure.”
Discussions throughout the weekend were rich and heartfelt. Many participants reflected on the experience of isolation as women in their parishes and the lack of structured opportunities in their diocese or deanery for women to gather and share their voices. There was a lot of frustration at this but the facilitators emphasised that culture has to shift at an individual level.
The need for connection, support, and being listened to was a recurring theme. It was suggested that women feel hesitant speaking up on an individual level but together we feel more confident and our voices are stronger. On the other hand, as Anita poignantly noted: “It shouldn’t be a privilege to be listened to.”
The group reflected on the call to be “a holy people, not holy individuals,” recognising that accompaniment begins with small, personal acts that can lead to a broader culture shift in how the Church listens, engages, and grows together. And we considered getting some tote bags with the slogan: “0% ambition, 100% mission.”
We had our Episcopal Liaison, Bishop Bosco, there to listen and support us also. He reflected on the encyclical Dilexit Nos being the essence of Pope Francis and encouraged us to see everything through the sacred heart.
The weekend also included time for prayer, sharing, and laughter, helping to foster a deep sense of community and renewal among attendees. Participants explored ways to continue this journey beyond the event through parish gatherings, or local brunches designed to encourage spiritual friendship and mutual support.
The event concluded with gratitude for all involved and a renewed sense of mission: to walk alongside one another in faith, with openness, humility, and joy.
Key Theme:
Accompaniment as a journey of shared holiness and listening – one that begins with each of us and spreads through our communities.
Whiteboard thoughts
Initial thoughts on accompaniment
- Women need to have some way of getting together (sometimes feel isolated in parish settings) – this might help enable something when I go back.
- “Be ready to be surprised” that’s really important, spiritually. Let the spirit lead, might get us somewhere in an unexpected way.
- Purposeful model vs passive vs directive vs adventurous. Interwoven models: with the discernment of the holy spirit we need to apply different models.
- RCIA – teams work in similar ways
- 4 models – Adventurous – need to have a “compass” with you so as not to “get lost” with others”. Emphasis on how we became a Holy People.
Listening
- Felt a physical need to respond, acknowledge
- Wanted to ask questions of the other – had to hold back
- It was a joy to hear about XXX
- As a person speaking/ sharing it felt empowering to be listened to.
How might we bring Adventurous Accompaniment into the NBCW?
- Adventurous Accompaniment is not always comfortable; you need to be changed.
- An evening of Q&A for all
- Openness to new ideas – using the principles to not be polemic
- Being conscious of accompaniment where it happens
- Being present and beijing there for women
- Have spaces for women to engage more
- Recognising the value of women gathering together
- Recognising that women already gather
- Advocate this as a model of being for all leaders in the Church
- Listen and speak without judgement
- Be grateful for opportunities for women to gather
- Give guidance on how to handle things going wrong
- A useful tool for everyday life
- “I have called you friends” – friendship is something that NBCW can create (and has)
- A way of capturing the sense of the faithful in a very informal sense to bring the voices of women to the Board
- Offer accompaniment to the accompaniers
- Possibly create specific groups to support specific roles in the community (eg a group for hospital chaplains) so an accompaniment group for specific groups.
- Learn from older generations in the inter-generational dialogue (the NBCW can create this)
How might we bring this Adventurous Accompaniment into the NBCW: Diocesan Links good practice
J.B. – Suggested convening the convenors to share updates and coordinate efforts.
M.C. – Explained that the Middlesbrough Diocese is divided into three areas, so meetings require a central location.
M.C Suggestions
- Organise events with broad appeal, such as “The Greatness of the Ordinary” at the Bar Convent, involving representatives from national and local groups.
- Participate in the World Day of Prayer.
- Submit regular articles to The Catholic Voice.
- Speak at meetings of other groups.
- Send regular reports to Bishops and ministries.
- Hold quarterly group meetings with Bishops.
- Meet every two months and organise an annual meeting with Bishops.
E.V. – Asked how an effective agenda can be developed.
J.P. – Noted that many people are unaware of the NBCW and that increased communication is necessary.
P.M. – Attempted to start a women’s group in Shrewsbury, but met some reluctance and resistance. Questions arose about what had already been written or achieved. Reported that Archbishop Malcolm asked everyone to report back, and Archbishop John encouraged collaboration between women’s groups, suggesting the formation of a women’s forum for discussion and prayer.
H.B. – Was invited to join the Diocesan Council.
E.V. – Asked how women who feel hurt or excluded by diocesan decisions can best be supported.
H.B. – Highlighted the importance of publicity and seizing opportunities to maintain momentum.
S.P. & A.W. – Explained that Bishops’ representatives attended group meetings and asked questions about ministries. They organised an event for women with Bishops, sent information to all parishes, and planned to prepare a report for the Pastoral Review.