The Archdiocese of Cardiff has a strong missionary heritage, beginning with the Celtic monks at the time of St.Illtud and St. David. This continued with the monastic foundations of medieval times and in times of persecution in the 16th century… In more stable times, the missionary endeavours of the Society of Jesus, the Franciscans and the Benedictines were all significant in developing the faith of the people of our corner of Wales. The work of Gentili and his fellow Rosminians, together with the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy and the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, established firm foundations for the re-establishment of Catholic dioceses in the 19th century.

The Church is called to be missionary in every age. In 2015 we are asked by Pope Francis to respond to the challenge of a ‘new evangelisation’. This endeavours to offer confidently the Catholic Faith to all the people of Wales and Herefordshire. The Pope asks that each and every member of the Church needs to be helped to become missionary disciples’.

Proclaim’15 is a national event to assist in this process. It will be held in Birmingham on 11 July and I shall be attending together with 36 representatives from the Diocese. They are already involved in spreading the faith in their own parishes and lay organisations. In preparation for this important endeavour, there is to be a national prayer initiative in support of the national conference on the evening of 11 July. It will unite parishes throughout England and Wales and I commend it to you. Prayer and study resources will be available to parishes which can be used at all times leading up to and following the event.

We are also able to offer a local “Proclaim” on 10 October at St. David’s Sixth Form College. It will be hosted by a major team of international speakers and will be available to priests and people of the Diocese. At present, places have been reserved for one representative of every place of worship in the Diocese, as long as the booking is made by 20 July. In encouraging every community to participate, I wish to thank the members of the Diocesan Evangelisation Group for their work in preparing for the Proclaim’15 event on 10 October. It will be good to welcome you all.

You can find out more details in this leaflet and download the booking form.