‘At Your Side’ – The Art of Accompaniment

Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton, BL1 6PQ
Saturday 5th March 2022
10am - 3pm

As restrictions in the UK are lifting, we wanted to provide a day where we could gather together again to look forward in hope.

We are the post-pandemic Church, emerging in the power of the Spirit of the Risen Lord with New Life. If the pandemic has taught us anything it is that we are all connected and we need each other. Pope Francis tells us of the need to accompany others in life and to be accompanied ourselves.

Danny Curtin, Amy Cameron, and David Wells will share their research on accompaniment and take us through the various principles and stages which we can apply to our ministries and to life.

Bishop John Arnold will also share an opening reflection.

After the main talk, there will be an opportunity to break into small, practical group sessions exploring the skills of Listening, Encounter and Presence. There will also be representatives from the Diocesan Department for Education, Department for Formation, Office for Youth Ministry and Caritas Diocese of Salford.

The day will be rooted in prayer and fellowship concluding with a Missioning Service.

Please feel free to bring a friend.

Tea and Coffee will be provided. Please bring a packed lunch.

This event is ideal for anyone who is involved in the life of the Church.

You can register for the event here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/256022418947

Click here to download a poster

About the keynote speakers and small group facilitators:

Danny Curtin is the founder of the Catholic youth charity Million Minutes, which has been supporting parishes and communities to consider how they accompany young people since 2011. He is also a facilitator and coach, accompanying Church organisations and charities as they develop their mission in the world. He served as National President of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) in England and Wales from 2005-2010.

Amy Cameron is the Coordinator for Faith & Mission Vicariate at the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle. She is also one of the UK Coordinators for The Pastoral Ministry Certificate with Loyola University, Chicago. Amy is a member of a working party researching the principles of Accompaniment and skills of Listening, Encounter and Presence and has experience in Catholic Youth Ministry.

David Wells is a teacher, public speaker, author, catechist, and friend of Salford Diocese. He has spoken at hundreds of conferences around the world and loves to explore how our faith can be truly good news for us. He has written three books, guest lectured in various universities and appeared in arena events in the UK and North America. He is married to Alison and has three grown-up “Children”.