“This advent is a special moment in the life of the Diocese of Nottingham. Each Parish hasprepared its Pastoral Plan and we are much nearer meeting the challenges recognised during the Diocesan Assembly. But as well as meeting organisational and pastoral needs the Diocesan Plan calls for a spiritual renewal within our families and in our hearts. The spiritual path can be a lonely one. My hope is by using Walk With Me you will be able to walk with the Magi, the Wise Men from the East, on their journey to Bethlehem.

Many of our friends and people close to us are seeking God. They are aware of God’s presence in so many ways but at the same time they appear to be lost. Sometimes they find this hard to put into words and do not know where to look. Like the Magi, they can say, “We have seen his star” (Mt 2:2). I hope that you will encourage them to make this journey with the Wise Men so that they will be able to rejoice when they find our Lord for themselves.

When the Magi arrived in Bethlehem to pay homage they saw clearly that Jesus was the one whom they had been seeking. Their meeting with Jesus was probably not what they were expecting, yet they still recognised him for what he was and presented him with royal gifts. The task of presenting Jesus to the world is at the heart of evangelisation. It is our continuing task as ollowers of Jesus to find ways of making his person and the good news visible and apparent to all.

At times we feel that this task should be left to others to do. Every baptized person has a responsibility to share with those who do not know Jesus, their knowledge of him and his teaching. The best way to do this is always by example. Most people who become Catholic Christians do not do so because of intellectual argument or a sudden religious experience. It is often because they have been impressed by one of Jesus’ disciples, an ordinary person, like you and me. So perhaps we should see ourselves as the Magi saw Jesus: as sons and daughters of the Most High, the liberated children of God. If we act in this way then our evangelisation will continue in ways beyond our imagining”.

Bishop McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham