Brentwood Diocese run a one year formation course for all those chosen to be commissioned by the bishop as Pastoral Assistants.

• to offer formation to lay people which will enable them to contribute more effectively to the life of the faith community where priests and people are called to work in a more collaborative way.
• to enable priests to respond to the demands of today by forming pastoral teams as more lay people acquire the necessary formation.
• to offer the diocese an opportunity of responding to the rapid changes taking place in the Church today.

The long-term outcome will be that each parish has a pool of people who are confident, informed and willing to give of themselves and their time to the service of others on a voluntary basis.