Mission for Catechesis and Promotion for the Vocation of Marriage
The establishment of the Mission for Catechesis and Promotion of the Vocation of Marriage Department (MCPVM) is one of the fruits of Our Mission Together, a diocesan fundraising initiative, which helps the diocese to achieve its pastoral and missionary goals. Among which goals were the formation of lay catechists and a focus on supporting the Vocation to Marriage.
A sound faith is valuable in knowing, or discerning, how a person might best serve their local parish. Our department, therefore, offers formation in faith for everyone, as well as specific formation for catechists and other forms of lay ministry. MCPVM also prepares couples for marriage, helps with ongoing formation for those already married, and assists them in passing on the faith to their children.”
Overall Objectives
Our department exists to work with the help of the Holy Spirit towards a renewed faithfulness in our love and service of the Lord in the Diocese of Shrewsbury. Particularly concerning the teaching aspect of making disciples according to the great commission (Matt. 28), promoting the truth and beauty of sacramental marriage, and helping sacramentally married couples live their vocation and mission to love, to the full.
Who we are
Jane Deegan LLB, MA, MSc (Director) trained and worked as a criminal defence solicitor before giving up her career to be a full-time mum and housewife. Married to Jonathan they have three children (and two in heaven). She later studied for a Masters degree in Pastoral Theology and began work in general faith formation teaching and catechesis and then more specifically in marriage and family life ministry. She went on to study for a Masters in Psychology with a Catholic University to assist her in her work with couples. She worked as Head of Parish Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Birmingham before joining the Shrewsbury Diocese in 2020
Email: jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
Mobile: 07517 906435
Stephen Yates BA, PGCE, M.Ed., PhD (Senior Mission Catechist) studied philosophy and then trained as a teacher. He went on to obtain a Masters degree in Religious Education and Catechesis and secured a position as Director of the MA Programme at the Maryvale Institute where he worked for over twenty years. He did further studies to PhD level on the topic of the intermediate state between death and resurrection. His doctoral thesis was then published in book format as Between Death and Resurrection. Married to Ruth, he is also the father of seven children.
Email: stephen.yates@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
Mobile 07517 906438
Natalie Orefice BSc MA (Mission Catechist) read psychology for her bachelor’s degree and was then employed as an assistant psychologist. She then spent fourteen years working as a detention officer. She went on to obtain a Masters is RE and Catechesis at the Maryvale Institute. Prior to her current role she worked for the Archdiocese of Birmingham for over seven years specialising in evangelisation and formation. As a Public Speaker and trustee for Catholic Voices she has extensive experience speaking in the media and to groups about the beauty of the Catholic faith. She is married to Francesco, and they have two children.
Email: natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
Mobile: 07730 526826
Team Office
St Clare’s 27A Downsfield Road, Chester CH4 8HH
On Going Formation with Franciscan Catechetical Institute