From the Parish House

During the Easter season we read a lot from the Acts of the Apostles. We hear the stories of the growth of the Church as it gradually takes shape. We learn that the foundations of the Christian community were built around a community of believers, gathering together for the breaking of the bread, holding fast to the teaching of the apostles and ensuring that everyone is looked after. No one is to go homeless or hungry. These features endure till today. The Church of each generation is called anew to reflect and discern where the Spirit might be calling us to grow as a community, how we celebrate the ‘breaking of the bread’, how we care for one another and how we live the apostolic faith handed on to us.

One of the ways that we do this is to gather our communities together and intentionally ask the questions – how are we going and what should we be doing? Our parishes are in the midst of this process at the moment. Two weeks ago over 60 parishioners from across our parishes gathered together to reflect on our parishes life and its future (we also had 35 apologies). On Wednesday, 17 May our Encompass Youth community will gather to do the same, and at the end of the month, Wednesday, 24 May, parents from our primary schools will meet with our Parish Council to reflect on parish life now and into the future.

Today I can share with you some of the things that came out of our first gathering. Two questions were asked of our parishioners. First, what is going well at the local level in your worshipping community? Second, what is something that you would you like to see at your local worshipping community? Here are some of the top level responses.

Hospitality and welcome were most mentioned as something that is going well and that must continue into the future. The ministry of Parish Life Team members who welcome and connect with our parishioners was highly appreciated, valued and endorsed as something that we should continue to do. The following comment is one among many: “Having people welcoming at the door of Masses is very welcoming and people feel welcomed.”

Friendliness was also a strong theme that came through the response. Parishioners sense that there is a spirit of friendliness and that there is effort made by many people to build a spirit and community of friendship.

The liturgical life of our parish was also given much attention. Parishioners mentioned music a number of times. They appreciated the quality and care that our organists, cantors and choirs put into liturgical music. They also mentioned their appreciation for the diversity of our celebrants (Fr Brendan, Fr Hoang, Archbishop Hart and Fr Frank). They appreciated the quality and different approaches to homilies. There was a call for more parishioners to join the liturgical ministries of Reader and Eucharistic Minister.

Communication was another theme that came forward. Comments included the following: ‘The weekly newsletter feels like you are on top of what is happening across the parishes. Quality and frequency is really good. The newsletter brings the parishes together.’

Combined parish events were mentioned a number of times. Parishioners appreciated coming together for the Opening of the Parish Year. The annual volunteer thank you Christmas gathering was mentioned many times. The annual Remembrance Mass for the recently deceased was also mentioned. A number of parishioners suggested that we plan for some more combined parish activities throughout the year.

There was also a call for some things that parishioners would like to see happening. These included the following:

Social Justice – a number of comments called for the renewal of a Social Justice group or network. There was a particular emphasis on acknowledgement of country, on the support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Adult Education – there was an appreciation of the Faith and Life discussion groups and the Lenten Reflection groups. However, there was a call for more opportunities to come together and explore our faith.

Diversity and inclusion – there was an acknowledgment that our communities are more diverse than ever and that we need to do some work on inclusion and recognition.

Today I am able to give you a snap shot of some of the themes that have emerged. Our Parish Council will continue to gather and collate all the materials that come in over the next few weeks as we complete our meetings. We will then be able to feed back to you some of the initiatives that will be planned as a result.

Thank you to all who have or will participate in these listening and dialogue gatherings. They are important in assisting us to discern the way forward for our parish communities. Just like the early Church we need to listen to one another and the Spirit as we shape our future.