By Dr Chris Cotter, Director of Mission and Pastoral LifeThe Preparation and Consultation Meetings (P&C Meetings) are designed to inform, prepare and consult the people of God across the diocese about the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council (see below about the Council). The first parish meeting will be held on Wednesday 27 July at Sacred Heart Church in Wodonga at 6.00 p.m.
It is expected the parishes in the North-East Deanery will hold a P&C Meeting by the end of August, the Goulburn Deanery through September and October and the Western Deanery in November and early December. For information about when the P&C Meeting will be held in your parish check your parish bulletin and Sandhurst social media. Students and staff at our schools and colleges will also participate in P&C Meetings which have been adapted to meet their needs.
P&C Meetings will be facilitated by Ruth Lawlor (Sandhurst Youth Ministry Coordinator) and me. They will run for 90 minutes and provide information about what the SMPC is, and why it is important for our diocese, using the ‘Listening and Dialogue’ process from the first phase of the Plenary Council.
De-identified collective feedback and questions from the P&C Meetings will be provided to Bishop Shane and help inform the Statutes of the Mission and Pastoral Council.
I encourage everyone to come along, bring a friend and learn about the Mission and Pastoral Council, listen to your fellow parishioners and have a say!
What is the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council and why should we have it?
The 2020 'Go Forth' Review of the Diocese recommended the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council, to be called the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council. A year of preparation and consultation for establishing the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council commenced on 27 April 2022, the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Patroness of the Diocese.
pdf
A Preparation and Consultation Plan
(2.65 MB)
has been developed by the Diocese’s Mission and Pastoral Life Team and is available on the Diocesan website.
When established, the Council will support synodal governance in the Diocese through a structure that builds co-responsibility and discernment in leadership and decision making. It will strengthen our capacity to operate in a strategic and collaborative way, by drawing on the best possible advice of lay people and clergy for pursuing the Church’s mission.
Director of Mission and Pastoral Life
