Parishioners from Kyabram, Tatura and Echuca have participated in the first parish-based Goals Familiarisation Workshops in the Diocese.
Goals Familiarisation Workshop at Kyabram
On Thursday, 7 August, parishioners from Kyabram and Tatura gathered at St Augustine’s Church in Kyabram for the first parish-based Goals Familiarisation Workshop in the Diocese.
Facilitated by Geoff Gowdie, Assistant Director, Mission and Pastoral Life, the workshop introduced participants to the Sandhurst Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals, inviting reflection on their meaning and significance for parish life. Geoff challenged parishioners to deliberate on the goals, grouped in three strategic directions, and encouraged all participants to engage in meaningful and valuable discussion.
“The valuable part of today was actually to analyse the goals and break them open so that people could understand them,” said Kyabram parishioner, Alana Brennan. “Then they can relate some of those goals to what’s happening in their parishes.”
For Kyabram participant, Loretta Lilford, the workshop was a positive step. “It was terrific. Geoff really did break open the plans. There is so much to think about; it’s just a start for us … I feel hope-filled, and I think we’ve got a lot more direction, and I look forward to what unfolds.”
The workshop also provided an opportunity for both parishes to share resources and hopes for the future. “Tonight has been a great experience for our parishes of Kyabram and Tatura to come together and share the things that we celebrate, and all the things we hope for in the future,” said Alana.
Pauline Hindson, Principal of Sacred Heart School, Tatura, agreed: “Tonight was a really great opportunity to spend some time here with the two parishes … to unpack and learn more about the goals … and to share thinking around what that could mean for us in both parishes moving forward.”
Goals Familiarisation Workshop at Echuca
On Tuesday 12 August, Echuca parishioner and Sandhurst Formation Team member, Christine Sebire led a Goals Familiarisation Workshop for about 35 parishioners, including members of the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and various ministry groups.
Mirroring Geoff Gowdie's presentation in Kyabram the week before, Christine introduced the Sandhurst Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals, then guided participants through five minutes of personal reflection, five minutes of pair sharing, and open discussion.
Parish Pastoral Council Chair, Rob Morris, then outlined Echuca’s current Strategic Plan, which concludes in 2025, encouraging the parish to explore how diocesan goals connect with parish priorities.
Parish Priest Fr Novelito (Novie) Lim was pleased with the Workshop. “Christine did a great job of explaining the Sandhurst Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals, which is important because understanding the diocesan goals helps us to identify and develop goals for our parish. As our Parish Strategic Plan ends this year, the workshop was very timely—we feel supported by the Diocese to move forward and develop goals.”
There was a buzz of excitement as participants felt encouraged to know that the Diocesan Formation Team can provide further opportunities for the parish to delve into the goals and develop a new Parish Strategic Plan which shares the goals of the Diocese.
Workshops are the first step of the Diocesan Formation Plan
Designed to help parishes understand the Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals, these Workshops are the first Project in the diocesan Formation Support Plan, before entering into a parish planning process (Projects 2 and 3 of the Formation Support Plan).
In a letter to the People of God in Sandhurst, Bishop Shane wrote that the Goals Familiarisation Workshops, and the Parish-based planning processes and workshops to implement the Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals, afford “an ideal opportunity for leaders in parishes, schools and faith communities to come together in the implementation of our Shared Mission Agreements."
Parishes are asked to book a Workshop through the Chancery before the end of September.
