White Hills parishioners, Phil and Jane Bretherton joined Fr Arun Korlakanti (Christ the King Parish, Wangaratta) at the Australian Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry’s gathering of people from Ecclesial Movements and New Communities. At the gathering, Catholic bishops and lay leaders discerned the gathering theme: Charisms for the Mission of the Church. 

By Phil Bretherton 

This gathering was convened by the Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn, Christopher Prowse, Chair of the Bishops’ Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM).

Phil and Jane Samers Bretherton (White Hills Parish) joined Fr Arun Korlakanti (Wangaratta Parishes) at Saint Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney on 21 and 22 August for round table discussions, workshops and informal conversations over cups of tea and coffee.

During the two-day gathering, various International, National, State and diocesan-based Catholic and Christian ecumenical organisations joined seven bishops and members of the Council representing the Bishops’ Commission. We explored the Charisms of each group and how we might foster evangelisation and growth in our communities synodally with a common understanding and commitment to God’s mission of spreading the Gospel.

While representing Teams for Married Spirituality and our own Diocese, Sandhurst, together with Fr Arun, we enjoyed the company of National and local Coordinators of the St Vincent De Paul Society, National Evangelical Team (NET Ministries), Focolare Movement, Teams Oceania, CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal), Alpha Australia, Mothers Who Pray for their Children, Young Christian Workers (YCW), Men Alive, Legion of Mary, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Jesus Youth, Couples for Christ, Cursillo and several others.

Both mornings, participants were able to take part in Eucharist as a community in the Chapel dedicated to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Some took moments in prayer beside the vault of St Mary MacKillop within the chapel. Inspiring words of this co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart are displayed at her tomb, for example, “We are but travellers here”.

After our time together, we recognised how valuable it was for each group’s representatives to share their actions, helping us learn from one another and work more effectively in a synodal way. This would be a helpful initiative in each diocese or region.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Centre for Evangelisation. 

Return to Sandpiper 107 (5 September 2025)