The Bishop’s Hat and tassels are traditionally green and are above and around the shield. The six tassels on each side indicate that he is a Bishop (Archbishops have 10 and Cardinals 15 per side). The Cross is below and behind the shield and reaches down to the scroll which contains the Bishop’s Motto.
On the shield are three white stars of the Grech family emblem. The Tree is the Cedar of Lebanon a symbol of the house of God (Ezek 17:3ff) and of prosperity and strength (Ps 29:5, 92:13).
On the right are three flames a sign of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The book is the bible, the Word of God is Christ. The letters Alpha and Omega (the first and last of the Greek alphabet) symbolise Christ as the beginning and end of all. The two-edged sword is also a symbol of the Word of God which is alive and active, cutting finely and laying bare the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebr 4:14).
The Cross of Malta (birthplace of Bishop Joseph) is displayed in the red and white colours of the Maltese flag. The Southern Cross is a symbol of Australia.
The Motto “Come Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20) is both an invitation for Christ to come again and a prayer of faith that he will come again into our hearts and at the end of time.
The Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Sandhurst was formally established in 2004 with its inaugural meeting on Saturday 7 February.
The setting up of the council comes from one of the visions of the Second Vatican Council, in line with recommendations of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference for more active role of the laity and from the workings of several diocesan consultative groups, pastoral initiatives and agencies coming together.
Representation
The Diocesan Pastoral Council consists of two elected members from each of the six regions and the deans of the three deaneries, the Vicar General of the Diocese, the Chair of the Council of Priests and a Religious Order representative.
Membership (July 2010)
• Bishop Joe Grech
• Mr Mark Walsh (Chairperson)
• Mgr John White (Dean)
• Mgr Peter Jeffrey (Dean)
• Fr Rom Hayes (Dean)
• Sr Lucy Martinez (Religious Orders)
• Em Lelean (Bendigo Pastoral Region)
• Marguerita Goggin (Bendigo Pastoral region)
• Mary Zobec (Echuca Pastoral region)
• Terry McKiterick (Echuca Pastoral region)
• Vin Frewen (Goulburn Pastoral Region)
• Mary-ann Demase (Goulburn Pastoral Region)
• John Hoban (Cobram Pastoral Region)
• Tricia Newman (Cobram Pastoral Region)
• Glenys Jackson (Wangaratta Pastoral Region)
• Gerri Boldrini (North East Pastoral Region)
• Alanna Kirley (North East Pastoral Region)
• Paul White (Executive Officer)
Executive
• Bishop Joe Grech
• Mgr John White
• Mark Walsh
• Terry McKiterick
• Mary Zobec
• Alanna Kirley
Regional Seminars
The Diocesan Pastoral Council is providing a series of regional seminars in order to promote awareness of the important role of Parish Pastoral Councils. The seminars will provide an opportunity for Parish Pastoral Councils to meet Councils from other parishes and share ideas and information.
- Bendigo – 10th April at White Hills
- Cobram – 18th May at Cobram
- Echuca – 22nd May at Echuca
- Goulburn – 1st June at Rushworth
- Wangaratta – 23rd June at Wangaratta
- North East – TBA
The Diocesan Pastoral Council is developing a "Handy Hints & Helps for Parish Pastoral Councils" which will be provided (in draft form) to each Council at these seminars.
New Poster and Brochures
The Diocesan Pastoral Council has developed a poster for each parish in the diocese highlighting the Diocesan Vision and Pastoral Goals. The poster is being distributed April/May 2008 and should appear in your church soon.
Also with the poster is a brochure that outlines the Pastoral Goals in more detail and links these to the activities of the Diocesan Ministry Team for the future.
Contact details for the members of the Diocesan Ministry Team are included in the brochure.
Vision of the Diocesan Pastoral Council
That every person in the Diocese be inflamed by the love of God. -Bishop Joe Grech
Goals of the Diocesan Pastoral Council
- Our Christian call & mission
We will explore the foundational understanding of baptism as initiation into the priesthood, life & mission of Christ.
We will reflect upon, encourage & tangibly support the various adult vocational choices through which the baptismal call is lived & deepened. - Community
We will seek to build communities that are welcoming, healing, inclusive, interconnected, ecumenical & reaching out - seeking ways to link those who actively participate in the worshipping community & those who do not. - Collaborative leadership
Parishes & diocesan agencies/bodies will, through collaborative processes, discern their particular mission in line with diocesan vision, assess their wisest use of resources, & ensure adequate formation for all roles and ministries. - Enriching liturgy
We will work towards life-giving, participative, inclusive liturgy, based upon Vatican II principles & sound liturgical spirituality, & underpinned by well-resourced & formed ministries - Lifelong education & formation in faith
We will be learning communities, providing diverse, flexible & accessible opportunities to explore scripture, Vatican II theology, Catholic social teaching, & a spirituality which connects prayer, faith, life, culture & mission. - Engagement with young people in Church life & mission
We will seek to understand - through dialogue - the culture, challenges & concerns of young people, & foster their active engagement at every level of church life & mission
