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

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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