Plenary Council 2020 - 2021

WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS ASKING OF US IN AUSTRALIA AT THIS TIME? HOW HAS ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE INFLUENCED MY OWN? WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH FOR THE PLENARY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IN 2020? 32 33 DISCUSS (5 MINUTES) RESPOND (5 MINUTES) See pages 20 – 21 FOR NEXT TIME Group Leader: In our next session (optional) we are invited to offer a local response and consider the next steps for our small group. Alternatively, if your group has more topics they would like to submit to Plenary 2020, you can repeat this session as many times as you wish, keeping the “local response” session (Session 5) till the end. OPTION A (FOR FAITH GROUP): You can pray the words below, or you might like to say a prayer of gratitude in your own words. Creator God, we thank you for the encounter with one another today. We know that where two or three are gathered, you are in our midst. Thank you for being with us and for the courage to speak boldly and with passion, and the humility to listen with open hearts. We ask you to continue to walk with us, as we discover the pathway toward the future you are calling us to. Amen. OPTION B: Let us give thanks to one another and for the courage to speak boldly and with passion, and the humility to listen with open hearts.  SHARE AND LISTEN (20 MINUTES FOR ONE HOUR SESSION; 50 MINUTES FOR 90 MINUTE SESSION) Take turns to share aloud with each other your personal experience of faith, life and the Church. When others are speaking, remember to listen with an open and humble heart. REFLECTION (2 MINUTES) After each person has shared, in silence, reflect on how stories shared by other people have influenced your own perspective. You may want to write your thoughts down, or simply sit quietly with your thoughts. SHARE (3 MINUTES) Show that you have listened deeply and openly to each other. Some phrases you may find helpful are: ‘I feel your sharing has helped me to…’ or ‘From what you have shared with me, I now understand…’ REFLECTION (3 MINUTES) Reflect on the statement below in light of what you have shared and heard If you choose to submit a response at this time, go to the Plenary Council webpage  plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au where you will find a SUBMISSION link. This will become your submission to the Plenary Council. We ask that you also provide the Diocese Plenary Council Committee with feedback via email at the end of Session 2 to 5 to assist with further planning. Please include as your email subject which session the feedback is from.  plenary@sandhurst.catholic.org.au