24 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2019 WORSHIP & PRAYER Ms Lyn Breen Coordinator Adult Faith Education Sandhurst “I came that they may have life and have it to the full” - John 10:10 The ministry of Adult Faith Education in the Diocese of Sandhurst responds to the Church’s expressed need for programs and resources to support Faith Education, Spiritual Formation and Ministry Skills Training, recognising that all the baptised are called to share Christ’s mission in the Church for the world. Adult Faith Education had a modified program in 2019 due to the momentous events of Australia’s Plenary Council 2020 processes and the ordination of our new Bishop. While guest presenters were fewer in number, parishes continued to seek resources for local initiatives and liturgical celebrations throughout the year. The Rite of Christian Initiation involves a journey towards full initiation into the community of the Catholic Church. RCIA Chaplain, Fr Des Welladsen, was the key presenter for this year’s RCIA Reflection Day at St Augustine’s Kyabram in February. Shepparton Pastoral Associate, Anthony Kilmartin, facilitated a valuable opportunity for catechumens and candidates to share their personal stories. The Rite of Election was celebrated joyfully in the Sacred Heart Cathedral on the First Sunday of Lent. Generous RCIA Team members from across the Diocese gathered again in October, for a ‘Parish RCIA: Sharing Best Practice Day’, to explore ways to enhance their ministries. Fr Brian Boyle’s talks in May on the Gospel of Luke were well received in Bendigo, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Wodonga. In May and November, medical professionals, pastoral care practitioners, parish leaders and parishioners, attended ‘When Life Is Ending’, to gain a Catholic perspective on Victoria’s Assisted Dying Laws. The presentations, which allowed opportunities for questions and discussion, were led by ethicist and practicing General Practitioner, Dr Caroline Ong RSM, supported by Mrs Loretta Lilford, a nurse with extensive experience in caring for the dying and their families. ‘Leaning on the Heart of God’ coffee and conversation mornings led by Loretta Lilford and Sr Helen Glasheen RSM were offered again in 2019, for the parishes of St Patrick’s, Kerang, in June and St Mary’s, Echuca, in July. The two hour conversations allowed participants to share experiences, questions, possibilities with helpful resources provided for those who journey with those who are dying. The second of two ‘Catholic Social Teaching’ formation days were facilitated for CatholicCare Sandhurst staff early in 2019. July brought participation in a multi-agency forum, initiated by CatholicCare Sandhurst, to explore the problems of housing stress and homelessness in our region. A regional St Vincent de Paul Retreat Day was facilitated for inspirational St Vincent de Paul members from several St Vinnies centres who gathered in Wangaratta in March. In August, the first Sandhurst Diocese ‘Wheel of Prayer’ Day was held at the Monsignor Peter Jeffery Parish Centre in Shepparton. A choice of workshops exploring a variety of prayer forms were led by experts in each prayer form from our own Diocese, which received immediate requests for the opportunity to be repeated in 2020! Throughout the year, Adult Faith Education included close collaboration with the Sandhurst Pastoral Associates network, the organisation of an annual meeting of Parish Priests and Pastoral Associates, provision of information and resources for parishes. Resource areas included papal teachings and Pope Francis’ new ‘Season of Creation’, preparation and publication of free reflection leaflets for Advent and Lent, prayer booklets for Faith Education and Spiritual Formation events, and resources from Sandhurst and beyond. ‘Youth Pathways 2020’ was produced by the Sandhurst Youth Ministry in collaboration with Adult Faith Education Sandhurst and published online and as booklets distributed to Catholic school leavers and parishes of the Sandhurst Diocese. ‘Pathways for Seniors 2019-2020’ and ‘Pathways for Families 2020’ were published as online resources providing a variety of live links to information, networks, resources and community connections, easily accessed via computer, smartphone or tablet. ADULT FAITH EDUCATION SANDHURST
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