Diocese_Of_Sandhurst_YearInReview_2021

22 Clergy Life and Ministry Similar to the situation last year, the ongoing pandemic has continued to significantly impact the liturgical, social and pastoral activities of our parishes. Our priests have again been challenged to respond to pastoral needs in creative ways and to continuously adapt the liturgical life of parishes in the light of government restrictions, often at short notice. At the time of writing, priests and parishioners are familiar enough now with the routines of hand sanitiser, masks and QR check-ins. These are challenging and uncertain times for us all. At the same time, however, there have been several significant and positive developments in the life and ministry of Sandhurst priests in 2021. During the year, the priests were able to gather together for extended meetings on three occasions; two of these in person and one online. As well, the suite of documents and policies relating to the care and welfare of priests, which had been in development since 2020, were finally presented to the priests for their considered reflection and appraisal. And so, despite the difficulties we have all faced in coping with the pandemic, there is much to celebrate. In April, the recently ordained priests of our Diocese gathered with Bishop Shane, Fr Joe Taylor and myself in Moama to reflect together on challenges and opportunities in ministry. The in-service sought to recognise the particular needs and aspirations of recently ordained priests and to support them in their ministry. A draft diocesan policy for the support of recently ordained priests was presented for discussion. Other topics included: the spiritual and ministerial life of the priest in a rural diocese; mentoring, supervision and spiritual direction; and, the priest as evangeliser. The relaxed atmosphere on the Murray River also allowed time for socialising. The Diocese is committed to the care and welfare of its priests and, within that cohort, particular groups such as the recently ordained. The second meeting of priests in 2021 was intended to be our retreat at Corpus Christi College, as a physical gathering, in June. However, the ongoing pandemic changed all that, as it has changed so many aspects of our lives! The retreat was switched to online mode. Priests adapted readily to this new form and followed the talks enthusiastically. The Retreat Director was Fr Mark Freeman PP (Launceston). The theme of the retreat was: ‘Our relationship with Christ as Priest’. Mark drew on the wealth of his pastoral experience and good humour to lead our priests in their prayerful reflection. It was good to see how smoothly the process worked. Up to this point in our year the priests had experienced one physical gathering and one online gathering. It was certainly a nerve-racking experience at times to make decisions about the location and mode of gatherings, consistent with the safety of participants and government health directives! The third gathering was the annual Clergy In-service, held in August at the Gateway Motel, Wangaratta. Border closures meant we were unable to gather at Moama as originally planned. The Sandhurst priests took over some 40+ rooms of the motel, as well as dedicated meeting and dining rooms. The focus of the in-service was careful appraisal of, and reflection on, a number of key policies being prepared in draft form on the care and welfare of priests. It was gratifying to see the consistent involvement of the priests with this documentation over several days. Gathering together at a motel also allowed for many occasions to celebrate our fraternal spirit. As already indicated, the Diocese has been engaged over the last 18 months with developing a suite of policies on the welfare and care of the priests. This care on the part of the Diocese needs to be intentional, focused, and comprehensive. The policies and their implementation are some of the principal ways of ensuring this care takes place. The documentation includes policy on the care and formation of priests; program for the welcome, support and acculturation of overseas Priests working in the Diocese;policy for thesupportof recentlyordainedpriests; ministry appraisal and review forms; and policy on clergy remuneration and support. Following consideration at the Priests’ In-service, this documentation is now approaching final form and approval. There were several other occasions for celebration by Sandhurst priests throughout 2021. On March 30, during HolyWeek, we gathered as a presbyterate at the Cathedral in Bendigo for the celebration of the Chrism Mass at which the oils used for sacraments each year are blessed. On December 14 we gathered to celebrate the jubilee of ordination of three of our priests: Mgr Frank Hickey (70 years), Fr Rom Hayes (50 years), and Fr Junjun Amaya (10 years). These gatherings are always an opportunity to celebrate our ministry as priests in a fraternal spirit. As well, we celebrated the lives and ministries of three of our priests who died during 2021: Fr Frank Hart, Fr John Ware and Fr Paul Purcell, each of whom made a very fine contribution to the life of the Diocese, and cumulatively, represented many years of priestly service to our people. As with all aspects of life there are endings and there are beginnings. We gathered in the Cathedral on 10 July for the ordination to the priesthood of Adi Indra, a very joyful occasion. In the uncertainties of the pandemic, a window of opportunity emerged for the ordination to proceed. Fr Adi is currently concluding studies in Canon Law in Rome. In January 2022 two priests, Fr Uday Kumar Marneni and Fr Jophin Joy, will be arriving from India to commence parish ministry in our Diocese and the already rich cultural diversity of our Sandhurst presbyterate will be further enhanced. Very Rev. Fr Brian Boyle PhD Director, Clergy Life and Ministry Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst “ There have been several significant and positive developments in the life and ministry of Sandhurst priests ... ” REPORTS