Our Pastoral Plan: Diocesan Priority of Community

The Diocese of Parramatta commits to:

• Map all current programs and support services that seek to protect the dignity of human life, to identify and address any gaps either directly through the provision of more service or in partnership with other agencies.
• Strengthen local community access to grants by working with civil partners and ensuring that local leaders are aware of the financial support that is available to them.
• Support parishes to undertake a pastoral assessment including its synodal structures, and resourcing of key support roles with the aim of identifying ways to increase capacity for ministry, mission, and liturgy.
• Support young people through strengthened partnerships (particularly Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese) that promote ministry and outreach opportunities designed to encourage continued engagement in the life and mission of the Church.
• Enhance support services for family counselling, financial assistance, and refugee support programs.
• The ongoing support of refugees. Guided by the Diocesan Walking with Refugees Steering Group, we will continue to build an inter-agency approach to co-create and deliver ways to address the needs of refugees and asylum seeker.
• Partner with organisations, like Catholic Care, which provide support at the local level to those experiencing domestic violence and/or violence against women.
• Celebrate International Day for People with Disabilities (3 December) to raise awareness and honour the needs of people living with disabilities and their families.
• Aid and support full participation by meeting minimum accessibility requirements across Diocesan properties.
• Work with First Nations people to help local communities embrace a place-based approach to ecological justice, reconciliation and truth telling.
• The establishment of a Laudato Si’ Action Plan for all large agencies, ministries and companies within the Diocese by the end of 2025, which includes commitment to targets to reduce the ongoing impacts of the ecological crisis.
• Ensure that voices from our ethnic and migrant chaplaincies, the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, and Diocesan Interfaith Commission are involved in the decision- making processes and are heard on issues dealing with domestic violence, ecology and climate change, and aid for refugees and migrants).
• Improve technology infrastructure across the Diocese to support better collaboration and communication, cybersecurity, and improve operating efficiencies in local communities to increase capacity in ministry and community engagement.
• Enhance the digital literacy of local communities by working with experts in digital platforms and digital communications, including social media, to enhance the experience of those working in our Diocese and the communities they serve.