Our Pastoral Plan: Diocesan Priority of Listening, Dialogue and Discernment

The Diocese of Parramatta commits to:

• Ensure that each parish establishes a Pastoral Council in accordance with the Diocesan guidelines (for Pastoral Councils) by the end of 2025. With support from the Diocese to optimise their effectiveness, Parish Pastoral Councils will encourage the participation of the baptised in the life of the parish through the development of a pastoral plan, supported by subcommittees and/or action groups.
• Review the current functionality of parish, deanery and diocesan pastoral councils to enhance their capacity for collaborative work in a Synodal Church. Take steps to embed in the Church in Parramatta a culture of listening and collaboration as well as good administrative and governance practice. With support and resources, these pastoral councils will identify ways to increase the capacity for ministry, mission, and liturgy at all levels of the Diocese.
• 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.
• Improve transparency by requiring Pastoral and Finance Councils to report to their parish and deanery. This will expand participation and help identify the support needed in local communities.
• Promote and resource a variety of ways for young people to increase their involvement in the life and ministry of the Church through greater participation in parish ministry, advocacy programs, policy development, decision-making and diocesan leadership.
• Host an event that brings the old and young together where they can listen to and learn from each other, sharing joy, energy and wisdom.
• Recognise the different needs of marginalised groups in our Diocese through listening and dialogue, with a focus on the human dignity of each person, that leads to greater inclusion and participation within our local communities.
• Continue to resource programs and processes like Listening Circles for healing and support of abuse survivors, and for those enduring violence in their relationships and homes. Develop expressions of deep sorrow and lament at specified liturgical and other gatherings for the grave harm committed against many while in the Church’s care.
• Establish a First Nations Advisory Council, perhaps in partnership with Christians from other churches and communities, to guide and support the ongoing work of reconciliation, healing and dialogue with our First Nations peoples. Potential outcomes include establishing new opportunities or ways to listen to our First Nations People, engaging in truth telling, and developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
• Acknowledge major feasts of other faith traditions (e.g. Eid and Diwali) as a gesture of respect and recognition for those who coexist within our local parish communities (e.g. notice in Parish bulletins or announcement before Mass).