As the Diocese moves towards becoming a more Synodal Church, ‘mission’ emphasises that the Church exists to share the Good News. As such, the Church cannot be centred on itself. Its deeply missionary dimension, expressed through commitment to synodality, enables the Church to better witness to the Gospel, especially to those on the spiritual, social, economic, political, geographical, and existential peripheries of our world.
By prioritising mission, we aim to live out our call to be a sign of God’s love in the midst of the human family, responding to the needs of our time with faith and compassion, and serving as a leaven for the coming of God’s kingdom.
“And he (the risen Jesus) said to her (Mary Magdalene): ‘Go and tell my brothers and sisters I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. So, Mary Magdalene went and gave the disciples this message.”
– John 20:17-18
The Diocese of Parramatta commits to:
- Explore options for a dedicated space or centre for youth and young adults for gathering, access to support services, formation, and retreats.
- Explore support structures which pastorally their diverse structures and circumstances. For instance, reimagining and enhancing sacramental programs to engage all families through strengthened faith formation and structures of support and accompaniment.
- Discern and co-develop an official “Statement of Welcome” to strengthen a culture of welcome that is enriched by and celebrates difference. The “Statement of Welcome” may be utilised by all communities within the Diocese and is displayed prominently across the Diocese.
- Shift cultural blocks and adapt structures that honour the gifts of all the baptised, women and men, at all levels of leadership within the Diocese.
- Explore the establishment of ethnic chaplaincies for all significantly represented cultures in our Diocese to better understand diverse cultural expressions of our faith, enabling us to walk together towards deeper communion, fuller participation and greater openness to fulfilling God’s mission in the world.
- Expand the existing work of the ‘Diocesan Journey Walking with Refugees and People Seeking Protection’ group to find concrete ways to create a culture of welcome, hospitality and meaningful connection for refugees and people seeking asylum.
- Expand the existing work of the ‘Pastoral Working group’ to find concrete ways to create a culture of welcome, hospitality and meaningful connection for those in the LGBTIQA+ community towards deeper communion and fuller participation in the life and mission of the Church.
- Support women and families of all structures and provide more equitable leave policies for new parents and carers to help families during challenging periods.
Local inspiration
Resources
Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO is an Jesuit priest, human rights lawyer and academic. Fr Brennan has a longstanding reputation of advocacy in the areas of law, social justice, refugee protection, Aboriginal reconciliation and human rights activism.
How can we empower the average parishioners to take up the baptismal call to be a welcomer of others? Grounded in contextual theology and informed by a homegrown grassroots evangelisation initiative The FaithFeed, Donnie shares insights & tips.
Parish Pastoral Councils, Diocesan and Deanery Pastoral Councils, Pastoral and Parish Leadership teams – all are invited to explore best practices of pastoral governance within our faith communities in this webinar.
Meet Bishop Columba and Kate Englebrecht as they introduce you to the Diocese and to Lessons from the Long Paddock. Dawn is an Aboriginal woman from Bourke and her story is reflected upon in this first segment.
Do you have an idea or initiative that would support our commitments? Get in touch with us!
Download a digital copy of
“Behold, I am with you always” Diocese of Parramatta’s
Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church 2024 – 2028