RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
FR MICHAEL'S MUSINGS
PARISH VISITATION: Bishop Brian Mascord will be present for a Parish Visitation on 7/8 March & 16/17 March 2024. The bishop has sent a document outlining the various areas he would like to address with the Parish Priest, the Senior Parish Leadership Team (SLT) and their teams, parish employees, other parish leaders and the Parish Mission Council. I consider all the pre-listed as part of the governance structure of Milton Parish. Additionally, any parishioner or friend of the parish is welcome to participate actively in the Parish Visitation. A full copy of the Visitation Program is posted on parish notice boards and available in coming weeks through electronic mailout of the Parish Bulletin.
In particular, I invite all parishioners and friends to participate in an interactive workshop with Bishop Brian on Saturday 16 March from 9 am – 12.30 pm at St Mary’s School Hall, Corks Lane Milton. In a synodal way, we will explore the “life, health and direction” of our parish. During the morning, the bishop will unpack Come and See – Go and Make, three documents which articulate a vision for Diocese of Wollongong (DOW) parishes, Catholic schools, and social outreach programs. These Come and see – Go and Make documents will be distributed at the workshop. An offer was made last December to distribute the documents to anyone wanting them. Notwithstanding, our SLT chose to distribute the documents during a process designed to assist people appreciate their worth. The Parish Visitation provides this opportunity. In the meantime, the documents can be viewed at:
https://www.dow.org.au/wp-content/uploads/CSGM_Vision-for-Parishes_WEB.pdf. and the video to accompany them viewed at:
Bishop Brian has identified possible topics to be addressed during the Visitation process which can assist me as pastor, and the parish community to assess the Milton Parish: 1. Pastoral care & communication; 2. Liturgy; 3. Staffing of parish; 4. Parish site and facilities; 5. Ecumenism – interfaith; 6. Inter-parish activities; 7. Deanery; 8. Assistance from bishop; 9. Financial matters; 10. Records; 11. Other matters.
Under each of the above headings there is a list of criteria to consider. I will write a report using these criteria, to give an accounting of my/our stewardship of the parish. SLT members are also writing individual reports about their jurisdictions. If any parishioner/parish friend wishes to write to me or an SLT member about the above assessment categories, please do so. A copy of the criteria for each category will be sent electronically in the lead up to the Parish Visitation.
During the Parish Visitation I will revisit with the bishop and others my 2021 Leadership Growth Performance Appraisal Report, particularly the Report Recommendations. Let’s assess how I/we are progressing as the Pilgrim People of God, who desire to “put out into the deep” as missionary disciples, and as Bearers’ of Christ’s Love. There will be no shortage of grist for the Visitation mill.
My prayerful hope is that a process I requested 5 years ago, viz. a Parish Visitation, will be a formative experience for every parishioner and friend of Milton Parish. Many know of my passion for ensuring ongoing formation for all ages, humanly, spiritually, intellectually, and pastorally. In my view, these four areas, often listed as essential dimensions for seminary formation, apply to all the baptised faithful who all share in the priesthood of the faithful. I trust that each of the eleven visitation categories cited above will provide our parish with an opportunity to be affirmed, to reflect upon our growing edges, and to identify practical steps for going forward.
I am also hopeful that the vision Bishop Brian and Pope Francis have for our universal and diocesan church is aligned to the one I and others have for Milton parish. Personally, I remain guided by the following words of Pope Francis in the first document he ever published, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel. “The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community. While certainly not the only institution which evangelises, if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be "the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters" (#28). Furthermore I too think “that we should put a sign on the door of parishes that says, 'Free admission' Parishes should be close-knit communities, without bureaucracy, people-centred - a place where the gift of the sacraments can be found. They must become once again schools of service and generosity, with their doors always open to those who are excluded. "Please, let us be daring. Let us all rethink the style of our parochial communities (and) may increasingly become communities of faith, of fraternity and of welcoming the most in need." Pope Francis video message February 2023. May the forthcoming Visitation enable Milton Parish to incarnate further its emblem: “To Put Out Into the Deep as Bearers’ of Christ’s Love.
.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER - MASS TIMES
Use the following link to find Mass times for your local church:
A brief note to inform parents/guardians and students about the Sacramental Program
running this year at St John’s.
Any students that would like to be baptised into the Catholic faith or receive the Sacraments
of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation, are invited to participate in the
Sacramental program that will be running during the year and in school time.
Please see the attached letter that accompanies this newsletter for further information.
Mark Fuller
Sacramental Program Facilitator
NOWRA PARISH
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS NOWRA PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE